[il-talk] reminder 10/7 resolutions committee meets Resolutions Meeting Notes

Sat Oct 3 18:29:15 UTC 2015

This is a reminder that our resolutions committee will meet again on 10/7/15 at 7:00.  We will call 641 715 3273 and use code 6324.  Our notes from last time are pasted in below.  All are welcome.  

"Every day we raise the expectations of blind people in the National Federation of the Blind.  Live the Life You Want."

Patti Gregory Chang
National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, Treasurer
NFB Scholarship Committee Chair 
pattischang at gmail.com
NFB of IL: www.nfbofillinois.org
NFB: www.nfb.org

Begin forwarded message:

From: Gregory Chang Patti <pattischang at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Resolutions Meeting Notes
Date: September 26, 2015 8:13:28 AM CDT
To: Glenn III <gmoore3rd at gmail.com>
Cc: Avant Denise <DAvant1958 at gmail.com>, Reif Bill <billreif at ameritech.net>, Pittman Debbie <debbiepittman99 at gmail.com>, Grunwald Marylou <mgrunwald at sbcglobal.net>, Hastalis Steve <steve.hastalis at gmail.com>, Avant Denise <davant1958 at gmail.com>, Meyer Dave <datemeyer at sbcglobal.net>, Favela Modesto <Moe.favela at gmail.com>, Rogers Jessie <jsrogers1972 at sbcglobal.net>, Falconer Adrienne <afalc2 at gmail.com>, Brayfield Jonathan <godskid75 at gmail.com>, Gregory Chang Patti <pattischang at gmail.com>, Lillyman Brianna <12blillyman at gmail.com>

Our meeting notes are below.  By the way, we did already do a resolution on voter registration in 2013 so do not need a second one.  

"Every day we raise the expectations of blind people in the National Federation of the Blind.  Live the Life You Want."

Patti Gregory Chang
National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, Treasurer
NFB Scholarship Committee Chair 
pattischang at gmail.com
NFB of IL: www.nfbofillinois.org
NFB: www.nfb.org

On Sep 24, 2015, at 2:22 AM, Glenn III wrote:

Hi Patti, here are notes from the meeting. To do items at the begining (and noted in text with asterisks).
XXXXXXX
Resolutions Committee Meeting

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

7pm, via teleconference

TO DO ITEMS:

       Chang—contact Bri and Adrienne about Smarter Balance

              --check if we’d already made resolution about voter registration

              --see if Pittman and Grunwald can work on this resolution

       Hastalis—work with John Brayfield on transportation resolution

       Reif, Rogers—work on vending resolution/s (Business Enterprise Program, and BBS Chief need plus NFB preference).

       Reif—see if Ed Birmingham wants to collaborate.

       Pittman—send draft resolution to Patti

       ALL (committee members, guests, anyone not on call): send draft resolutions to Patti, preferably by Oct 4th. Resolutions are due Oct. 16.

       People present:

Patti Chang (Chair, PattiSChang at gmail.com)

Bill Reif

Glenn Moore (notetaker)

Dave Meyer

Brian Sumner

Jesse Rogers

Steve Hastalis

Jemal Powell (came in near end)

       Chang: This meeting is to get comments on the resolution that was emailed, I got a handful of comments, all in favor, so it seems not controversial. If nobody has comment, I think it can go before the committee.

       Reif: one minor revision; it need not be “conference call” but just conferences

       Chang: I don’t know if I’d complicate life by changing, leave as is.

       Chang: the meeting’s second purpose; I want to go thru possibilities, to consider offshoots form the National office, and see what you think

[National resolutions at: https://nfb.org/2015%20Resolutions]

       Could Dave and Steve do an O and M presumptions for children resolution? We have national as a template. [see # 2015-01 at website above]

       Dave: Both Steve and I have had special circumstances—it is a matter of if I can I get involved in anything, but I’m not opposed to this vs any other resolution or commitment.

       Steve: We know the goals, but what’s the reason for a resolution?

       Patti: We haven’t done anything on the state level for O&M presumptions, so a state resolution may spur state legislators to do something to implement students’ instruction as early as possible.

       Steve: should the school systems do it?

       Chang: I suggest simply pattern a resolution after our national one.

       Reif: Since we know some people in IL are being served by general programs (as opposed to BBS), and that it’s been discussed in BBS meetings, we can cite that as another reason for O&M presumption.

       Nat’l resolution 2015-13:       https://nfb.org/2015%20Resolutions

       *Chang will contact Briana Liliman and Adrienne Falconer about the Smarter Balance issue.

       Online Voter Registration [ref: National resolution 2015-19]

       Chang: IL is beginning an online system for voter registration. The Board of Elections [?] initially contacted us to see if it was accessible, but no contact since, don’t know that it won’t be, but experience says it might be inaccessible. The Board of Elections

       Reif: Within the last couple years, we had a resolution about this, which I’m sure got passed.

       *Chang will double check if we’d already resolved on the issue

[note, only 2006, 2008 resolutions at http://nfbofillinois.org/resolutions]

and would like *Pittman and Grunwald to work on this resolution. The Board of Elections most directly implements the system.

       Meyer: Should we contact Jim Allen, Chicago board?

Patti, let’s see about the resolution first [at convention?], see what input we’re getting.

       Transportation resolutions:

       *Chang: Steve and John Brayfield would be good candidates for this.

       A big issue is possible Metra closing following safety regulations to be released Jan 1, like implementing the Failsafe system to prevent collisions. We’d have to call upon the IL general assembly to call on congress to give money etc.

       Hastalis: positive train control could affect Amtrak. Separately, the fiscal crisis may curtail mass transit.

       Vendors resolution:

       Reif: I’ve been talking to Ed Birmingham and Jesse about vendors affiliate [?] we submitted the one resolution.

       …Business Entrprise Program:

       Reif: Vendors and Ed thought we might add something about adequate staff/resources for business enterprise program. Right now, Raven is short severel positions, like a business consultant.

       *Reif and Rogers will work on the vending resolution.

       Reif: Vendors have also talked about a focus on the need for filling the BBS Chief position. Also, we should emphasize our preference for a blind applicant to be chosen (John Gordon, being the one).

       Patti: that’s good, the process had moved 1 step forward, but no further. The Affilliate has publicly said we support John.

       Reif: should I bring in Ed on the draft?

Patti: anyone can participate and draft resolutions. We need to conduct the Resolutions meeting between 4 and 5 Friday afternoon [at convention] and I want anyone to have a chance for input and careful consideration beforehand (in lieu of debate and confusion when people find out about resolutions for the first time at the vote).

       Several note they are glad to return to this systematic, orderly way of developing resolutions.

       Chang: With resolutions due Oct. 16, would like if we meet wed Oct. 7 (in 2 weeks), giving time to rework. I’d like drafts by sun. the 4th to share with the committee.

       *Pittman will send Patti her draft resolution.

       7:25 adjournment.

Glenn III
State Secretary,
National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
(find our calendar at nfbofillinois.org/?page_id=158)
nfb.org   "Live the Life You Want"