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

[Marilyn Green]

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF ILLINOIS
AT LARGE CHAPTER
SEPTEMBER 8, 2020
MEETING MINUTES


THINGS TO DO
1.     Reif: Check with Avant to see if the convention will be streamed.  
2.    . Holtgreve: Send copy of senate bill to Green that closed on September 8, that we should pay close attention to which addressed Title I and Title III of the ADA. 

Present:  President Marilyn reen,  Linda Hendle, Yonne Agarko, Cathey Randall, Maurice Tanter, Leslie Hamrik, Sabrina Kimbrough, Jemal Powell, John Holtgreve,  John Hill, State  President Denise Avant, Ellen Bartelt, Bill Reif and Debbie Pittman. The meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m. Note:  Pittman took the minutes because the secretary was on another meeting and came on late.

Absent:  Danny Mandrell.

SECRETARY’S MINUTES
MOTION
Pittman moved to table the August 2020  minutes.   The motion was seconded by Kimbrough and unanimously carried.


Green explained for the new comers that the minutes are posted on Il-talk and newsline for at least three months. 
The pledge was lead by Pittman.  Green explained that the pledge is on our Illinois website as well as the national website.  She is always looking for people to lead in the pledge. 


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
Presidential release 497 
September1 2020
President Riccobono reported that the national office is open and people can call.
Voting:
President Riccobono strongly encouraged voting and our full participation in the voting process at all levels.  Elections need to be fully accessible and they are not, even though his letter he wrote last year forewarned of future problems.   We were strongly encouraged to document what happened when we went to vote. The survey will be available on October 6.    The stories need to be told so the problems with voting challenges can be met.  President Riccobono encouraged those who have problems voting during the presidential election to file a complaint with the Department of Justice at www.ada.gov ADA complaint form. We are also to notify national about that complaint.  NFB has been working with rideshare around the pandemic and will be attempting to partner with them again to help get people to the poles.  Information regarding coupon codes will be available soon.
SCHOOL
NFB has a technology survey for monitoring education and school for blind students.   National wants the survey filled out so that they can track what is happening at all educational levels for blind students.  The surveys are used for legal and advocacy efforts to address the points needing the most attention regarding equal access in education.
MEET THE BLIND MONTH:
Affiliates are to inform National of what virtual activities will occur for meet the blind month, and try to be creative.
Theme for 2020:  “Lived experiences in our local communities around problem solving, self-confidence and Intersectionality.” And people can go to nfb.org/mtbm for meet the blind month. 
SENIORS RETREAT October 18-24 2020: President Riccobonno reported that the Senior’s division is posing a virtual senior retreat in October.  The retreat will focus on the well-being, self-confidence  in blind seniors.  Visit seniors.nfb.org.
NFB MASKS:  National  will have branded masks 3 for $10 which will hae the NFB logo. They will be blue with a white logo on the outside and white on the inside. Preorders are being taken now. They havetraditional loops for the ears. They will sell for $4 a piece  Shipping is not included in the price, through the Independence Market 410-659-9314. They will be available in October, but orders are being taken now.  People will be called back when the masks are in.
DREAM MAKER CIRCLE:  President Riccobonno recognized the new comers to the dream maker circle.
PAC PLAN:  President thanked the new comers to the PAC plan.
FEDERATION FAMILY NOTES:
Michael Nagleberg, who was an active member of the Palm Beach chapter for over 20 years passed away.   He was 101 and was a World War II vetran.
Lauren Blum passed away yesterday.  She served on the affiliate board as well as the  At Large  chapter vice president.
Kansas reported that Tamara Kearney of the Jayhawk chapter passed away on August 8  from complications of a hit and run accident.  She  was a long time member and formerly served as President of our Wyoming affiliate. 
Joyous news:  Alyssa Gastilo gave birth to Armilo
Gastilo, on August 16.  Alyssa is a  BELL academy coordinator in Arizona, and a critical leader in the youth track.
Special congradulations: Lawrence and Tommie Boiron celebrated their 71st year wedding anniversary on August 17 out of Houston Texas.

STATE REPORT

Avant reported that the state convention is not cancelled.  State convention will be October 30 through November 1. There may be a  problem with her calendar or her e-mail being hacked or something.  She is working on getting the problem fixed.  The state convention with guest sspeakers and information will be virtually on zoom.  Avant is still working on speakers.  During the convention we will be muted and people wanting to speak will have to raise their hand.  
Convention Registration:  Registration is now.   At nfbofillinois.org  under the link that has the state convention information.  Registration is complementary, however the affiliate does accept donations. Registration deadline is October 16.  The first 150 people to register will receive a niaprene can coozie.    
15-For-Funds:  People can send in their 15-for-funds donation to Chang  at pchang at nfb.org through zelle payment or use paypal or send her a check to 6919 W. Berwinn Avenue, Chicago IL 60656. Zell and the check would be preferred because there is no extra charges like in paypal. Avant encouraged people to pay chapter dues as well now. Randall reported that 15-for-funds was   started by Dr. Kenneth Jernagan as a way for states to raise funds at state convention. Pledges have started as high as $500 down to $5 in gifts which is undesignated money.    
Elections:  The swift platform will be used for voting.   There are seven IABS board seats and seven affiliate seats available for the state board.  All dues paying members are to register the number where their vote will be coming from.
Resolutions:  Avant reported that there will be a number of resolutions and the Swift platform will be used for those resolutions.  All numbers registered with swift have to be in by October 16.   
Convention Plans:  There will be a convention activity to open the convention on Friday headed by Kevin Wirley according toAvant.   Followed by meeting with the resolutions committee. There will be  conventioneers exhibiters who will be manning their own zoom account and rooms.  There will also bea a scholarship  session for scholarship candidates from 5 to 6.   The scholarship candidates will get to meet the NFBI  leadership.  From 7 to 9 will be trivia night forIABS and People will be asked to pay $5 for that. On Saturday,  convention will start at 9 which will be opened by Mayor Lightfoot.   Our National speaker will be Pam allen and there will be a NABS rep and some education speakers.  From 12 to 1 the student lunch will occur. At 2 there will be a diversity and inclusion session and there will be a session for the parents.  Saturday general session will close at 4:30.  The banquet will be from 6 to 8 and there will be awards.  On Sunday the students will have their election at their business meeting at 8.  General session will start at 9:30 with Braille is Beautiful, the reports, resolutions and then the elections.  Avant will not be running for state president again.   Green will be running in her place. Congratulations Marilyn.  Chang will be stepping down as treasurer, and will be taken over by  Michal Nowicki. Stein will become secretary.  .  
At Large Event: Itwas suggested that  At Large do something on Thursday night, instead of Friday, so more people could participate between 7 and 9 or 7 and 8:30. 
Door Prizes:  Bartelt asked for door prizes. They are to be sent to Chang at 6919 W. Berwinn Ave. Chicago IL 60656. Avant is asking for cash only for door prizes.  Sending money to patty. pchang at nfb.org  zelle payment. Avant told Tanter he could make payments to NFB through bill payment system.  He has to make sure it’s made out to NFB of Illinois with Chang’s address and the amount and what it’s for.  
Trivia:  Kimbrough spoke on the plans regarding the trivia session at convention. It’s expected to last for two hours with lots of variety.
Convention Theme:  Avant reported that our convention theme “Fearless in uncertain times” was derived by Linda Hendle.
PROGRAM ITEM:
“Out of the mouths of babes” kernel book.
The story was played. The story told of a five-year-old asking her mother who was blind to cut her pancakes up for her instead of her sighted grandmother.

Reif asked was there a way to stream the convention.  Green didn’t know. This will be asked of Avant from Reif.  

Powell told a story regarding an incident at J. C. Penney’s asking him to have someone with him to shop.  He did get assistance finally.  Various members told different stories regarding what they had to do to stand up for themselves.

New guest: John Hill is in Springfield.   He lost his vision in 2017. He is also part of an education group In Springfield.  He was glad to hear of other people having similar problems.  It was recommended to John to wear dark glasses so people are not confused thinking that he can still see.  
New Member:  Today John Holtgreve has been a member of NFB on and off for 30 years due to his parents.   He was appointed Vice Chairman of the Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors. About six years ago he got involved with the Illinois Association of Blind Merchants.   He is located in far south Illinois about an hour and a half from St. Louis.   Reif reported that he is active in legislation regarding vendors.   Holtgreve reported that we should pay close attention to the senate bill that closed today.  It involves Title I and Title III of the ADA. Green wants it sent to her because she hasn’t seen it.  

MOTION

Kimbrough moved and Randall  seconded to welcome Holtgreve to the at large chapter. It was unanimously carried.

OLD BUSINESS


NEW BUSINESS

Next ChapterMeeting:  October 4, at 7 p.m.

Green will be running for State president.  Congratulations Green.

Randall recommended both Johns  to get involved with the NFB actively. Powell and others echoed Randall’s sentiments.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Hendle moved to adjourn and Kimbrough seconded the motion. The motion unanimously carried. 


The meeting was adjourned at   8:50 p.m.


Respectfully submitted by Debbie Pittman on behalf of 
Ellen Bartelt, 
Secretary