[NFBV-Potomac-Announce] Minutes PCNFB April 2025 Meeting

[John Halverson]

hello,

Below and attached are the minutes for our Potomac Chapter April 2025 meeting.

John Halverson, Corresponding Secretary

PCNFB Minutes for April 9, 2025

President Sandy Halverson called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm with 6 zoom participants and 12 in-person participants.

The March 12 minutes were adopted as presented.
The Treasurer's Report for the period of March 12-April 9 showed a beginning balance in our general fund of $6,653.58.
Income:
Dues 16 members $80.00.
Donation $10.00.
Total Income $90.00.
Disbursements:
Lion Village Adm/change fee $100.00.
NFBV Reimbursement for non-use of Lion Village community house$250.00.
St. Georges room rental $780.00.
NFB VPAD for April $50.00.
NFB PAC for April $50.00.
Total Disbursements: $1,230.00.
Ending General Fund Balance as of 4/9/2025: $5513.58.
Youth Fund Balance remains at $0.00.

There was some discussion of the major changes Coming to Metrobus  at the end of June in the form of the Better Bus Network. President Halverson reminded us that Bridgid Dougherty from Metro will come to our June 11 meeting to discuss these changes.

Frankie Morgan, who lives in Fairfax, joined our chapter. She'd heard of us while she was at the Rehab Center, and was also a Silver Bells Participant.


Bonnie O'Day shared with us that currently there are no Virginia cosponsors for either of our NFB Legislative issues. HR1175, the Blind Americans Return to Work Act, eliminates the "earnings cliff",where blind Americans lose $1  of benefits for every dollar earned above the Successful Gainful Employment. HR1529, the Access Technology Affordability Act, would allow blind people to get a tax credit spread over a number of years when purchasing their own accessibility equipment. It was suggested that we set aside a day to make a concerted effort to bring our Virginia congressmen onboard these two initiatives. Another suggestion was that we schedule appointments with our congressmen in their district offices while Congress is in the Easter Recess. Sandy Halverson said she would contact Don Bayer and Rachel Schreiman said she would contact Jerry Connally.
We were also reminded that Patrick Hope would be joining us for our May 14 meeting.
On another legislative topic, Sandy Halverson, Sarah Bloomberg, Seton Droppers and Patty Droppers attended the April 9 Legislative hearing where Jesse Shirec testified to the importance of the NLS services to print-disabled people, especially blind people.

We were reminded of the May 17 upcoming state board meeting, and that we needed to discuss contributions the chapter will make to the various funds. The chapter approved $200 each to the following funds: The White Cane Fund for general operating expenses; The tenBroek Memorial Fund for physical upkeep of our entire National Center; the Dr. Jernigan Fund which assists people attending their first national convention; The SUN Fund (Shares Unlimited in NFB), our "rainy Day fund; and NFB Camp which provides childcare and enrichment activities for children 6 weeks to 10 or 12 years of age during the National Convention.

We discussed some possible social activities. Julie Orozco was going to look into a touch tour of the main Library of Congress Building. Patty Droppers said she would contact NLS and see if it might be possible for us to visit.

Elections were held. The following persons were elected:
Sandy Halverson, President.
Julie Orozco, First Vice President.
Leroy Hansen, Second Vice President.
Sean McMahon, Treasurer.
John Halverson, Corresponding Secretary.
Patty Droppers, Recording Secretary.
Board Members: Gary Moore, Frank Riley, and Seton Droppers.
Also, Julie Orozco will serve as our chapter delegate to the state NFB Board, with John Halverson as alternate.

Our NFB Auction will be Saturday, June 21, from 2 to 6 pm at the Lyon Village Community House, 1920 North Highland Street. John Halverson will chair the auction Committee.

Chapter Presidential Release. Advocacy was the main subject of the release. President Riccobono listed several items: We were successful in extending Telehealth for Medicare until the end of the fiscal year. We were against eliminating NLS funding for regional libraries. We were concerned over the status of the Department of Education; the NFB will continue to advocate for IDEA, RSA, the Randolph-Shepard Program, APH quotas, and the Independent Living for the Older Blind Program. Also, NFB supports efforts to keep Social Security Offices open, to stop overzealous investigations of potential overpayments by Social Security, and urges Federationists in affected states to work against the federal case of Texas vs. Kennedy which is trying to eliminate Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

The meeting was adjourned at 9 pm.

Respectfully,
Patty Droppers, Recording Secretary


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