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<p class="MsoNormal"> Hello,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Attached and below are the minutes for the February 11, 2026, Potomac Chapter meeting.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John Halverson, Corresponding Secretary, Potomac Chapter<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">POTOMAC CHAPTER<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">MINUTES<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">February 11, 2026<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Since curbs, sidewalks and parking lots were mostly covered with snowcrete, President Orozco called our Zoom meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All participants made it clear we were looking forward to no more ice, warmer weather, sun, baseball, tandem biking, cherry blossoms, walking on clear sidewalks and streets, Larry Povinelli moved and patty Droppers seconded adopting our
January 2026 meeting minutes; motion passed unanimously.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sean McMahon, our treasurer, was out of town so Larry Povinelli moved and LeRoy Hansen seconded accepting our November and January treasurer reports; motion passed unanimously and we will discuss our February and March treasurer reports
at our next meeting.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We were pleased to welcome Alysha Hiller, a member of our affiliate who currently works for the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. She described how to access NLS content using the EReader, BARD express, the BARD
mobile app and the digital talking book player using cartridges. There was a lot of interest in the new digital player with advanced WI-FI and Bluetooth capability. Borrowers can subscribe to the patron—announce list to learn about upcoming events, EReader
discussions, and learning smart speaker skills. All of the patron engagement programs take place on Zoom and if interested in any of these topics, Google NLS services and events to be directed to the appropriate page.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">LeRoy next described his experience as a first-time Richmond Seminar participant finding it interesting, well-organized and commended Bonnie O’Day for her work as NFBV legislative chair.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We congratulated our president who recently accepted a job leading music programs at her church, directing the choir, choosing music for services, and leading the music.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">No one was surprised that there were many virtual meetings during Washington seminar.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For our March chapter meeting, Elissa Myers, the Arlington County Deputy Registrar, will be joining us not only to discuss voting machines, but is seeking feedback from residents about their voting experiences since she trains the poll
workers. The machines which many of us have used will likely be in service for the June and possibly November elections.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was announced our next NFBV state board meeting will be Saturday May 2 or May 9 and the memorial service for our longtime member, Carl Knoettner, will take place Saturday, March 7, 2 p.m. with details distributed via our chapter announce
list.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After Julie stated she would schedule a chapter board meeting for Monday, February 16 at 8:30 p.m. to discuss committee chairs and would send the committee list to all chapter members, our meeting was adjourned at 8:32 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">Sandy Halverson<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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