[IL-Talk] At Large chapter minutes-February 2020

[Marilyn Green]

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF ILLINOIS

AT LARGE CHAPTER

FEBRUARY 4, 2020

MEETING MINUTES

THINGS TO DO

1.        Green:  Check to see who is up to date on dues.

2.       .  Pittman:  Pay dues.

3.       .  Everyone:  If going to National convention, get Chappell-Dennis applications in to Avant by May 1.

4.       .  Everyone:  Those going to State convention get Chappell-Dennis applications in to Avant by September 1.

5.         Everyone:  Those wishing NFBI help send Avant a letter stating why you want to come to convention, who will be mentoring you and   the activities
you plan to participate in.  

Present:  Chapter president Marilyn Green, Linda Hendle, Cathy Randall, Dave Meyer,  Yvonne Agyarko, Sharon Howerton, Danny Mandrel, and Debbie Pittman.

Absent:  Charlene Elder

SECRETARY’S MINUTES

MOTION

Hendle moved to approve the December 2019 minutes.  It was seconded by Meyer and unanimously carried.

Motion

Hendle moved to approve the January 2020 minutes.  It was seconded by Howerton and unanimously carried.

NFB PLEDGE

I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the national

Federation of the Blind, to achieve equality, opportunity and

security for the blind, to support the policies and programs of

The federation and to abide by its constitution. 

Presidential release:

Not available.

State Report

Avant was not available.  Green gave the state report.

Scholarships:  Deadlines for scholarships are March 31 2020 by 11:59 p.m. central time for Illinois and 11:59 eastern time for National.  You can get information
on NFB.org for the national scholarships and NFBof Illinois.org for the state scholarships.    Green suggested that if we know any students refer them
to our sites for scholarship applications.  She strongly encouraged that people not wait to the last minute.

Midwest Students  Spring Seminar:  March 20-22.  It will be at the Holiday Inn O’Hare hotel.  Open to high school and college students.  Registration is
due in on our website  at 
www.nfbofillinois.org.  
Perfect for networking for students educationally.   Avant has  collaborated with John Gordon and open cases with the state will be paid by BBS for students
ages 14 and a half to 22.   “WOIA”  Work force investment opportunity Act”.  Room rates are $109.    Green participated last year   and will be participating
again this year.  There were several states that participated last year.  Approximately 7 states were represented last year.   The deadline is February
10.  They need to book with the NFB  room block. 

Washington Seminar:  Denise Avant, Marilyn Green, Juliette Walker, first time, Steve Hastalis, Mary lou Grunwald, Dustin Cather, Ellen Bartelt, Liza Jager,
Nelly Gamino, and Jimmy  Dickman.  They will be meeting on February 9 and have training on February 10 and the great gathering in will be at 5 on the 10th. 
Illinois hill appointment will start on Tuesday.  There will also be a reception at the senate building for mingling with members of congress and other
federationists.  Illinois also has appointment on Wednesday as well.    The priorities are HR2086 and S815  access technology . AIM HIGH  HR5312 AND S3095,
Access technology affordability  act is for a $2000 refund for equipment.  AIM High is  a bill for instructional material in higher education to be accessible
from day one.  It sets guidelines for colleges when working with blind people.  The formal name: Access to Instructional Materials in Higher Education
Act; AIM High.  GAIN ACT  Greater access hr 3929 for which Jan Schakowsky is one of the original sponsers is a bill in which home and medical appliances,
and sports equipment would be fully accessible and available for us to utilize upon purchase.  The  bills are available on 
NFB.ORG.  
Appointments, phone calls and e-mails will need to be sent after our members come back from Washington Seminar.  Meyer can help with finding out who a
person’s congress person is if it is not known.  Meyer reported that  on Newsline this information is available under the legislative section on newsline.

National Convention:  Braille Monitor has information about registering.  There is an overflow hotel.  Convention is from July 14 to 19.  Book soon, filling
up fast. 

Financial assistance:  Jernigan scholarship info on 
www.NFB.org.  
Avant wants a letter stating why you want to come to convention, who will be mentoring you and   the activities you plan to participate in, in your chapter.    
Chappell-Dennis applications are due  by May 1.  There will be an orientation for those that receive assistance from Illinois for those attendees.

Face-to-face board meeting:  August 29 at the Sheridan Lyle Naperville Hotel.  Number will come out closer to the meeting.

State Convention:  October 30, October 31 and November 1.  At the Sheridan Lyle Naperville Hotel.  Room rate $99 per night.  Financial assistance is available 
through the Chappell-Dennis applications which are due September 1 for assistance. 

Program Item:

Cathy Randall presenting fitness.  Randall published an article on spinning.  This is riding a simulated stationary bike.    Randall also does nautilus
weights.  She is utilizing stationary equipment in which pins are moved to address the different weights.  There is cardial fitness and bone density and
metabolism.  Randall reported that if you combine  both strength training and metabolism training a person can boost their metabolism 24 hours a day. 
Randall had someone to walk her through all the machines in Florida and showed her how to use them.  She goes to the ‘Y in Illinois and in Florida. 

Abdominal Machine:  Sit on the machine and put hands up at shoulder level and you’re pulling forward to work abs.  Randall uses about 13 different machines. 
She has someone keep track of her equipment list with a help of a friend keeping her book.  Randall also does  aquatics and treadmill.  She walks for an
hour on the treadmill.   She keeps track on her watch or her phone.   Randall also  does a rowing machine.  The rowing machines  incorporates both cardial
and  strength training.  She wears water  tennis shoes that she purchased online.   She’s been doing this for about 10 years.   Randall also does chair
yoga for balance and stretching. Green thanked Randall for her presentation.

OLD BUSINESS

Green referred to Chang’s note about paying dues for At large chapter.   Green explained the membership year starts in January.  Hendle is up-to-date. 
Green will check to see who is due to pay.  Pittman’s dues are due.

NEW BUSINESS

Next meeting:  March 1, 2020 at 7 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Randall moved to adjourn.  It as seconded by  Hendle and unanimously carried.  

The meeting adjourned at 8:17 pm. 

Respectfully submitted by

Debbie pittman on behalf of Charlene Elder