[IL-Talk] at large minutes for november

[David Meyer]

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
At Large Chapter

Minutes of meeting held Sunday, November 6th, 2022

Meeting began at 7:05 with introductions. President Dave Meyer noted an 
award he and his wife Teresa received at the NFBI State Convention in 
Naperville. Kyle Chellino said he has post-concussive syndrome. Bill 
and Roberta Reif, Debbie Pittman, (who noted that At Large won IABS 
Idol) Marilyn Green, (who will be working at Blind Service Association 
beginning 11/14. Vice President Linda Hendle, Eileen Truschke, Danny 
Mandrell and Jemal Powell joined later.

The program was guest Speaker Frances Durham from Virginia, who spoke 
to us regarding the Lions Club organization. She had spoken at a 
previous meeting regarding descriptive audio of plays. Her first 
acquaintance with the Lions was through her participation in a fishing 
trip the organization provided. The lions make many services available 
including eye glasses and hearing aids. She learned more about the 
group after being invited to a district meeting. She then invited some 
lions to her NFB chapter, and they eventually started a branch chapter. 
Local activities included an audible Easter egg hunt. Another activity 
called Journey for Sight involved a blind person's having to direct a 
sighted person to a particular destination using Braille directions. 
Her club has also taken trips to other clubs. Her club also had fund 
raisers including a lemonade stand and broom sales. Funds support trips 
to a lodge and even scholarships. The Lions also encourage seniors to 
join and participate. The Virginia Lions have even helped fund members 
wishing to attend NFB conventions. Francis suggested we do more things 
to draw attention if we exhibit at their conferences. We should also 
reach out to local districts or chapters, the contact information of 
which is available online.

Debbie moved, and Bill seconded, approval of the October minutes. 
Motion passed with the amendment that her attendance was noted.

Marilyn Green presented the State Report. She was recently reelected as 
State President. We had over 100 attendees, six exhibitors and two Gold 
Sponsors including Democracy Live and the Seanburg Hoffman Estates 
Lions Club. Marilyn will soon send an email requesting convention 
feedback. Next year's convention will begin Friday and end Saturday 
with the banquet, again at the Chicago Marriott Naperville the second 
weekend of October. Room rate is $119 for king bed and $129 for two 
queens. Washington Seminar will take place 1/30/2023 through 2/2/2023. 
Those interested should apply by 12/10 by completing an application 
available at nfbofillinois.org. the Midwest Student Seminar will take 
place the weekend of 3/24/2022 at the Holiday Inn O'hare, 5615 North 
Cumberland, Chicago.

Presidential Release 521 for November was played. This was from the 
California Convention in San Diego. The organization's 82nd anniversary 
is November 16th. Vispero is offering a matching grant up to $50,000 
for any funds donated to the NFB between now and January 1st, 2023. We 
are urged to vote in the November 8th, 2022. We are also requested to 
tell the NFB about our experiences whether we vote in person or by mail 
by completing the Blind Voter Surveys available at nfb.org/vote. We 
have had several meetings with Uber regarding requirements for people 
using service animals. Uber will extensively investigate any 
complaints, and drivers will be suspended during those investigations. 
If the denial is found to have been based on refusal to carry a guide 
dog, Uber will permanently ban that driver. In addition to complaining, 
please complete the form available at nfb.org/legal. It is now time to 
promote the Braille Readers Are Leaders contest, conducted by the 
American Action Fund. Contest runs from December 5th through January 
23rd. Participants log the number of pages read. Visit 
actionfund.beanstack.org for more info. Our Letters from Santa effort 
has been expanded to include "winter letters" for those who celebrate 
other holidays. Letters include other fun activities for children 
through age 10. Info is available at nfb.org. the Web site and Web 
Application Software Accessibility Act, sponsored by Tony Corello, 
states this is as important as the ADA. This bill was introduced by 
Tammy duckworth in the Senate and Rep John Sarbanes of Marilyn in the House.


The NFB Pledge was recited.

Michel Alt of Chicago, Katrina Tease, who works a a proof reader at 
Horizons for the Blind, and Slone Morris who exhibited at convention, 
have paid dues at convention. Debbie Moved, and Linda seconded, that 
these three members be accepted.

The next meeting will be Sunday December 4th at 7:00. The meeting 
adjourned at 8:22.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Reif, Secretary