[Iabs-talk] chicago minutes may 2015

Tue Jul 28 14:34:03 UTC 2015

Please read and be ready to approve or correct.

NFBI CHICAGO CHAPTER MINUTES

MEETING OF MAY 9, 2015

President David Meyer called to order the May 2015 meeting of the National
Federation of the Blind of Illinois Chicago Chapter at 1:00 P.M.

Introductions

Twenty-seven people were in attendance.

What’s Happening

David Meyer reported that Debbie Pittman’s guide dog passed away. Denise
Avant is now a member of the Community Advisory board for channel 11, the
Public television station in Chicago.  Gina Falvo will be attending National
convention. David Meyer reported that his sister-in-law had an Aortic Valve
replacement and is recovering nicely from the surgery.  He also served on a
jury in April.  Michal Nowicki has been accepted as a student at the
University of Illinois college of Law. Patti Chang has been reappointed to
the Illinois Bar Association Administrative Law Council.  She has been
seeking reappointment for the past five years. The NFB Scholarship class has
been confirmed. Illinois does not have a representative in this class.
Debbie Stein reported that her daughter Janna will be married on May 16. Ken
Borst reported that he will have to retire his current guide dog, as he has
hypothyroidism and a degenerating hip condition. Steve Hastalis reported
that his niece gave birth to twins three months ago, one of whom had surgery
earlier in the week to repair a hole in his heart.  He also reported that he
was a studio musician on a recording made by his nephew.  Eileen Truschke
reported that her sister is hospitalized with low blood pressure. Her heart
rate is elevated and she has had trouble dealing with her radiation
treatments.

Secretaries Minutes

It was moved and seconded to approve minutes from the March 2015 meeting.
The motion carried unanimously.

Treasurers Report

Steve Hastalis, chapter treasurer reported the following. Balance January 1,
$5,414.64. Income $1,180.50. Expenses, $622.88. Balance March 31, $5,972.26.
The report was approved unanimously.

National Presidential Release

NFB National President Mark Riccobono reported on the following items.  The
National Office did not sustain any damage from the riots in Baltimore in
April, nor were there any employees injured. President Riccobono attended
the Utah convention and was particularly impressed with efforts being made
locally to inject NFB philosophy into the meetings, as well as efforts to
recruit new members. The National convention will be coming up in Orlando
Florida in July.  John Bergrand was introduced and provided the following
information. Hotel reservations are going fast. The Rosen Center is already
full during a couple of nights. Those wishing to make reservations may still
reserve a room at the Rosen Plaza, the overflow hotel. We will attempt to
set a world record on July 8 by creating the largest ever umbrella mosaic.
Please sign up at nfb.org/gwr. Early registration for the convention closes
on May 31. Please register if you wish to avoid lines and save money on
registration and a banquet ticket. Everlee Hairston, co-chair of the
Convention Hosting Committee announced the Diamond anniversary ball.
Admission will be $10 with the ball taking place on Wednesday, July 8. A
deal has been worked out for convention attendees with LEGOLAND.  Convention
goers are entitled to a free ticket when a ticket is purchased at full
value. One may buy a one-day or two-day pass. The first NFB-EQ (engineering
quotient) will take place at the Jernigan Institute August 2-8.  This is a
program for high school students.  There will be two programs in 2016.
Applications will be taken through June 7. Anil Lewis spoke about the 6-dot
dash which will occur on June 7. One may enter this as either a runner or a
virtual runner. This will be a 6 Kilometer run. Honorable mention will be
given to first, second and third place virtual runners at the convention. To
become a virtual runner, go to nfb.org/dot-dash. In other NFB matters,
Denise Shavel from California passed away on April 23. Lisa Marie Martinez
gave birth to Zachary on April 2, Kala Hethen daughter of Steve and Laura
Hethen was born on April 9. Cylas O’Connor, son of Corb and Riley O’Connor
was born on April 26. Tom Anderson, braille instructor, retired from the
Colorado Center for the Blind on May 1.

Election Matters

David Meyer read the list of members eligible to vote in the upcoming
election.  Though he did not read the list of Illinois Association of Blind
Merchants members, all IABM members in Chicago may vote in Chicago Chapter
elections.  Results of the election were as follows. President, Debbie
Stein, First Vice-President, Patti Chang, Second Vice-President, Jemal
Powell, Secretary, David Meyer, Treasurer, Steve Hastalis. Board members,
Marco Giannatti, Paul Sheperdson, Gina Falvo and Denise Avant.

State Presidential Report. Denise Avant reported the following. The National
Convention will take place at the Rosen Center Hotel in Orlando Florida,
July 5-10. Get your hotel reservations and registration in as soon as
possible. As we are one of the original 7 affiliates organizing the
convention, we will be staffing the Hospitality Suite on Tuesday, July 7. We
will need assistance in covering key meetings.  Please volunteer for both
projects. Mary Grunwald discussed sale items to benefit Illinois at the
National convention. We will be selling lapel pins. We do not have a firm
date for the caucus yet, though Denise thought it may occur on July 7. She
will post an announcement on IL-Talk. We will have a Bell program at the
Chicago Lighthouse, June 18 through July 1.  It is very probable that we
will have a Springfield Bell program July 20-24. Those interested in
volunteering should speak to Debbie Stein about Chicago or Patti Chang about
Springfield. The face-to-face board meeting will take place at the
Naperville Marriott Hotel on August 22, with the convention taking place in
the same location October 30-31 and November 1.  Those unable to attend the
board meeting are encouraged to call in at 805-360-1000, code 6324. Hotel
rooms are $93 nightly.  Anyone with ideas for the convention agenda should
email President Avant at davant1958 at gmail.com. Or call 773-991-8050. Our
Picnic in the Park fundraiser will occur in Springfield on June 6. The price
is $30 per person. There will be burgers, brats, mustaccioli and more.
Those wishing to bring an instrument are encouraged to do so. Please pay
Patti Chang for this event. Our annual October Fest will take place at the
home of Patti and Francisco Chang on September 19. The cost for this event
is $25. A new Sexual Molestation policy is now in force.  Francisco Chang
read the policy which would be signed by anyone working with children and
teens at NFBI events. The get together for convention attendees will take
place on July 6, 9:00 PM. In the Lobby Bar.  Bob Widman, Don Jordan, Mary
Grunwald and Marco Giannatti will save seats for this event. Please pay
Patti or make a general donation to PayPal. Payments will go to Patti Chang.

Old Business

President Meyer mentioned that we needed more participation for our Sox
fundraiser, scheduled for August 1. Tickets are $30 each.  The deadline will
be Monday, May 11. Please call Dave with orders at 708-209-1767 or email him
at datemeyer at sbcglobal.net. Steve Hastalis asked about the Chicago Chapter
picnic. It will occur on Saturday, July 18 at the Landmark Café of Lincoln
Park Zoo, noon-4:00 PM.

New business Patti took reservations for the restaurant immediately
following the meeting. Steve Hastalis talked about several transit matters.
The next Pace ADA Advisory Committees for Chicago and suburbs will take
place on Monday, May 18 at 1:00 PM Willis Tower. The CTA ADA Advisory
committee will meet on Monday, July 13 at CTA Headquarters 567 West Lake
Street beginning at 1:30 PM. Several people will be coming off of the
committee in October. President Meyer concluded with some closing remarks.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:53 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Hansen, Secretary

David Meyer, NFB of Illinois

Coordinator and Channel Administrator, NFB-NewsLine