[NHLakesChapter] NFB Chapter Meeting November 2025 Secretarty Notes

Thu Dec 11 21:21:02 UTC 2025

Hello NFB Friends & Members,

I hope this finds you all doing well today and staying warm. Attached below are the secretary's notes for November 2025. I have attached a Microsoft Word version first, a Mac version second (Pages), a PDF version third, and the plain-text version embedded in this email. I welcome any suggestions you have for the secretary's notes and the efficiency of use. 

We are still collecting new member information and updates for the release of our 2026 member list. Please send me your corrections, additions, or updates, and I will incorporate them for release on January 1, 2026. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me directly at modeanit at gmail.com <mailto:modeanit at gmail.com> or by phone at 603-664-6763. I appreciate your patience as I collect our information and update our member list accordingly.

I wish you all a blessed evening and a restful sleep. I look forward to seeing everyone at our meeting on Saturday at 10:30. 

Kindly, 
Melissa Abbott

Word Version

MacIntosh Version

PDF Version

Plain Text Version (below)

New Hampshire Federation of The Blind (NFB) 
Lakes Region Chapter Meeting 

Secretary’s Report  
The meeting began on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 10:32 am 

Attendance Report 
Those in attendance (25): 
President, Deanna O’Brien 
Treasurer, Dennis O’Brien 
State Treasurer, Fred Fournier 
Secretary, Melissa Abbott
Andrew Harmon, Sheryl Dutton, Deb Moore, Carolyn Corrigan, Jackie Gagne, Richard “Ricky” Persons, Lillian Leroux, Lucille Leroux, David Brownell, Nancy Downing, Kelley Snyder, Jody Ianuzzi, Scott Joffre, Susie Hoitt, Jean Shiner, Randi Wilson, Avah Orellana, Dan Levesque, Joanne Jordon, Dana Trahan, Brian

Susie read the Pledge of Allegiance 
David read the NFB Pledge 
Melissa read the NFB Belief Message  
Lillian & Lucille offered a prayer  

Treasurer Report 
Dennis updated the chapter’s funding account for 9/30/25, as follows: 
Beginning balance $3443.99
Deposits $0.00
Interest $0.03
Withdrawals $0.00 
Ending Balance $3444.02 
1st motion Carolyn, 2nd Sheryl, 3rd-all in favor 

Beginning announcements
Randy Pierce is in the hospital (Southern Medical, Nashua). Carolyn read the Facebook announcement: mitochondrial disease, a neurological disorder that took his vision, has caused a new event. We all wish him well and will send healing prayers to Randy and his wife.

Tony Bonnano has passed away. Tony was instrumental to our organization and members. Tony helped President Deanna secure a seat on the NFB board and get Richard started in the North Country Chapter. He will be very missed. Rest in peace, Tony.

President Mark Riccobono’s Message (10/29/25 #554)
Thanksgiving message, NFB’s new podcast starts Monday with weekly segments
Blind Equality Month, Feelings of family gatherings and Federation family (11/16/1940 anniversary). Reflecting on our progress as a source of strength, of where we have been & where we are going.
50th anniversary book, Dark Ages, 1990 Golden Anniversary “Blind Force”, Walking Alone and Marching Alone (#1 podcast from book).
Spark conversations from insights and content from the podcast

VP, Sheryl Dutton
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! 
Please be strong during these times.

President Deanna’s Objectives for the meeting 
Dana’s legislative affairs report
Fundraising Update
Chapter Elections for 2026
NFB State Convention 2026

Secretary’s Report, Melissa Abbott
Melissa requested that the phone numbers in the Zoom chapter meeting be replaced with names to ensure accurate member attendance. Dennis O’Brien does his best to get everyone changed to names when they call in. 
Melissa will send the member contact list out to members for updates.
Fred, 1st motion, Carolyn, 2nd, AIF 3rd.

Fundraising Efforts 
Gaming night registration is now complete. Waiting for dates from the Gaming Commission when our position comes up in the pooling process.
Hannaford bags application in process; awaiting approval. Melissa will reach out to the Hannaford contact to inquire about the application process.

Legislative Director, Dana Trahan 
Politically challenging right now; requested to table the concerns until the government shutdown reopens. Please reply to the content when receiving emails from the list serve for confirmation.

Chapter Elections to be held in 2026
Chapter elections will be held on February 21, 2026, at the February chapter meeting. Dues must be paid to vote. Please send your $10.00 required member dues by January 1, 2026.
Please send payments to Dennis O’Brien, 67 Nagle Street, Nashua, NH 03060.
Please make your check out to NFB of NH Lakes Region Chapter, and be sure to put in the memo field 2026 Dues.

Miscellaneous Items
Andrew noted that annual healthcare renewal plans are approaching. Be aware of the new Medicaid benefit requirements. 

Spam and phishing calls
Report a cease-and-desist to the caller. Register for the NH state “Do not call list.” Tell the caller you will contact the Attorney General’s office. Please remove me from your call list.

NFB State Convention Updates
State convention will be held at the Grappone Center in Concord, NH. It will be a one-day event held from 8:30 to 5:00. We will discuss specifics in the January 2026 chapter meeting. 
The affiliate will pay for breakfast. Members will pay for their luncheon.

Next Important Dates:
1/26/26 WA seminar
5/30/26 State convention
7/3-8/26 National convention in Austin, TX

Next meeting to be held on 12/13/25 

Meeting conclusion
Andrew, 1st motion, Sheryl, 2nd motion, AIF 3rd motion.

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