[IABS-Talk] At Large chapter minutes-August 4, 2019

[Marilyn Green]

AT LARGE CHAPTER

MEETING MINUTES

AUGUST 4, 2019



PRESENT:  President Marilyn Green, Leslie Hamric, Roberta Pennett, David
Meyer, Linda Hendle, Winfred Ogilvie, Sharon Howerton, Sarah Luna, Peter
McGee, Yvonne Agyarko, Danny Mandrel, State president Denise Avant, Jemal
Powell and Debbie Pittman.  The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.





Absent:  Charlene Elder.





THINGS TO DO



1.	 Green:  Send Meyer the minutes to be put up on Newsline.
2.	.  Green:  Put June minutes on Il-talk.
3.	  Meyer:  put June minutes on Newsline.
4.	.  Pittman:  Transcribe August minutes for Charlene.
5.	.  Meyer:  Get a copy of the recording of the August meeting to
Pittman.
6.	.  Everyone:  Those submitting Chappell-Dennis applications must get
them to Avant by September 1.
7.	.  Everyone:  Register to state convention via on-line by October 4.
8.	.  Everyone:  Register to the hotel for state convention by
September 27.
9.	.  Avant:  Send Mary Monti's name to President Riccobono regarding
her passing.
10.	.  Everyone:  If submitting resolutions for state convention, get
them to Chang by September 15.
11.	.  Everyone:  Anyone needing special meal choices for state
convention, let Chang know by October 4.
12.	.  Green:  Make a discussion agenda item centered around 21
resolutions passed at National convention.
13.	.  Everyone:  Come up with ideas for "Meet the blind month" as per
President Riccobono.
14.	.  Everyone:  Those wishing to participate in Braille is Beautiful
at state convention must contact Debbie Stein.
15.	  Green:  Pass At Large's meet the blind month ideas on to National
so they can be posted.





SECRETARIAL MINUTES



MOTION



Meyer moved to table the minutes to the June meeting.  It was seconded by
Pittman and unanimously carried.



Green will be submitting the June 2019 minutes to Il-Talk and sending them
to Meyer for them to be posted on Newsline.  In Elder's absence, Meyer will
be recording this meeting and Pittman will transcribe it.



FEDERATION PLEDGE

The pledge was lead by Green.



I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation
of the Blind.  To achieve equality, opportunity and security for the blind.
To support the policies and programs of the federation and to abide by its
constitution.



Green explained for the new callers that the presidential release is put our
by our national president to inform us what is going on around the country.




PRESIDENTIAL RELEASE



Presidential release August 1, 2019 number 485



President Riccobono thanked Nevada and Idaho for their hospitality.  This
was the second larges convention ever.

Top ten conventions of all time

10.    1996 Anaheim California attendance: 2,708.

9. 1991 New Orleans attendance: 2,756.

8.	2009  Detroit Michigan attendance:   2,800

7.	 2015 Orlando Florida 75th anniversary attendance: 2,813

6.	 2006 Dallas Texas attendance: 2,880

5.  2011 first Orlando Florida attendance: 2,970

4.  1999 Atlanta Georgia attendance: 3,008

3.  2001 Philadelphia Pennsylvania attendance: 3,109

2.  2019 Los Vegas, Nevada attendance:  3,284

1.  1997 New Orleans attendance:  3,347





The 2020 convention will be in Houston Texas from June 30 to July 5 2020 at
the Hilton Americas.  Rates will be $105 across the board.  He added that a
number of the presentations will be posted in the "Braille Monitor" and
audio versions will be available on the NFB website and Utube channel. He
encouraged feedback about the convention and ideas on improving future
conventions.





Some of the presentations included how to build membership in the federation
and discussed improving our diversity within the movement and the day-to-day
involvement of the federation.  President Riccobono reiterated that our
philosophy is what makes us unique.



Resolutions:  President Riccobono reported that this year 21 resolutions
were passed and they can be found on the NFB website at nfb.org under
conventions and they should be discussed at our chapter meetings so members
can get an understanding of their importance.  They are considered NFB
policy.

Fall conventions:  President Riccobono reported that South Carolina will be
celebrating its 75th convention.



Federation Open House calls:  Calls set up for the purpose of getting the
public (potential members) to know the NFB better.  The first call Sunday
August 18 2019 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time and the second call will be
Wednesday September 18 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. In an even month the call
will occur on the third Sunday of the month.  In the odd months the call
will occur on the third Wednesday of the month.  There will be information
sent out about the calls.  Those wishing to participate in the call must
RSVP by sending an e-mail to membership at nfb.org or calling the main number,
410-659-9314, and calling extension 2509 so that the number of participants
can be monitored. We were encouraged by President Riccobono to pass the word
about the calls. They will occur through the end of the year.



Legislative update:  On Wednesday Representative Jan Schakowsky of Illinois
with representatives Mark DeSaulnier of California and Lisa Blunt Rochester
of Delaware, introduced the Greater Access and Independence through
Nonvisual Access Technology Bill, (the GAIN Act), HR3929 the Gain Act was
introduced in the House of Representatives.  This legislation authorizes the
United States Access board to develop a minimum nonvisual access standard
for home use, medical devices, exercise equipment and appliances.  We need
Congress to move the bill forward.



Meet the Blind Month:  October is meet the blind month and chapters should
be coming up with activities.  Affiliates are to send e-mails to
web at nfb.org, to tell their activity to national.   National needs to know
what, when and where and they will add to the "Meet the Blind Month" page.
Meet the Blind Month is one of the strongest coordinated efforts informing
the public about the NFB.   President Riccobono also reported that in
October there will be an announcement that will put the National Federation
of the Blind in stores all around the world.   It is important that we
coordinate our work across the nation.



Legal case Coordination:  "Click-by" lawyers are participating and
coordinating lawsuits around accessibility and claiming to be working with
NFB when in fact they are not.  If anyone is approached by a law firm, they
are to contact the NFB so they can make sure that it really is something the
NFB is really a part of.  President Riccobono specified that the NFB does
not sign confidential agreements.  Because we want the public to know what
the standard is.    This also applies to research.  The NFB has a research
advisory council which establishes research that the NFB engages in.  If
researchers approach our affiliate, we are to refer them to the NFB
headquarters.    Legal cases should be referred to Valerie Yingling.  On the
research side people are to contact Lou Anne Blake.  We are to work through
our affiliate president.



Message from President Riccobono:  Coordinate the work across the federation
throughout the affiliate and up to the national office so we don't step on
each other, so we can effectively move our national movement forward.



Celebration of 100 anniversary of partner:  The American Action Fund for
Blind Children and Adults will be 100 years old this year.  The American
action fund distributes calendars in 2020.  A free Braille calendar is
available 410-659-9315 or email; Calenars at actionfund.org.   The maximum
number of Braille calendars per person is 3.

 At convention a tactile one of a kind twin vision book called "Pedro and
the Octopus".  It has pictures in print and Braille.  There is a teaching
guide that goes with the book.  It was given away free at convention and is
now available for $35 in the Independence Market.  Each book purchased will
result in a free book being given away to a blind child in the United
States.  It will be discussed in the "future Reflections" magazine.



Dream Maker Circle:  President Riccobono reported that a number of new
people signed up at National convention.   These are people that have
committed to donating an end of life donation to the NFB.





Federation Family Deaths:



Sheena Struble, of West Virginia, founding member and former chapter
president Ken Volonte, of San Joaquin County California, Duane Iverson of
North Dakota,   Joe Monti from Illinois, Elvita Palmer who was a member of
our National Harbor chapter and Tami Jones of Indiana.



Note:  Mary Monti was not mentioned by President Riccobono because some how
he did not receive Mary's name.  Avant will be sending It to him to make
sure he has it for the future.



Note:  Green who was playing the presidential release was kicked off the
call.



MOTION



Pittman moved that we move forward with the next order of business.  It was
seconded by Meyer and unanimously carried.



STATE REPORT



Avant reported that next year's national convention will be in Houston
Texas, at the Hilton hotel from June 30 to July 5 as reported in the
presidential release.  Hotel rates are $105 per night.



2019 UPCOMING EVENTS



Face-to-Face board meeting:  Avant reported that the Face-to-face board
meeting will be August 17 in conjunction with leadership training at the
National center.  The board will be at National from August 15 to August 18.
On Saturday from 9 to 3:30central time will be the board meeting.  It is 10
to 2:30 Eastern Time.  People can call in at this number 605-313-4819 code:
6324.



State convention:  Dates are October 18 through the 20 starting at 2:00 p.m
and ending at noon on October 20th at the Windom Springfield City Center on
Adams Street in Springfield Illinois.  A "save the date" link and the
preregistration form is up on the Illinois website nfbofillinois.org under
the convention link.   It is the desire of the NFBI to receive as many
on-lines forms as possible.  Dave Meyer and Patti Chang are listed as people
to help others with filling out the form.  Checks can be mailed to Chang.
People are being strongly encouraged to register early to avoid a penalty
for late registration.  This is not only for the registration fee but also
for the meals as well.  The penalty will be a $5 increase for each of the
meal choices if they are not chosen at the time of completing the
preregistration form.  The date for preregistration is set for October 4,
2019. Banquet tickets are $30.  Anyone having ay special meal need should
let Chang know by October 4.     The cut off date for the hotel registration
will be September 27 and the room rates are $99 per night.  The hotel number
is 217-789-1530 Ext. 4 and then 111.  Please use this directive.  People
have to register with the sales office.  It is also explained on the
nfbofillinois.org website.  The Chappell -Dennis forms are due to Avant by
September 1, 2019.  Her e-mail address is davant1958 at gmail.com.



Resolutions:  Chang will be the resolutions committee chair. Any resolutions
should be submitted to Chang by September 15.





Time-lines:  Avant explained that this year's convention is two weeks
earlier than usual and things are on a tight time-line to be received back
in time for Brailing.



National Rep:  Avant reported that the national rep is Dan Wenzel.    He
used to be the executive Director of Blind Inc. but now he is the director
of Wisconsin Center for the Visually Impaired.  The student representative
for NABS will be Elizabeth Rouse who is a former scholarship winner.  She's
on the NABS board AND SHE ATTENDS THE UNIVERSITY OF Iowa.



Convention Agenda:  Avant reported that the rest of the agenda is being
worked on.  John Gordon will be attending and is planning on bringing BBS
councilors in order to sign people up for services.   There will be a guest
speaker to tell us about the Able program for setting aside funds which is
not taxable.    There will be a parent breakout session. There will be
someone speaking on state legislative advocacy and how to approach
legislatures.  There will be a technology session and an employment panel.
Green will be teaching yoga. Braille is Beautiful will be on Sunday morning.
People should let Debbie Stein know if they are interested in Braille is
Beautiful.    Avant is hoping to have the flyer out by the middle of August.
And she hopes to have the Agenda out by the beginning of September.   The
theme is "On the cutting edge of leadership"



Washington Seminar:  Avant suspects that the applications for Washington
Seminar will be due on December 1.  The Chappell-Dennis form is on the
website at nfbofillinois.org.   Avant explained that the form is currently a
word or RTF form and should remain in that form and should be sent to her by
September 1.  The committee will determine how much people will receive.  It
should be sent to davant1958 at gmail.com.





PROGRAM ITEM



Travel:  There was an extensive conversation on the various ways people
travel either sighted guide white cane or guide dog and which options worked
best for people.  People did not turn down assistance at National
convention.  People have to use what is comfortable for them while
traveling.  Green pointed out it's important to share our experiences. There
are a variety of choices of canes such as the ambutech carbine fiber cane
verses the NFB cane. It's important to carry a back-up cane for emergencies.
Green at the end encouraged people to go listen to the speech by Dr. Kenneth
Jernigan called the Nature of Independence. It can be found on NFB.ORG.  The
speech discusses various techniques of doing different things.



MOTION



Meyer moved that Winifred be accepted as an new At Large member.  There was
no second to this motion.  It unanimously carried.



New Member:  Winfred is from Peoria.  He is married and has kids and he is a
veteran.  He is a grandparent and has been married for 36 years.



OLD BUSINESS



NEW BUSINESS



Next meeting:  The next meeting is September 1 which is Labor Day weekend,
at 7:00 p.m.



Read-a-thon Fundraiser:  Meyer reported that the Chicago Chapter will be
holding a read-a-thon fundraiser on Saturday October 12 2019 from 1-4.
Meyer will be taking pledges and can be reached at

708-606-7091 or datemeyer at sbcglobal.net



ADJOURNMENT



MOTION



Meyer moved to adjourn.  It was seconded by Avant and unanimously carried.



Respectfully submitted by



Debbie Pittman on behalf of Charlene Elder