[il-talk] chicago chapter minutes october 2014

Tue Dec 9 18:40:09 UTC 2014

NFBI Chicago Chapter Minutes

Meeting of October 11, 2014.

The October 2014 meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
Chicago Chapter was called to order by President David Meyer at 1:00 P.M.
Eighteen people were in attendance, including our program speaker, Jacqleen
Musarra from Aetna Insurance Company.

What is happening:  David Meyer reported that Teresa's brother Frank was
receiving hospice care at home.  Eileen Truschke acknowledged her mothers
83rd birthday.  The group sang happy birthday to Debbie Stein.

Program:  Our program concerned supplemental insurance to Medicare and
Medicaid.  Aetna Better Health offers policies for those receiving Medicaid
or both Medicare & Medicaid.  Anyone wishing to receive information on what
Aetna has to offer regarding policies may request such policies in
alternative formats.  Presently, those who are known to qualify for both
Medicare and Medicaid should receive letters stating that they are eligible
to receive a supplemental plan.  Depending upon where one lives, six to
eight supplemental options are available.  Aetna is one of these options.
This program is available throughout the Greater Chicago area.  The
objective of this program is to improve the quality of treatment for
individuals who are in need of it.  Eligibility Requirements:  One must meet
the following conditions for eligibility.  A.  Must be at least 21 years of
age.  B.  Must live in an area where the program exists.  And finally, one
must be eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.  The eligibility letter will
provide a list of health plans in your area from which you may choose one.
You will have a certain period of time in which to choose a plan.  If one
does not do this, a plan will be chosen for them.  You may opt out of the
program by calling the enrollment broker listed in the letter.  When
choosing a supplemental plan, one must be sure his current physician is
covered by that plan.  These policies operate in much the same way as a
typical HMO or PPO policy.  Persons who receive long term support will not
be able to opt out.  The current enrollment period will extend through the
remainder of 2014.  Finally, once enrolled, you can if you wish. Change
primary care physicians, provided the physician is in the selected plan.  If
you need to consider this program and would like more details, you may
contact Jacqleen at 3 1 2-8 2 1-0 5 8 3. Or email musarraj at aetna.com.

Several people entered during the program, making a count of 22 people for
the meeting.

Approval of minutes:  It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes for
the September meeting.  The minutes were approved with the following
correction.  Denise Avant volunteered to sponsor someone in the read-a-thon.

Third quarter Treasurers Report:  David Meyer read the third quarter
treasurers report prepared by Steve Hastalis, Treasurer.  Beginning balance,
July 1, $3,241.95.  Income was as follows:  Dues, $30.  Monthly collections,
$83.05.  White Sox fundraiser, $1,275.  Donations, $100.  Total income,
$1,488.05.

Expenses:  PAC, $150.  Rent for meeting space, $250.  Total expenses, $400.
Ending balance, September 30, 2014, $4,330.  The report was approved as
given.

National Presidential Release, Mark Riccobono, President, National
Federation of the Blind reported on the following items.  The 75 days of
action program has reached the mid-point.  The Leaders and Ledgers Seminar
took place at the National Center in September.  October is Meet the Blind
month where local chapters concentrate on demonstrating the capacity of
blind people in a number of ways.  One may go to Facebook to share what they
are doing, or to twitter, using the hashtag, nfbmtbm14.  We are continuing
to roll out our new branding across the country.  States are receiving new
banners representing the NFB.  Local chapters should use the state logo.
The list of recipients for Future Reflections is currently being revised.
One must opt in in order to continue to receive this publication.  To opt
in, call 410-659-9314 EXT 2344, or email nfbpublications at nfb.org.  This
publication is presented on the NFB website as well as iblink radio.  Our
merchants division and the Hadley School for the Blind have begun a new
partnership to promote training for the Randolph Shepard program.  To learn
more, you may email Kevan Worley at kevanworley at blindmerchants.org or call 8
6 6-5 4 3-6 8 0 8.  NFB is looking for stories on how the organization has
changed the lives of blind federationists.  Send all stories to
officeofthepresident at nfb.org.  Much work has been done on the TEACH act over
the past month.  President Riccobono has met with the President of the
American Council on Education.  We all must do our part to gain support on
the local level.  The new KNFB mobile ap has been released.  Reviews have
been overwhelmingly positive.  The National Association of Guide Dog users
have also released an application for IOS devices.  It provides access to
all state laws applicable to guide dog users.

Committee reports:  Fundraising:  Ken Staley announced that the read-a-thon
will occur on November 8 from 1:00-4:00 P.M. at Exchequer.  One may read
print, braille or audio periodicals.  Auction letters are available to
solicit items for the Christmas auction, which will occur immediately after
the December meeting.  We have a date set for our second annual fundraiser
at Dicks Last Resort.  It will occur on Thursday, March 5 of 2015.  The cost
for this event is $50 per person.

State Presidential Report:  State President Patti Changf thanked everyone
for a very successful October Fest fundraiser.  She also thanked everyone
for their assistance throughout her presidency.  She will not be seeking the
presidency at the upcoming state convention.  Please remember IABS Idle at
the upcoming convention.  This is a fundraiser for the Student division.
Admission is $5 per person.  Additionally, your admission will cover one
performance, should you wish to perform.  There will also be a costume
contest.  Rob Jones, a blind performer will kick off the event.  Please
bring door prizes for the convention and label them if possible.  Please
register for Amazon Smile.  To do this, go to www.amazon.com/smile.  Please
support the IPad Mini raffle.  Each chance costs $5.  You may fill out a
form on the NFBI website.  Please make checks payable to NFBI, or you may
give cash to someone who can assist you in signing up for this fundraiser.
The drawing will occur on January 10.  Please place certificate orders with
David Meyer.  He may be contacted at 7 0 8-6 0 6-7 0 9 1 or by email at
datemeyer at sbcglobal.net.  Our parent-teacher seminar will take place on
April 17-18 at the Midway Marriott Hotel.

Denise mentioned that meals have been set for the convention.  You may
request vegetarian meals or special gluten free meals.  Please notify Denise
with special requests by October 18.  The cutoff date for the IPad raffle is
January 5.

Old business:  The CTA ADA Advisory committee will meet on Tuesday, October
14 at CTA headquarters, 567 West Lake Street, Chicago from 1:30-4:00 P.M.
David Meyer, Jemal Powell and Bruce Paul will attend.  Ken Borst will attend
if he is able to do so.

New Business:  President Meyer has a number of forms including print
materials left by our program presenter, auction letters, absentee voting
applications and convention registration forms.  Jemal Powell asked for
suggestions for future programs.  Please give suggestions to him, by calling
7 0 8-5 5 7-7 9 7 9, or by email at derek2872 at yahoo.com.  Glenn Moore will
write an article about the Readers and Ledgers Seminar which recently
occurred at the National office.  President Meyer mentioned Games night
which will occur on January 10 at Exchequer Pub immediately following the
chapter meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 3:02 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert Hansen, Secretary

David Meyer, NFB of Illinois

Coordinator and Channel Administrator, NFB-NewsLine

Chicago Chapter President