[NFBV-Potomac-Announce] Potomac Chapter Minutes January 2022

[John Halverson]

Hello,



Here are the minutes for our January 2022 chapter meeting.



January 13, 2022

NFB Potomac Chapter Meeting Minutes



The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. and 14 people were present.

Members were asked to describe their favorite meal to consume on a cold winter night.

The minutes were approved without correction.

The treasurer's report was approved. Current balances are $1,998.15 in the general fund and $1,750.00 in the youth fund.

Christine thanked the people who organized and hosted the holiday party, including Sharon, Tracy, and Nancy.

Christine updated the chapter on the Project RISE December event and encouraged chapter members to consider serving as mentors in the future.

The presidential release was played. Highlights included:

*President Riccobono wished everyone a Happy World Braille Day on January 4.

*The national convention is planned to be in New Orleans from July 5-10, 2022. President Riccobono is optimistic that we will be able to meet in person with appropriate COVID precautions in place. Federationists are encouraged to get vaccinated to ensure they can access all venues in New Orleans during the convention.

*Individuals can make their hotel reservations at 800-654-3990. Registration will open as usual on March 1.

*The NFB board of directors recently met and approved some changes to the NFB national scholarship program. These include requiring scholarship finalists to be at least 18 years old at the time of the national convention in order to be eligible for a scholarship, and making all 30 scholarships the same value of $8000 instead of having tiered scholarships. One scholarship winner will still be selected to speak at the banquet.

*The KNFB mobile reader app and related software will now be managed by a company called Sensotec. The name of the app will change to the One Step Reader, but otherwise will be the same.

*The Washington Seminar will include a virtual career fair. For more information, contact Dick Davis at dickblind at gmail.com<mailto:dickblind at gmail.com>.

*The revised code of conduct is now available for download or viewing at www.nfb.org/codeofconduct<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.org%2Fcodeofconduct&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce49eea0a55a54672179f08d9de98ba95%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637785570010530981%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=X6N8BjGWGz4jjGz%2FKUeEdP0U2OStCEW1O9OMmL2DQmg%3D&reserved=0>.

*Stay tuned for information about BELL academy options in 2022. There will be a virtual BELL academy and some affiliates will also host in-person BELL academies.



Chapter members discussed the information shared in the presidential release.

It was announced that the entire Washington Seminar is now virtual as of January 12.

We discussed the change in scholarship criteria requiring a student to be 18 years old before receiving a scholarship. While this may reduce liability for the organization, it could also exclude some students from winning scholarships. However, these individuals should have multiple chances to apply after they turn 18.

Code of conduct:

Christine provided feedback on discussions in which she has participated regarding revisions to the code of conduct. Some people have raised concerns about "troublemakers" or people issuing false reports against others. The code of conduct does address "malicious reports." Other concerns surround the stifling of good-humored banter that one might find offensive.

People are encouraged to speak up if they feel uncomfortable. We should communicate directly and not let the code of conduct become a "boogeyman."



We discussed at-home COVID tests and the fact that they are generally inaccessible. In particular, reading the results requires the ability to see color or to count the lines that appear on a test strip. The positive pink line may be faint and difficult to see through a visual interpreting service. Some tests also require precise application of solution onto a swab or into a container.

For an at-home PCR test, the collection may not be fully accessible, but the results will at least be accessible through the lab online.

The Medical Device Nonvisual Access Act would require in-home tests such as COVID and pregnancy tests to be accessible.



Washington Seminar:

The issues this year are the same as last year: ATAA, Web and App Accessibility Act, and Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act. There is a new issue, which would discontinue subminimum wages, assist Section 14(c) holders in transitioning out of the program, and requires progress reporting and evaluation. Sunsets Section 14(c) after 5 years.

The fact sheets are at www.nfb.org/washington-seminar<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.org%2Fwashington-seminar&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ce49eea0a55a54672179f08d9de98ba95%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637785570010530981%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=ka3JqzmRr6KvTpfowmCG7KeuVC10IEJO25TNe8iaZ3c%3D&reserved=0>

Appointments will be held on February 8, 9, and 10 with trainings beforehand.

Tracy is booking an appointment with Congressman Beyer.



Silver Bells:

There will be a virtual meet-and-greet on Saturday January 22 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.



Following the meeting, John and Christine recited the NFB pledge.

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



Respectfully submitted,

Arielle Silverman, Secretary, NFB Potomac Chapter




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