[NHLakesChapter] NFB of NH March 2026 mtg notes

[Melissa & Todd Abbott]

Hello NFB of NH Friends,

Attached below are the meeting notes from our March 2026 meeting. I have separated the Lakes Region and the North Country board members as requested. If I didn’t capture everyone properly or their titles, please let me know, as this is new for me. I welcome any questions or suggestions. See you all next Saturday for our April meeting. Enjoy your day!

Kindly,

Melissa Abbott
Secretary 
NFB of NH 

NFB of NH Lakes Region Chapter

March 21, 2026 Secretary Meeting Notes

Start of meeting: 10:35
End of meeting: 12:00
1-Andrew, 2nd-Suzie, All in favor to adjourn.

Members in attendance, 21 total 

NFB NH Lakes Region Chapter Board Members
President, Deanna O’Brien
Vice President, Sheryl Dutton
Treasurer, Dennis O’Brien 
Secretary Melissa Abbott

NFB of NH North Country Chapter Board Members
Richard Chabot
Jackie Gagne

Andrew Harmon, Fred Fournier, Randi Wilson, Deb Moore, Carolyn Corrigan, David Brownell, Nancy Downing, Kelley Snyder, Jody Ianuzzi, Suzie Hoitt, Dan Levesque, Dana Trahan, Lucille Leroux, Lillian Leroux, and Scott Joffre.

Belief message presented by Melissa
Pledge of Allegiance presented by Suzie
Prayer offered by Lillian
NFB Pledge presented by David

Treasurer's Report as of 3/4/26

Beginning: $3,654.11
Interest: $0.02
Deposits: $70.00 (dues) 
Withdrawals: $0.00
Ending Balance: $3,724.13
 
1st-Sheryl, 2nd-Carolyn, All in favor to accept treasurer’s report.

Vice President, Sheryl Dutton, address
Spring is here, it’s maple weekend.
The Nash was great fun for our affiliate & chapters!

Dana, Legislative Director
Texas v. Kennedy (2026), formerly Texas v. Becerra, is a federal lawsuit filed by several states that challenges 2024 updates to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, specifically targeting rules prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities in health care and requiring community-based care over institutionalization. Led by Texas, plaintiffs argue these regulations are unlawful.
Support our affiliates affected by this legislation-very critical.
Randi sent a very supportive email highlighting the important points.
Students to meet w/Randolph Shepard representatives regarding employment opportunities.
Andrew suggested reaching out to our senators regarding saving the Omni voting device.

Secretary’s Report
Send corrected February meeting notes to members.
1st-Deanna, 2nd-Andrew, All in favor. 
Send out another email blast regarding updates to the member list and their contact information.
Jackie and Richard said they would like their contact info listed.
Deb suggested listing the members of the North Country Lakes Region.

Fundraising Report
Nash was fun for all. Melissa will send our group picture to Fred & Randi for posting on the website.
It will be a few weeks until we learn how we did with our fundraising efforts. Christina from the Nash had informed Melissa that they would have their totals by mid-April and would present a check to President Deanne and all attendees on April 28th from 1:00-2:00 at the Nash facility.
We will have our total fundraising efforts for March 2026 and the Hannaford Community Bag Program by the beginning of April.
The money from the Hannaford fundraiser will be given to the Lakes Region Chapter.
The Nash fundraising event will go to the affiliate.
Melissa suggested sharing money from Nash with the North Country & Lakes Region chapters. The topic was tabled until we learn how much there is, but the chapter has a fund restriction of $1,500.00.
Melissa will research Round Up calls for local businesses to continue fundraising efforts.
1st-Jean, 2nd-Andrew, all were in favor.

Important May Dates
Walk for Sight 5/16
State Convention 5/30 from 8:30 -5:00
Randolph Shepard event tentative date 5/16

Walk for Sight 2026
Deb announced details for the Walk for Sight fundraising event, along with Future in Sight (FIS).
Kelley’s company will match up to $5,000.00
Dennis’ company will also match; we must collect money and pay Dennis directly. 
Please fundraise; we need $1,000.00 to $5,000.00 to receive the 50/50 split with FIS, or our collaboration for the shared funds would be at risk.

State Convention May 30th, 2026
Event to be held in the state room.
No rooms available for overnight stay at the Grappone Center.
The box lunch was approved and set at $20.00 per box, with options for a veggie, roast beef, turkey, or chicken sandwich, chips, and a piece of fruit.
The registration fee to attend is $10.00 
A small $5.00 upcharge for drinks, for a total of $35.00 per person, can be paid via PayPal, by mailing a check to Fred Foournier, or at the door.
The affiliate will pay for the continental breakfast.
Fred will send out an email for us to start registering for the event and paying for our lunches.
Tentative speakers: Marily Green, NLS Library, Sugar House Treats Maple Farm, Dale & Bill storytelling, Steven Porrier cane development (Sideways Light & Swords), Omni Ballet demo, and possibly Democracy Live.
Is everyone interested in the Squares game? Raffle items are needed!

Other news
Scott joined us from the Carol Center. This is a learning & training center for the blind- OT, braille, and more.

Next meeting to be held Saturday, April 18, 2026









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