STATEWIDE INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL
July 21, 2026
2:00 p.m. 
Membership Committee Meeting
ZOOM

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

The meeting was called to order by Committee Chair Ryan Witterschein at 2:00pm.

Review and Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes (6/16/26)
The approval of the minutes was tabled due to it not being sent out with the meeting documents.

Introduction of Applicant; Nathalie Fortier
Ryan Witterschein introduced Nathalie Fortier. She will be the new representative from Future in Sight after the prior representative; Randy Pierce resigned from the council. Nathalie Fortier noted that she has worked for Future in Sight for 12 years. She is the CFOO (Chief Financial and Operating Officer) and Acting CEO (Chief Executive Officer) at Future in Sight. The mission of Future in Sight is to advance the independence of those who are blind or vision impaired. She noted that it’s very insych to what SILC NH does. She noted that as the CFOO, she feels she brings a combination of financial leadership and operational expertise into the disability services sector, specifically for those who are blind or vision impaired. Through overseeing organizational strategy and financial stewardship, she understands both the service delivery challenges and the stomatic barriers that people with disabilities face when seeking to live independently. Future in Sight is a Part B vendor and with Randy Pierce’s sudden illness that led to his resignation from both Future in Sight and the SILC, she felt it was important to have representation on SILC NH. 

Ryan Witterschein mentioned how he was looking at her resume and noticed she had a dynamic shift in her career. He asked what caused that pivot. She noted that 12 years ago, she worked for the law center at Franklin Pierce. As a result of the law center’s merger with UNH, her position was going to be dissolved. She was attracted to Future in Sight’s mission. She loves doing mission-based work, it’s what has kept her at Future in Sight. Ryan Witterschein noted how he can really see her supporting the SILC in many ways, particularly when it comes to understanding financials. Andrew Harmon asked her what she feels are the top three barriers to independent living in this state. She would say access to services, funding of services, and awareness of services. She mentioned the importance of people being aware of all the services that are available. 

Ryan Witterschein asked if everyone agreed with the next step. Andrew Harmon mentioned that he did want to disclose that he volunteers on Future in Sight’s Advocacy Committee and feels he is going to have to abstain from any votes on her appointment, at least from this committee. 

*Rob Kallin made a motion to nominate her to the Full SILC. 
Second: Krystal Chase
Discussion: None
All in Favor: Yes	Abstention: Andrew Harmon
Motion Carried.

Ryan Witterschein informed Nathalie Fortier that the next step would be to come to the Full SILC meeting, where they would introduce her to everyone and people would have the opportunity to ask questions. Andrew Harmon asked which committee other than the Advocacy Committee she would be interested in. Discussion ensued. Andrew Harmon noted that he thinks that the other Part B vendor representatives sit on the Governance Committee. Krystal Chase noted that the Governance Committee focuses on the Bylaws, policies, and the strength of the council. She noted how having someone with a financial background would be helpful with understanding financial reporting. She noted that she would be happy to sit on any committee. 

Discussion on Current Membership Challenges and Updates on Pending Appointments
Ryan Witterschein moved on to discuss current membership challenges. He noted that we have a few challenges going on right now. He mentioned how things are a bit jammed up. We have 5 new appointments pending. He worries that this jam will result in members being appointed at the same time, resulting in a whole group of members terming off. It goes against the Membership Committee’s desire to have the terms staggered so that doesn’t happen. He noted that for now, we need to focus less on recruitment and more on how people see us. Matthew Greenwood noted the idea of the Executive Committee writing a letter to the Governor about the situation. Jennifer Beaulieu mentioned that the last time they communicated with her was on June 17th. Discussion ensued on what sets the date for a member’s term start. Jennifer Beaulieu mentioned that the date is on the letter. Ryan Witterschein noted that the second challenge is that Ryan Donnelly is up for reappointment in mid-October. He just emailed Ryan Donnelly, and he is interested in reappointment. Jennifer Beaulieu mentioned that reappointments are in holdover status. 

Update on Joshua Gehling’s and Isadora Rodriguez-Legendre’s Membership
Ryan Witterschein moved on to the discussion regarding Joshua Gehling’s and Isadora Rodriguez-Legendre’s appointment. He noted that they are still looking into this. They are waiting for the Governance Committee to meet again to discuss this situation. He mentioned how it’s a bit confusing because one thing says that state agency representatives are not allowed to vote but Isadora Rodriguez-Legendre brought up another law that says she can vote. While this is being figured out, we are treating it right now as they can vote. He thinks this might be another question to bring to Peter Nye at the Administration for Community Living. Ryan Witterschein noted that he was going to ask the Chair of the State Rehabilitation Council to see if he knew the solution to this situation. Rob Kallin mentioned that we could also ask the attorney general because we are a state agency.  

Other Business 
Andrew Harmon mentioned how in the past Ryan Witterschein thought about changing the date and time of the Membership Committee meetings. Discussion ensued. Ryan Witterschein asked everyone to create a list of three dates that work for them and send it to Jennifer Beaulieu. She can then send all those dates to him.

Ryan Witterschein mentioned that he attended the disability pride rally this past weekend. He talked to multiple people and the common thing that came from his conversations is that there is no current statewide directory of resources. There is 2-1-1 but a lot of people are saying that resource isn’t enough, and it doesn’t answer all their questions. He noted how he created a website using a domain for an old business he used to have. It’s currently a work in progress. You can search for resources by location and categories. Andrew Harmon asked Ryan Witterschein to send him the link to the website so he can look at its accessibility. Ryan Witterschein will send the link out to him. Krystal Chase mentioned NHCarePath because they have some good resources. She noted how she likes how you can search by area.. He noted that he thinks this would also accomplish some of our SPIL goals because there was something about creating a directory of resources in the SPIL. Matthew Greenwood noted the idea of putting it on the SILC website. Ryan Witterschein mentioned that he thinks we need to give time for people to review before it is placed  on the SILC website. He also doesn’t want that to happen till he is no longer in the Chair position. 

Adjournment of Meeting
*Andrew Harmon made a motion to adjourn.
Second: Krystal Chase
Discussion: None
All in Favor: Yes	Abstention: None
Motion Carried.

Meeting adjourned at 2:24pm.