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<p class="MsoNormal"> Hello Colleagues and Friends,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please find attached and below the minutes for our April Potomac Chapter meeting.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John Halverson, Potomac Chapter, Corresponding Secretary<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">Chapter Meeting Minutes<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">April 8, 2026<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our meeting began with a presentation from two Arlington County Traffic Department representatives who described their responsibilities regarding audible pedestrian signals (APS), their installation, required standards, reporting problems
and trouble-shooting various types of intersections. Those requesting an APS installation should contact the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired and those experiencing problems where instead of hearing intersection information are admonished to enter
a password, should use the Report a Problem form which generates a ticket for internal tracking and solution. We are pleased the LeRoy Hansen arranged this presentation and look forward to future discussions about accessible traffic patterns in our neighborhoods.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After President Orozco asked that Zoom and in-person attendees introduced themselves, John Halverson moved and Larry Povinelli seconded adoption of our March meeting minutes; motion passed unanimously.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sandy Halverson moved and Larry Povinelli seconded approval of our treasurer’s report; motion passed unanimously.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our membership committee had nothing to report.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Patty Droppers announced we are considering a fundraising late summer/early fall wine-tasting. She next described some of the National Geographic interactive accessible programming and once a date has been established, inviting other chapters
and our parents of blind children members to join us which could also be a wonderful Blind Equality Achievement Month activity.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Gary Moore stated he and his committee are considering working with a fundraising organization to collect ideas which might generate more income for us.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ameenah Ghoston, one of our members, described a possible bus trip from Richmond to Lancaster, PA for an immersive theatrical sight and sound Bible stories and music experience,.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We were reminded to check our spam or junk folders for national updates regarding legislation and other activities.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">John Halverson reminded us of our next book club discussion on Wednesday, May 6; information about In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larsen and questions have been distributed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Gary Moore, our alternate delegate, will represent our chapter for the May 2 NFBV board meeting since our president will be attending a wedding and after discussion, John Halverson moved and Larry Povinelli seconded that we give $100 to
our White Cane, SUN, tenBroek, and Jernigan funds and $100 for NFB camp; motion passed unanimously.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ameenah, in her role as our membership committee liaison, encouraged members and friends to join our Journey Through Blindness calls, a safe virtual space to support those who have questions, are in need of emotional support, or are seeking
specific resources. Our affiliate Zoom is the virtual space from 7 to 8:30 the second Monday of the month and these meetings have been scheduled through December 14, 2026.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There being no further business, our meeting was adjourned at 8:42 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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