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<p class="MsoNormal">Below and attached are the January 2025 PCNFB minutes.<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"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">PCNFBV Minutes for January 8, 2025<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The meeting was called to order over Zoom by President Sandy Halverson at 7:11 pm. There were approximately fifteen people present.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Minutes of November 13, 2024 were adopted<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Treasurer’s report covered the period from November 13, 2024 through January 8, 2025. The beginning balance in the General Fund was $5,072.08; income was $1,395.00 derived from convention bus transportation, an auction item, and holiday
party payments; disbursements totaled $1.054.00 covering two months of PAC and VPAD, Lyon Village Community Center, the holiday party caterer and Square fees. The ending balance in the General Fund as of January 8, 2025 is $5,413.08. The Youth Fund remains
unchanged at $1000. The Treasurer’s Report was accepted as presented.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We discussed upcoming motions at the January 20 state board meeting that need acceptance such as: the $50,000 payment to our National Office for the blind Prisoners’ suit; accommodations policy for all events within our affiliate as long
as sufficient notice is given; and conflicts of interest policy; the chapter was in favor of all those motions. There will be two legislative issues discussed for Richmond seminar: Two issues to improve the Virginians with Disabilities Act: 1. processes in
place so that state education institutions can evaluate accessibility of education products, by inserting matching language as in Title II in the ADA; 2; and add words “and web sites” to the Public Accommodation section of the Virginians with Disabilities
Act. Fact sheets will be available in the coming week.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Washington Seminar will occur from February 3-5, with the Great Ingathering at 5 pm on Feb 3, with most Capitol Hill visits the 4<sup>th</sup> and 5<sup>th</sup>. There will be three issues: Website and software accessibility act, medical
devices accessibility act, and Return to Integrated Employment Act. We will be meeting with Congressman Beyer’s staff member, Jennifer. Other Washington Seminar activities of note will be a Career Fair on Monday, February 3, and an auction by the National
Association of Blind Students with none other than our affiliate President Tracy Soforenko serving as one of three auctioneers on Monday evening. Also, on Tuesday, February 4, there will be a Congressional Reception in the Kennedy Caucus Room at 5:30 pm, where
Virginia Congressman Bobby Scott is expected to speak. There will be a practice session over our affiliate zoom on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 3 pm.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Book Club. We will need to figure out an alternate date for the February meeting, as it conflicts with Washington Seminar.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the Presidential Release Live release, President Riccobono reminded us of National Convention July 8-13, 2025; The Marriott Hotel on Canal Street will be the headquarters, and the Sheridan across the street will contain overflow rooms
and the Exhibit Hall, the same hotels as in 2022. Hotel registration is now live.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Also, the Braille Day video was played, featuring Oriana Riccobono giving a tour to a fellow blind student, focusing on where all the braille is located at the National Center. Lastly, we were able to meet all the matching challenges in
the national fundraising.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our dues is $5, payable by Zell, check or cash. When using Zell, put the words “Chapter Dues” in memo line and send email to
<a href="mailto:potomacnfb@gmail.com">potomacnfb@gmail.com</a>. Send checks to Sean McMahon, 2200 S. Quincy St., Arlington, VA 22204.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Presidential Release 545 noted that there will be significant belt tightening at both the national and chapter levels.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We discussed the Youth Fund with a balance of $1000; Tracy Soforenko made a motion to give that $1000 to the affiliate to be used for the state convention’s Youth Track and Virginia BELL Academy. The motion was carried.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 pm.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Respectfully,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Patty Droppers,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Acting Secretary<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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