STATEWIDE INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL
June 16, 2026
2:00 p.m. 
Membership Committee Meeting
ZOOM

Members Attending: Committee Chair Ryan Witterschein, Krystal Chase, Andrew Harmon, and Rob Kallin
Staff: Jennifer Beaulieu (SILC Assistant) 
Guests: Randy Pierce (Former Chair) and Matthew Greenwood (Member of the Public)

The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Ryan Witterschein at 2:05pm.

Review and Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes (5/19/26 and 4/21/26)
*Rob Kallin voted to approve the minutes pending corrections for name typos. 
Second: Andrew Harmon
Discussion: Andrew Harmon mentioned that there are a few typos regarding the names of the applicants in the minutes. He will send over the typos to Jennifer Beaulieu.
All in Favor: Yes	Abstention: Krystal Chase
Motion Carried.

Membership Status 
Carrie Dudley asked if that means they have two spots for new members. Jennifer Beaulieu mentioned that they have a lot of appointments pending. 

Resignation Follow-Up and Transition Process
Ryan Witterschein started the discussion by asking if everyone read the emails about Randy Pierce resigning from the NH SILC. He noted that he gave Randy Pierce the option to participate in an exit interview in which Randy Pierce agreed. Ryan Witterschein then gave him the opportunity to speak to the committee. Randy Pierce noted that his resignation wasn’t a choice he wanted to make but he didn’t want to hold the organization back and realistically, he isn’t going to be available anytime soon. It doesn’t mean that he is stepping away from the cause or being completely unavailable. He noted that Jennifer Beaulieu told him that they established an exit interview process. He thinks it is a great idea, and he wants to support it fully. He would be happy to answer any questions the committee may have. Ryan Witterschein asked how he was doing. Randy Pierce mentioned how he has been progressing with his health. He noted that he made a little positive progress in January which made him believe his ill health was short-term, but he got worse in February, March, and April. His health is now stabilized but not without some consequences from the medicines they are using. 

Carrie Dudley inquired about his experiences coping with the initial loss of his sight, undertaking the ascent of all the Presidential Mountains, completing the Tough Mudder challenge, and working with an animal companion who was uniquely attuned to his needs. She noted how she thinks that we all need to take a second and learn from what he is experiencing. Randy Pierce noted that what we do as the SILC is deal with a variety of disabilities and people who face challenges or disabilities learn about adversity. The truth of it is that everyone deals with it differently in their own way and for some people it’s overwhelming, not necessarily because they don’t have enough resilience but because the environment they face is non-stop overwhelming. Part of what we do is make it less overwhelming and he loves that mission. He noted that it can be overwhelming for any of us at any time, but resilience is a skill we are all trying to build. Resilience isn’t something that you have or don’t have. We try to make sure people have enough support to face the challenges of life and to experience the best life they can have. He personally believes that adversity is a superpower and the skills learned through adversity can be beneficial. That doesn’t mean that sometimes we don’t get down. But being down doesn’t mean being defeated. He noted how there have been times he wanted to quit but he knows that some good things came after those times he wanted to quit. He tries to remind people that they can’t get to the good times without going through the bad times.  

Ryan Witterschein asked Randy Pierce regarding the next SPIL, what would be the top three goals he would want to target. Randy Pierce noted that he likes that he said top three because we overreach too often. He noted that he thinks that his first goal isn’t about the top three goals but to make sure there is someone passionately attached to each goal because if someone isn’t passionately attached to each goal, those goals don’t have a chance. He highlighted the importance of asking what our role and level of effect would be when creating the SPIL goals. Ryan Witterschein asked what were his thoughts on the goals being on substance abuse, mental health, and early childhood intervention. Randy Pierce noted that he thinks that mental health is one of the biggest crises we face in our state. Mental health and substance abuse tie in to each other. He doesn’t know how early intervention would tie into mental health and substance abuse. Discussion ensued. Randy Pierce  noted that he thinks early intervention is multifaceted in independent living because when people can’t live independently, what is the impact on their children. He also mentioned how he wonders what the impact would be for individuals who struggled in their early life.

Carrie Dudley had some questions on what it means for Ryan Witterschein as Acting Chair with the current Chair resigning. She asked if a vote would need to happen. It was mentioned that elections are going to occur in September so the chair position would just be part of the officer slate. Ryan Witterschein mentioned that as First Vice-Chair, he is going to cover Randy Pierce’s position as Acting Chair probably until September. He did get in touch with Peter Nye at ACL. Carrie Dudley noted how there is a transition process between the Immediate Past Chair and the upcoming Chair. She noted how that was the case when Randy Pierce became Chair and she served as Immediate Past Chair to assist in the transition. Ryan Witterschein mentioned that he is going to be talking to Peter Nye about that. He probably will be substituting Carrie Dudley as Acting Immediate Past Chair. Randy Pierce noted how he wouldn’t be available to serve as Immediate Past Chair. He also noted that there will be likely resistance on Carrie Dudley serving as Immediate Past Chair because the bylaws say that the Immediate Past Chair can serve in that position for one year. That’s why Carrie Dudley didn’t serve in that position this year. The problem is the language in the bylaws isn’t very clear and is open to interpretation. It wouldn’t be fair to Ryan Witterschein if there was nobody to assist him who previously held the Chair position. He thinks reaching out to Peter Nye is a good idea because he can give an official ruling on that.  

Andrew Harmon asked Randy Pierce  what the best way would be to reach out to him. Randy Pierce  noted that email would be best. He did include his email address in the email that was sent out to the Full SILC.  Phone calls are also an option but due to his ill health, he must time his phone calls. 

Rob Kallin asked if there was any unfinished business that this interrupted that he would like to see the SILC continue. Randy Pierce noted that he doesn’t think so because he has a high level of confidence in Ryan Witterschein. He noted that the NH SILC had some areas that it needed to grow and develop in. That growth and development needs to continue and he believes Ryan Witterschien will do that. He noted that he hopes that the council uses the tools they are building. He noted how sometimes we find a tool that we need and build upon it to make the organization stronger but then move on. He also hopes the council builds tools and double checks to make sure they are being used properly. The last piece he wanted to mention is that everyone needs to do their part not just the leadership of the council. Rob Kallin noted that he appreciates that answer especially as a member of the Membership Committee. He noted that when we vet out new members, we can pass along his message about picking something that they are passionate about and let them know that their role on the council is self-defined. Randy Pierce noted that it’s great to be passionate and to follow that passion but it’s also important to remember that everyone on this council are volunteers that have other important parts in their life. We can’t expect 20 hours of work a week from volunteers. 

Jennifer Beaulieu asked who he would recommend from Future in Sight to represent the organization. Randy Pierce noted that she should ask the organization because they have to consider who would best represent and who has availability. He noted how they didn’t yet make an official announcement of his resignation. Discussion ensued. He noted how the representative could change because the leadership could change when they make that official announcement. Ryan Witterschein noted that he will be having a conversation with Nathalie Fortier at Future in Sight. 

Ryan Witterschein asked what Randy Pierce’s favorite football team is. Discussion ensued. Randy Pierce  mentioned that he is a fan of people who use their time to make a difference in this world like everyone does on this council. 

Everyone in attendance thanked him for his contributions to the NH SILC. 

Matthew Greenwood noted how he received a certificate and asked if it was the NH SILC’s intention to do something similar for Randy Pierce. Ryan Witterschein noted that it’s a good idea. He asked Matthew Greenwood to come up with three things and everyone else to come up with something. It will be discussed at the next Membership Committee Meeting. 

Board Member Application Process Review
Andrew Harmon noted that with the last email he got a weird attachment titled “NH SILC Board Member Application Process”. It reads more than a policy than an application. The title will be further looked into. 

Other
Ryan Witterschein asked if Krystal Chase was going to apply as Secretary for the September election. She responded yes. 

Ryan Witterschein and Andrew Harmon will speak offline next week about a few things.  

Adjournment of Meeting
*Rob Kallin motioned to adjourn. 
Second: Andrew Harmon
Discussion: None
All in Favor: Yes	Abstention: None
Motion Carried.

Meeting adjourned at 2:35pm.