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<p class="MsoNormal">Friends and Colleagues,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Below please find the minutes for our March 2025 Potomac Chapter meeting.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">PCNFB Minutes for March 12, 2025<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The meeting was called to order by President Sandy Halverson at 7:10 pm, with 3-5 Zoom participants, and 10 in-person participants.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The minutes from the February 12, 2025, meeting was adopted.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Treasurer’s Report for the period Feb 12-March 12, 2025. General Fund: Beginning balance: $4,706.08. Income: $15.00 from member dues, and $2,045.00 from affiliate reimbursement for 2024 state convention transportation of $2,045.00. Total
income was $2,060.00. Disbursements included $50.00 each for NFBVPAD and , and, and annual membership assessment to the National Office of $12.50 covering 25 members. Total disbursements were $112.50. Ending general balance was $6,653.58. The
Youth Fund balance remains at $0.00. The Treasurer’s report was adopted as presented.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">PCNFB Meeting Space Update. Patty Droppers reported that St. George is requesting $60.00 per meeting, plus a returnable deposit of $300.00, totaling $780.00. This would cover 8 meetings in 2025, from March-June and August-November. The
chapter agreed to this proposal.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Audit Committee was appointed, with Gary Moore, Chair, and Joe Orozco and Seton Droppers as members.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Nominating Committee was appointed, with Patty Droppers as Chair, and Karin Jernberg and Debbie Everdale as additional members.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Chapter Presidential Release 547 was played. We were encouraged to listen to the new NFBRN (National Federation of the Blind radio network) which is available on several platforms such as Smart Speakers, book player devices, etc. The
network will feature a wide variety of NFB-related broadcasts such as convention banquet speeches, Presidential Reports. The Access Technology Affordability Act (HR1529) was introduced by lead sponsor Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania and lead co-sponsor Mike Thompson
of California. We need to continue to line up sponsors. We’re encouraged to register online for the convention in New Orleans occurring July 8-13. President Riccobono would like to see every chapter in the Federation represented, and he would also like us
to break the 1997 attendance record. Due to the upheaval concerning the status of federal employees, much of the release was spent on the importance of the NFB continuing to engage in collective action for the betterment of all blind people. This is possible
because of our diverse membership; that diversity, equity and inclusion are key in our Code of Conduct, which demands that we respect everyone regardless of their varying characteristics. It is that focus on people rather than political partisanship that makes
us the successful organization we have come to be.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We will conduct another auction this year on June 21<sup>st,</sup> benefiting the northern Virginia chapters of the NFBV. It will take place from 2 pm to 6 pm at the Lyon Village Community House, 1920 North Highland Street, Arlington.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Virginia Assembly Delegate Patrick Hope will present an update on legislative matters, particularly the implementation of the Accessible Prescription Labels Bill at our May 14 chapter meeting from 7:30-8:30 pm.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tracy Soforenko noted that there are many resources for blind federal employees affected by the continuing uncertainty. There are job search resources offered by both Virginia and Maryland, Town Hall support sessions, county and faith resources,
as well as web pages set up by the Democratic Party.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Member News. The daughter of our NFBV Parents of Blind Children Division has taken first place in the Grades 2-3 category of the national Braille Readers Leaders Contest. Julie Orozco is at the Seeing Eye training with a new dog guide.
Allen and Billie Ruth Schlank are settling nicely in Richmond where their daughter Rachel visits often. Maryellen Thompson, a long-time member of the Federation and former worker at the Center, died and her viewing will be tomorrow, and the funeral will be
Friday, March 14.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.<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">Patty Droppers<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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