[Cinci-nfb] NNational Federation of the Blind of Cincinnati, Meeting Minutes for November 2018

[Christopher Sabine, ONH Consulting]

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio

Cincinnati Chapter

Meeting Minutes for November 2018

 

1                     The November 2018 meeting of the National Federation
of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was held by teleconference and
convened by President Sheri Albers at 11:10 A.M. on November 17 2018. In
attendance were: President Sheri Albers, Christopher Sabine, Gloria
Robinson, Kim McEachirn, Deanna Lewis, Diana Carmony, Tammy Smith, Cassandra
Jones, Walter Mitchell, Tracy King and Chris Windham-who joined the
conference later in the meeting. Akeelah Kade and Devita Williams also
joined the conference as a guest of the Chapter. Sheri Albers began the
meeting with a recitation of the "one minute speech" and the NFB pledge.

 

2                     Gloria Robinson moved to approve the October 2018
Chapter minutes as emailed; Walter Mitchell seconded. The motion passed. 

 

3                     There was no Treasurer's report this month. Emily
Pennington, Treasurer of the Chapter, indicated that she was unable to
attend today's meeting due to a prior scheduling conflict.

 

4                     Christopher Sabine presented the report of the
Membership Committee, which met by teleconference on Friday November 16 2018
from 7:00 to 7:45 P.M. attending this meeting were: Christopher Sabine,
Tammy Smith, Gloria Robinson, Dale Barta, Sheri Albers and Brooke Albers.
Christopher expressed that the primary emphasis of the meeting was to
develop a flier for prospective members and "jump start" the functioning of
the Committee. The Committee agreed to produce a local flier to distribute
at stores, doctor's offices and other locations throughout the Greater
Cincinnati area. The one-page flier, which Brooke Albers will develop as
part of her leadership development coursework at The Ohio State University,
will feature the NFB "one minute speech" and photos of board members. Plans
are to have the flier completed this weekend and rolled out at the Chapter
bake sale on December 1. NFB literature will be included with all
distributions of the local Chapter flier. Christopher also reported that
work with the archdiocese of Cincinnati to develop a document on improving
access to Mass and other parish activities to Blind parishioners is ongoing.
Christopher agreed to share his recording of the State Membership seminar
from State Convention with Chapter members. 

 

5                     Walter Mitchell, Kim McEachirn and Deanna Lewis gave
the report of the Fundraising Committee, which met by teleconference on
Thursday November 15 2018. In attendance were: Walter Mitchell, Deanna
Lewis, Gloria Robinson, Tammy Smith, Chris Windham, Kim McEachirn and
Akeelah Cade. Kim McEachirn gave an overview of sales at the exhibit table
at State Convention. He expressed that four of the Braille puzzles were
sold, and he is considering changing the format of the puzzles in order to
expand sales. The prospect of publication of information about the puzzles
in The Braille Monitor was mentioned. The Committee is nearly halfway to
achieving its sales goals for T shirts and hoodies. The hoodys are currently
sold out, but there are a few T shirts available. Sheri agreed to post an
email to the Ohio-Talk Listserv that T shirts and puzzles are still
available. The puzzles can be mailed to customers free matter as they are
written in Braille. The Chapter agreed to charge shipping and handling for
customers who purchase the T shirts. Sheri Albers agreed to determine the
shipping costs before posting to the Ohio-Talk List. Deanna Lewis reported
that the bake sale has been scheduled for December 1 2018 at the Harrison
Avenue Save-A-Lot store location. The sale will run from 11:00 to 2:00 P.M.
and 3:00 to 6:00 P.M. Deanna will be helping set up the event with Tammy
Smith, who is taking a list of who will bring what items. Walter Mitchell
agreed to post an email to the Cinci-Talk Listserv requesting items from
Chapter members. Each member bringing an item to the bake sale will be asked
to have their items individually wrapped and pre-packaged with pricing
included. A flier concerning the event will be posted to the Cinci-Talk
List. Walter Mitchell concluded this report by welcoming Akeelah Cade and
Chris Windham to the Fundraising Committee.

 

6                     Gloria Robinson led a five minute discussion that
followed the Fundraising Committee report on ongoing fundraising projects to
replenish the Chapter's Treasury.

 

7                     Sheri Albers gave a legislative report. On Tuesday
November 13, H.B. 309, Ohio's parental rights bill, was unanimously passed
out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and sent to the full Senate for a
vote. A vote on the bill may be scheduled as early as November 28, according
to a conversation between Sheri and an aide to Sen. Cecil Thomas (D-
Cincinnati). If passed, this legislation will be the first bill written by
the National Federation of the Blind to become law in the state. On
Wednesday November 14, Ohio House Bill 659, which would require all
prescription medication labels provided to be accessible to Blind customers
of retail pharmacies, was referred to the senate Health Committee. Though
this is currently a lame duck session, Sheri expressed confidence that this
bill will progress through the legislature in the next session beginning in
January 2019.

 

8                     Sheri Albers expressed that Washington Seminar is set
for January 28 2019. All members interested in attending Washington Seminar
must submit their name to Affiliate President Richard Payne by December 1.
The affiliate will cover as much of the cost, but members are also expected
to cover as much of their own expenses as possible, including travel. 

 

9                     Sheri Albers expressed that Affiliate President
Richard Payne has posted committee descriptions for the Ohio Affiliate to
the Ohio-Talk Listserv. Members are being asked to choose a statewide
committee in which they would like to participate. 

 

10                 After considerable discussion, a motion was brought to
the floor to move the location of monthly Chapter meetings from the
Washington Platform Restaurant to the Cincinnati / Hamilton County Public
Library at 800 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 on a trial basis
beginning January 2018 and ending March 2018. During the discussion that
preceded the motion, Gloria Robinson reported that the Third Floor Tower
room has been reserved from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. on the fourth Saturdays of
January, February and March. Christopher Sabine brought the motion to the
floor, and Deanna Lewis seconded. The motion passed with two nays. The
Chapter agreed to evaluate the meeting location after three months. Sheri
Albers asked the two nays to report back to the Chapter on other acceptable
meeting locations. 

 

11                 After extensive discussion, the Chapter voted to hold its
annual Christmas party at the Clovernook Procter Center. The event is
tentatively scheduled for December 15 2018 from 12 Noon to 4:00 P.M. Deanna
Lewis reported that she is working on securing the space for the event, but
this is not confirmed. Deanna expressed that there is a $60 charge for the
cost of an employee to open and close the Procter Center for this event
which three people attending the call agreed to donate. The Chapter agreed
to serve spiral sliced ham and drinks provided by Sheri Albers. It was
agreed that all chapter members will contribute a side and / or dessert.
Cassandra Jones agreed to keep track of the list of attendees and their
contributions.

 

12                 Sheri Albers led a discussion on members' experiences
attending this year's State Convention.

 

13                 The Chapter agreed to hold a clothing drive to benefit a
non-profit organization at the Christmas Party-as in years past. Further
discussion will take place on the Cinci-Talk List following today's meeting.

 

14                 The next meeting of the National Federation of the Blind
of Cincinnati will be held on Saturday January 26 2018 from 2:00 to 4:00
P.M. in the Third Floor Tower Room of the Cincinnati / Hamilton County
public Library at 800 Vine Street, Cincinnati Ohio 45202.

 

15                 The November 2018 meeting of the National Federation of
the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was adjourned at 1:07 P.M. on November
17 2018.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Christopher Sabine

Chair

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio

Cincinnati Chapter

 

 

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