[il-talk] chicago minutes for january 2014

[David Meyer]

NFBI Chicago Chapter Minutes

 

Meeting of January 11, 2014

 

call to Order

 

President David Meyer called the January 2014 meeting of the National
Federation of the Blind of Illinois Chicago Chapter to order at 1:01 P.M.
President Meyer emphasized that when people turn in their names for
fundraising events, they need to do so on or before the stated deadline date
for that event.

 

Introductions:  There were approximately 25 people present.

 

What's happening:  Ken Borst mentioned that one can contact Medicare by
phone if they wished to request a Medicare handbook in braille.  Please call
800-633-4227.

 

secretarys Report:  It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes for the
December 2013 meeting.  The minutes were approved as presented.

 

Program:  Prior to the program, President Meyer summarized efforts put
fourth by the National Federation of the Blind to eliminate the payment of
subminimum wages for blind and other disabled workers.  Our most recent
efforts have resulted in the introduction of HR831 the Fair Wages for
Workers with Disabilities Act.  Illinois currently has three cosponsors for
this legislation.  Anil Lewis gave some background information on how we
saught and gained the support of other organizations for this legislation.
Among the groups to endorse this bill is the National Council for Persons
with Disabilities.  He then went on to introduce Sheila Leagland who spoke
of her experience as an employee of Good Will.  She began her career working
for $2.75 an hour.  She eventually worked her way to an income of
approximately $7 per hour.  She then had to take a medical leave for a knee
surgery.  Upon her return, she was offered a position removing clothes from
hangers and packing them into boxes, which brought her wages down tto
approximately $2.75 per hour.  Among other things, Sheila suffered from bad
knees and carpeltunnel in both hands, which she attributed to her work at
Good Will.  She offered to answer phones for the organization, something she
thought she could do well.  She was told that she could either do what she
was assigned, or try to find work elsewhere.  She decided it was time to
leave.  To her knowlege, no exit papers were done on her.  Sheila presented
a powerful argument for our bill to eliminate subminimum wages with her
presentation.

 

Presidential Reports

 

National Presidential Release:  Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National
Federation of the Blind reported the following.  The Bell Program seminar
took place during the first weekend in January.  Leaders from Colorado and
Tennessee will visit the National office to discuss effective ways to work
within the Federation.  The Washington seminar is coming up.  It will begin
with the Great Gathering In meeting at 5:00 P.M. on Monday, January 27.  We
have three core issues this year.  1.  Fair Wages for Workers with
Disabilities.  Our Fair wages bill HR831 currently has 48 cosponsors.  and
we are steadily gaining support on this initiative.  2.  The "Teach" act.
The "Teach" Act was introduced into congress in November of this past year.
When fully implemented, this legislation will insure that blind college
students will enjoy completely accessible materials, including textbooks and
handouts.  3.  The Air Carrier Access Act When fully implemented, this bill
will insure that keyosks and software permitting people to purchase good on
flights will be fully accessible.  Airline websites will also be accessible
under this legislation.  Dr. Maurer also introduced Rose Sloan, former
Illinoisian and the newest member of our Government Relations team.  Joe
Ruffalo will be interviewing Dr. Maurer on Thru Our Eyes on Wednesday,
January 22.  You may listen by calling 347-215-7037 or by going to
thruoureyes.org and clicking on the listen link.  The inaugural convention
in 2014 will be in Florida.  It will happen sometime in January Finally, the
National convention will take place in Orlando Florida.

 

State report:  Patti Chang, NFBI President gave the state Presidential
report.  Not all pledges to NFBI that were taken at the 2013 convention have
been realized.  Please send your pledge to Treasurer, Glenn Moore, PO Box
1065, Elgin, IL  60121.  Patti had asked everyone using IL-Talk and
IABS-Talk to fill out a survey.  Results of the survey were as follows.  A.
Only general announcements about individual health concerns should be
posted.  B.  No weather reports please.  C If people wish to respond to
health concerns or accomplishments that are posted, they should respond to
the individual posting them.  D.  People were interested in hearing about
all NFBI chapters.  The 2014 Illinois convention will take place at the
Mariott in Naperville.   Room rates are $89 nightly.  Dates are October 31,
November 1 and 2.  Please send all agenda ideas to Patti.  The
parent-teacher seminars will be held at the Holiday Inn Express on April
4-5.  The next call-in meeting for the Parents seminar committee will take
place on February 4.  Call 805-360-1000 and use the code "parent."  Our
keynote speaker for this event will be Dr. Edward Bell from Louisiana Tech
University.  The National convention will be held at the Rosen center Hotel
in Orlando florida on July 1-6.  Please make your hotel and airline
reservations for this convention as soon as possible.  Make reservation
through the Rosen Center by calling 800-204-7234.  A deposit will be taken
when the reservation is made.  If you cancel before May 28, you will receive
50% of the deposit as a refund.  No refunds will be made after this date.
Financial assistance is available for both state and national conventions.
We have nine people going to Washington Seminar from Illinois, including
first timers Elisa Ellitt, Breanna Lillyman and Adrienne Falconer.  The
Chicago Chapter will do a fundraiser at Dicks Last Resort in Marina City,
with the date of March 6 or March 13.  We will order 40 tickets for this
event.  Tickets will sell for $40 each.  Your ticket will get you two hours
of free beer and wine, as well as a buffet meal.  NFBI will hold two Bell
programs this year.  We are looking for accommodations for one program
either in Bloomington or Champaign.  Accommodations must include 15 rooms,
two classrooms and a kitchen.  We would like to avoid hotels if possible.
The other Bell program will take place in Chicago.

 

Committees:  President Meyer open the floor for members to serve on a
program committee.  The new Program Committee will be chaired by Jemal
Powell.   Others on the committee are Bob Widman, Don Jordan, Gina Falvo and
Bill Reif.

 

Treasurers Report:  Steve Hastalis gave the report for the fourth quarter of
2013.  Opening balance on October 1 was %4,081.  Income was $1,774.
Expenses were $3,532.  Ending balance on December 31 was $2,423.  The report
was approved as given.

 

Under new business Patti Chang announced that the next board meeting would
take place on February 11.  Call 805-360-1000 and use code "NFBI".  steve
Hastalis stated that the next meeting of the Chicago Transit Authority
Disability Advisory Committee will take place at CTA headquarters on Monday,
January 13 at 1:00 P>M>  Denise AVant stated that those who have yet to
receive Ventra cards and ride fixed route transit should call cTA.  If you
ride paratransit, you must call RTA.  Cards must be activated after they are
received.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 2:54 P.M.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

David Meyer, Secretary Pro tem.  

 

David Meyer, NFB of Illinois

Coordinator and channel administrator, NFB-NewsLine

Chicago Chapter President