[il-talk] chicago minutes april 2017

Wed May 24 22:47:26 UTC 2017

Hats off to you David meyer for doing an excellent job as secretary. I can't imagine filling your shoes. It's a hard job. I won't be attending national convention because I'll will getting eye injections in my right eye. I went to my retina doctor on May 10. I have bleeding behind my right retina; I received my first injection and I go back June 14 for another injection. Things have been rough but hopefully will get better. Gina Falvo

Sent from my iPad

> On May 23, 2017, at 10:43 PM, David Meyer via IL-Talk <il-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> David Meyer, NFB of Illinois
> 
> Coordinator and Channel Administrator, NFB-NewsLine
> 
> 
> 
> NFBI CHICAGO CHAPTER
> 
> MEETING OF APRIL 8, 2017
> 
> 
> 
> Chicago Chapter President Debbie Stein called the meeting to order at 1:00
> P.M. 
> 
> Introductions-What’s Happening: Gina Falvo has spent the past several months
> caring for her mother. Joan Porter broke her ankle in two places and is
> recovering in the hospital. Ken Staley’s youngest brother passed away due to
> cancer. Eileen Truschke’s sister passed away with bone cancer. She also
> announced that she and Ken Schad have been together for 40 years. Howard
> Wilson is now cancer free. Gary Jones has received a new guide dog. David
> Meyer reported that Teresa has cancer in her colon and possibly in the lymph
> nodes as well. She is receiving chemotherapy at this point.
> 
> There were 28 members present.
> 
> Program A: David Meyer talked about what is going on in state legislation.
> HB2626 the Parental Rights for the Blind Act passed out of the Judiciary
> Civil committee in March. It must go before the full house. Dave asked
> President Stein to read a letter she wrote advocating for the passage of
> this bill. Prior to reading the letter she mentioned that anyone wishing to
> use the letter under their signature could do so.  Several members
> encouraged all of us to call or write our legislators for the purpose of
> gaining support for this bill.
> 
> Several members agreed to write letters to legislators. Finally, President
> Stein asked that we solicit the support of family members and friends for
> this issue.
> 
> Secretary’s Report: Because of the brief amount of time that minutes were
> available for everyone to read, it was moved seconded and passed to dispense
> with the minutes this month with the idea that they along with the minutes
> for April would be approved at the June meeting.
> 
> Program B: Mary Grunwald presented a program where she encouraged all of us
> to be visible. She pointed out that not only would it help us individually
> to get outside to do things, it also makes us as blind people visible to the
> public. Being blind and visible educates the public, as well as affording
> each of us the opportunity for improved physical health.
> 
> Treasurers Report: Steve Hastalis gave the treasurers report for the first
> quarter of 2017. He reported the following. Beginning balance, January 1,
> 2017, $5,587. Income, $688. Expenses, $630. Ending balance as of March 31,
> 2017, $5,645. The report was approved as given.
> 
> Presidential Reports:
> 
> National Presidential Release, Mark Riccobono, President, National
> Federation of the Blind reported on the following items. We have available a
> number of print Kernel books available. Individuals or chapters may order
> them a case at a time, with each case consisting of 50 books. The following
> books are available. Oh Wow, Safari, Reaching for the Top in a Land Down
> Under, Not Much of a Muchness, The Lessons of the Earth, Imagine and
> Celebrate. These books may be ordered through the Independence Market. The
> Jernigan Institute staff is now working on the tenth anniversary Youth Slam.
> We are looking for artistic representations to use to advertise the Youth
> Slam which will occur this summer. The exhibit must include a current
> National Federation of the Blind logo, the phrase National Federation of the
> Blind Tenth Anniversary Youth Slam, and it must be “stem” related. The file
> must be a high resolution PdF or ETF file. All submissions must be in by
> April 28.The winning design will be illustrated on Youth Slam Tea shirts.
> Nominations for the Blind Educator of the Year award must be into the
> committee chairman, Dr. Eddie Bell by May 1.Nominations may be emailed to
> him at ebell at latech.eduPresident Riccobono encouraged all of us to stay
> abreast on federal legislation. We have been asked to oppose HR620 as it
> would significantly weaken the Americans with Disabilities Act. The
> Instructional Materials in Higher Education Act has been introduced in the
> house as HR1772 by Congressman Phil Roe of Tennessee and Joe Courtney of
> Connecticut. The Access Technology Affordability Act has been introduced as
> HR1734 in the house and as S732 in the Senate. The Time act has been
> introduced as HR1377. There is currently an opening in the Governmental
> affairs Team. If you are interested in this position, please send your
> resume and cover letter to officeofthepresident at nfb.org. Jeff Kearsey passed
> away on April 2. 
> 
> State Presidential Report: Denise Avant, President of the National
> Federation of the Blind of Illinois reported on the following items. We have
> submitted an application for a Bolotain Award on behalf of our Freedom Link
> program. Our student Seminar will occur on April 22. The official flyer is
> now on the website. One may register either online or at the door. The
> seminar will take place at the Holiday Inn Midway. The National Convention
> will occur in Orlando Florida on July 10-15. President Avant encouraged all
> of us to attend if possible. If one wishes for financial assistance for the
> convention, they may apply to the Chappell-Dennis fund. Applications must be
> into President Avant by May 1. They may be emailed to her at
> davant1958 at gmail.com. Denise will have Jernigan tickets to sell at the June
> meeting. The cost of each ticket is $10. The winner will receive an
> all-expenses paid trip for two to the 2018 National convention plus $1,000.
> We will have Bell programs in Chicago and Springfield following the
> convention. If you are interested in volunteering for these activities, you
> may email Patti Chang at pattischang at gmail.com. Finally, Denise is looking
> for a convention theme for the state convention. Please send any ideas to
> davant1958 at gmail.com.
> 
> Fundraising Committee: Ken Staley reported that our Beggars Pizza fundraiser
> will occur on April 19 at the downtown location, 310 South Clinton Avenue,
> Chicago. Please hand in a flyer with your order and Beggars will give us 20%
> of the bill, excluding tax and gratuity. The White Sox fundraiser will occur
> on August 12, featuring the Sox VS Kansas City. The cost is $30 per ticket.
> Orders must be in by May 1. They may be emailed to David Meyer at
> datemeyer at sbcglobal.net or you may call him at 708-606-7091.
> 
> Old Business: Steve Hastalis mentioned that the next CTA ADA Advisory
> Committee will take place at CTA headquarters on Monday, April 10 at 1:00
> P.M. 
> 
> New Business: Bill Reif mentioned that we have six cosponsors for hb2626.
> There will be a Transportation Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 19 at
> 7:30 P.M. Call 641-715-3273 and use the code transit, (8726748.) The July
> picnic will occur at the Landmark Café, Lincoln Park Zoo on Saturday, July
> 22.
> 
> Elections: The following individuals were elected to offices and board
> positions for the coming year. President Steve Hastalis, First
> Vice-President Patti Chang, Second Vice-President Jemal Powell, Secretary
> David Meyer and treasurer Marco Giannotti. Board members are Denise Avant,
> Howard Wilson, Gina Falvo and Melisa Fuller.
> 
> The meeting was adjourned at 3:12 P.M.
> 
> Respectfully Submitted,
> 
> David Meyer, Secretary
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> IL-Talk mailing list
> IL-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/il-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for IL-Talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/il-talk_nfbnet.org/falvog52%40gmail.com