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<p class="MsoNormal">Colleagues,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please find attached and below the minutes for our chapter meeting of January 14, 2021.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you.<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">National Federation of the Blind Potomac Chapter Meeting<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">January 14, 2021<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. and 19 members were present.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christine offered words of support to the membership during this stressful time for our country.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The minutes were approved without correction.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The treasurer’s report was approved. Current balances are $2,410.64 in the general fund and $750.00 in the youth fund.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sean mentioned that people can pay their dues either through Venmo, by check, or through the chapter’s Square account. Sean will post the Square link on the listserv soon.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our speaker was Bianca Moreiras, a life coach and professional speaker/author.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">She talked about goal setting and perseverance. Topics included breaking down goals into manageable steps and surrounding oneself with positive people/influences. She discussed how to be assertive without being overbearing. After her presentation,
Bianca answered questions from the membership.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bianca is available to help NFBV members who are interested in career coaching.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christine reminded the members that our board meeting will be on Saturday January 16 which will include Richmond Seminar training.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tracy announced that we have 95 people participating in Richmond Seminar.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fact sheets will be distributed Friday evening and will be discussed at our Saturday training. There will be a second make-up training on Monday January 18 at 7 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christine thanked the membership committee for their work on updating the chapter membership list. The list should now be updated.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christine also thanked the program and activities committee for their work in brainstorming new programming ideas.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Libby presentation will be scheduled for February’s meeting.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We may also discuss the impact of isolation, especially around Valentine’s Day.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Christine mentioned the NFB’s national work to address sexual misconduct and to promote diversity and inclusion. These initiatives were discussed on the latest Presidential Release.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kathryn Webster spoke about the new Survivor Task Force and the ongoing efforts to address instances of sexual misconduct.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The NFB is contracting with the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) to provide trauma-informed training for Federation leaders.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Additionally, the NFB has created a six-member survivor task force to serve as an advisory board on procedures and oversight; training and culture; and communications and engagement.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Individuals may confidentially email concerns to <a href="mailto:survivors@nfb.org">
survivors@nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">or call 410-659-9314, 2238<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">updates will be posted to <a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfb.org%2Fsurvivors&data=04%7C01%7C%7C27c870fbc08e498ccf6808d8ba35e232%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637464088030481480%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=DS%2Fc0TKBSkYTcdFWz%2Br39NFoAb8Y9EsE6QH8sGk1uzs%3D&reserved=0">
www.nfb.org/survivors</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">the task force is distinct from the body who investigates code of conduct reports; all task force members are survivors. Efforts are being made to ensure that an outside third party is part of every investigation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kathryn answered members’ questions and provided clarifications. For example, she clarified that the task force serves the entire blindness community, including both Federation members and nonmembers.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ureka Harrison spoke about the affiliate’s Diversity and Inclusion committee. They are looking for feedback on subcommittees to create. Some existing subcommittees include multiple disabilities, Latinx, Black Empowerment, Asian/Pacific
Islanders, and LGBTQ.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The D&I committee will be developing programming throughout the year.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Diversity goes a lot deeper than race.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Next month the Black Empowerment Committee will be doing a program for Black History Month.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Respectfully submitted,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Arielle Silverman, Secretary, National Federation of the Blind Potomac Chapter<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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