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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 and Attached are the minutes from our August 2025 meeting.<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">August 13, 2025<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Potomac Chapter, NFBV Minutes<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">President Sandy Halverson called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm at St. Georges Church, Arlington.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•There were nine Zoom participants and ten in-person members.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•The Minutes from the June 2025 meeting were adopted as presented.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•The Treasurer’s Report for the period June 11-August 13 was adopted as presented. The beginning balance was $3,338.58. Total Income: $3,821.31. Total Disbursements: $213.00. Ending Balance: $6,946.89.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•June Auction Discussion. People had a wonderful time. They enjoyed the food, auction items, and socializing.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•National Convention. Both in-person and virtual attendees thought the presentations were excellent; that the convention was well-run. People particularly enjoyed the Presidential Report and Banquet speech.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•Presidential Release. Due to time and technical restraints, we were encouraged to go online and listen to the latest release on our own.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•May 17, 2025, State NFBV Board Meeting. The Strategic Plan was unveiled. The Board is soliciting input on which of the three areas to concentrate efforts for the next year: Technology, leadership development, or membership building. One
example of membership building would be to re-invite previous members.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•Membership List. Patty Droppers said she would have an updated list of members for the September 10 meeting.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•State Convention.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You can make your hotel reservation now. The registration form will go live between the end of August to early September. Tracy was soliciting ideas for agenda items until August 15. A sample of potential ideas: Gun safety, parenting/custody
issues, a Las Vegas night, a 4 pm Saturday birding activity on the beach. Tracy also wants messages that VDBVI can send to various groups of customers, as they want to do a mailing in early September.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•Transportation to State Convention. A motion was made and accepted to draw up a contract for one 56-seat bus going round trip from Northern Virginia directly to the Wyndham Oceanfront. The price would be approximately $6000 plus a 20%
gratuity. Stops for pickup will be determined later. We are considering a departure time from St. Georges between 9 and 9:30 to allow ample pickup times and avoid rush hour traffic problems in Virginia Beach.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•Holiday Party. A motion was moved and accepted to hold our Holiday Party on either December 13 or 20 At the Lyon Village Community House. Tracy will report back with dates.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•BEAM Activities. The D E I Committee is planning a walkathon. Seton Droppers will check into volunteer opportunities for the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, October 26.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•Other Business. On Saturday, September 6, The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults will have a table at the 25<sup>th</sup> Annual Library of Congress National Book Festival.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On Monday, September 15, REV Virginia will hold a Candidate Forum.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At our September 10 meeting, Shawn Callaway will make a presentation on the upcoming DC Affiliate Convention
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our chapter will apply for the Kiwanis Grant for children due by September 13.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 pm.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Respectfully,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Patty Droppers,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Recording 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"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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