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<p class="MsoNormal">Hello,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Below find our February 2019 minutes. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Also, Naim is bringing snacks. Thank you Naim!<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 march 14, 2019<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. Twenty-five 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 pie in recognition of National Pie Day?
<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 Kathryn Webster .<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The minutes of the February 14, 2019 meeting were discussed and accepted with just minor adjustments.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><a name="OLE_LINK4"></a><a name="OLE_LINK3"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK4">Treasurer’s report for the period from 02/14/2019 to 03/14/2019<o:p></o:p></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK3"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK4">General Fund:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK3"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK4">Beginning Balance: $3,552.68<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK3"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK4">Ending Balance: $3,189.68<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK3"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK4">Youth fund: Unchanged $1,750.00<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK4"></span><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK3"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Philosophy<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">President John Halverson discussed the membership program that our national president Mark Riccabono is launching so that all members receive a membership coin. What does that mean to us? Some members responded with the sense of inclusiveness
as a collective vehicle, it also symbolizes a belonging and to be a part of something, it’s a symbol of one’s loyalty and commitment, so we don’t forget that you are the only blind person and that you are not alone, a pleasant conversation starter. The membership
coin also has the word “together” in Braille.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">National Convention<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">President Soforenko talked about how empowering, educational and the best networking ever at the National Federation of the Blind’s national convention taking place in Las Vegas from July 7-12<sup>th</sup> and how you can be there. You
can pre-register by may 31<sup>st</sup> to save on your registration and banquet; you can apply for the McDonald Fellowship which provides partial funding for first-time conventioneers; if you are a student, you can apply for a national scholarship which provides
an expense-paid trip; you can apply for the Kenneth Jernigan scholarship which also provides some partial funding for first and second time conventioneers; an array of activities/workshops/seminars/etc will be conducted throughout the convention week.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Presidential Release<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">President Riccabono discussed the membership coins and he is awaiting spreadsheets from each affiliate so members can have their coins for national convention taking place in Las Vegas this July 7-12<sup>th</sup>. Pre-registration is now
open until May 31<sup>st</sup>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Blind Parents Podcast is now available discussing blindness and parenting. The Braille Monitor is our flagship publication available in various formats-thumb drive, email, and Braille.
<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"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Earl Everett is our statewide fundraising coordinator, so consider joining the affiliate fundraising effort.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nancy announced that conference calls for our upcoming Tech Fair in which various types of tech will be demoed such as Netflix, Amazon Firestick, Online Grocery Apps, medical devices, iPhones/iPads, newsline, etc have been taking place
and she is looking for individuals to volunteer .<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nancy announced that there will only be a BELL program in Harrisonburg taking place in July for a week.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">President Soforenko announced that the affiliate board meeting will be taking place on Saturday, May 18<sup>th</sup> in Richmond.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">President John Halverson would like a committee formed and led by Kathryn to plan a wine-tasting event at the halversons’ Home.
<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>NFBV Affiliate/Potomac Chapter Recording Secretary</i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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