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<p class="MsoNormal">Hi PCNFB Chapter members and friends,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Below and attached are the minutes for the September 2025 chapter meeting.<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 of Virginia<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Potomac Chapter Meeting Minutes for September 10, 2025<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The meeting was called to order by First Vice President Julie Orozco at 7:01 pm at St. Georges Episcopal Church, 915 North Oakland Street, Arlington, VA.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•All nine officers and board members were present. There were twelve in person participants and six or seven Zoom participants.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•Kevin Andrews gave a talk on traveling as a blind person. He had many interesting things to say; among them: he feels Structured Discovery is a philosophy not just a teaching method for mobility; movement is joy; failure unlocks freedom;
embrace chaos; getting lost gives you information.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•August 13 Meeting Minutes. Motion: Sandy Halverson moved that the minutes for August 13 be adopted as distributed and Sean McMahon Seconded. The motion was carried.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•Treasurer’s Report for the period August 13-September 10 2025. Beginning Balance: $6,946.89. Deposits: $0. Disbursements: $-2,350.00. Ending Balance: $4,596.89. Motion: Patty Droppers moved that the Treasurer’s Report be adopted as distributed
and John Halverson seconded. The motion was passed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•Chapter Board Meeting of August 17, 2025. The Board presented several changes to our chapter constitution to a calendar year model (January 1-December 31). This would necessitate changes to how we conduct elections and record membership
status. All the proposed changes were read at this meeting. These proposed changes will be reread and a final vote will be taken at our October meeting. I have attached these proposed changes at the end of this document following these minutes. Our next quarterly
board meeting will be Sunday, November 9 at 7 pm over our affiliate Zoom.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•Chapter Picnic. The picnic will be held at the Halverson’s house, 810 22<sup>nd</sup> St. S., Arlington, on Sunday, October 12, from 3 pm to 7 pm. There is a $10 fee if you don’t bring a side dish or dessert. Text John Halverson at 703-867-6400
or email <a href="mailto:jwh100@outlook.com">jwh100@outlook.com</a> to discuss your food donation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•Transportation to State Convention in Virginia Beach. There is a separate form to fill out if you need bus transportation. The cost is $75 one-way and $150 roundtrip. Names have been coming in for the 56-seat bus which will make several
stops.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•Blind Equality and Awareness Month (BEAM) Activity. Sandy Halverson will contact Evelyn Valdez of the Greater Alexander Chapter concerning details about the walkathon.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•Holiday Party. The party will be Saturday, December 13, from 5 to 9 pm at the Lyon Village Community House, 1920 North Highland St., Arlington VA. Sandy Halverson will contact the caterer for menu choices and pricing and report back.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">•NFBDC State Convention. Shawn Callaway invites Virginians to attend the many activities starting Thursday, October 9 with the DC Senior Division at Busboys and Poets in Dc, the Thursday Evening Presidential Release Live with President
Riccobono who is the national representative, separate Women’s and Men’s Empowerment Luncheons on Friday, October 10, a Jazz Night on Friday evening at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, and the Saturday, October 11 General sessions and Banquet Luncheons.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 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">Recording Secretary<o:p></o:p></p>
<br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always">
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hello Chapter Members and Friends,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In September 2025 the Potomac Chapter voted to change its constitution to put the chapter on a calendar year fiscal year. We also cleaned up a couple of other changes to better clarify two other issues.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We will hold elections in November, with the new officers taking up their responsibilities on December 1. We can have the installation of officers at our holiday gathering. Other date changes reflect the new fiscal year.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of the other changes refers to our responsibility to our Virginia affiliates. The old language says the chapter should send required information to the state. Now the name of our state affiliate is explicitly stated.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The other major change has to do with our annual audit. A member, who was an accountant, pointed out that our annual audit is not a formal audit conducted by an outside entity. Rather it is and examination of our internal financial controls.
Among other items we reconcile bank records with expenditures and money received, ensure the meeting votes for expenditures or they are authorized in writing by the president, and make certain receipts exist for expenditures.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We will take a final vote on the amendments at our October meeting.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Below and attached are the changes. The current language is followed by the proposed language.<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">Article III membership<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Current language: Section c A member who fails to pay dues by June 30 and is dropped from the roll is readmitted upon payment of dues.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Proposed language: c A member who fails to pay dues by January 31 and is dropped from the roll is readmitted upon payment of dues.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Article IV Officers and their duties.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Current language: Section A All terms of office shall begin in May 1.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Proposed language: Section A All terms of office shall begin on December 1.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Current language: <b><i>Section B</i></b> The annual election of officers and board of directors shall take place at the April meeting.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Proposed change: <b><i>Section B</i></b> The annual election of officers and board of directors shall take place at the November meeting.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Article VI dues <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Current Language: Section B:</i></b> Dues must be paid no later than the end of the March Chapter meeting. Any member failing to pay dues by the above date shall be ineligible to vote and hold office. These rights shall be restored
upon payment of dues. Any member whose dues remain unpaid through June 30 (thirty) shall be dropped from the membership roles.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Proposed Language: Section B</i></b> Dues must be paid no later than the end of the October Chapter meeting. Any member failing to pay dues by the above date shall be ineligible to vote and hold office. These rights shall be restored
upon payment of dues. Any member whose dues remain unpaid through January 31 shall be dropped from the membership roles.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Article VII Committees:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Current Language: The PCNFB shall have standing committees on Membership, Projects, Ways and Means and Legislation. The President shall appoint the chairperson and members of each standing committee by the June meeting. The personnel of
standing committees shall serve for one (1) year and may be reappointed indefinitely.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Section B:</i></b> A nominating Committee, appointed by the President at the March meeting, shall make its report at the April meeting. Nominations shall always be accepted from the floor.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Section C:</i></b> An Audit Committee, appointed by the President at the March meeting, shall review the financial records of this organization and shall make its report at the April meeting.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Section D:</i></b> Special Committees may be appointed at any time and shall serve until their purpose has been achieved or they have been dismissed. The President shall appoint the chairpersons and members of special committees.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Proposed Language: The PCNFB shall have standing committees on Membership, Projects, Ways and Means and Legislation. The President shall appoint the chairperson and members of each standing committee by the January meeting. The personnel
of standing committees shall serve for one (1) year and may be reappointed indefinitely.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Section B:</i></b> A nominating Committee, appointed by the President at the October meeting, shall make its report on or before the November meeting. Nominations shall always be accepted from the floor.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Section C:</i></b> An internal financial controls Committee (IFCC), appointed by the President at the October meeting, shall review the financial records of this organization and shall make its report at or before the November meeting.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Section D:</i></b> Special Committees may be appointed at any time and shall serve until their purpose has been achieved or they have been dismissed. The President shall appoint the chairpersons and members of special committees.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Current Language: Article VIII: Responsibilities to the state.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Proposed Language: Article VIII Responsibilities to the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Section A:</i></b> On or before January 1 of each year, the Treasurer shall forward to the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia Treasurer $.50 (fifty) for each active member along with a complete roster of the names, addresses,
phone numbers and e-mail addresses of all officers, directors and members. <o:p>
</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">No change.<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>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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