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<p class="MsoNormal">Hello Colleagues and Friends,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The July Potomac Chapter minutes are below and attached.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John Halverson, Corresponding Secretary<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk45265955">July 9, 2020<o:p></o:p></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. and 18 people were present.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">The icebreaker question was: Share a funny or inspiring quote or the best piece of advice you never took.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">This meeting was primarily focused on the upcoming national NFB convention.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">Christine asked the membership for any issues or questions they had regarding the upcoming national convention.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">There was a question about the dial-in phone numbers used to access convention meetings via the telephone. The phone numbers have not yet been published, but we suspect that the same phone number
will be used for all meetings, with each meeting having a different passcode. More information should be available next week.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">We also discussed simply clicking the agenda links from your Web browser on a computer to hear audio of the meetings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">We discussed the Crowd Compass app and website as a way of interacting with the convention.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">The website is: event.crowdcompass.com/nfb20<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">Christine will recruit volunteers to help individuals who don’t use smartphones learn to use the CrowdCompass website.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">Christine will also create a one-page reference guide to send by email to the membership.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">The affiliate has a list of volunteers available to offer technical support during convention.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">Christine proposed holding a Zoom call this Sunday for anyone who would like technical assistance with the CrowdCompass app and website. More information will be distributed via the chapter listserv.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">Sarah Patnaude confirmed that the Facebook page has been updated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">We held a discussion about how to educate our sponsors about accessibility, or balance our relationships with them and our need to advocate for accessibility?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">Tracy has had great success talking with Microsoft reps about his personal experiences using their products and suggestions for needed improvements. At a virtual convention, we should take the opportunity
to connect broadly with a variety of individuals.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">We also discussed access barriers related to automated ordering kiosks at restaurants.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">Members discussed the importance of being resourceful and problem-solving, but also that all of us have different strengths and weaknesses, privileges, and challenges.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">Sarah Patnaude split the group into breakout rooms to practice the Zoom breakouts feature.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">Following this, we reconvened in the main meeting room.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">Nancy Yeager was elected membership chair for the chapter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">Kathryn Webster mentioned that the DC affiliate is also hosting a Zoom training session on Sunday evening. More details will be posted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">A question was raised regarding disbursements of our youth fund. It was proposed to contribute a portion to the affiliate’s BELL program after conclusion of the final BELL session. This will be discussed
more at the next chapter meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">Respectfully submitted,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk45265955">Arielle Silverman, Secretary, National Federation of the Blind Potomac Chapter</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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