[il-talk] Draft Chicago Chapter Minutes, April 16, 2011

[Deborah Kent Stein]

NFBI Chicago Chapter
226 S.  Wabash, Chicago
April 16, 2011

CALL TO ORDER

President David Meyer called the meeting to order at 1:03 PM.  Thirty-five 
people were in attendance, including first-timer Danara Barlow.  Debbie 
Pittman reported that her husband is doing better.  Steve Hastalis is 
recovering from pneumonia.  Leanne Mayne is among us again after a serious 
health crisis.  We had a moment of silence for the passing of lifetime 
member Elizabeth Browne.

SECRETARY's MINUTES

The minutes from the meeting of March 19 were accepted.  The minutes had 
been posted on the Il-Talk listserv and on Newsline, and they were not read 
at the meeting.

TREASURER's REPORT

Treasurer Steve Hastalis was not available to deliver his quarterly report. 
Dave Meyer read the report beginning March 19, which opened with a balance 
of $5,780.  Income came to $318.  Expenses amounted to $681, including $631 
to van Galder Coach USA as a deposit for a charter bus to Rock Island for 
the NFBI convention in October.  On April 16 the chapter had a closing 
balance of $5,467.  The treasurer's report was approved.

STATE REPORT

Debbie Stein reported on the parents' seminar, "Spring into Action," which 
was held on April 9.  She thanked the many people who helped make the 
seminar a successful event.  Jemal Powell reported on the Transportation 
Committee.  The committee will approach the South Shore Railroad about 
making ticket machines accessible.  Jemal and Steve may do a travel lesson 
at national convention for people who would like to learn the transit system 
in Orlando.  NFBI President Patti Chang noted that we have eighteen standing 
committees, and urged people to join one or more of them.  Applications for 
the Chappell Award are due May 1, but should be submitted as soon as 
possible.  Illinois will caucus at 7:30 AM on July 5.  At the caucus the 
names of those who have registered for the Race for Independence will be 
drawn for a Louis Braille coin.  Mary Lou Grunwald said we will be selling 
our sports bags and mugs at convention.  Gina Falvo, Kelly Doty, Patti 
Chang, Debbie Stein, Debbie Pittman, Bob Widman, and Jemal Powell have each 
volunteered to sell ten bags and two mugs.  People who receive Chappell 
assistance are expected to sell items at convention.  Patti announced that 
she is looking for a new coordinator for the certificates program.  The new 
Website is up and running.  If you notice anything that needs to be changed 
or corrected, notify Patti or Byron Lee.  The budget for ISVI has been 
severely cut.  We are working to ensure that staff positions are not 
eliminated.  The next NFBI board meeting will be held on May 22 at 7 PM. 
Call the conference line at 218-936-1200 and use pass code 6324.  Everyone 
is welcome! Bruce Paul and Howard Wilson will cover the information fair at 
Chicago State University.

PRESIDENTIAL RELEASE

Dr.  Marc Maurer announced that the NFB has launched a free online 
peer-reviewed publication, the Journal of Blindness Innovation and Research 
(JBIR).  It is intended to be a forum for publication and discussion of 
research and practice in the field of work with the blind.  The JBIR puts 
the experience of blind people at the center of cutting edge practice in the 
field.  Set up a log-on at www.nfb-jbir.org Gently used Braille children's 
books are needed for the Braille Book Fair, sponsored by the National 
Organization of Parents of Blind Children and the National Association to 
Promote the Use of Braille.  Books can be shipped to Braille Book Fair, UPS, 
Attn: Bessie Graham, 8901 Atlantic Ave., Orlando, FL 32824.  The book fair 
will take place at convention on July 5 from 5 to 7 PM.  Day-long tours will 
be available on July 9 through Echevarria Travel and Peach Tree Travel. 
Reservations should be made as soon as possible.  Rooms at the Rosen Shingle 
Creek are full for the first and second nights of convention, but rooms are 
available at the Rosen Center.  Call 866-996-6338 for room reservations. 
Pre-registration is available online.  Parnell Diggs announced that the 
names of imaginators will be drawn for the Blind Driver Experience at 
convention, a chance to ride with a blind driver.  To qualify, one must 
raise $1000 by June 15.  The NFB is suing McCarran Airport in Las Vegas to 
obtain accessible kiosks.

CHICAGO CHAPTER CONSTITUTION

Via Victor Stream we heard the last article of the Chicago Chapter 
Constitution that awaited approval.  The chapter voted to approve Article 9, 
regarding dues.  The new constitution in its entirety will be presented to 
the NFBI board for ratification.

ELECTIONS

The following board members were elected to serve one-year terms: President, 
Dave Meyer; First Vice President, Denise Avant; Second Vice President, Kelly 
Doty; Secretary, Debbie Stein; Treasurer, Steve Hastalis; and board members 
Mary Lou Grunwald, Debbie Pittman, Patti Gregory-Chang, and Jemal Powell. 
Each was elected by "the acclamation thing."

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Membership: Bob Widman reported that there was a meeting before the chapter 
meeting.  The fan-out list will be revised.  Members who have not paid in a 
few years will be contacted.  We will contact people who have received free 
white canes from the national office.  The membership tea will be held prior 
to the May meeting.  We will take part in the Disability Pride Parade on 
July 23.  Sign up early to fill the bus out to the Quad Cities in October. 
Tickets are $50 round trip and $30 one way.  The company does not provide 
wheelchairs for riding the lift and does not allow a person to stand on the 
lift.  During the odd months we will draw agenda items from a box and do the 
meeting in random order.  It should make the meeting more interesting.  Dave 
Meyer announced the Colleagues for Coin contest.  Members can win a Louis 
Braille coin by getting new people to attend chapter meetings or 
conventions.

Fundraising: Everyone applauded Howard Wilson for his role in organizing the 
Beggars' Pizza evening.  We will have a Sox fundraiser on August 20, and 
need to know how many people will sell tickets.  We will be selling Fanny 
May variety packs for our spring candy sale.  Ken Staley promised to donate 
$100 if we double our sales from last year.  Patti, Gina, Debbie Stein, Pam 
Gillmore, Edwin Rodriguez, Bob Widman, Glenn Moore, Debbie Pittman, and Adam 
Kosarowicz volunteered to sell cases.  Last year we sold twelve cases, so we 
met Ken's challenge this year.

OLD BUSINESS

Patti Chang said she really likes the new system of posting the chapter 
minutes before the meeting.  Kelly announced that we have already sold $500 
in raffle tickets.  The drawing will be in June.

NEW BUSINESS

Ken announced that a nurse he knows has donated $100 to the chapter.  Jemal 
Powell asked if we will have a chapter picnic in July.  Dave suggested we 
discuss it at the May meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 2:45, and followed by the annual Meal Appeal 
Auction.

Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Stein, Secretary