[NFBV-Potomac-Announce] NFB Potomac Chapter November 2021 Minutes

John Halverson jwh100 at outlook.com
Fri Nov 19 16:49:46 UTC 2021


Hello,

Below are the November 2021 minutes.

John Halverson, Corresponding Secretary

November 11, 2021 Potomac Chapter Meeting

The meeting began at 7:02 p.m. There were 6 members present in person and 10 members present on Zoom. Members each shared three words related to their impressions of the 2021 state convention.
The minutes from the October 14 chapter meeting were approved without correction.
The treasurer's report was approved with the starting date corrected to October 12, 2021. Current balances are $2,017.57 in the general fund and $1,750.00 in the youth fund. Sean stated that the treasurer's report does not yet reflect the $200 contribution from the chapter to the Charlie Brown memorial fund.

We reflected on what went well and what could be improved from the state convention in order to develop ideas for the 2022 state convention. Suggestions included:

  *   Make the first part of the convention more interesting. Have some kind of opening session similar to the great gathering-in.
  *   Some members felt there should be less programming about leadership and more about blindness-specific programs and services. Along with this, they suggested multiple breakout session options on Saturday afternoon instead of one big leadership session. However, other members wondered if the leadership content could be valuable for younger members. It was also mentioned that we used to have a single in-person general session on Saturday afternoons.
  *   Sunday afternoon town hall meeting was great.
  *   One member felt that the auction items should be more inclusive toward single people. However, others pointed out that the dinner item could be bid on by single people and that most other items are available to all regardless of relationship status.
  *   Storytime was good and could be repeated.
  *   For any future virtual conventions, have an open socializing suite like a presidential suite room.

Potential chapter activities:

  *   Billy Ruth explained that the Mormon temple has undergone a major renovation. In April and May 2022 it will be open for public viewing. The chapter cold get a guided tour.
  *   Tracy has been in contact with the U.S. Army memorial museum about setting up a tour.
  *   Planet Word museum; facilitating a braille program
  *   Accessible circus in Tysons Nov 18-Jan 9



Holiday party:

An in-person holiday party will occur on Thursday December 9 at the Soforenko home from 6:30-9:00 p.m. The cost is $30 per person. The $30 dinner will include a Peruvian entrée with sides, a salad, appetizer, dessert, and beverages.

The social committee will be meeting to plan activities and games during the event.

We will collect donations for the St. Georges food bank.



The presidential release was played. Highlights included:

  *   Washington seminar: The 2022 Washington Seminar is planned for Feb 7-10, 2022. Currently, the plan is to meet in person. The details are still evolving. Visit www.nfb.org/washington-seminar<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.org%2Fwashington-seminar&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ccebf387ef79d4775db4108d9a94b0b9b%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637726962321567120%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=x5UXLhk8pkkvuv5u%2BTAX5PMk6Ih9Wfd4Dj3KH4FIX4M%3D&reserved=0> for updates.
  *   On October 12, the Ability One commission released a notice of proposed rulemaking about payment of subminimum wages. The NPRM proposes that any affiliated nonprofit agencies must certify that they will not pay subminimum wages. NFB has prepared comments supporting the proposal.
  *   President Riccobono clarified that we are still working on website accessibility in addition to kiosk accessibility. If you come across inaccessible kiosks, share this information with the NFB's legal or policy staff.
  *   The NFB national board has been revising the Code of Conduct. A draft has been released to the membership. Comments are due by Dec 2 at noon Eastern time. The code revisions will be finalized at the December board meeting. It is available at www.nfb.org/DraftCode<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.org%2FDraftCode&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ccebf387ef79d4775db4108d9a94b0b9b%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637726962321577115%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=7R0GmBSWxQI273uJ%2FC0YAbcoYtRsT8pvmwK7N2KSdmI%3D&reserved=0> Email comments to CodeFeedback at nfb.org<mailto:CodeFeedback at nfb.org> or fill out an online form on the draft code webpage.
  *   The Blind Survivors group, co-chaired by Kathryn Webster and Danielle Montour, was launched in October 2021. There is a closed survivors listserv at survivors at nfbnet.org<mailto:survivors at nfbnet.org>.



After the release, chapter members discussed the revised code of conduct.

Members joined in reciting the NFB pledge.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.



Respectfully submitted,

Arielle Silverman, Secretary, NFB Potomac Chapter


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