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

Deborah Kent Stein dkent5817 at att.net
Mon Jun 6 20:29:28 UTC 2016



Thank you!

Debbie



-----Original Message-----
From: il-talk [mailto:il-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Robert Hansen
via il-talk
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2016 3:10 PM
To: NFB of Illinois Mailing List <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Robert Hansen <hansen.robert70 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [il-talk] may 2016 chicago chapter minutes second draft

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
>
>   
>
> 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.
>
>   
>
> 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.
>
>   
>
> 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.
>
>   
>
> 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.
>
>   
>
> 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.
>
>   
>
> 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.
>
>   
>
> 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.
>
>   
>
> Program
>
>   
>
> 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
>
>   
>
> 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.
>
>   
>
> The meeting was adjourned at 3:28 P.M.
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>
> Respectfully Submitted,
>
>   
>
> David Meyer, Secretary.
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>   
>
>   
>
> David Meyer, NFB of Illinois
>
> Coordinator and Channel Administrator, NFB-NewsLine
>
>   
>
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