[CT-NFB] April 2023 Board Meeting minutes

[llee at nfbct.org]

Please see below or as an attached Word Document.

 

 

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF CONNECTICUT

BOARD MEETING MINUTES

APRIL 15, 2023

 

The regular meeting of the NFB of CT Board was called to order by President
Melley at 11:14 AM.

 

Members Present: Deb Reed (Board Member), Beth Rival (Board Member), Cheri
Duquette (Treasurer), Becky Ireland (Secretary), Maryanne Melley
(President), Mary Silverberg (2nd Vice-President), Veronica Alston (Board
Member), Jim McCullom (Board Member).

 

Members Absent: Nathanael Wales (1st Vice-President).

 

President Melley led the members in the NFB pledge.

 

Treasurer's Report:

Cheri Duquette gave a Treasurer's report. If you would like a copy please
contact Lucia, at llee at nfbct.org, and she will forward a copy to you.

Cheri requested that she be allowed to move $100,000 from the checking
account into the savings account. This way all the money for the restricted
funds is in one place. The money left in the checking will be used to pay
for bills, subsidies, and other expenditures.

 

Members had a brief discussion on the best way to earn interest on our
accounts and ways we can advertise our group and increase the membership.

 

Beth Rival made a motion to move $100,000 from the checking account to the
savings account.

Seconded: Becky Ireland

Vote: 8 to 0 motion passes.

 

Beth Rival made a motion to accept the Treasurer's report.

Seconded Mary Silverberg

:Vote: 8 to 0 motion passes.

 

Minutes For January Board Meeting:

Pres. Melley asked if everyone reviewed the minutes for the January board
meeting. She then asked for a motion to approve the minutes.

Mary Silverberg made a motion to approve the January 14, 2023, minutes.

Seconded: Beth Rival

Vote: 8 to 0 Motion passes.

 

ABPVI (Advisory Board for Persons who are Visually Impaired) Beth Rival

Beth reported the following:

*	Their last meeting was in March 2023 via Zoom they no longer meet in
person.
*	BESB is down 12 positions at this time. Positions include 2
secretaries, VOC Rehab people, and mobility instructors. 

Beth stated that they are posting for the opening but that after 30 days the
postings are taken down even though the position has not been filled. 

 

Members had a brief discussion about why this is allowed and whether it can
be changed. Pres. Melley said she will contact Carol Jenkins for more
information. 

 

Members had a brief discussion about the struggles people are having getting
services from BESB. Due to a tight budget and being understaffed it is
becoming harder for those who need their services to receive them.

 

Pres. Melley encouraged members to write to their Representatives and asking
them to increase funding for BESB.

 

SRC (State Rehabilitative Council) Deb Reed

Deb reported the following:

*	The Council met on Jan. 23rd. The Board has 2 vacancies one from
Work Force Investment Board and the other is from the Labor Department
Board.
*	Director Carol Jenkins informed them that they will be updating
their electronic filing system. This will make things easier, more
efficient, and accessible. They will be implementing new software called JOT
Forms which is accessible to everyone.
*	They have been working on the Consumer Satisfaction Survey. Director
Jenkins is currently waiting for several proposals to come. She has received
one from Louisiana Tech University. For this year they will need to use CCSU
for the survey.
*	VR is down 3 counselors one is a Technology specialist and 2
Clerical position.

They had a meeting with a group the Director Jenkins reached out to, it is
called the Older Individuals Who Are Blind Technology Assistance Center.
They will be doing an evaluation of BESB in May. 

 

CT-LAB (CT Library for Accessible Books) Mary Silverberg

Mary reported the following:

*	Mary stated there is no news to report their next meeting is Friday
April 21st.

Mary stated that she was offered a great opportunity by Matt Geeza, the
CT-LAB Director, to participate on a panel of four presenters to librarians
from all over the CT. The purpose of the ninety-minute session was to share
ideas and information on how to make library programming more accessible to
people with disabilities. Each member offered information about different
areas of disability.

 

The Federationist Brianna Rigsbee

Brianna was not present no report was given.

 

PAC Plan (Pre-Authorized Contribution) Len Schlenk

Len reported that the PAC Plan had a couple of new contributors. He
encourages members to ask their friends and family to start donating to the
PAC plan. If you would like to start contributing to the PAC Plan, go to
nfb.org\Pac to download the application form or call 1-877-632-2722.

 

NEW BUSINESS 

NFB National Convention 2023

Pres. Melley gave the members the following information on the National
Convention:

The National Convention is scheduled for July 1, 2023, to July 6, 2023, in
Houston, Texas.

The convention will be held at the Hilton Americas Houston and the overflow
hotel is the Marriot Marquis. Both locations are asking for $119 per night.

When booking your flight be sure you land at Hobby Airport which is 10 miles
from the hotel.

There are 2 tours scheduled one is to the Space Center and the other is to
the Houston Museum of Natural Science. For more information go to
nfboftx.org.

 

Donations to NFB Funds

Pres. Melley stated that every year we make donations to the following
funds:

The White Cane Fund, The SUN Fund, The Jacobus tenBroek Fund, and the
Kenneth Jernigan Fund.

 

After a brief discussion members agreed to donate $600 to the White Cane
Fund, Jacobus tenBroek Fund, and Kenneth Jernigan fund and $200 to the SUN
Fund.

 

Beth Rival made a motion to donate $600 to the White Cane Fund, Jacobus
tenBroek Fund and The Kenneth Jernigan Fund, and to donate $200 to the SUN
Fund in the total amount of $2000.

Seconded: Deb Reed

Vote: 8 to 0 Motion passes.

 

Door Prizes for National Convention

Pres. Melley asked all Chapters and Divisions to donate a door prize for the
Convention. The door prizes must be:

*	A minimum of $25.

Door prizes may be in cash or Visa/Mastercard gift cards. No gift cards for
stores or restaurants.

Please send all door prizes to Lucia by May 31st.

 

NFB Newsline Deb Reed

Deb reported the following:

Deb explained the 3 ways you can access NFB Newsline. They are by phone, IOS
App for smartphones, and Echo Dot or smart speaker.

She spoke about all the media, TV listings, and other information you will
have access to.

To register for this service call Lucia at 860-289-1971 and she will provide
you with a security code and ID number you can use to access NFB Newsline.

 

Memorial for Steve Famiglietti

Members are still extremely interested in donating a tree or bench to the
Oak Hill Meet Center in memory of Steve. Pres. Melley stated that we need to
know two things. 

A (Will they allow us to do this?

B (Where will we be able to put the tree or Bench?

Mary Silverberg will contact Barry Simon at Oak Hill to find out and let us
know at our next meeting.

 

Birdies for Charity Mary Silverberg

Mary reported the following:

The Travelers Golf Tournament will be held from June 19th to June 25th,
2023.

We are registered and ready to start our campaign later this week. 

Our fund-raising goal this year is $2500. We will contact Brian Mackey to
put it on NFB of CT website. Joe will put it on the NFB Facebook page. Lucia
will include information with the May and June donation letters.

Mary encouraged everyone to put it on their Facebook pages and pass it on to
family and friends.

 

Berlin Lions VIP Fishing

Pres. Melley explained that the Berlin Lions pay for all expenses for the
VIP fishing trip. This includes meals, buses, boats, fishing gear etc. The
cost of everything has gone up and since many members of NFB go on this trip
she would like to give back.

 

After a brief discussion members agreed upon a $2500 donation.

 

Beth Rival made a motion to donate $2500 to the Berlin Lions VIP Fishing.

Seconded: Mary Silverberg

Vote: 8 to 0 Motion passes.

 

State Convention Updates

  Jim Cronin reported the following: 

This year's state convention will be held Nov. 3rd through Nov. 5th, 2023,
at the Holiday Inn, located at 35 Governor Winthrop Blvd. In New London. The
room rate is $89 plus tax per night. 

We will have one breakout room for division meetings, and the banquet room.
There will be a sectioned off room for the Vendors on Friday night.

Jim mentioned the train station is half a mile away from the hotel. This
should help make traveling easier for members.

 

Pres. Melley asked members to volunteer for the convention committee to help
finalize details for the convention.

 

Harlow Grant 

Beth Rival answered several questions concerning the grant that included the
following:

 

Q: Do we need any paperwork from BESB?

A: No, you only need to explain why BESB did not provide you with the items
you requested.

 

Q: Does the grant cover expenses for training for new computers?

A: Yes, however they are currently looking for someone who can provide the
training.

 

Q: How do I apply for the Harlow Grant?

A: To apply go to nfbct.org or call Lucia at 860-289-1971 and she will send
you the application.

 

Beth reminded members they must live in the greater New Haven area to be
eligible for the grant.

Chapter News

Southern CT Chapter Len Schlenk

Len reported that the chapter did several outreaches they were at an Oyster
Festival, Stop & Shop, and Walmart. 

 

Central CT Chapter Deb Reed

Deb reported that they will be having their annual picnic on June 10th at
Norton Park. She also mentioned that they are planning an outreach table at
the Plainville Balloon Festival in August. Becky Ireland explained to the
members what the Balloon Festival is and where it is held. 

 

The At Large Chapter Jim Cronin

Jim reported in the last few months they had a guest speaker from BESB,
spoke about the Washington Seminar, and are planning to have a guest speaker
from the NFB Independence Market. 

 

Southwest Chapter Jim Cronin also reported for this chapter.

Jim reported the chapter is still being organized and does not yet have
officers. They meet on a regular basis. He also mentioned they attended a
Hartford Braillers hockey game and after one of their meetings members
stopped at a local coffee shop for coffee, donuts and to bond as friends. 

 

The Hartford Chapter Mary Silverberg

Mary reported that Melissa had her first meeting as President. The meeting
went very well and was attended by 12 to 13 people.

 

Mary also reported that she and Deb Reed were invited to speak to the Low
Vision group in Glastonbury in March about services and resources for the
blind especially through NFB-CT.

 

The next NFB of CT Board meeting will be July 22, 2023, via Zoom. Pres.
Melley will email Zoom information.

 

Meeting adjourned at 2:50 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted by,

Rebecca Ireland

Secretary

NFB of CT

 

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