[NFBV-Announce] Minutes from our 1/19/2026 NFBV Board of Directors meeting

Sat Apr 25 15:46:51 UTC 2026

>From Sandy Halverson, Recording Secretary,          National Federation of
the Blind of Virginia 

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF VIRGINIA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES

JANUARY 19, 2026

Our meeting was called to order at 1 p.m. at the Delta-Marriott Hotel in
Richmond with 44 members present, 15 of whom were voting delegates. 

We were sorry to learn of the passing of Carl Knoettner, a longtime friend
and colleague to many in our affiliate and Stormie, the daughter of Beth
Sellers who served as past president of our Virginia Parents of Blind
Children.

Minutes from our 2025 state convention business session were read and
approved unanimously.

Our treasurer, Mark Roane, provided financial data from September 30 through
December 31, 2025 and our current balance is $94,273.04; Sandy Halverson
moved and Rene Valdez seconded accepting his report and the motion passed
unanimously.

President Soforenko reminded us that some of our board of directors provide
individual contract services for our affiliate with regard to our Project
RISE and Silver Bells programs. Following discussion, Jeremy Grandstaff
moved and Chimere Roberts seconded that we acknowledge that this does not
represent a conflict of interest. A roll call of delegates was taken and the
motion passed unanimously. Board members Joe Orozco, Jacki Bruce, and Sandy
Halverson, and chapter delegates Mary Durbin and Evelyn Valdez recused.

Tracy next directed our attention to previously emailed constitution
revisions from our Winchester and Potomac chapters changing election times,
quorum, etc. aligning with our national membership calendar year policy, all
of which were approved.

Our 2026  national convention will take place in Austin, Texas and the J. W.
Marriott is our headquarters hotel. Mary Durbin, our McDonald Fellowship
Committee chair, described the benefits for national convention first-time
attendees and the financial benefits available through our NFBV McDonald and
our Kenneth Jernigan national scholarship programs. We hope to have a large
Virginia delegation in Austin; it's fun and all are welcome. April 15 is the
application deadline for both programs and contact Mary if you are
interested in mentoring our first-time participants.

The NFBV makes annual contributions to our White Cane fund to support our
NFB programs, Shares Unlimited in NFB or our SUN Fund for rainy day needs,
the Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship Fund which provides assistance to
first-time convention attendees and costs associated with our national
leadership in service program, and the Jacobus tenBroek Fund which maintains
the National Center building and grounds. Chapters and divisions are
encouraged to contribute; presidents were encouraged to report their
donation amounts at our May board of directors meeting. Individual
contributions can also be made either at the board meeting or by supporting
our Give#25 campaign. Our VPAD, Virginia Preauthorization Draft, is a way to
support the local work of the NFBV and Mark Roane,  our treasurer, will
provide additional details upon request.

After Joe Orozco's organizational technology and communications report was
read, Tracy described the committee restructuring that will be taking place
in our affiliate and the implementation of these changes. Julia Ford who has
a process focus, is working with our membership committee creating
subcommittees on outreach and engagement to more effectively utilize the
data we collect from White cane lists, state convention registrations, and
other contact information received throughout the year. Renee spoke briefly
about outreach goals for tracking communication and Jacki Bruce informed us
about membership engagement and sustainment because we all know that
longtime commitment happens locally. 

Chris Infante discussed our 2025 James F Nelson Scholarship program on
behalf of the committee chair, Jimmy Morris, noting our success in 2025 with
six finalists and expressing appreciation for all program support. Details
about our 2026 scholarship program will be announced at our May board
meeting. Nationally, 30 $10,000 scholarships will be awarded,  application
process is live, and details were given to access that information and Jimmy
will be happy to answer any questions from potential applicants.

Jeremy Grandstaff told us about continuing the work that Teisha Gillespie,
who recently began a very demanding job, had previously done; he hopes to
increase convention sponsors and build partnerships that strengthen our
fundraising efforts. We look forward to learning about the donor potential
for our 2026 state convention. 

Renee Valdez reported our DEI committee will be working with chapter
presidents and members to recruit others as part of outreach.

Stewart Prost, our operations committee chair, stated a core group of people
will be responsible for our food events, convention registration,
information table, talking signs and other duties as assigned. Our 2026
state convention will take place from Thursday, October 22 to Sunday,
October 25, 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel with a rate of $125 per night.
Our Greater Loudoun County chapter will be hosting and the chapter is
getting ready; we look forward to more details.

Our Richmond Seminar fact sheets were read and discussed, team assignments
were given, our General Assembly Building layout was described and fact
sheets were distributed to the team leaders. We were reminded there are many
vending programs in military locations and nationally, we are doing what we
can to maintain the blind vendor priority.

Other brief committee and division reports were read, after which Tracy
stated our next board meeting will take place either on May 2 or May 9 with
the location to be determined.

At 4:09 p.m., having completed our business, a motion was made and seconded
that our meeting be adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandy Halverson

Recording Secretary

Peace,

Jacki Bruce

mailto:jackibruce6 at gmail.com or membership at nfbv.org
<mailto:membership at nfbv.org>  

tel:(757)291-1789

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