[il-talk] may 2016 chicago chapter minutes second draft

Mon Jun 6 20:10:08 UTC 2016

A correction for Rebecca Schmidt's organization is TransAmerica.

Robert H

On 6/6/2016 10:46 AM, David Meyer via il-talk wrote:
> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO CHAPTER MINUTES
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> MEETING OF MAY 14, 2016
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> The May 2016 meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
> Chicago Chapter was called to order by President Debbie Stein at 1:05 P.M.
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> What's Happening?
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> Breanna Lillyman started a new job in the past month. Michal Nowicki
> finished his first year of law school and will be interning with a judge in
> San Diego. Bob Widman turned 70. Ken Schad lost a close relative. Eileen
> Truschke announced that Linda Hendel's husband is recovering from surgery.
> Howard Wilson will be the first alternate in his weight class in judo at the
> upcoming paraolympics. He is hoping to take part in a tournament in
> Manchester England. Mary Grunwald is recovering from an illness. She is
> attending her first meeting in several months.
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> Secretaries Report
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> It was moved and seconded to approve minutes for the March 2016 meeting.
> They were approved as presented.
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> Presidential Reports
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> National Presidential Release
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> Mark Riccobono, President, National federation of the Blind reported on the
> following items. We were all urged to attend the upcoming National
> Federation of the blind convention. It will take place June 30 through July
> 5. Those wishing to preregister for the convention must do so soon. A new
> website for blind parents is under construction. The url will be
> www.blindparents.org. This website will include resources for blind parents,
> as well as mentoring opportunities and information on the legal rights of
> blind parents. Federationists are asked to visit the site and give feedback
> on the available resources listed, as well as providing other useful
> resources. Send your feedback to parenting at nfb.org. We may also choose to
> participate in a mentoring program for current and potential blind parents.
> You may share ideas on parenting by calling 410-659-9314, EXT 2466. We have
> reached a settlement with the Uber Corporation. Uber drivers will now have
> to confirm that they have read the company policy on service animals, and
> they must serve passengers with service animals as they would anyone else.
> Uber will create a system to allow passengers to complain more easily, and
> will deal with each complaint within a week of its filing. Resolutions are
> now being accepted for the convention. Please send resolutions to chairman
> Sharon Minecki two weeks prior to the convention.
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> State Presidential Report
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> National Federation of the Blind of Illinois President Denise Avant reported
> on the following. We will have a social event at the National convention on
> July 1 at 9:00 P.M. in a lounge on the lower level of the convention hotel.
> All four scholarship winners from last year will be attending this year's
> National convention. It is anticipated that our caucus will occur on July 2
> at 7:30 A.M. The location will be announced. We were all encouraged to
> attend the resolutions committee meeting. Jemal will cover the legislative
> and Jernigan fund meetings. Steve Hastalis will also attend the legislative
> meeting. Denise is now selling Jernigan raffle tickets for $10 each. Those
> who buy will be eligible to win a trip to next year's convention plus
> $1,000. Tickets will be available through the state caucus. Francisco Chang
> will be managing our banquet tickets this year. Reservations are now being
> taken for the 2016 State convention which will take place October 28-30 at
> the Naperville Marriott Hotel. One may apply for financial assistance for
> the state convention through the Chappell-Dennis fund. Applications must be
> into President Avant by September 1. Our face-to-face meeting will occur at
> the convention hotel on Saturday, August 27. You may call in at 641-715-3273
> and use the code "NFBI" (6324). We will be selling instant raffle chances at
> the National and State conventions. We will also conduct an online raffle.
> Prizes will be as follows. First prize, $500, second prize, $300 and third
> prize, $200. The student division is selling laptop bags for $25 each. We
> are encouraged to help the students in this effort. Debbie Stein mentioned
> that we had a very successful Spring seminar in April. She thanked all of
> those who helped to make this seminar a success. We have two Bell Academy
> programs this year. The Springfield Bell program will take place July 11-15.
> The Chicago Bell program will begin on July 25. Anyone wishing to volunteer
> to become a mentor should talk to Patti Chang. Those wishing to submit a
> theme can email denise at davant1958 at gmail.com, or call 773-991-8050.
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> Treasurers Report
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> Steve Hastalis gave the treasurers report for the first quarter of 2016.
> Beginning balance, January 1, $6,634. Income, 812. Expenses, $570. Ending
> balance March 31, $6,876. The report was approved as given.
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> A head count revealed 32 members present.
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> Committee reports
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> Fundraising: Ken Staley reported that ticket orders were still being taken
> for the White Sox fundraiser on August 6. Orders will be taken through May
> 15. Howard Wilson thanked everyone who helped to make the Beggars fundraiser
> a success. This year's fundraiser is the best one we have ever had with
> beggars.
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> Membership: Robert Hansen suggested that those who are responsible for
> making fan out calls be sure to call five to seven days prior to the
> meeting.
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> There was no old business.
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> In new business, Ken Borst mentioned that there used to be a task force on
> economic and employment issues for people with disabilities. An
> organization, Disabled Americans Want Work Now (Dawn), is working on getting
> a resolution to resume this task force. This resolution has been proposed by
> Alderman Maldonado. (R 516-565.) Dawn is hoping to have this resolution
> passed in July. We will look at this resolution and discuss it at the next
> meeting. Those wishing for more information may contact Rene Luna at
> 312-640-3108 or 773-530-4299. Denise mentioned the Blast Conference which
> will occur May 17-20. A number of people will be speaking including
> President Riccobono, John Gordon, Bureau Chief, Illinois Bureau of Blind
> Services and denise Avant. We will have a table at this conference as well.
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> President Stein then went on to talk about the possible closing of the
> Chicago Talking Book Center. This topic was initially taken up by the state
> board in February. At that time, the board chose not to take a position on
> this matter. Since that time, several chapter members have expressed concern
> over this possible closing. Debbie pointed out that this subregional library
> got a lot of traffic from patrons for the purpose of placing book orders.
> Additionally, the library features and maintains a computer lab with
> software which makes these computers accessible to blind patrons. Following
> much discussion where opinions were stated on both sides of the issue, it
> was moved and seconded that the Chicago Chapter support the Chicago Talking
> Book Center by asking that it remain open. The motion carried with minimal
> descent.
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> Program
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> Our program this month featured Rebecca Schmitt a financial consultant from
> Pay America. The aim of this company is to help individuals become
> financially independent. Rebecca mentioned that there is a lack of
> information in traditional education concerning how to manage money. Pay
> America works with many insurance companies in order to help its customers
> get the best possible insurance premiums for them. Among other things,
> people should invest at least some of the money they have as a result of
> paying lower tax rates. For example, in 1944, the wealthiest individuals in
> the United States paid 94% of their money into taxes. Presently, the highest
> tax rate is just over 39%. Those preparing for retirement should find a way
> to invest in their own pension. This could mean among other things, opening
> a Roth IRA, One should also be mindful of debt, doing what they can to pay
> off credit cards each month. One may also put money into index funds. The
> key to investing is to diversify a portfolio, by investing in a variety of
> financial vehicles. Rebecca invited all of us to take a business card and
> possibly make an appointment with her in order to find out how to improve
> their financial situation. One may call her at 708-674-1641 Or email her at
> Rebecca.advisor at gmail.com.
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> Elections
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> The following individuals were elected to offices and board seats for the
> coming year. President, Debbie Stein. First Vice-President, Patti Chang.
> Second Vice-President, Jemal Powell. Secretary, David Meyer and Treasurer,
> Steve Hastalis. Board members are Denise Avant, Gina Falvo, Marco Giannotti
> and Howard Wilson.
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> The meeting was adjourned at 3:28 P.M.
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> Respectfully Submitted,
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> David Meyer, Secretary.
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> David Meyer, NFB of Illinois
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> Coordinator and Channel Administrator, NFB-NewsLine
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