[Iabs-talk] [il-talk] Draft Chicago Chapter Minutes, March 9, 2013

[Gregory Chang Patti]

These look good to me.  


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PS.  Find us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nfbi and on facebook by searching on "National Federation of the Blind of Illinois."
Patti Gregory Chang Esq.
President, NFBI
pattichang at att.net





On Apr 4, 2013, at 8:15 PM, David Meyer wrote:



-----Original Message-----
From: Deborah Kent Stein [mailto:dkent5817 at att.net] 
Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2013 10:02 AM
To: David Meyer
Cc: David Meyer
Subject: Draft Chicago Chapter Minutes, March 9, 2013



NFBI CHICAGO CHAPTER MINUTES
March 9, 2013
Exchequer Pub and Restaurant
226 S. Wabash, Chicago

CALL TO ORDER

Chicago Chapter President David Meyer called the meeting to order at 1:02
PM.  Thirty people were in attendance, including first-time attendee Lily
Diego.  A number of health concerns were reported. Joe Monti had another
cornea transplant and had unexpected complications.  Mary Monti is at home
but is on oxygen.  Joyce Robinson had a house fire and lost nearly
everything.  Jemal Powell said that his ninety-six-year-old grandfather had
a fall and is slowly recovering.  Rena McCabe, a longtime employee of the
Chicago Lighthouse, has passed away.

PROGRAM

Pam Gillmore gave a presentation on how to advocate for oneself or a family
member in the hospital.  Drawing on her experience with Don's two stays at
Illinois Masonic, she suggested keeping a packed bag with the basics to be
ready for an emergency.  She emphasized the crucial importance of having
good health insurance.  You should have a list of medications and a short
medical history with you in print and in an accessible format.  Bring a
slate and stylus or a notetaker for taking notes quickly.  Treat hospital
staff with kindness and firmness.  She also said it's important to take care
of yourself in order to care for a loved one.  Drink a lot of water, as
stress causes dryness.  Make sure you have a good support system, and don't
sweat the small stuff! Don't be afraid to ask questions. Be aware of what
medications and IVs are being given.

SECRETARY's MINUTES AND TREASURER's UPDATE

The minutes of the meeting of February 9, 2013, were approved.  President
Meyer raised the concern that members may not be reading the minutes,
although they are posted on EL-Talk and Newsline.  He suggested that perhaps
we should go back to reading the minutes during meetings.  Treasurer Steve
Hastalis reported that as of the beginning of the meeting we have a balance
of $4,025.

PRESIDENTIAL RELEASE

NFB President Marc Maurer reported that the deadline for the Annual Youth
and Adult Writing Contests sponsored by the Writers Division is April 1. 
The Cash and Carry Committee has posted a Quiz on Blindness at
<www.quizonblindness.blogspot.com>.  When people take the quiz they have the
opportunity to make a donation.  The National Library Service (NLS) is
conducting a survey.  You can take the survey by phone by calling (866)
545-1618, or go to <www.libraryofcongresssurvey.com>. Registration for
convention is open.  You can register online at <www.nfb.org/registraffion>.

Preregistration closes on May 31.  The Fair Wages Bill, HR831, has been
introduced in Congress, and has eleven cosponsors.  The Space Available
Bill, HR164, has more than fifty cosponsors; the companion bill in the
Senate, S346, has five cosponsors.  Dr. Maurer attended a meeting of the
World Blind Union in London.  He then gave the keynote address at the first
International Conference on Technology for People with Special Needs in
Saudi Arabia.  Applications for national scholarships are due on March 31.

STATE REPORT

NFBI President Patti Chang urged students to apply for national and state
scholarships.  Michael Quigley has signed on to the Fair Wages and Space
Available Bills, Bobby Rush is on both, and Rep. Lupinski signed on to Space
Available.  We must thank all of these representatives.  IABS and the NFBI
are selling T-shirts that say, "I am who I am, your approval is not needed" 
in the form of an eye chart.  Please buy them to help support our programs! 
State convention will take place at the Park Hotel and Conference Center in
Bloomington, October 25-27.  The phone number for making reservations will
go out on IL-Talk.  National Convention will take place July 1-6 at the
Rosen Center in Orlando.  We will not hold a Chicago Chapter meeting in May
because the Teacher-Parents Seminar will be held May 10-11.  Chapter members
are encouraged to volunteer.  We have three new mentoring programs, which
have been suggested by the students and parents.  IABS has arranged for
members to have mentors among "grizzled veterans." IABS members will also be
mentoring younger students.  Parents Janet Leinum and Pat Olson have taken
the lead in starting a system to match up parents.  A lot of this activity
is taking place on Facebook.  From National Federation of the Blind of
Illinois you can find the student group and the parents group.  Applications
for Chappell Fund for national convention must be completed by May 1.  Patti
explained our certificate program with the Manna Gift Group.  Place orders
with Dave Meyer.  We will place orders in April and June.  The list of
cooperating companies is linked to our website, <www.nfbofillinois.org>. 
Dave pointed out that Restaurants Dot Com gives an unbelievable 30 percent,
and Fanny May gives 24 percent.  Patti noted that the vendors bought two
thousand dollars in gift certificates when they gave a party for the
students at ISVI.  The Division of Rehab Services has a new director, David
Hanson.  After considerable persistence, Patti arranged an appointment with
him. She and Ed Birmingham will discuss our recommendation that Jan Sherburn
be appointed in the position formerly held by Betty Otum-Davis. They will
also talk about the BSPC appointments.  Debbie Stein invited people to
volunteer for the Teacher-Parent Seminar.  We need a few volunteers to help
with registration and literature on Friday with the teachers.  On May 11,
Saturday, we need people for Kids' Camp, Teen Scene, and the main room with
the parents.  Janna Stein is in charge of Kids Camp and Chris Jeckel is
running the Teen Scene.  Dave Meyer, Denise Avant, Steve Hastalis, Val
Howard, Kathy Stepp, and Dan Dwyer volunteered for Kids Camp.  For Teen
Scene Glenn Moore and Mary Grunwald volunteered.

FUNDRAISING

Ken Staley reported that we will hold our Meal Appeal Auction after the
April meeting.  People should donate anything pertaining to food.  On April
24 we will have the Beggar's Pizza fundraiser.  We have to sell thirty-two
variety packs to make a spring candy sale worthwhile.  To order boxes call
Ken at (773) 472-3085 or Dave at (708) 606-7091.  We are buying tickets to a
Sox-Twins game on August 10.  We buy them at $13 and sell them for $25.

NEW BUSINESS

Steve Hastalis said that CTA and RTA are working on a new fare system called
Ventra.  A hearing will be held at 567 W. Lake Street on March 11 at 6 PM. 
For questions, contact Amy Serpe, the new manager of ADA programs at CTA,
(312) 681-2608.  Steve reminded everyone that dues must be paid at today's
meeting if you wish to vote at the April meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 2:50 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Stein, Secretary 


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