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<p class="MsoNormal">Hello Members 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 of the May 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">Potomac Chapter Meeting<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">May 13, 2026<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">President Orozco called our meeting to order at 7 p.m. with four Zoom and 13 in-person members present.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Patty Droppers moved and Larry Povinelli seconded adopting the April minutes; motion carried unanimously.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our current balance is $3681.89; Sandy Halverson moved and Larry Povinelli seconded accepting our treasurer’s report which passed unanimously.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After some discussion, the consensus was that we should have a minimum of 20 people present for a wine-tasting at a price of $50 per ticket. We look forward to a successful wine-tasting sometime in the fall.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After some discussion about chapter fundraisers, President Soforenko assured us there are opportunities to sell product at our state convention either in the exhibit hall or throughout the convention. Julie will meet with Gary, Sean and
Franklyn to identify possible items we might want to sell, particularly since food items tend to do well.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At our recent NFBV state board meeting, Tracy Soforenko was elected as our delegate and Joe Orozco will serve as our alternate. Those present thought it was a very productive meeting and shared highlights.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tracy stated our 2027 state convention will be back in the Hampton Roads area and will be held the weekend prior to Thanksgiving in order to get better rates.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">President Orozco, Christine Grassman, Deepa Goraya and Domonique Lawless had an opportunity to participate in a Meta roundtable event to discuss the problems blind users have with Facebook, Messenger, and other Meta apps. It was made clear
that AI is not the solution to the many sources of frustration. We hope positive change happens quickly.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our BELL Academy will take place from June 22 to 26 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and volunteers are needed to read stories, help with field trips, prepare lunches and other needs identified by our team. Currently, there are four students
registered but efforts are ongoing to reach not only Arlington families but other parents whose children are in the 4-12 age range. The program recognition ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. on June 26 and we will be inviting someone from the Arlington Kiwanis
Club which has generously supported our youth programs in the past. Following this discussion, Patty Droppers moved and Larry Povinelli seconded transferring our current youth fund balance of $1000 to our affiliate treasury to assist with BELL Academy expenses.
Volunteers working directly with the participants will receive youth protection training and undergo background checks. The website was given for those who would like to complete our volunteer form.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our national seniors division has been working with our governmental affairs staff to bring attention to Congress that the programs for older blind individuals are woefully underfunded and have been for decades. Seniors from around the
country gathered to meet with appropriate congressional office staff to discuss our fact sheet. We were pleased that Gary Moore and LeRoy Hansen were available to participate for the two-day effort with the hope funding will be increased soon to meet the needs
of blind and low-vision seniors.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">With no further business, our meeting was adjourned at 8:50 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>
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