[Iabs-talk] chicago minutes january 2017

Mon Feb 6 17:05:20 UTC 2017

Thanks, Dave! These look great!

Debbie

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From: IABS-Talk [mailto:iabs-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of David Meyer via IABS-Talk
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2017 9:47 AM
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Cc: David Meyer <datemeyer at mysero.net>; iabs-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Iabs-talk] chicago minutes january 2017

NFBI CHICAGO CHAPTER
MEETING OF JANUARY 14, 2017
At 1:00 P.M. First Vice-President Patti Chang called to order the January 2017 meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois Chicago Chapter What’s Happening: Pam Gillmore reported that her husband Don is stable at this point. David Meyer asked for prayers for Bob and Nancy Gardner. 
Nancy’s mother passed away recently. There were 23 people present.
Program: Jemal Powell introduced our program for the month which addressed how . we might respond when people ask us if we would like to see or tell us how much better off we might be if we had sight. Many stories and observations on this topic were put fourth. The discussion emphasized that this is a very individualized topic.

Presidential Reports
National Presidential Release: Mark, Riccobono, President, National Federation of the Blind reported on the following items. President Riccobono will attend the Consumer Electronics show and will do some networking with manufacturers of technology, as well as educating people about the KNFB Reader. The Washington Seminar will happen later in January. It will begin with the Grate Gathering In meeting at 5:00 P.M. on Monday, January 30. The fact sheets will soon be available. 
There are several new issues we will be dealing with this year. 
President Riccobono then went into a discussion about priorities for the coming year. The first of these was building membership and engaging new members. We must step up our efforts to protect and assist blind parents as well as parents of blind children. We also need to continue to improve educational opportunities for blind children. We need to improve accessibility of educational materials for blind children. Finally, we need to continue to raise expectations for blind people. Finally, we need to find better ways to communicate with each other, our supporters, friends and donors. Anyone who has any ideas on how to facilitate better communication may email President Riccobono at officeofthepresident at nfb.org. You may call him as well at 410-659-9314.
We have begun our “Build” program, Blind Users Innovating and Leading
Design.) The purpose of this program is to test items for their accessibility and to make recommendations when they are necessary.
Please go to nfb.org/build-team for more information.

This year, the National convention will take place at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, July 10-15. Room rates are $83 for singles and doubles and $89 for triples and quads. Currently, an additional 12.5% tax is in effect. To make reservations, call the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel at 866-996-6338.
A $95 fee will be assessed when you make your reservation. This fee is partially refundable if you cancel before June 1. There will be no refunds for those who cancel after that date.

Several federationists and others have passed away in the past month, including Lisa Bonderson’s father, Alice Lockwood, Charles Evans and Mike Freeman. Patrina Pendarvis, President of our Mississippi affiliate just graduated from the Louisiana Center for the Blind. Linda and Anthony Clay were married on December 24.
State Presidential Report
Denise Avant, NFBI President reported on the following. Washington Seminar will be coming up at the end of the month. Patti Chang, Steve Hastalis, David Meyer and Jemal Powell are representing Chicago in this effort. Emma Meyer is our student rep and Julietta Meyer will be our parent rep. Applications are now being taken for both our National and State scholarships. National scholarship applications must be in by
12:00 A.M. Eastern time on March 31. State scholarships must be in by
12:00 A.M.  Central time. Scholarship applications for the National scholarship can be found by going to www.nfb.org/scholarships. The state application is on the NFB of Illinois website, www.nfbofillinois.org. We will have a student seminar this year on April 22. It will occur at the Midway Holiday Inn. If you know any students wishing to attend, please contact Emma Meyer, Student Division President.Those in need of financial assistance may fill out a Chappell-Dennis form and submit it to Denise by April 1. Those who are attending convention for the first time may apply to the Jernigan fund for assistance. Please have your application into denise by April 1, so she has time to write a presidential recommendation and send everything to National by April 15. Those in need of financial assistance to the national convention must fill out a Chappell-Dennis application and send it to Denise by May 1. We will again have two Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning, (Bell) programs. The Chicago program will begin on July 17, and will run for two weeks. The Springfield program is for one week and will begin in early August., the face-to-face board meeting will occur on August 26 at the Naperville Marriott Hotel, which is also the site for our convention this year. The student division is looking for adult mentors. If you are interested, please call Amy Bosco.
Chairman Chang talked about the four issues we will be presenting at Washington Seminar They are the Marrakesh treaty, the Accessibility for students in higher education act, providing a tax credit for those who purchase blindness related technology and a one time appropriation to the National Library Service to purchase braille displays which should make braille production less costly and make braille itself more available.
Denise mentioned that the next state board meeting would take place on January 24. Please call 641-715-3273 and use the code 6324.
Fundraising Report: David Meyer mentioned that if there was anyone who wished to attend Games night and did not have funds to cover the cost, Debbie Stein was donating two reservations for this fundraiser. We will again have our Beggars fundraiser on Wednesday, April 19. Flyers for this event will be available at the February meeting. To participate, you must hand in a flyer when placing an order. Beggars will donate 20% of the cost of your order minus tax and gratuity. We should start thinking about when to schedule a White Sox fundraiser. Dave also described NewsLine and offered people who did not already have the service a chance to sign up.
Secretary’s Report: It was moved and seconded to approve minutes for the December 2016 chapter meeting. The motion carried.
Treasurers Report: Steve Hastalis gave the report for the fourth quarter of 2016. Beginning balance, October 1, $6,678. Income, $1,884. 
Expenses, $2,975. Ending balance December 31, $5,487. The report was approved as presented.
Chairman Chang mentioned that we will have a brain storming session  on things we wish to dedicate our efforts to during the coming year.
There was no old business.
New Business: Steve Hastalis mentioned that he was at a transportation conference where he asked an expert who was both a lawyer and a civil engineer if one might some day be able to operate a self driving car without a traditional drivers lisence? The presenter did not reject the idea out of hand. We need to continue to advocate for the right to operate self driving cars when they become available. Bill Reif mentioned that regulations have now been established regarding the noise level of hi-bred cars covered in the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act. Melissa Fuller mentioned that there will be a tour provided of some new train stations.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:18 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
David Meyer, Secretary
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