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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you Evelyn<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Attached and below are the minutes of last month’s meeting.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>John<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>PCNFB Chapter Minutes for August 10, 2017<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Monthly meeting of the Potomac Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind was convened at 7 p.m. by President John Halverson. Seventeen members were present. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The icebreaker was what is your favorite age and why? <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We had a moment of silence.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The NFB pledge was led and recited by Sandy Halverson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The minutes of the June 8, 2017 meeting were discussed and accepted without correction.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Treasurer’s report for the period from 5/11/2017 to 8/10/2017<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Beginning balance: General Fund: $3679.02<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Income:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Auction Proceeds from Square: $<span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>2,105.45<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Other Auction proceeds, checks and cash $2<span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>,814.00<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> Total Income: $4,919.45<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Disbursements: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Party room expenses:$150.00<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Catering expenses for Auction $500.00<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB VPAD for June $75.00<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB PAC for June $75.00<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB VPAD for July $75.00<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB PAC for July $75.00<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB VPAD for August $75.00<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB PAC for August $75.00<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Convention Assistance $150.00<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Convention Assistance $332.00<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Total Disbursements: $1,582.00<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ending Balance General Fund: $7016.47<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Youth Fund: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Beginning balance: $1,000.00<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Income grant from Kiwanis club for youth programming $1,000.00<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Disbursements: $0.00<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ending balance: $2,000.00<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Programming Committee<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Paul Schroeder demoed the Aira glasses which is artificial intelligence technology that uses live trained agents to give you additional helpful information in either travel or if you are in a specific location. It also can tell you what color your clothing is. It is also resourceful when there’s construction outside like scaffolding so you can make a choice about which route to take. It gives you access to assist via virtual blindness with a telephone and camera relay. The Aira program is aggressively priced. Aira will not tell you when it is safe to cross the street, it is up to the blind traveler’s judgement. There are now about 50 trained Aira agents. If you would be interested in obtaining an unlimited minutes package of Aira, it would cost $329. The website is <a href="http://www.aira.io">www.aira.io</a> if you may have any questions, but Paul Schroeder is your local Aira rep. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>State Convention<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In preparation of our upcoming state convention taking place on Friday, Nov. 3-5 at The Westin Tysons Corner in Falls Church, Annette Carr, Exhibits Coordinator and Evelyn Valdez, Sponsorships Coordinator informed the membership that exhibitors and sponsors have already registered and that a walk-through of the exhibit space must be done. Jacki Brown, our auctioneer conveyed that she needs to have a separate space for the auction items and so Joe Orozco, Conventions Operations and Logistics must go over this task when visiting the hotel. Registration is now available along with booking your hotel accommodations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The following items were discussed regarding the volunteers needed for various components of the state convention since the Potomac Chapter is the hosting chapter.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Volunteers for some state convention activities.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Child Care: Niam <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Auctioneer: Jacki Brown<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Door Prize Coordinator: Sarah Blumberg and Sarah <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Local transportation: Rodney<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Friday night Hospitality: John, Nancy, Evelyn, Annette, Wanda Taylor, Debbie Everdale<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marshal Coordinator: Sean <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Braille Menus: Nancy and Patty Droppers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Opening Ceremonies: use veterans as a color guard; also Seeton Droppers will check if scouts are available<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Use Alexandria Harmonizers to sing on Saturday morning<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Anthem: Alexandria harmonizers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB Pledge: Nancy coordinates BELL kids<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Member of Congress/Local Politician: either Charlie Brown or Amir<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Invocation for Friday and Saturday mornings: either the rector from St. George’s or a Catholic priest, Rabbi Jack from Tracy’s synagogue and Althea Pittman can do it on Sunday morning<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Braille Agendas: Billy Ruth & Allen or Patty Droppers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Virginia Fellows Assignments:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sponsorships Coordinator: Evelyn<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Convention Operations and Logistics: Joe Orozco<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Audio and Visual/assistive listening devices: Michael Kitchens<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bus Transportation: Earl Everett<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Blind Students Activities: Robert Parsons<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fundraising: Domonique Lawless<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Information Table: Alex Castillo<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Collaboration in the Workplace Technology session: Sean <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Announcements<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President John Halverson announced that he will be retiring after a total of thirty-nine years of federal service. We wish John well in his retirement and whatever his next steps may be. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Kiwanis have given us an income grant in the amount of $1000.00 for youth programming. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I hope everyone had a relaxing Labor Day weekend!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yours in the Federation<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><o:p> </o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><i>Respectfully submitted,<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><i>Evelyn Valdez,<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><i>Recording Secretary<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><i>Virginia Leadership Fellows, Class of 2016 </i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>