Spring 2021 Board Meeting Minutes

May 1, 2021

The minutes from the January 16 board meeting were read by Mausam Mehta.

The minutes were approved.

Mark Roane delivered the treasurer’s report, stating the affiliate’s general checking account balance as $86696.65

Louise Walch delivered the BELL program report, in which she announced the dates of the 3 upcoming sessions, and reminded us to spread the word to families of blind children.

Renee Valdez provided some details on the supplemental BELL program, which will be divided into 2 1-week sessions, with project RISE students as mentors.

Sandy Halverson delivered a report outlining the Silver Bells program, optimized for blind seniors. A grant proposal for $40,000 has been submitted to the Virginia Board for the Blind, with an expected equivalent match from the Virginia affiliate.

The report was approved.

Kathryn Webster gave a Project Rise update, including Gary Horton as the new employment coordinator, and upcoming programming.

Tracy proposed an authorization of up to $10,000 for a growth consultant.

The authorization was approved.

Kathryn Webster delivered a report on safety and support initiatives from the survivor-lead taskforce.

Phase 1 of training has been completed, and phase 2 will focus on training chapter boards, state division boards, and anyone who works with youth.

Rainn will provide recommendations on how to improve the code of conduct, and conduct listening sessions with elected leaders, general members, students and alums of training centers, and national board members/training center staff.

Joe Orozco delivered a state convention report, in which he noted that a decision about whether the convention will be hybrid will be made in July.

Joe Orozco delivered the CLI report, highlighting that the Chapter Leadership Institute’s survey determined that there is a greater need for chapter involvement, and more diverse programming.

John Halverson and Christine Grassman discussed accessible mail-in voting, and urged us to utilize the recently implemented mail-in procedure in upcoming voting opportunities.

Tracy discussed logistics for National convention, which is virtual, from July 6 to July 10.

A motion was made to authorize $200 from the affiliate for door prizes.

The motion was approved.

We heard chapter and division contributions to the 4 funds.

The motion for the affiliate’s contribution to the various funds totaling $15,000 was approved.

We then heard division and committee reports, giving updates about current and new initiatives across the state.

Respectfully submitted,

Mausam Mehta

Recording Secretary, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia