[NFB-Seniors] 2020 NFB National Convention is Coming! - Here are the Meeting Minutes From Last Year's NFB Seniors Division Annual Meeting

[Robert Leslie Newman]

Hi You All 

 

Below are the meeting minutes from our 2019 annual business meeting. During
our meeting on July 16th, we will be needing to vote to either approve or
update them. And if you wish to be there and able to cast your vote, you
will need to be an active member, as in  having paid your 2020 dues. The
cost is $5.00. The division's Membership Chairman, Wayne Marshall will be
posting directions on the several options we have set up to make this
process easy for you. 

 

REALLY!!! You won't want to miss our annual business meeting this year! This
will be the first time ever that you can attend while sitting in your living
room! The cost for convention is. $0.00; no cost for transportation, hotel
room, expensive restaurant meals, and even registration for this virtual
convention is free! 

 

Here are the 2019 NFB Seniors Division's annual business meeting minutes:

 

National Senior Division Business Meeting July 2019

 

The meeting began at 1:15 p.m. Ruth Sager, President, began with listing the
agenda for the meeting. 

 

Ruth introduced Robert Leslie Newman as our webmaster for our division. He
records the conference calls which are also sponsored by the Senior
Division. He gave our website at: seniors.nfb.org. He described all of the
information that is on this website such as links for: conference calls;
talking books; connecting with senior divisions in 14 states; a link to sign
up for our list serve; and a link for a list of our officers.

 

We had several seniors give their impressions of our first National Senior
retreat held in South Carolina at Rocky Bottom. Geri McGinty gave her age as
75, and said that she had worn shades to an apple orchard and how she
shopped with her shades on. She said that they really feed you in South
Carolina! She talked about the power going out in the camp one evening, and
how it might have been a plot by the staff to insure the wearing of shades!
She talked about using your knowledge and that she was happy for the
experience of this training. Also, that there were many fun times such as a
talent show.

 

Pat Pyle spoke that it was a life changing experience, and that she really
hadn't wanted to go. She flew by herself, and that it was hard to ask for
help. She said that she now uses her cane and that she has learned Braille
having read 300pages. Pat talked about the field trip which included a
distillery and how that was a blast! She also met a gentleman who talked to
her about his difficulties with having a head injury and expressed how there
is more to life than our focus on our difficulties. She really likes to help
others.

 

Ed Poindexter spoke of the wonderful time he had, and how he found a new
family! His goal has been to become a deacon in his church, and how he did
not have all of the tools for accomplishing this. He has found out about
these tools for his toolbox; one of them being to open your mouth, and ask. 

 

Peggy Chong spoke with us about being the Blind History Lady, and how she
finds our blind ancestors throughout history who have lived lives which have
enhanced our purposes. One of these individuals was John Sweringer from
South Carolina who was a lawyer and the State Superintendent of Education in
the early 1900's. 

 

Another lady was Elena Zelayeth, a blind Hispanic lady who was a cook and
had her own cooking show. 

 

Peggy gave her email address: theblindhistorylady at gmail.com

 

Dan Frye, a representative from Aira described this technology. He mentioned
that Aira was located in the Exhibit Hall at B-5, and that they were
offering the free use of Aira for the duration of the conference. He
described that this technology was a bridge to sighted information.

 

Dale Holden from the Seniors in Charge program at the Colorado Center for
the Blind and Dr. Bryan Delude from Blind Inc., located in Minnesota spoke
about senior programs in their respective states. 

 

Then we focused on what senior divisions are doing in other states: Susie
Stanzel from Kansas spoke about the Senior division, and all that they are
doing. They have been having conference calls once a month. Larry Sebranek
from Idaho said that their seniors meet for lunch and have rather casual
meetings.

Sandy Halverson from Virginia, and Judy Sanders from Minnesota also spoke

 

Rickie Enger from Hadley Institute spoke about their 100 year birthday in
the year 2020. She talked about discussion groups, technology instructional
videos, a podcast called Hadley Presents, and about their website,
Hadley.edu, where you can acquire your diploma. 

 

Our treasurer's report indicated $2509.87. We give $60 per month to the PAC
plan; and $200 are committed to each fund. We voted to keep these same
amounts this year. We also have a 50/50 raffle going on this convention. We
approved the minutes from last year's convention. Glen Crosby and Jane
Degenshein were re-elected as board members. 

Our meeting adjourned at 3:32 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Shelley Coppel, Secretary 

 

 

 

Respectfully yours,

Robert Leslie Newman

NFBN Senior Division, President

NFB Seniors Division, Second Vice President

NFBN Omaha Chapter, Secretary