[IL-Talk] At Large chapter-December 1 minutes

[Marilyn Green]

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

AT LARGE MEETING MINUTES

DECEMBER 1, 2019





THINGS TO DO

1.     Avant:  Put out on Il-talk the information about the new number for
the state board meeting if it is going to change.

2.      Avant:  Make sure Randall gets the new number.

3.      Green:  Reach out to Second Sense to get someone to talk about one
touch self defense.

4.       Green:  Give Hendle Chang's address.

5.      Everyone:  Bring games to games night on January 11 2020 at the
Exchequer.



 Present:  President Marilyn Green, State President Denise Avant, Cathy
Randall, Bill  Reif, Sharon Howerton, Charlene Elder, Yvonne Agyarko, Linda
Hendle Danny Mandrel, Dave Meyer, Leslie Hamrik and Debbie Pittman. The
meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m.

SECRETARY'S MINUTES

MOTION

Hendle moved to approve the November 2019 minutes.  It was

seconded by Reif and unanimously carried with a correction of

National's date of the July 19 not the 29th.



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

 No presidential release.

MISCELLANEOUS

Hamrik set up a fundraiser on facebook and her goal was $100 and

she reached the goal.  Congratulations Leslie.  Avant explained

that in order for it to be counted this year it has to reach

Chang by December 31.

State Report

Washington Seminar:   Avant reported that applications are due today
December 1,  2019.   She only has one application that she knows of so far.
In Washington we get to move our legislative agenda forward on

February 10 through the 13.  Her e-mail address is davant1958 at gmail.com.
Rooms are shared and the funds help pay for travel.

Scholarships:    Scholarships are now open from November 1 through March 31.
nfb.org/scholarships.  National deadline is 11:59 eastern time.   Ours is
nfbofillinois.or and should be submitted to Debbie Stein by March 31, 2020
11:59  central time.

BRAL:  Braille contest is not being handled by Illinois.   There  is a adult
section.  Stein posted it.  It is on our website at nfb.org and it is over
January 18 2020 and the contest starts  today.  It is being run by American
Action fund.

State Convention:  Our state convention for 2020 will be October 30, 31, and
November 1.   Avant reported that the contract has  been signed.  It will be
held at the Lyle Naperville Sheridan Hotel and the rate is $99 per night.



National Convention:    Our national convention will be July 14 through July
19 in Houston Texas.

Student Spring Seminar:   Avant reported that our student spring seminar
will be March 20-22 and right now it is  tentatively at the Holiday Inn
O'Hare Hotel.   It will be known as the Midwest student spring seminar.

State Board Meeting:   Avant reported that the next State board meeting will
be December 9 at 7:00  p.m.   It may be a different number so Avant will let
people know.  There has been a problem in the past with  the current number.
Avant will send a message on Il-talk.  She will also make sure Randall gets
the number.

PROGRAM ITEM

Ideas for future programs:  Hamrik suggested another session on

tips and tricks as blind people.  It was suggested to have advocacy chair
come and give an overview of the SSI and SSDI seminar conference

hosted by National on December 18.   It was also suggested to

have various chairs of committees to come and talk and tell what is  going
on with that committee.  Avant suggested
information on health and wellness and proper eating and the  importance of
exercise.   Randall volunteered to discuss exercise  as a presentation.
Hamrik has done the stretch workout and meditation work out from blind
alive.  Hamrik explained that the workouts are free and can be downloaded.
Randall does get help on equipment for her program that she is a part of  in
Florida.  Meyer volunteered to give a presentation on Newsline preferably
during the summer.  Meyer
suggested  a presentation     about appliances that can be bought off
the shelf which are accessible to us. Green suggested a presentation on
various apps available to us regarding technology.  Maybe someone from blind
Inc., etc.  Avant recommended a windows 10 seminar.  Jennifer   or Dave
Flament.  Avant explained that JAWS  does webinars  on various
softwares.  In addition NVDA  has a book on various Microsoft
softwares.   Yvonne questioned What are some options available on safety for
blind  people.     Yvonne also wanted to know when are dues are do.  Green
explained that chapter dues are due every 12 months.   Green
explained that Second Sense does a seminar on one touch self  defense and
she will be reaching out to see if she can get
someone to talk about that.  It was suggested to get someone to talk about
National convention activities and federal and state legislative matters.



Theme for IABS IDOLS:  It was clarified that the State

Board gets to determine the theme for Idols.

Hendle needs Chang's address and Green will be sending it  to

her.

OLD BUSINESS

December 14 2019  will be the Chicago chapter Christmas auction.  They're
trying to raise money  for  people to go to Washington seminar.

NEW BUSINESS

Next meeting  January 5  2020 and there will be a guest speaker.

Meyer reported that Games night is January 11 2020  for $25 per

person.  People should bring games.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Reif moved to adjourn. It was seconded by Randall and  unanimously carried.


The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by



Debbie Pittman on behalf of Charlene Elder