[NFBV-Potomac-Announce] Minutes June 2026 Potomac NFB Chapter Meeting

[John Halverson]

Greetings Colleagues and Friends,

Please find attached ands below the minutes for our June 2026 chapter meeting.

John Halverson, Corresponding Secretary

Potomac Chapter
National Federation of the Blind
Meeting Minutes
June 10, 2026

After President Orozco called our meeting to order, 14 participants introduced themselves.

Gary Moore moved and John Halverson seconded approving minutes from our May chapter meeting; motion carried unanimously.

After a discussion of our treasurer's report, Sandy Halverson moved and Frank Riley seconded accepting the report; motion carried and the report was adopted unanimously.

Patty Droppers had asked Tracy Yeager to provide some possible wine-tasting venue information but was not available to present it; her notes were read and after questions were raised, it was agreed this topic should be tabled until our August meeting. It was suggested we identify a purpose for this event (social or fundraising) and determine the level of wine education to be provided, the benefits of being seated with wine and pairings being described, and making sure there was adequate space for the number of invitees we might be considering.

Prior to the meeting, Gary Moore who chairs our fundraising committee, had distributed some possible items we might wish to sell at state convention. He will research ingredients to bag our own Potomac Chapter Braille Trail fruit and nut mix.

Tracy Soforenko next informed us our national convention agenda is out. There are several Virginia first-time attendees including three of our Teachers of Tomorrow participants, two national scholarship finalists, two NFBV McDonald Fellowship and Kenneth Jernigan grant recipients along with seven Project RISE participants. An announcement will be forthcoming seeking NFBV state convention presentation ideas. Our state convention exhibit hall will be open Friday and Saturday afternoons, and we hope to have a wide variety of products and services of interest to convention attendees.

Our next state board meeting will take place Saturday, August 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. over our affiliate Zoom.

John Halverson suggested we invite a member of the Arlington Human Relations Commission to a meeting to discuss the continuing problem that blind people have with rideshare providers and local police being unable to enforce the law.

Sean McMahon expressed his frustration with testing companies not providing accommodations for cyber security testing process which limits potential advancement in certain careers. Deepa Goraya offered to assist since her law firm handles ADA licensing and accommodations cases; we hope for successful resolution.

Our upcoming national convention was the topic of Presidential Release 561 explaining our national constitutional mandate regarding the purpose of the convention, role of the state delegate, allows us to test new ideas, community innovations, provide feedback on research, making it clear we think and act for ourselves. Our convention provides a perspective on what is possible, raises expectations, provides blind and low vision role models, and energizes us to increase our participation and commitment in our home communities.

John Halverson moved that we not meet in July; motion was seconded by Tracy Soforenko and passed unanimously.

After reviewing the many ways to access The Braille Monitor and there being no further business,  our meeting was adjourned at 9:04 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Sandy Halverson
Recording Secretary


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