[NFBK] GL Board Minutes - November 3

[Lonnie Swafford]

National Federation of the Blind of Greater Louisville

Board of Directors Meeting

 

Monday, November 3, 2025

 

Virtual

 

Members Present:

 

Ashley Swafford - President

Katie Adkins - Vice President

Lonnie Swafford - Secretary

Scott Spaulding - Treasurer

Lauren Allen - Board Member

Sandra Williams - Board Member

 

Guests:

 

Bill Deatherage

Cindy Sheets

Cathy Jackson

Kenny Jones

 

*	The meeting was called to order by the president at 7:06 PM.
*	A motion was made to approve the meeting minutes from October 5 by
Katie and seconded by Lauren. The motion passed unanimously.
*	Scott provided a full accounting of inflow and outflow of funds for
the chapter since the start of our fiscal year and opening of the new PNC
bank account. This included the monthly meeting budget allocation and
expenses. A copy of the report will be attached as an addendum to these
minutes. The ending balance per the report stands at $3,668.42. A motion was
made to approve the treasurer report by Katie and seconded by Lonnie. The
motion passed unanimously.
*	Ashley reports she is working toward ordering new checks. This must
be completed by phone call and not online.
*	Ashley is also working to obtain a pin to be used with Zelle. Once
this option is available, we can quickly and easily reimburse the membership
for the outlay of funds or when financial assistance is authorized.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Texas Roadhouse:

*	The attendance for the event was excellent and we raised $102.00 for
the chapter. Todd will deposit the check into the affiliate account soon and
move the money to the chapter.
*	Thank you to Scott and Priya for handing out flyers and information
about the White Cane Awareness Day event and our upcoming auction.

 

Fall Festival:

 

*	Ashley expressed her apologies to the board and membership that due
to illness, we were unable to participate in the Belknap Fall Festival as
planned.
*	Previously the board had approved a motion to spend $25.00 toward
additional supplies for this event. The purchase was not made and the funds
remain with the chapter.

 

St. Mark's Payment:

 

*	The donation check to St. Mark's for allowing us to host game night
in September was mailed on November 1, and they should be receiving it soon.

 

White Cane Awareness Day:

 

*	During a meeting subsequent to the event, Ashley advised that we may
not participate with other groups going forward.
*	Cathy suggests we take the lead and host our own event by invitation
only for other groups to participate next year. Sandra and other board
members are in favor of this suggestion.
*	Congratulations to Cathy for receiving the Rider/Shaw award and
representing NFBGL.

 

OFB Senior Summit:

 

*	Ashley reports the OFB did not just host for seniors as initially
announced. Should future discussions with OFB take place and we are invited
to present, it is suggested we advise them to please provide more
information about events so we may be better prepared. 

 

Giving Project:

 

*	Ashley has contacted Donna from Roo's Wish who will be speaking at
our event on Friday, November 14.
*	Ashley provided some additional examples of items that can be
purchased as well as those items that we would want to reframe from
purchasing. Some examples of items to purchase are crafts, hygiene products,
card games, candy, etc. Items not to purchase would be raiser blades, books
about family or mom and dad. Sandra has requested the updated list be posted
to Facebook and the Listserv.
*	Meat, vegetable and cookie trays will be purchased for the event.

 

Auction:

 

*	Lonnie and Katie will meet soon to develop a plan for tracking
items.
*	Ashley suggests we have a second person with the auctioneer to
describe items for bid. This will allow the auctioneer to focus specifically
on the bidding process.
*	Anyone having questions or needing to contact the board in regard to
the auction should send an email to auction at nfbky.org
<mailto:auction at nfbky.org> .
*	The board should arrive to begin set-up at 2:00 PM.

 

TARC:

 

*	Katie advised that she has been working with the legislative team
and Mark Riccobono, NFB president to meet soon to outline a plan for next
steps. Initially, Katie had drafted a phased approach plan however there was
a delay with communications and some items were time sensitive. Katie will
work toward a rewrite of the plan to present to the national office.
*	The TARC committee will be meeting soon.
*	Katie encourages everyone attending to please submit their
testimonials about how they use TARC and the likely impact if services are
disrupted or removed entirely. Our next option locally is to work toward
ensuring the Metro Council understands that fixed route and para-transit
services are vital and must continue. Responses to date from some of the
Metro Council members do not support increasing funding for TARC.
*	Sandra reports she has been unable to contact Sean Riley from TARC.
She will continue to do so and report back, should they have an opportunity
to meet.
*	Lonnie has developed a guide to purchase TARC3 tickets online.

 

Legislative Update:

 

*	Katie explained that several items throughout the year have
contributed to the current circumstances surrounding services or lack
thereof by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, OVR. She outlined the
order of selection  changes earlier in the year as well as the reduction in
grant funding resulted in reduced staff and services. The last funds
received by this office was in September.
*	Subsequent to this, the reduction in Force, RIF previously discussed
is expected to occur on December 9. This could result in oversight of OVR
being moved to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Randolph
Shepard program would be managed by the Department of Labor. AS of now, no
clearly defined plan has been communicated as to next steps for the
realignment of these programs. However, we do plan for the worst-case
scenario that the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation will cease to
function.
*	Katie also explained that should the reduction in force take place,
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, would remain law but no
enforcement of it nor an appeal process for the denial of services will be
possible.
*	Congressmen McGarvey has offered to provide support where ever
possible. To that end, Katie is strongly encouraging everyone to provide
testimonials to her within 24 hours about how the reduction in force and
changes listed surrounding IDEA could be harmful to them and their families.
*	Meetings with Congressmen Guthrie and Comer were also completed with
some education provided on OVR and the Randolph Shepard program.
*	Per several discussions with congressmen, the government shut-down
is not expected to end soon.

 

Christmas Celebration:

 

*	Our event will take place as scheduled on Friday, December 12 from
6:00-9:00 PM at St. Mark's.
*	Lauren provided several catering options and the board is in favor
of using Mark's Feed Store. They have been well received during past events
and offer the best value.
*	We estimate the cost per person to be at or about $10.00 with the
board expected to spend about $35.00 for drinks. Mark's asks that we provide
one-week advanced notice of the head count prior to the event.
*	Katie and Adam will handle purchasing and preparing the tea and
lemonade.
*	The board is in favor of the suggested pricing of $10.00 for those
attending who are six years and older and $5.00 for those attending who are
five years and younger.
*	Ashley will advertise a "save the date" notice.
*	Lonnie will check into allowing members to pay for dues on the
registration form.
*	We will host an ornament gift exchange game for adults and have
small crafts for children.
*	Ashley has advised our Santa suit must be retired and a new one
purchased. The board agreed and this purchase is part of the monthly budget
allocation so no motion is needed for approval of the expenditure.
*	A motion was made by Lonnie to donate $50.00 to St. Mark's for
allowing us to host the event. The motion was seconded by Lauren and passed
unanimously.
*	The board discussed continued donations to St. Mark's and will
outline a plan for this during our next fiscal year.

 

*	The next meeting has been scheduled for Monday, December 1 at 7:00
PM via Zoom.

 

The motion was made for adjournment by Katie and seconded by Lonnie. Hearing
no further business, the meeting was adjourned by the president at 8:37 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted to the board of directors of the National Federation
of the Blind of Greater Louisville on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, by: Lonnie
Swafford - Secretary.




 

GL Treasurer Report

6/17 Account opened with $3,790.15

6/20 deposited of $1,182.57

7/21 deposited of $500

 

Beginning May total: $5,472.72

 

May Chapter budget:

+$150.00

                            Balance: $150.00

 

Beginning June total: $5,472.72

 

June Chapter Budget

$150.00

+$150.00

$300.00

-$62.69 (Braille Trail)

                         Balance: $237.31

 

Beginning July total: $5,472,72

 

July chapter budge:

$237.31

+$150,00

                           Balance  $387.31

 

Beginning August Total = $5,472.72

August expenses

8/4 transfer to NFBKY $22.50 for bonding Scott

8/20 Ashley braille trail reimbursement $62.65

8/26 Check for NFB child care for $250

$335.15 spent

 

August chapter budge:   

$387.31

+$150.00

                            Balance $537.31

 

Beginning  September Total = $5,137.57

September expenses

9/18 check for Katie Adkins for Belknap registration $25

9/22 transfer to NFBKY for Braille paper $52.25

$77.25 spent

 

September chapter budge:

$537.31

+$150.00

$687.31

-$247.62 (Game night)

                           Balance $439.69

                                                   

Beginning October Total = $5,060.32

October expenses

10/1 service charged $3

10/6 transfer sponsor funds to NFBKy of $250

10/6 Sandra check for national registration reimbursement $25

10/8 Cathy's check for national registration reimbursement &25

10/23 Priya's check for national registration reimbursement $25

10/28 Ashley's check for reimbursement for Game night event (9/19) $247.62

$675.62 spent

 

October Chapter budge:

$439.69

+$150.00

                          Balance $589.69

 

November beginning balance = $4,384.70

 

November Chapter budget:

$589.69

+$150.00

                          Balance $739.69

 

Pending transactions

10/26 Todd accidentally received  Lauren's checks for $25 for reimbursements
of gift cards for White Cane Day and $92.28 for reimbursements for gummy
snacks for Belknap festival, which were used for state convention. Those
expenses were $117.28 in total. He destroyed the checks and personally
Zelled Lauren the $117.28. 

10/27 Todd made 2 personal  Zelle transactions for our GL financial
assistance reimbursements in the amounts of $81 and $150. With a total of
$231

10/27 Ashley reimbursed Todd $348.28 for the total Zelle amounts. This
payment is expected on November 3rd. 

10/29 St Marks donation for use of White Day cane $50

-$398.28 pending expense

Total = $3,986.42

 

Deposits pending

+$102 pending Texas Roadhouse 

+$80 pending from split pot

                $182.00

Total = $4,168.42

 

Scholarship fund = $500

 

Ending total = $3,668.42

 

 

 

 

Lonnie & Ashley Swafford

5109 Bannon Crossings Drive

Louisville, KY 40218

H: (502) 491-1992

M: (502) 609-2394

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20251206/bf4f2056/attachment.htm>