[Cinci-nfb] National Federation of the Blind of Cincinnati Chapter Meeting Minutes for September 2016

Fri Oct 21 11:46:52 UTC 2016

Hello Chris,

I only have 2 concerns.

1.       Question, I arrived at this meeting after everyone began to eat and
the introductions was done, but before the meeting was convened at 2:05 pm.
Am I stilled considered late?

2.       I agreed to put the information about the Braille challenge on News
Line, not the FB page.

All else sounds wonderful. You always do a great job.

Blind love is the answer, presently , and for our future!

Much Love,

Walter Mitchell

Member, NFB Ohio, Cincinnati chapter

(513) 582-8606 Mobil

(800) 340-8211 ext. 101  L2T Products and Services Toll free

 <mailto:Walterl.mitch2 at gmail.com> Walterl.mitch2 at gmail.com Email

Follow the NFB of Ohio on:

Face Book,  <https://m.facebook.com/ohiosblind>
https://m.facebook.com/ohiosblind

Cincinnati Chapter:
<https://m.facebook.com/NationalFederationoftheBlindofCincinnati/>
https://m.facebook.com/NationalFederationoftheBlindofCincinnati/.

Twitter @ohnfb, 

YouTube channel NFB OHIO

From: Cinci-nfb [mailto:cinci-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Christopher Sabine, ONH Consulting via Cinci-nfb
Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2016 9:53 PM
To: 'NFB of Ohio Cincinnati Chapter List'
Cc: Christopher Sabine, ONH Consulting
Subject: [Cinci-nfb] National Federation of the Blind of Cincinnati Chapter
Meeting Minutes for September 2016

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF GREATER CINCINNATI

METING MINUTES FOR SEPTEMBER 2016

1                     The September 2016 meeting of the National Federation
of the Blind of Cincinnati was convened by President Deborah Kendrick at
approximately 2:05 P.M. at the Washington Platform Restaurant in Downtown
Cincinnati on Saturday September 24, 2016, In Attendance were: Deborah
Kendrick, Emily Pennington, Kim McEachirn, Deanna Lewis, Joy Thomas, Lisa
Hall, Karren Innis, Bill Innis, Chris Tolle, Christopher Sabine and Judy
Rudick. Jackie Conner from the Multi-state Center and Jay and Lisa Tolle
also attended as guests. Walter Mitchell also arrived later in today's
meeting. There was no "mini-blind" this month. The August 2016 Chapter
meeting minutes were accepted.

2                     Emily Pennington presented this month's Treasurer's
report, which was accepted.

3                     Committee Reports:

a.       Recreation Committee:

Kim McEachirn presented the report of the Recreation Committee, which met by
telephone conference on September 15 2016 between 7:00 and 8:10 P.M. A copy
of this report is attached to the meeting minutes.

Kim reported that the Book Club held its last meeting on Tuesday September
20, 2016. The book discussed at this month's meeting was the Novel Girl on a
train by Paula Hawkins. Kim reported that Book Club is currently seeking new
members; anyone interested in joining should contact Annie McEachirn.

The committee decided at its September 15 meeting that further research is
necessary in order to make a final decision regarding the Cincinnati Chapter
Christmas Party at the October meeting. It was recommended that the
Christmas Party be held on either December 3 or December 10, 2016 from 2:00
P.M. to 5-6 P.M. Annie is reportedly looking into Red Lobster and Lake of
the Woods as potential venues. Deanna Lewis indicated that she is exploring
the Procter Center at Clovernook as a venue.

B      Membership Committee:

Christopher Sabine presented the report of the Membership Committee, which
met by telephone conference on September 20, 2016 at 7:00 P.M. In Attendance
were: Deborah Kendrick, Paul Dressell, Dale Barta, Christopher Sabine and
Walter Mitchell. The main topic of discussion was a review of the current
status of the Facebook page and the visit to Marion King. Christopher
reported that the visit to Marion King took place the afternoon of September
6, 2016 with Paul and Bernie Dressell and Dale Barta at Marion's apartment.
Christopher organized and facilitated the trip using UBER. He expressed that
he received reimbursement from Paul in the amount of $40 from the Senior
Fund for the trip, but requested additional funds to cover the cost of the
UBER van transporting himself, the Dressels and Dale Barta to and from the
visit. Christopher introduced a motion requesting this expense and it
passed. The committee agreed that Christopher will work with Judy Rudick an
Annie McEachirn to ensure that visits to Marian King are continued on a
regular basis and that other Chapter members make the visits.

Christopher concluded his report by introducing Jay Tolle as the next
sighted co-administrator of the Cincinnati Chapter Facebook Page. He
expressed that he had a conversation with the Tolles, and Jay has agreed to
take on this role immediately. Jay is the Webmaster of Winton Woods High
School's Web Page and shared other relevant experience regarding his role.

c      "We Care" Benevolent program

Judy Rudick expressed that the committee has received no calls concerning
Chapter members or their families this month. Deborah encouraged anyone
interested in making a contribution to the program to see Emily Pennington
after the meeting.

4                     Jackie Conner, Vice President of Clovernook's
Multi-state Center, gave a presentation on Ohio's Braille Challenge. The
Braille Challenge is a contest for school-age children who read Braille
designed to reward and encourage students to fine tune their Braille skills.
It was started in 2000 by the Braille Institute of America in Los Angeles.
The event was so successful that the institute opened it up to other states
and affiliated organizations nationally. More than 1,000 children
participated in the Braille Challenge last year, according to Jackie's
presentation. 

Since Ohio does not have a Regional Center, the Braille Institute of America
entered into a formal agreement with the Clovernook Center in Cincinnati to
host the statewide event for Ohio for 2017. As a host agency and partner of
the Braille Institute, Clovernook is joining the Braille Institute in its
effort to reverse the declining literacy rate of Blind Children. Jackie
invited members of the National Federation of the Blind of Cincinnati to
promote and celebrate Ohio's first Braille Challenge and maintain it for the
future.

Jackie distributed Braille and large print copies of the initial press
release concerning the event to Chapter members. Lisa Hall reminded Chapter
members that she is on the planning committee for Braille Challenge. And has
shared contact information for several organizations with Jackie, including
the American Council of the Blind of Ohio and the Ohio Chapter of the
Association of Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually
Impaired (AER). ACB of Ohio is reportedly holding its state convention later
in October, while AER's convention is November 9 to 11 in Cleveland-just
prior to NFB's State Convention.

Jackie indicated that Ohio's Braille Challenge will take place on Friday
March 3 2017-with an alternate date the following week in case of inclement
weather. Nationally, competitions are scheduled for each state or affiliated
organization between December and March. The final National Braille
Challenge event is scheduled in Los Angeles in June. Children with the
highest scores in North America in the state and regional competition will
travel-all expenses paid-to Los Angeles to take part in the National Braille
Challenge competition in June.

Children are tested on their skills in five categories: reading
comprehension, Braille spelling, speed, accuracy and chart / graph proof
reading. The committee plans to offer prizes for the recipients of the three
highest scores: first, second and third place. A Website,
http://www.braillechallenge.org, operated by the Braille Institute of
America, has information and practice materials.

Jackie indicated that, as of today's meeting, the Clovernook Center has
entered into a partnership agreement with the Braille Institute of America
to host the event for Ohio and established a Braille Challenge Committee,
which includes Lisa Hall and Deanna Lewis. The members of this committee
represent all aspects of Clovernook's organization and will be actively
involved in the competition. The committee is also reportedly finalizing a
letter to all interested organizations serving Blind children in Ohio under
the signature of Chris Faust, President of Clovernook. The committee has
also been in contact with representatives of the Ohio State School for the
Blind and has tentative plans to tour the school and meet with staff. A
sponsorship packet is also being developed to cover costs such as
scholarships and transportation for students, though Jackie indicated the
committee has not formally requested sponsorships or funding from outside
organizations as of today's meeting.

Representatives of Ohio's Braille Challenge have reportedly visited the
programs in Kentucky and Tennessee last year and plan to attend Kentucky's
event in December at the campus of the American Printing House for the Blind
in Louisville. 

Jackie requested all Chapter members to share the press release concerning
the event with all who are interested, including families and service
providers. Deanna Lewis is reportedly monitoring an email account for those
interested in further information or prospective participants,
bralllechallenge at clovernook.org.

Deborah asked if there is an application process or how prospective
participants can sign up for Braille Challenge Ohio. Jackie reported that
the Braille Institute is handling the development of applications and
promotional events, though these will be customized to Ohio's event. The
committee has decided that the theme for the 2017 Braille Challenge Event
will be "Braille All Stars." Deborah offered to disseminate any additional
materials as they become available, a Christopher Sabine and Walter Mitchell
agreed to post the press release to the Cincinnati Chapter and State
Affiliate Facebook pages, respectively.

5                     Deborah introduced the next topic on the agenda for
today's meeting: State Convention. Deanna reported that the State Convention
will take place from Friday November 11 to Sunday November 13, though many
people are arriving on Thursday November 10. The Convention will be held at
the Holiday Inn Doubletree in Independence, Ohio, outside Cleveland. The
Board meeting is reportedly scheduled for Friday morning with some general
sessions on Friday and some on Saturday. Exhibits will be held from 12:00 to
5:00 P.M. on Saturday. Members can register either in print or online, and
assistance is available for members having difficulty with the registration
process. Deanna expressed that the agenda has not been finalized yet.
However, Anil Lewis will be making a speech as National Representative to
the State Convention, according to Deanna and Lisa.

Transportation arrangements to Convention were discussed. Deanna expressed
that the cost of renting a 12-passenger van last year for Convention
attendees was approximately $600 and proposed that each member planning on
using the van to attend contribute $50 toward the rental cost. Deborah
expressed that this could be problematic, as not all attendees can travel to
the hotel the same day; some can arrive on Thursday, while others can only
travel on Friday.

After some further discussion, Deborah took a tally of those planning on
attending. Deborah Kendrick, Emily Pennington, Deanna Lewis, Lisa Hall,
Walter Mitchell and Christopher Sabine expressed that they were considering
attending State Convention. Chris Tolle indicated he would know by the
middle or end of October. After some additional discussion, Kim McEachirn
presented a motion that the Chapter will allocate a $55 stipend to each
member attending State Convention. If a van is rented and a member rides in
the van, the Chapter would apply the stipend to the cost of the van. Emily
Pennington seconded the motion, and the motion passed.

6                     Deborah indicated that she will be out of town in
guide dog training on October 22, the date when the October meeting would
normally be scheduled. Deborah expressed that this needs to be discussed as
a chapter, as the November meeting could take place the Saturday after
Thanksgiving, as the Chapter agreed to hold regular meetings the fourth
Saturday of the month, barring special circumstances. It was agreed to hold
the October meeting on Saturday October 22 by teleconference. Emily
Pennington presented this as a motion to the Chapter; Walter Mitchell
seconded. The motion passed.

7                     The September 24 meeting of the Cincinnati Chapter of
the National Federation of the Blind was adjourned at approximately 3:35
P.M. on September 24, 2016.

Respectfully Submitted,

Christopher Sabine

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