[IL-Talk] at large minutes August 2023

[David Meyer]

NFBI At Large Minutes 2023-08

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
Meeting held Sunday, August sixth, 2023

Members present: President Dave Meyer, Vice President Linda Hendle, 
Secretary/Treasurer Bill Reif, Board Members Debbie Pittman and Cathy 
Randal, Steve Hastalis, Michal Nowicki, Ken Schad, Eileen Truschke, 
Leslie Hamric, Kyle Chellino, Marilyn Green, Yvonne Agyarko, Danny 
Mandrell, and Jemal Powell.

Debbie moved, and Linda seconded, approval of the previously-tabled May 
minutes. Minutes for the June 2023 meeting were also approved.

Debbie presented the program item, based on a presentation by Peter 
Lawson Jones, an attorney and actor who spoke on the dos and donts of 
interacting with elected officials. It is important to completely 
understand the process by which a bill becomes an ordinance, statute or 
law depending on the forum in question. It is important to have 
established a relationship with the legislators before something is needed.

Presidential Release:

August Presidential Release 529 was presented. President Riccobono 
began by thanking all those in the Texas affiliate who helped work the 
2023 convention. The NFB is seeking input from those who attended, and 
there is a link to a survey for that purpose.

The 2024 convention will take place at the Rosen Center July third 
through July eighth. On Tuesday July 15th, the United States Access 
Board held its quarterly meeting and town hall at the National Center, 
where we had the opportunity to raise our concerns regarding accessibility.

We continue efforts to hold Uber and Lyft accountable for the 
discrimination of its drivers. The Department of Justice has power over 
ride share companies under the ADA. We are urged to file reports at 
http://civilrights.justice.gov/report. We should then forward the 
confirmation email to legal at nfb.org so it can be tracked. On July 25th 
the Department of Justice submitted a Notice of Proposed Rule Making 
under Title 2 of the ADA regarding web site access ability. We have 
been proposing such rules since 2010. The NFB will be reviewing and commenting.

On July 27th Dan Orork and the NFB kicked off the Route 66 Ride for 
Literacy. Dan was interviewed on the release. Info is available at 
http://nfb.org/route66.

The Kenneth Jernigan Leadership in Service program, a year-long 
curriculum of in person and virtual presentations. Those wishing to 
apply should reach out to two affiliate presidents to sponsor you. 
Recommendations are due by August 25th.

State Presidential Report:

Marilyn said that the Chicago and Springfield BELL programs were both 
successful. The Chicago Lighthouse is looking forward to hosting our 
program again.

Our in person Board Meeting is scheduled for August 19that the Chicago 
Marriott Naperville. Room rates for the meeting and for our State 
Convention is $129 for king or $139 for two queens. Call 6 3 0-5 0 5-4 
9 0 0 to make reservations.

Marilyn invited people to be part of Dan Ororks arrival in Chicago at 
the conclusion of his Route 66 Ride for Literacy. We will walk from the 
sign across from the Art Museum, (where Route 66 began) to the Harold 
Washington Library for a program on Friday, September eighth.Call Patti 
Chang at 6 3 0-3 0 7-6 4 40 or email pattischang at gmail.com if there are 
problems.

The NFBI State Convention will convene Friday October 13th at 9:00 The 
Exhibit Hall will open at 2:00. Planning is still underway. Marilyn 
requested we email her convention theme ideas.

Dave reported that we have approximately $400 in the At Large treasury. 
We have another Doublegood popcorn fund raiser planned September 1 
through September fifth. Marilyn moved, and Cathy seconded, that we 
contribute $300 to the Chappell-Dennis fund. The motion passed. This 
aligns with how other chapters assist, rather than At Large having its 
own application as happened last year.

Marilyn moved, and Debbie seconded, that At Large choose the  theme 
snack food songs for the upcoming IABS Idol convention fund raiser. 
Motion passed.

Next meeting will be September third, 2023

The meeting adjourned at 9:26 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,
Bill Reif, Secretary