[il-talk] Chicago chapter minutes for march

[David Meyer]

Hello Chicago Chapter Members,

Pasted below, you will find the minutes for the March 2011 meeting.  You may
also listen to them on NewsLine on the blindness information channel.



NFBI CHICAGO CHAPTER, March 19, 2011
226 S.  Wabash, Chicago

CALL TO ORDER

Chicago Chapter First Vice President Denise Avant conducted the meeting in
the absence of President David Meyer.  Dave took part in the meeting via
Skype.  Thirty-two people were in attendance, including first-time attendees
Vanessa Thomas, Lily Davis, Kim Macklin, and Doug Lies.  Regarding health
concerns, Debbie Pittman's husband Ron has been seriously ill for the past
two months, and Leanne Mayne is in the hospital.

PROGRAM

The chapter heard an audio recording of the Blind Driver Challenge, which
took place in Daytona, Florida, on January 29.  We heard the drive itself,
followed by a press conference.

SECRETARY's REPORT

Secretary Debbie Stein read the report from the meeting of February 12,
2011.  The report was approved.

TREASURER's REPORTS

Treasurer Steve Hastalis read two reports.  The first covered the period
from February 12 to March 13, 2011.  The treasury had an opening balance of
$5011.72, total income of $544.28, and expenses of $50, for an ending
balance of $5,606.00.  The report was approved.
The year end report ran from January 9, 2010 to January 8, 2011.  It
included a complete breakdown of all the chapter's monetary activities,
listing all income and expenses.  The opening balance on January 9, 2010,
was $4562.05 and there was an ending balance of $4740 on January 8, 2011. 
The year-end report was approved.

ELIGIBLE VOTERS

Steve Hastalis read the list of members who have paid their dues and
attended at least one meeting during the past year in order to be eligible
to vote in April.  Those who had not paid dues were invited to do so before
the close of the meeting.

PRESIDENT's REPORT

President Marc Maurer announced that Jim Gashel chairs the Jacob Bolotin
Awards Committee.  Nominations must be made by the end of March.  The awards
are granted to people who have made a significant contribution to the
success and independence of blind people.  Joe Ruffalo will interview
Parnell Diggs regarding the 2011 Race for Independence on Thru Our Eyes
Radio on March 16.  A pilot Beneficiaries Reduction Program is being
launched in ten test areas to allow SSDI recipients to reduce benefits
gradually when they go to work.  The NFB is launching a new business
opportunity program through eBay.  Rooms at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in
Orlando are filling at a tremendous rate, so get reservations in! The "Today
Show" will broadcast a segment about the Blind Driver Challenge on its
Weekend Edition on March 6.  Frank Kurt Cylke has retired from his position
as director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped.

STATE REPORT

NFBI President Patti Gregory-Chang congratulated Kelly Doty and Lois 
Montgomery, both winners in the 2010-2011 Braille Readers Are Readers 
Contest.  She said that the NFB's block of rooms at the Rosen Shingle Creek
Hotel is now full.  State 
convention will be held October 7-9 in the Quad Cities.  Ron Gardner and 
Jason Ewell came to Chicago for the Membership Seminar on March 12.  The 
Parents' Seminar will be held on April 9, and we still need volunteers to 
make calls to parents.  Denise Avant announced that there has been a cut in 
staff at ISVI, from 129 to 119.  Funding will also be cut by about one 
million dollars.  A bill to take ISVI out of the Department of Human 
Resources will not be pursued.  A strong rumor is afoot that the ISVI 
students will be moved to the campus of the Illinois School for the Deaf, 
and the Jacksonville Development Center will be moved to the ISVI campus. 
ISVI Committee members are attending conference calls with the Alumni 
Association the first Monday of every month.  Marybeth Lauderdale has been 
hired as director of both ISVI and ISD.  Dave Meyer described a training 
session on Newsline at ISVI.  About thirty students signed up.  Jemal Powell

reported that he went to Springfield on March 15 for a hearing on funding 
for elementary and secondary students to receive books from Recording for 
the Blind and Dyslexic.  He testified that we want to see continued funding 
for blind students.  NFBI was the only consumer group representing the blind

community.  The legislators also asked questions about the Illinois 
Materials Center.  Patti thanked Jemal for going to Springfield on very 
short notice.  Scholarship and externship applications are due on March 31.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Fundraising: Kelly Doty announced that tickets are available for the 50-50 
raffle.  On April 6 we will have a fundraiser at Beggars' Pizza 310 S. 
Clinton.  The chapter will get 20 percent of any money that comes in through

us.  A voucher must be presented.  The Meal Appeal Auction will be held in 
April, expanded to include special items related to the Blind Driver 
Challenge.  The membership voted to hold a White Sox fundraiser on August 
20.  Tickets cost us $23 and will be sold for $30.  To order tickets, call 
Ken Staley at 7 7 3-4 7 2-3 0 8 5.  Orders for the spring candy sale must go
in 
soon.

NEW BUSINESS

Patti Gregory-Chang said it was suggested at the Membership Seminar that 
chapters present quarterly rather than monthly treasurer's reports.  Reports

would be given at the meeting following the end of the quarter.  It was 
moved and seconded that the Chicago Chapter go to quarterly reports.  The 
motion carried.  It was also moved and seconded that a draft of the 
secretary's report be posted on IL-Talk and Newsline instead of being read 
at the chapter meeting.  The motion passed.  Jemal Powell reported on bus 
transportation from Chicago to the Quad Cities for state convention.  We can

charter a wheelchair accessible bus from Van Galder, a subsidiary of Coach 
USA, for $2500.  It was moved and approved to contract for the bus.  We can 
begin collecting bus fares at the April meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 3:55 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Stein, Secretary 

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