NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF UTAH
August 2026
Board of Directors Meeting
www.nfbutah.org
(801) 631-8108
You can live the life you want; blindness does not hold you back
Wednesday, August 12, 7:30 – 8:48 PM.
No motions were made
Minutes
1. Roll call:
Everette Bacon: President: present
Cheralyn Johnson: 1st Vise President: Present
Karl Smith: 2nd Vise President: Excused
Mark Turley: Treasurer: Present
Barbie Elliott: Secretary: present
Laura Vincent: board Member: Present
Kenn Duke: board Member: present
Ned Lindholm: Board Member: present
Willie Black: Board Member: Not present
Jessie Kramer: Board Member: Late
The public was invited, 21 participants including board members were present.
2. National News:
A. Patti Chang announced that she is in her last year as coordinator of the outreach committee. She has done a fantastic job.
• B. There are 2 posts available, Independence Market Specialist
• NFB-NEWSLINE® Contract Specialist
C. Mellissa Heck is now a student at LCB getting certified as a teacher.
D. The Randolph Shepherd act is closer to staying intact, the court ruled that the department of education cannot dismantle or change it. The department of Justice and the Army are still asking for changes. Willie can answer any questions people may have about this.
E. David Corrillo will be at the September leadership seminar.
F. The 20th anniversary of youth Slam is coming up again next year, Kacey Reyes is the affiliate coordinator.
3. State news:
A. Kacey Reyes will work with the Utah house, and Megan Swansen will be working with the senate to arrange meetings and be a Leason for the NFB of Utah.
B. Everette is working with Waymo and says that Utah laws are favorable to work with autonomous vehicles. Elom Musk’s cab car is also becoming available soon; it is cost effective and comes with braille labels. Everette is excited about having more possibilities for blind people to get around. We need to talk with local legislators to get them on board and get them excited about it too.
4. Fund raising and finances:
A. Karl is working on maintaining our 2 grants for BELL and seminars. The BELL grant is exhausted, but we still have some funds from our seminar grant available.
B. Mark said that we have to pay earlier for reserving space for next spring’s convention, which we usually don’t have to do until spring so it will come out this calendar year instead of next calendar year, but we will not have as much to pay next spring.
C. Everette is interested in hearing about possible fund raisers, but he is looking for more ideas to raise funds for the affiliate. Send ideas to Everette.
5. state and national conventions:
A. We had fewer members at national convention this year than years past, but Everette said that the hotel was fantastic, great sound, easy navigation, lots to do around the hotel within walking distance, and a lot of fun. Zachary won the American Action fund for the second time congratulations! Nobody has won that two times until now.
B. 2027 state convention Everette talked with several hotels in Salt Lake and the surrounding area, they didn’t have enough space, or they didn’t have room rates that we are used to. The Davis Convention is available for much lower cost than the hotels with convention space. Meals are much more economical, and the convention space is better. Homewood suites are across the street from the convention center. They haves’ suites which are great for families, it is a Hilton property, and the Courtyard Mariott also has rooms available for the same rate of 129 a night. Homewood has breakfast available. Reserved April 15 through April 17th.
6. Blind Equality Achievement Month.
A. Chapters think about doing something fun for the month.
B. Everette is hoping to get a White Cane Day proclamation for October by Governor Cox.
6. Chapter and Divisions:
A. Brynli announced that the summer BBQ was lots of fun at Barbie’s house. The August Chapter meeting will be Next week on Thursday August 20th at the Syracuse Farmer’s market and have ice-cream afterwords.
B. Zachary reminded us that the Salt Lake Chapter had a June meeting on zoom about conventions and pioneer day fun in July. They will have a BBQ at a church park next weekend, bring a side to share. September will be about fund raising and coast to coast challenge. October will be Halloween and cooking fun. November and December information are coming soon.
C. Kirt proclaimed that Utah Valley held a banquet night at the Utah Valley Lyon’s club. In August they had “professor” Ned Lindholm talk about his work as a blind chemistry professor. Ned did a fantastic job. September will be BBQ on September 12th. Chapter provides the meat, and participants can bring sides. They will be forthcoming in an email this week. They want to have an end of September fund raiser. For BEAM month, they are thinking of going to NAC. November and December information will be forthcoming.
D. Jessie reminisced about enjoying going in a Waymo at the convention. The Red Rocks Chapter had a hybrid meeting in August. They wanted to have an election, but it fell through for a couple of reasons, so they have postponed it. Kester is working on planning things for their beam in October.
E. Everette and Zachary reported that Nabs is having a Southwest regional seminar in Tuson Arizona in September. Anyone interested, talk with Zachary. Hotel rates are $129 a night. The affiliate will pay students fees to attend the seminar. Jessica, who was a student division board member, moved to Idaho, so Oto Machado was voted onto the board. They will hike memory grove and attend the Salt Lake BBQ next month.
F. Ulvia let us know that the Spanish division met on July 11th and listened to the Spanish recording of the banquet speech. Hispanic Heritage month is next month, usually they have a booth there, they will be at the Utah State foregrounds. There are booths and dances and cultural presentations. The next call for the division will be on September 22nd, Ulvia would like to talk about investing in their next zoom call. Everette supports the booth at the fare, and he talked about an app for investing that won a bulletin award called access traders.
G. Everette alerted us that the Parents Division met and Katie Nelson, Ray Wright and David Denotaris held a meeting about funding from USDB about creating a mentorship program with less restrictive funds.
7. Other business:
Karmalyn wants to remind everyone about the Ronald McDonald house drive. They have received help from families with gift cards and groceries being purchased. Everette would like an email and Karmalyn said she will talk with Beckie about creating one.
B. Brynli had a question about sending the chapter constitution to national office, Everette let the chapter know that it was allowable and encouraged it.
C. Jessie wanted to know when the chapter president’s zoom call was, Everette will let her know.
8. Adjourn:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:48 P.M.