[nfbmi-talk] we don't have a site yet?

[joe harcz Comcast]

Am I to assume by the section from the MCB Report (after my signature line) that MCB has not yet secured a location for its training center yet for next year during the renovation of the current facility? If this is correct then why is that and what are folks doing now and for the forseeable future?

Sincerely,

Joe Harcz

TRAINING CENTER REPORT

Training Center Move

Arrangements have been made for the Training Center to be entirely moved out of the Oakland Drive location on Saturday December 6th. A warehouse space is
being procured to store most of the Center’s possessions for the next year. There have been several months of exploration and negotiations to secure a
suitable alternative site to run the program at and staff is well on the way to securing a site in the Kalamazoo area. Classes are expected to resume at
the beginning of January.

Retirement

On the subject of moving, four of the Training Center staff are pursuing retirement at the end of the year after many years of dedicated service to Training
Center consumers.  Congratulations and thanks to Dave Greenwald, Bob Savage, Betty Lujan-Roberts and Barb Wile for all that you have done.

MCBTC Client Satisfaction Survey

Attached are the results of the most recent MCBTC Client Satisfaction Survey.  The Survey was conducted by phone by a staff member from the Michigan Commission
on Disability Concerns (MCDC).  One hundred and eighty nine students that attended MCBTC from March 2008 through August 2010 were contacted with 71 of
those (40%) that actually responded.

The Training Center staff should be proud of the results of this survey as it validates the excellent service they provide.   As a whole, the responses
were graded on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being the highest). Ninety-three percent of the respondents answered 4 or above that they would recommend this program
to a friend or relative who is blind or visually impaired.  This survey will be used as a baseline for the next survey scheduled to be completed next September.
 In addition, the survey information will be used by MCBTC staff for 2011 goals, objectives and strategic planning.

Community Involvement

The Center has again held a holiday charity auction raising over $4,000 to be given to local nonprofit organizations. Staff donated household items, collectibles
and other items which were bid on with enthusiasm.

New Sidewalk

MCBTC staff had a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new sidewalk that runs in front of the Training Center on Oakland Drive.  Bob Savage has been working
with the City of Kalamazoo for 3 years on this project and ironically this project was retired at the same time that Bob Savage is retiring.  The TC staff
provided Bob a plaque that expressed gratitude for his effort and aptly named the new sidewalk the “Robert C. Savage Miracle Mobility Mile”.