[Cinci-NFB] National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter, Meeting Minutes for March 2022

Tue Apr 5 17:16:57 UTC 2022

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
Cincinnati Chapter
Meeting Minutes for March 2022

  1.  The March 2022 meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was convened by President Gloria Robinson at approximately 1:35 P.M. on Saturday March 26, 2022. In attendance were President Gloria Robinson, Christopher Sabine, Marianne Denning, Emily Pennington, Gary Warren, Dave Perry, Frank Bragassa, Tammy Smith, and Lisa Hall. Richard Payne, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, also attended. Cassandra Proud, Amy Barker, and Khaled Shammout attended today's meeting as guests of the Chapter.

  1.  Gary Warren moved to accept the February minutes as emailed. Marianne Denning seconded, and the motion passed.

  1.  Emily Pennington presented this month's Treasurer's Report. Payment information for members wishing to submit annual dues was also presented at today's meeting. Annual Dues for the Cincinnati Chapter are $10 and can be paid by check or electronically via PayPal or the Cash App. Gary Warren moved to accept the March Treasurer's Report as presented. Christopher Sabine seconded, and the motion passed.

  1.  Khaled Shammout, Vice President of Strategic Planning for the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Agency, introduced himself and provided a brief overview of developments at SORTA related to riders with disabilities and the agency's current five-year strategic plan, branded as "Reinventing Metro." SORTA is the mass transit agency serving Hamilton County and nearby communities in surrounding counties in Southwest Ohio. Mr. Shammout reported that SORTA continues to work on improving service on Metro, the agency's fixed route service, and now offers 24-hour service on seven of its most used routes. Corresponding changes to ACCESS, SORTA's paratransit service for riders with disabilities, have also taken effect. SORTA has hired a consultant to improve services on ACCESS, SORTA's paratransit service for people with disabilities, who is working with paratransit providers in the nine county OKI Region. A major concern of passengers of paratransit services is the poor coordination among services among the different paratransit agencies in the region. For example, a trip from Butler County, Ohio to the Greater Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) currently requires scheduling appointments through three separate paratransit services. Mr. Shammout indicated that through ongoing studies involving fifty representatives of transit agencies, SORTA has identified 13 projects designed to improve paratransit service throughout the OKI region within the next year. These include a single call center for scheduling trips on all paratransit services in the region, a uniform eligibility process, and coordinated services so that riders can travel in the same vehicle to locations served by different transit agencies (i.e., from Cincinnati to Northern Kentucky locations like the Airport). Mr. Shammout expressed that while some projects can be put in place easily, some others, like a coordinated, regional call center for all paratransit riders in the OKI Region, could take as long as 3-4 years to implement. Mr. Shammout also provided information on Mobility on Demand, discussed fully in the February Chapter minutes. He expressed that the results of the pilot study of Mobility on Demand should be complete in the next 6-8 weeks, and SORTA plans to implement the service in target areas by Q1 of 2023. He expressed that the current service reflects the first phase of the Mobility on Demand Project, with future enhancements expected in the coming years. The Remainder of Mr. Shammout's presentation consisted of an open forum addressing Chapter members' concerns. Several issues related to customer service at the ACCESS call center and communication with drivers on METRO and ACCESS were discussed in the following session, and it was agreed that representatives from SORTA's operations team would attend future Chapter meetings. Mr. Shammout's presentation concluded with a report of a positive encounter with a METRO driver from Marianne Denning.

  1.  Dave perry and Gary Warren presented a report from the Fundraising Committee. Dave indicated that the Chapter's Spring Popcorn Fundraiser has commenced and requested all members to participate. Gary Warren began a discussion of the Fundraising Committee meeting, which took place by telephone on Friday March 25, 2022. Gary outlined a proposal for an awards system that would offer incentives for Chapter members to participate in fundraising campaigns, Chapter meetings, and other activities. Each member who takes part in a fundraising campaign, such as the Chapter's current spring popcorn fundraiser, would receive $50 toward their attendance at the State or National Convention. Members would receive other, unspecified amounts for their attendance at Chapter meetings and participation in fundraising and other activities. Attendance at Chapter meetings would be documented by roll calls at the end of each Chapter meeting and documented by the Chapter Secretary in the minutes of each meeting. After extended and at times animated discussion among several Chapter members and Ohio Affiliate President Richard Payne, Christopher Sabine moved that the Chapter allocate $50 to each Chapter member selling items at the Spring Popcorn Fundraiser to participate in the State and National Convention. Following the Spring Fundraiser, the Chapter will allocate a set amount to each member based on their participation in fundraising campaigns and other Chapter activities as documented by their attendance at each meeting or event as recorded by the Secretary and sales of goods during fundraising campaigns as documented by the Treasurer. Dave Perry seconded this motion, and it passed without further discussion. During the ensuing discussion concerning the motion to adopt the awards system, Ohio Affiliate President Richard Payne recommended that the Chapter form a committee to reach out to Chapter members who do not attend meetings regularly and explore ways to engage them in Chapter activities. It was also agreed without a motion that the current popcorn fundraising campaign will terminate on April 26, 2022, with all members turning in their proceeds to President Gloria Robinson by April 29.

  1.  President Gloria Robinson indicated that the Amazon Air Frier and rotisserie oven, the grand prize for the Chapter's next fundraising campaign, will arrive soon.

  1.  Marianne Denning gave an update from the Legislative Committee. Marianne requested all members to present testimony to Todd Elzey from the Ohio Affiliate as soon as possible concerning H.B. 448, Ohio's accessible prescription labeling bill. Amy Barker, Counselor from the Independent Living Program housed at the Southwest Field Office of the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), expressed her appreciation for the work the Federation is doing to promote legislation regarding accessible prescription labeling in Ohio. She expressed that this is a concern of many of her consumers, and resources are limited. Christopher Sabine agreed to forward contact information for the Ohio Legislative Committee, so she can present testimony concerning her experience with inaccessible prescriptions as an OOD counselor serving Blind consumers.

  1.  Richard Payne, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, reminded all Chapter members of the upcoming National Federation of the Blind Annual Convention set for July 5-10, 2022, at the Sheraton Marriott New Orleans Hotel, located at 500 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA. Some convention assistance is still available. The Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship is available for first-time attendees, and further information and the application is available at http://www.nfb.org. Richard also expressed that as many members as possible need to be on the Ohio-Talk email listserv, as critical information, such as convention dates and legislative alerts, are posted to this list.

  1.  The March 2022 meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was adjourned at approximately 3:17 P.M. on Saturday March 26, 2022. The next meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter is scheduled by telephone conference on Saturday April 23, 2022, from 1:30 to 3:30 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted,

Christopher Sabine

Secretary

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio

Cincinnati Chapter

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