[NHLakesChapter] February 2026 NFB of NH Meeting Notes

[Melissa & Todd Abbott]

Hello NFB friends,

Hoping everyone is doing well today. Attached below are the meeting notes from our February meeting. Please review and send along any edits or discrepancies you may find. I have also included a revised treasurer's report for January 2026, adding the small amount of interest omitted in the previous meeting notes, along with spelling corrections to the members' names. This corrected information will be at the bottom of the current February notes.

As a side note, we had our visit together at the Nash Casino on Friday, March 13th, to celebrate the end of our first fundraising event. My husband, Todd, took a nice group photo. I will work with Kelley, Fred, and Randi to get it posted and sent to the list serve to share with everyone. It was inspiring to learn how jam-packed the facility was, and the parking lot was full. Good sign for our closing week, I will send along updates as they arise.

Wishing you all a restful day, kindly

Melissa Abbott
Secretary
NFB of NH Lakes Region Chapter

February 21, 2026 Secretary Notes 

Start of meeting: 10:33 am
End of meeting: 12:13 pm

1-Deanna, 2nd-ANdrew, 3rd-All in favor 

In Attendance, 24 total

President Deanna O’Brien
Vice President, Sheryl Dutton
Treasurer Dennis O’Brien 
State Treasurer Fred Fournier
Secretary Melissa Abbott

NFB members Andrew Harmon, Sheryl Dutton, Deb Moore, Carolyn Corrigan, Jackie Gagne, David Brownell, Nancy Downing, Kelley Snyder, Jody Ianuzzi, Suzie Hoitt, Randi Wilson, Dan Levesque, Dana Trahan, Richard Chabot, Deborah Latamore, Jean Shiner, Christopher Duffley, Scott Joffre, Brian Boyle.

We had a special guest, NFB member Marilyn Greene from Chicago, IL. Marilyn will be at our state convention in May 2026. Marilyn is an eight-year member who serves under President Riccobono and the PACT committee.

Belief message presented by Melissa
NFB pledge presented by David
Pledge of allegiance read by Suzie
Prayer offered by Richard

Treasurer's Report as of 2/4/26

Beginning balance $3,604.07
Interest earned $0.04
Deposits of $50.00 
Withdrawals $0.00
Ending Balance $3,654.11

1st-Deanna, 2nd-Sheryl, 3rd-All in favor

Chapter Elections were held for 2026

Deanna for President serving 2019-2025
Sheryl for Vice President
Melissa for Secretary
Dennis for Treasurer 
1st-Andrew, 2nd-Deb, 3rd-All in favor
Deb, Andrew, and Sheryl all in favor by acclamation for President Deanna

Vice President’s Report
Sheryl wished us all a Happy Valentine’s Day, stay safe & warm!

President Deanna’s Objectives
1) Randolph Shepard Program
Business enterprise for blind individuals
Government entities want it to be removed
NFB is in litigation now
The Army wants it removed from all dining halls
Viable employment for BVI persons

2) Walk for Sight May, 2026
We discussed whether to continue our 50/50 split collaboration with Future in Sight
Can we raise the $ 1,000.00 to remain eligible?
Do we still have the options for corporate matching to meet our requirements and additional fundraising for the chapter?
1-Deanna, 2nd-Andrew, 3rd-All in favor to continue to participate.

Kelley and Dennis will inquire if their employers will continue to participate in corporate matching for 2026. 
In the meantime, if we are raising money, consider giving it to Dennis or Keeley for corporate matching to raise more funds.

3) Municipal Elections presented by Jean Shiner
Please vote on Tuesday, March 2, at your town office.
A new voting device called Omni uses a controller device instead of a keyboard.
The Coalition for Blind Voters (CBV) suggests you contact your town clerk for an introduction and to continue supporting the use of the device in our elections. 
Future in Sight to hold in-person training. 

4) Washington Seminar Report presented by Randi Wilson
President Deanna didn’t attend due to the weather.
This was Randi’s first experience, and even though she was ill, she had an amazing experience and had support.
Randi met with representatives from Senator Shaheen and Chris Pappas’s teams.
The leadership program was valuable to Randi’s opportunity. 
Randi also learned this event was exhaustive, but the networking was incredible, and she was grateful for Avah’s support.

5) State Convention being held in May 2026
This year doesn’t include a box lunch, was changed to a cold plate option for $25.00 per person.
Hot plate options are also available for $30.00 per person.
The affiliate will continue to pay for a continental breakfast.
Deanna will inquire whether we can return to a box lunch, as it's easier for our community members. Updates to come in our next month’s meeting. 

1-Suzie, 2nd-Deb, 3rd-All in favor

6) Secretary’s Report
Recommendation to list chapter board members only in notes.
Melissa will send out our 2026 member list to collect emails and contact phone numbers. 
Marilyn recommended a vote of secretarty notes and amendments by members.
Meeting notes will be sent out a week prior to next month's meeting for all to review in a timely manner.
Passing along my files in case of death or illness to the state President.

1-Deb, 2nd-Andrew, 3rd-All in favor

7) Fundraising Report
Hannaford Community Bag fundraising program starts March 1 and runs all month long in Nasha.
President Deanna offered to purchase bags for those who don’t live nearby.
Jean Shiner moved that the proceeds from the Hannaford Community Bag Program be distributed to the chapter, and that the proceeds from the casino fundraising event be distributed to the affiliate.

1-Jean, 2nd-Andrew, 3rd-All in favor

Other Items
Next meeting Saturday, March 21, 2026
Revised attendance member correction for Jean Shiner

Revised Treasurer’s Report balances for 1/2/2026

Beginning: $3,524.04
Interest: 0.03
Deposits: $80.00 
Withdrawals: 0
End Balance: $3,604.07





















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