[NAGDU] NAGDU Board Meeting Minutes for August 28, 2016

Thu Sep 29 07:55:47 UTC 2016

Steve,

	Thank you very much for clarifying your comment. As you mention, the
meetings of the NAGDU board of directors are held in an open forum in which
anyone - whether member or not - may participate. An announcement is sent
out about one week prior to the meeting about the date and time of the
meeting, as well as with the call-in instructions. Time is allotted
throughout the meeting for comments from guests; however, since these are
meetings of the board of directors, only members of the board may make and
vote on motions. Everyone is encouraged to join the call and observe the
proceedings of the NAGDU board of directors. Furthermore, any individual has
the right to request a copy of our minutes and our financial report, since
we are a recognized non profit corporation under IRS Code Section 501(c)(3).

	As already stated, NAGDU encourages anyone wishing to learn more
about the work of the National Association of Guide Dog Users and support
our programs with your time, talent, and treasure to join our meetings, join
our movement, and become involved in the change we are making in the world!

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala, President
National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc.
National Federation of the Blind

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Steven Johnson
via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2016 10:37 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Cc: Steven Johnson
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] NAGDU Board Meeting Minutes for August 28, 2016

As I eluded to, transparency is key for any organization/group etc.  Keeping
the membership abreast on the doings of the board is not only important, but
responsible.  I have not seen very many meeting minutes posted to this group
in the past outside of the last conventions minutes, and it is good to see,
and commendable.  I believe that this will encourage individuals who are not
members to consider becoming a member, or at least decide if their voice is
being heard.  Pretty simple, and not meant to offend anyone as any strong
organization finds its strength not necessarily in the leaders, but in the
voices of those needing and wanting their voice to be heard.
Thanks,
Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of NAGDU President
via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2016 6:48 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Cc: NAGDU President
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] NAGDU Board Meeting Minutes for August 28, 2016

Steve,

	I'm not sure what you are implying by this message. Would you please
provide more information, as this one-line message seems to imply the
National Association of Guide Dog Users lacks transparency. If this is what
you mean to say, I would like to know more about your perceptions.

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala, President
National Association of Guide Dog Users
National Federation of the Blind
(813) 626-2789President at NAGDU.ORG

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Steven Johnson
via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2016 6:07 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Cc: Steven Johnson
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] NAGDU Board Meeting Minutes for August 28, 2016

Transparency is definitely needed.

Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sherrill O'Brien
via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2016 1:32 PM
To: nagdu leaders; nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: Sherrill O'Brien
Subject: [NAGDU] NAGDU Board Meeting Minutes for August 28, 2016

Hello to all,

As NAGDU's secretary, starting this month, Marion has asked me to pass along
the monthly Board meeting minutes to both the NAGDU Leaders and NAGDU
mailing lists. You'll note that these are August minutes. No, they're not
hot off the press, since they first need to be approved by the Board. But
from now on, you'll receive the minutes following the meeting at which they
are approved. We hope that reading these will help you stay informed about
what's going on with our organization, and nudge you to participate in our
monthly teleconference Board meetings. Who knows, maybe they'll inspire you
to become a member of NAGDU, get more active in your division, or even start
the process of forming a NAGDU division in your state!

The minutes are pasted below my signature, and also attached.

Warm regards

Sherrill O'
Brien, Secretary

National Association of Guide Dog Users

National Federation of the Blind

National Association of Guide Dog Users

Board Meeting Minutes

August 28, 2016

Those Present:

Marion Gwizdala, President

Michael Hingson, Vice President

Sherrill O'Brien, Secretary

Toni Whaley, Treasurer

Jimmy Boehm, Boared Member

Aleeha Dudley, Board Member

Jessica Snyder, Board Member

The meeting was held via teleconference, and was called to order by
President Marion Gwizdala at 8:00pmEDT. As usual, this was an open meeting,
and we welcomed the following guests: Liz Campbell, Texas; Lucy Marr, New
York; Holly McKnight, Texas.

Secretary and Treasurer's Reports

A motion was made by Aleeha, seconded by Mike to approve the August meeting
minutes as emailed. The motion passed.

Toni did not yet have a treasurer's report. She said there had been no
activity during August. We have fully paid all those to whom we owed money
for fundraising products.

Committee Reports

Social Media

We currently have 112 followers on Twitter. Marion wants to have 150 by
October. Jessica reported that we have 404 Facebook members. 

NAGDU Website

Mike said that, in order to keep our website updated, we are now paying our
web developer Dave Schroeder the monthly $100 fee which the Board approved.
Mike will make sure Dave sends an invoice to Toni, and that he copies Marion
and Mike. Marion said we need to send Dave a PDF copy of our new brochure to
download on our website. It will need to come from our national office.
Marion is taking an online course from CAVI involving up-to-date technical
knowledge geared to blind people. This includes web development, and audio
essentials such as creating podcasts.

NAGDU Information and Advocacy Hotline and Mobile App

Sherrill volunteered to help Aleeha update the state access laws which will
eventually be downloaded on our NAGDU app. Marion said most of our hotline
calls are now being connected through the app. 

Old Business

NAGDU SEMINAR

James is the chair of the committee which is making plans for a national
seminar. Serving on the committee are Board members Mike and Aleeha, as well
as NYAGDU president Lucy Marr. James will resend the minutes from their
meeting.

Convention Relief Area 

Aleeha said that Seeing Eye trainer Doug Bohl did not have any suggestions
for us regarding improvement of the relief area at our national conventions.
We discussed having a variety of surfaces. There is a material which can be
put down which is permeable, thus preventing water from accumulating. James
suggested we consider a voluntary button on the convention registration
form, giving attendees the opportunity to contribute to relief area supplies
and cleanup.

New Business

Marion said our new Texas affiliate will hold a seminar just prior to the
NFB of Texas convention. TEXAGDU president liz Campbell then spoke about
their plans for the seminar, which will focus on rights and responsibilities
of guide dog handlers as well as education of local business owners. She
commended Norma Crosby, president of NFB's Texas affiliate, for championing
this seminar. It is hoped that it can serve as a model for other NAGDU
affiliates.

New NAGDU Division

Marion announced that Virginia will be chartering  a NAGDU division at their
upcoming convention in November. Marion has been invited to attend. Michigan
also has a formal charter in place and will meet in November.

D O T Proposing Changes to the Air Carrier Access Act

Marion informed us that the Department of Transportation has formed an
accessibility committee to study several proposed changes which would affect
those with disabilities who are traveling by air. One change would   impact
those with service animals. The proposal involves the necessity for the
presenting of documentation and/or answering a series of questions when
booking a flight. NFB's representative on this committee, and thus NAGDU's
as well, is NFB Board member Parnell Diggs. Parnell would initially like to
hear from NAGDU leaders, so  a teleconference dealing with this subject has
been scheduled for Thursday, September 1 at 7pmEDT. Sherrill will send out
an announcement about this meeting to the leadership list.

Marion encouraged everyone to order a supply of our new brochures from the
Independence Market, especially with Meet the Blind month coming up in
October.

Our next meeting will be held on Sept. 25.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:18pm.

Respectfully  submitted

Sherrill O'Brien, Secretary

National Association of Guide Dog Users

National Federation of the Blind

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To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NAGDU:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/blind411%40verizon.net