[NFBV-Potomac-Announce] FW: Welcome Home . . . and PCNFB June 13 Minutes

Sun Jun 23 18:36:43 UTC 2019

Colleagues,

Here  are the June Potomac Chapter minutes.

Thank you Christine.

John

-----Original Message-----
From: Christine Grassman [mailto:cfgrassman at icloud.com] 
Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2019 12:05 PM
To: John Halverson <jwh100 at outlook.com>
Cc: Kathryn Webster <nabs.president at gmail.com>
Subject: Welcome Home . . . and PCNFB June 13 Minutes

Potomac Chapter  NFB of Virginia Minutes June 13, 2019:
The meeting of the Potomac Chapter of the NFB of Virginia came to order at approximately 7:04 PM with First Vice-President Katherine Webster presiding. 
17 people were in attendance.
The introductory question was: What quality would you most like to have? 
Our philosophy discussion was built around the anecdote of a blind woman who purchased a home and relied on reports and her agent to ensure a good investment, but it turned out to be a terrible choice. The question was whether her mishap was a sign of her being taken advantage of or more a question of her own lack of due diligence. 
Zack DesJardins, a contractor with  Arlington County Commuter Services presented statistics and  other information on the eBike and eScooter pilot. Members registered their concerns. We were encouraged to continue offering feedback, to complete an online survey, (with telephone help, if necessary, which they were willing to provide), and were told that the County Board was the decision-making authority on policy and regulations.
Email Zack at
zack at metrobike.net
Or contact
mobility at arlingtonva.us

The survey can be found here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QWL29GN

There  was discussion of the national convention; the one individual who had requested a banquet subsidy withdrew the request because an employer had stepped in. There will be no July chapter meeting; we will resume the second Thursday in August.
We broke out into small groups  to discuss various committee responsibilities: legislative,  fund-raising, outreach, and social.
Social: National Harbor Cruise with Prince George’s and Alexandra chapter with a date to be determined prior to Labor Day; the auction perhaps in early January, given our other planned activities and the need to acquire items; health and wellness activities were discussed, such as yoga, self-defense, tandem biking, the Achilles club, personal trainer consultation, and dance lessons.  
Outreach: Metro flyer handouts, outreach to ophthalmologist offices as resources for those whose eyesight will not improve or will deteriorate despite best efforts; discussion of establishment of a Speakers Bureau; working with TVI’s; Disabled Student Services offices at universities.
 Fund-raising: Set a particular goal to have something to work toward; there will be a 50-50 raffle at the September 14 wine-tasting; anyone who could develop a relationship with a local wine store could conceivably arrange for a percentage of sales within given parameters to go to the chapter; Legislative: On the heels of Governor Northam’s appreciated veto of a bill that would give financial institutions the freedom to delay making their web sites and services accessible, we should work with legislators and those institutions to be resources for ensuring accessibility. 
Updates:
Tech fair on June 22: We have about 18 registered attendees. We need two snack hosts. Assistance with set-up and tear-down would be appreciated; set-up approximately 8:00 AM; tear-down between 2:00 and 3:00. Lyon Village Community House, 1920 N. Highland in Arlington.
demonstrators will be announced on the list this coming week, and large-print and Braille lists will be available on site.

Presidential Release 484 was played. 
President Riccobono announced that there will be several BELL academies this summer, as well as an NFB EQ event at the National Center sponsored by the National Science Foundation for students interested in engineering.
The Blind Parents Division of Colorado will host a seminar from August 23-24 at the Colorado Center for the Blind. Make reservations at the Hampton Inn and Suites Highlands Ranch; mention CCB to get the special room rate; call (303) 794-1800.
If you have questions, contact Maureen Nietfeld at maureenbassmaster at gmail.com

John Bergeron provided extremely important information about the hotel and other convention essentials. 
(Recording Secretary’s Note: If you are going to attend the convention, it is highly recommended that you view the convention notes from the agenda. It is available in pdf and Word, and a brf version is reportedly forthcoming:
https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/agenda

End of Recording Secretary note.)
The convention will be streamed; that information will be out soon.
There is a new mailing list available on nfbnet.org dedicated to the national convention and affiliate conventions. This is for convention-related announcements only; no posting, discussion, exhibitor or sponsor ads.
If interested search on nfbnet.org or send an email with subscribe in the subject line to nfb-conventions-request at nfbnet.org
If you have resolutions in final form and a proponent, get them to Sharon Maneki at nfbmd at earthlink.net There are 50-pack bundles of cards available through the Independence Market while supplies last with our pledge on one side and one minute message on the other. They cost $20 plus shipping and handling; call (410) 659-9314; ext. 2216.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Christine Grassman
Recording Secretary