NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF UTAH March 2025 Board of Directors Meeting
www.nfbutah.org<http://www.nfbutah.org>
(801) 631-8108
You can live the life you want; blindness does not hold you back
Wed. Mar. 12, 7:30 – 8:45 PM. MDT
1 motion was made and passed to purchase the audio equipment per the information that was sent out earlier today for $4,629.54
Upcoming events
Saturday March 15 at 11:00. Weber-Davis Chapter elections meeting at Cheralyn Johnson’s home in Farmington.
- Thursday March 20 and Friday March 21. Tenbroek Law Symposium at national office. Jacobus TenBroek Disability Law Symposium<https://nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/jacobus-tenbroek-disability-law-symposium>
- Saturday March 22 at 11:00. Salt Lake Chapter meeting and DSBVI. March into new beginnings.
- Saturday March 22 doughnut run for RCI in ST. George •Mon. March 31 national and state scholarship application deadline •April Red Rocks chapter meeting at Zion’s National Park (contact Jessie for more information) •Saturday March 29 Meta demonstration for Spanish division at DSBVI •Wednesday April 2 at 7:30. NFB of Utah board meeting on zoom.
- Thurs. Apr. 10th student division meeting.
- Sat. Apr. 12th Utah Valley Chapter meeting convention prep
- Sat. Apr. 19, Weber-Davis Chapter meeting planning for convention and auction basket
- Sat. Apr. 26, Salt Lake Chapter meeting
- Thursday May 1, through Saturday May 3. Utah State Convention at the Provo Marriott register at www.nfbutah.org<http://www.nfbutah.org>
- Monday June 16 through Thursday June 26. Bell Academy at USDB.
- Sat. Jun. 21, Weber-Davis Chapter BBQ at Barbie’s house
- Saturday June 28. Stem 2 you at DSBVI
- Saturday June 28. Salt Lake Chapter meeting at the airport using AIRA
- Tuesday July 8 through Tuesday July 13. National Convention in New Orleans.
Minutes
1. Roll call:
Everette Bacon: President: Excused
Cheralyn Johnson: 1st Vise President: present
Karl Smith: 2nd Vise President: present
Mark Turley: Treasurer: Excused
Barbie Elliott: Secretary: present
Laura Vincent: board Member: Late
Kenn Duke: board Member: present
Ned Lindholm: Board Member: present
Willie Black: Board Member: present
Jessie Kramer: Board Member: present
The public was invited, 19 participants including board members were present.
2. National news: Everything is on the homepage www.nfb.org<http://www.nfb.org>
A. Presidential release both live and for chapters is available.
B. National convention registration and rooms are available
C. National and state scholarships are available deadlines are March 31st, 2 people from Utah so far nationally and 5 locals.
D. Blind educator of the year and teacher of blind students of the year applications are also available.
E. 2 bills have been introduced in the house.
F. Utah is offering a $400 per person and $1200 per family stipend for national convention attendance. Send proof of registration and banquet purchase to Mark or Everette.
3. Local news:
A. Our accessible pharmacy bill did not pass.
B. State convention registration and hotel reservations are now open. Please register soon. Block will be released in early April. Register at nfbutah.org<http://nfbutah.org>
C. The theme is “if you are unable to see the path, make your own.”
D. Joe Stretcher is a main speaker
E. Donation letter was sent out earlier this month and it can be accessed online as well
F. Mark Riccobono is the national rep
G. We have 2 sponsors. (Sponsor letter)
H. Training on jaws and braille displays will be a part of the convention
I. Door prizes and auction basket items will be gathered
J. Stephanie Cordova is the auction chair
K. Danielle and Torri are door prize chairs
4. Friday night activity
A. Cheralyn is working on fun things for kids to do during the Friday night activity, obstacle course, games, axe throwing, and other ideas were thrown out.
B. Cheralyn is working with Everette about budgeting.
C. Barbie and Laura and others volunteered to help with this.
5. Registration:
A. Jerry is the registration chair
B. Please register, it is slightly different this year.
6. Science without sight STEM2U:
A. Ned and Deja will be running this activity on June 28th at DSBVI
B. Target students are grades 3 through 10.
C. They are looking for volunteers, please contact Deja if you are willing to volunteer. Jennifer reminded us that volunteers have to be background checked so volunteer soon.
7. BELL Academy:
A. Registration is now open
B. USDB campus in Salt Lake is the location
C. Register at the national website
D. Bell Academy ends on June 26th
E. Kirt Manwaring and Tara Briggs are in charge as well as the 2025 teacher from Alpine and they are looking for some volunteer help as well as junior mentors
8. Sound Equipment:
A. The new quote was just sent out today. View the quote
B. Higher price including 10 receivers for interpreters
C. Total price is $4629.54.
D. Motion was made and passed unanimously to purchase the sound equipment from Karl’s friend
9. Chapters and Divisions:
A. Red Rocks, Last meeting was about the museum, what people wanted to have there, and a member of the CTRAN public transportation. Next meeting will be at Zion’s national park. Perhaps a guided tour arranged at the visitor’s center, Ned said that in Springdale there are several fantastic tour companies that may be willing to do a guided tour for a nominal fee.
B. Salt Lake chapter. Elections in February, New meeting in March, June is a field trip to the airport to use AIRA. Willie says that you can get into security if you call ahead, and he has a contact to share with Kenn.
C. Weber-Davis. Elections at Cheralyn’s house this Saturday. April 19th is the next meeting.
D. Spanish Division. They are having a meta glasses demonstration on the 29th of March. Potluck afterward.
E. Students, Casey said that students had a meeting last Saturday about O and M. April meeting will be about networking on April 10th. They are so excited about the convention in May. This is an awesome student group.
F. Newsletter: Kasey is getting all of the chapter and division leaders to give him an article write up. Contact Barbie Elliott for braille copies at barbieelliott@msn.com<mailto:barbieelliott@msn.com>
G. Utah Valley Chapter, March 8th technology and AI presentation. April 12th in person meeting Convention preparation.
10. Other business:
A. Cheralyn says a net flicks movie called “See for Me” might or might not be a great movie.
B. Cheralyn is excited to see lots of her friends.
C. Jennifer said flights are limited to New Orleans so hurry and book as soon as you can.
D. Barbie said that some movie theaters are providing an inaccessible touch screen to access closed captioning as well as descriptive audio, be aware that it might be coming to a theater near you.
E. Sarah said that USDB now has their own meeting with the state board of education and has now created a blindness specific meeting each month.
F. Sarah and Steve Erb are working with Casey Robertson and Edward Bell to provide braille materials available in the classroom.