[IL-Talk] Chicago Chapter Minutes, December 14

[Deborah Kent Stein]

NFBI CHICAGO CHAPTER MINUTES

December 14, 2024

Exchequer Pub and Restaurant

226 S. Wabash, Chicago

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

Chicago Chapter President Denise Avant called the meeting to order at 12 PM.
Present in person were Debbie Stein, Eileen Truschke, Glenn Moore, Ken
Schad, Francisco Chang, Rachel Ng, Greg Rosenberg, David Meyer, Joel
Johnson, Jean Johnson, Michelle Ault, Pam Gillmore, Mary Grunwald, Paul
Shepherdson, Ericka Randolph, Sara Luna, Melissa Fuller, Bill Reif, Tanesia
Bowman, Jemal Powell, Chris Millsap, Dan Tevelde, Ken Borst, Marco
Giannotti, Michal Nowicki, Marilyn Green, Gary Jones, Robert Hansen, and
Eduardo Ocampo. On Zoom were Alisha Green, Terry Gorman, Patti Chang, Bob
Lee, Sabiha Bohra, and Pam Provost.

 

PRESIDENTIAL RELEASE

 

NFB President Mark Riccobono recorded the chapter version of the
Presidential Release Number 544 on Friday, November 22. He focused on
gratitude, and thanked everyone for their contributions to our efforts
throughout the year. We make the choice to be contributors in society and
not merely receivers. If you're new and haven't yet become actively
involved, we are confident that soon you will contribute to our movement. He
recommended that we read and reflect on Dr. Marc Maurer's article on blind
courtesy that appeared in the April 2024 issue of the Braille Monitor. By
working together we can continue to transform lives as we've been doing
since 1940. 

 

World Braille Day is January 4, and we will celebrate Braille in January.
Washington Seminar will begin with the Great Gathering In on Monday,
February 3. National Convention will run July 8-13 in New Orleans. Start
planning now!

 

Denise added that she is grateful to all of us who came out in the cold to
take part in our holiday auction. She also thanked Patti, Marilyn, Michal,
and Dustin for overseeing our Zoom throughout the year. She thanked Marco
for his help month after month with the sound equipment at our meetings.

 

STATE REPORT

 

NFBI President Marilyn Green announced that seven people will represent
Illinois at Washington Seminar: Tanesia Bowman, Michelle Ault, Olivia
Cichowlas, Kaitlyn Ryan, Jean Johnson, Tasabih Elfaki, and Marilyn herself.
We can make room reservations for National Convention beginning on January
1. National Scholarship applicationss are now available at
nfb.org/scholarships. The application deadline is March 31. Our NFB of
Illinois scholarship applications will be available  online on January 1,
and the application deadline is April 30. The application can be found at
nfbofillinois.org/scholarships.

 

SECRETARY'S MINUTES

 

Jemal moved and Dave seconded approval of the corrected chapter minutes for
November. The minutes were approved. 

 

CHICAGO CHAPTER TREASURY

 

Denise reported that we currently have $2330.34 in the chapter treasury. We
have taken out $1600 to assist people to attend Washington Seminar. Each
person attending on behalf of the Chicago Chapter will be given $400 toward
travel expenses, in addition to the money from the affiliate for hotel
accommodations. 

 

EATALY

 

Patti reported that we have an opportunity to attend an Eataly class free of
charge on Friday, January 24, at 3 pm. They want our feedback! Eataly  is a
famous Italian restaurant and cooking school. Each person who takes the
class will need to complete a survey answering questions on how the school
did with regard to materials, layout, presentation, for more. The class
probably has a value of $150. Rachel, Greg, Tabiya, Michelle, Debbie,
Denise, Jean, and Marilyn volunteered. Participants must complete an online
survey afterward. Glenn, Gary, Jemal, and Eduardo are alternates. 

 

FUNDRAISING

 

Dave Meyer reminded everyone that we will have an auction after the chapter
meeting. On  Thursday, January 16, we will go  to Comedy Clubhouse at  1462
N.  Ashland. We have forty-eight seats  to fill. In-person  tickets are
$25, and Zoom tickets are $30. The menu will be available online, and Dave
will post it on IL-Talk. Be sure to bring  cash to pay for your meal.
Purchase withickets through the NFBI website or with Zelle to Treasurer at
NFB_ORG. Paying by check is another  option. The show begins at 7 pm. All of
the  information will be posted on ILtalk  and Facebook and on our website.
The  club will email or text us the menu. 

 

NEW  MEMBER

 

Joel Johnson was voted in as a new member. 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Pam Provost said she will have knee sugery on January  9. She will be
incapacitated for a couple of weeks, and she will really appreciate calls
from friends. 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Marilyn moved and Jemal seconded adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 1 PM.
The auction commenced at 1:20, giving people the chance to examine items on
the auction table.  

 

Respectfully submitted,

Debbie Stein, Secretary

 



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