[IL-Talk] at large minutes for September

[David Meyer]

NFBI At Large Minutes 2022-09

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
Minutes of meeting held September 4th, 2022

The meeting began at 7:03 PM. Members Present: President Dave Meyer, 
Vice President Linda Hendle, Secretary Bill Reif, Board Member Debbie 
Pittman, Leslie Hamric, Ken Schad, Eileen Truschae,  Gina Falvo, Cathy 
Randall, Marilyn Green, Pat Olson, Yvonne Agyarko, Kyle Chellino and 
Jemal Powell.

Motion was made, seconded and passed to approved the August minutes.

Debbie reported on our second Double good Popcorn fund raiser, which 
ran from September 4 through September eighth. Flier had been posted to 
il-talk and to social media. Dave also provided contact information for 
those wishing to donate rather than purchase popcorn. Application for 
At Large Assistance to convention should be completed by September 
16th. Debbie and Bill urged people to apply, and of the value of 
attending a state convention.


September Presidential Release 519 was played. September is National 
Guide Dog Month, and Riccobono mentioned the resources available 
through the National Association of Guide Dog Users (nagdu). He also 
mentioned resources available for students and parents as the school 
year begins, and urged they consider periodically completing an 
educational tech accessibility survey so experiences, good or bad, can 
be documented. Although the free covid tests are no longer available, 
accessible tests for blind persons are still available and can be 
ordered at 800-232-0233 or at nfb.org/covidtests. There is also a 
survey on the covid testing pages. The NFB now has a new page on which 
pages of its Diversity Equity and Inclusion initiative are centralized. 
This includes a five-year calendar affiliates and chapters can use to 
avoid events conflicting with important holidays. A link can be found 
on the NFB.org Get Involved section or directly at nfb.org/dei. Mission 
Minded is working with a steering committee to help conduct a planning survey
 on our strategic plan. We are urged to complete this between September 
19 through September 25th. we are urged to help people to register to 
vote, and to visit nfb.org/vote for available resources. Finally, he 
reported on the passing of Allan Harris, who was very active in Alabama 
and Michigan and was president of the Michigan affiliate for several 
years. The Jackson Mississippi Chapter will host the Presidential 
Release on October first.

Marilyn gave the State Report. Our state convention theme is Together 
Again. Convention Registration for is now live. Registration should be 
completed by October 14th. We are urged to bring door prizes, Brailing 
or printing the name and description of the prize. We can bring cash or 
Zell it to treasurer at nfbofillinois.org. We are to send covid19 test 
results to Bridget Burke, and will mask during the convention. Home 
test are permissible. Washington Seminar applications should be 
submitted by December 15. Our 2023 convention will again be at the 
Chicago Marriott Naperville. Finally, she mentioned the Illinois 
Independent newsletter will be retired as we transition to other ways 
of distributing information.

We discussed a proposed resolution dealing with the adequacy of 
services available to blind persons over age 55 and the adequacy of 
funding,  based on a national convention resolution seeking greatly 
increased funding for such programs. The national resolution was 
played. Cathy observed that the increased funding proposed by the 
national resolution is the only means by which blind seniors would have 
a realistic chance to attend NFB training centers. There was otherwise 
no clear consensus in support of a state resolution at this time.

We briefly discussed possible song choices the chapter may perform at 
IABS Idol, the theme of which must be travel related songs. Suggestions 
included Leaving on a Jet Plain, I've Been Everywhere, and Do You Know 
The Way to San Hosay.

The next meeting will be Sunday, October 2nd at 7:00 PM. The meeting 
adjourned at 9:09 PM.