[NFBWAtLarge] Minutes for Dec - Feb

Thu Mar 12 22:23:02 UTC 2026

Hello All,

Attached is the word document that has the meeting minutes. I have also put
them in the body of the email. See you tonight.
Kris

December 2025 Minutes for the NFBW Members At Large Chapter

Date: 12/11/2025

Nikki Palm, President Presided over the meeting. To begin we were asked to
state our name, our location and our favorite part of the holidays. Answers
included: Spending time with family, time off, celebration, baking, treats,
cookies, decorating the house, music, food, peppermint mochas from
Starbucks,

Natalie C., our Treasurer was absent.

Minutes were read aloud, into the meeting record and were approved.

The Treasurer's Report stated Nothing new and the balance in the account
was $504.

Marci gave a state report. She let us know that the State convention
announcement is out with booking information for the hotel, registration
link, banquet meal choices, and exhibitor / partner packages for those
wishing to vend at the convention. CAT NW is offering a Teacher Education
session. Scholarship information is also available for students wishing to
apply. NFBW gives out 3 scholarships during the state convention.

Washington Seminar issues are still being worked on. Zoom training is on
the 18th of December.

Nikki encouraged everyone to share the information about the fund raiser.
Robby, Natalie and Kris are on the fund raising committee. Kris talked
about the blurbs being offered for people to use on social media. The
blurbs contain links to the prize and links to the google form for people
to fill out when donating to the chapter. She encouraged everyone to share
via social media and email and text. $10 gets you one entry into the raffle
and $20 gets you three entries into the raffle. Robby is going to send out
thank you notices when someone donates as well as creating a spreadsheet so
a random drawing can happen. Because of the google form being used, it is
easier to track who is donating what.

Nikki thanked Jason C., Robby, Natalie and Kris C for their hard work on
the fundraiser.

The chapter then played Two Truths and a Lie. It was a way to learn more
about chapter members and enjoy some good laughs.

Then we had a philosophical discussion about family expectations and habits
when we spend time during the holidays or extended visits. The complicated
and mixed feelings that occur when family members don't believe in our own
abilities.

The meeting was adjourned

January NFBW Members at Large Chapter Minutes

Date:

January 8, 2026

Nikki Pal, President Presided over the meeting. She asked us to introduce
ourselves, our location and a single word that would take us into 2026.
These words included: Hopeful, energy, love, patience, persistence,
self-compassion, togetherness, accomplished, better, family, mileage,
possibilities.

Kris Colcock was absent

The minutes were tabled until February.

Natalie gave the Treasurer's Report.  There is 573.56 in the account, and
we are expecting $560 from the fund raising project. The Treasururer's
Report was approved.

Natalie gave a reminder to pay dues so people can participate in the
February elections and other chapter activities.

Natalie offered to send out a link via email to help people pay their dues
easily.

Marci gave a state report

Marci talked about the Washington Seminar. She asked people to send emails
and make calls on the day we are meeting with our representatives. It is
helpful to ask support for the issues being presented even if you are not
physically in Washington D.C.

She also talked about the February State Convention in SeaTac at the Double
Tree. She talked about fund raising, presenters and activities. She
encourages everyone to register for the convention and book their hotel
room. She reminded people that if they need financial assistance, to put in
an application by the deadline. Those who are awarded financial assistance
will know by January 25, 2026. Marci announced that the National
Representative is Norma Crosby who is the national Treasurer. Her husband
Glen will be with her, and he is the President of the Seniors Division on a
National level.

Marci also talked about Friday January 23 having a legislative day in
Olympia. Car pools will be available from Seattle. There will be Fact
Sheets around the issues electronic ballots, funding for the WTBBL and
funding for the independent older blind program.

Suzi added that contacting your state representatives is also important to
ask them to support the legislation being talked about on Friday. Remember
to show up and talk to your legislators during Town Hall meetings.

Suzi reminded us that 755 million people in the next ten years will be
classified as low vision. These programs are vital and will be stressed
even more if nothing is done.

Elections will be tabled until February.

Nikki talked about what it means to be a Board Member of the Chapter. She
outlined the leadership roles and guiding responsibilities.

There was a discussion reminding people to get connected with the NFB
publications like the Braille Monitor, Future Reflections and Newsline.
There was also talk about the various divisions and interest groups that
have listservs at nfbnet.org.

The chapter discussed the topics of release, reaffirm and resolve.
Something you want to release from 2025, something you want to hold onto
and something that you want to increase, improve or start in 2026. Each
member shared their views and what they would like to Release, Reaffirm and
Resolve.

There was talk about having an in-person chapter gathering possibly in
Olympia. This is a general chapter goal.

Natalie announced the winner of the Air Pods. Kieth Palm won the Air Pods.
Kieth is Ryan's brother.

Meeting adjourned

February NFBW Members At large Chapter Meeting Minutes

Date: February 19, 2026

Nikki Palm, President presided. We were asked to introduce ourselves to our
location and asked if we loved or hated snow. While there were some people
that had strong feelings either way, most people enjoyed the snow as long
as they did not have to travel in it or the snow did not stick around for a
long time.

Marci gave a state report. The Electronic voting bill is moving through the
state house and on its way to the state senate. She talked about the state
convention starting the following week. She talked about Norma being the
national rep. Norma is also the national treasurer of the NFB. Door prizes
will be mainly cash. Marci talked about the auction items.

Minutes were tabled until the March meeting.

Natalie gave the treasurer's report. There was lots of activity. Dues were
paid and fund raising money were sent our way from the state treasury. The
account balance is $952.82 and that is after $300 went out to help with
convention assistance. The total for fund raising was $547.99. The report
was accepted.

Hekili was voted in as a member of the NFBW Members At Large Chapter.

Elections

Nikki Palm was elected as President

Robby Nicholes was elected as Vice President

Kris Colcock was elected as Secretary

Natalie Charboneau was elected as Treasurer

Suzi Prows was elected as Board Member 1

Jason Consolacion was elected as Board Member 2

There was discussion about signing up for various listservs by going to
nfbnet.org.

There was discussion about getting together as a chapter at convention. It
was suggested that we get together for lunch on Friday and meet in one of
the main meeting rooms. It is a bring your own lunch gathering.

The chapter decided not to run a fund raiser this year at convention.

The chapter decided to put together a basket to support the affiliate
auction fund raiser. We discussed items to put into the basket that will be
raffled off during the convention.

Suzi asked us to call our state legislators and ask them to support SB6035
Electronic Voting bill

Kris Colcock reminded people to submit resolutions for consideration

Meeting adjourned.
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