[nfbmi-talk] Quarterly Board Meeting Minutes for the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan

[trising]

Quarterly Board Meeting  Minutes for the National Federation of the Blind of 
Michigan

February, 20, 2010, 10 a.m.



Library of Michigan

702 W. Kalamazoo Street

Lansing, MI 48933



Call to Order by Larry Posont.

Quorum. Yes

Board Members include, President, Larry Posont, First Vice President, 
Michael Powell, Second Vice President, John Scott, Secretary, Terri Wilcox, 
Treasurer, Peter Zaremba, Dave Robinson, Melinda Latham, Marcus Simmons, and 
Matt McCubbin.

Secretary's Report. Terri Wilcox. Mike Powell moved and John Scott seconded 
the motion. The secretary's report was approved.

Treasurer's Report. Peter Zaremba. The final balance is $3111. The Newsline 
balance is roughly unchanged at $1287. Terri Wilcox motioned and Larry 
Posont seconded the motion. The treasurer's report was approved.

Introduction of participating members. There were approximately 35 members 
present.

President's Report.

Email address:

President.nfb.mi at gmail.com

Bep federal compliance. Pat Cannon said we were mean spirited in a memo to 
his staff and the Commission Board. We must do what is required to make the 
Commission an organization supporting blind people. After our convention Pat 
stopped the marksmanship class. Dave Robinson and Christine Boone were 
fired. The Commission is attempting to intimidate members of the Nfb and the 
Bep program. We filed for freedom of information and were denied due to 
Governor Privilege.

Actions to help ourselves and the Affiliate. Everyone needs to be on the 
Michigan list serve. If you do not have a computer, contact someone who does 
quite often in order to be kept updated with the current news of the 
affiliate. It is vital that we all work together to make our Michigan 
affiliate a success by taking on tasks we enjoy. We just released an open 
letter to the Governor because state bureaucracy has kept her insulated from 
us, her constituents. New members are being drawn to the Federation as a 
result of our increased activity, and by contacting us via the phone and 
email. Christine Boone was fired for the excellent marksmanship program. It 
changed attitudes of staff and students, giving confidence. Spring propelled 
pellet guns were safely used. Ex military and outdoor enthusiasts received 
increased confidence from the class. The program ran for two months. Only 
two students were in the class at a time. Christine Boone had a disciplinary 
hearing to discuss the marksmanship class in which she was permitted to hear 
the charges against her, but not permitted to give any defense. An attorney 
was present at her second disciplinary hearing but was not allowed to give 
any defense. The hearing was merely a formality in which to read the paper 
work that was already drawn up for her dismissal. The person who hears 
appeals and disciplinary hearings is the same. Cannon knew about the class 
but did not back up Christine Boone. Larry talked to Skip Prus about 
Christine Boone, Bep, and Dave Robinson. A person sent Pat Cannon an email 
urging him not to fight the organized blind movement. The Randolph Sheppard 
Program at the National level is interested because of all of the grievances 
and violations. There is a subpoena that Cannon fought and it was withdrawn. 
Most senior management will retire from the Commission. Christine Boone 
might be the next director and Cannon did not want her there. When Cannon 
heard about the class he said he thought it was off site. Cannon wants us 
kept in line. There will be a major article in the Kalamazoo Gazette and 
possibly Grand Rapids Press. Monday at 3-40 we will talk to the training 
center students. We were told not to talk about Christine Boone. However, we 
have freedom of speech. A picket of the Kalamazoo Training Center is 
scheduled on Tuesday. Dave Robinson made the motion and Marcus Simmons 
seconded to authorize $150 for expenses for the Kalamazoo picket. It was 
approved.

NFB Protest, January 29. The protest was effective. We had around 50 people 
there.

Letter to Jim Stokes, Governor's Appointment Secretary concerning future 
Commission appointments. Pat Cannon names the Commission Board and Larry has 
had two discussions with Jim Stokes. Stokes says if we want someone on the 
board we have to say who, but we will only support those we support. No one 
wants to rubber stamp Pat Cannon's ideas. The terms of both Mike Gino and 
Margaret Wolfe expire in October of 2010. The board does not really take 
consumer ideas and use them. Governor's approval is necessary to be on the 
board.

Dave Robinson is in the grievance process for his job. When Fred Wurtzel was 
the administrator of the Bep there was an occasional grievance. The 
grievances were mostly settled at the lowest level. Now, there are many more 
grievances and they are not settled until much higher in the process under 
the new administrator. The administrators do not care about the Bep 
operators. President's Meeting in Baltimore in March, 2010. Larry will be 
gone with 25 other state presidents the first week end of March. Please feel 
free to present ideas for strengthening the state affiliate.

 Discussion.--Should we break off our monthly meeting with Pat Cannon. 
Cannon does not take any action when communicating with us. We need to issue 
a press release stating Cannon is not bargaining in good faith. Cannon says 
the Nfb is out to destroy the Commission. We have documents on our website 
in support of the Commission for the Blind. We want the best possible 
services for blind people.

Committee Reports.

Website Committee. Marcus Simmons. There will be a committee meeting over 
the phone. Fred Wurtzel spoke with a web developer about fund raising. There 
will be a meeting called by Marcus Simmons Tuesday night, February 23.

Fund raising Committee. Fred Wurtzel. Two potential businesses through which 
we can raise funds by selling their products on our website are Nature's 
Finest Bounty and coffee sales. Larry has had discussions with Champion fund 
raising company. Marcus Simmons wrote a sales letter about coffee.

Membership Committee. Mike Powell. A meeting is planned for the next couple 
of weeks.

Legislative Committee/Legislative Breakfast, March 4, 2010. Dave Robinson. A 
fee of $600 is charged to use the Capitol. There is also a union protest on 
March 4. Michael Powell moves we look for another way to address the 
legislature. John Scott seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Newsline Report. Peter Zaremba. People are needed in each chapter to handle 
Newsline. Lansing State Journal is somewhat improved. The yearly cost is for 
Newsline is $65,000. We have funds to cover our part of the Newsline cost 
through the end of September. Funds from the Drier Foundation are being held 
for us but this will cover only 1/8 of the cost. There are new voices on 
newsline. 517-338-4064 is the number to contact for the help line.



Lunch was provided for $5.00 per person. Thank you Andrea Nelson. The 
affiliate will cover the rest of the cost.

Mcb/BEP Issues.

Discussion.--Lansing events. Larry Posont. We intend to develop a once a 
week protest in front of the Commission or governor's building along with a 
flier that explains what we are doing. The Merchant's Division has a meeting 
at Ponderosa on Saturday February 27 in order to discuss Bep issues. It was 
suggested that we support the kids by being at a table at the Braille-a-thon 
on June 22. Riverfront Theater is putting on a play on March 23 called 
Enchanted April. There will be a silent auction and refreshments at 6 p.m. 
Tickets are $20.

Discussion.--Letter to the Commission Board concerning their responsibility 
under Act 260. Mary Wurtzel, Marcus Simmons, and Gere Wilcox, are working on 
this letter which should be written by the board meeting on Thursday March 
4. The Commission Board has power to set policy and direction. A discussion 
occurred about the Commission Board being educated, and urged to fulfill 
their responsibility.

Discussion.--Newspaper articles about the protest. Lansing? Kalamazoo? Other 
Locations? Since the issues are in the papers, how can the Governor plead 
ignorance? Fred Wurtzel twitted Governor Granholm. Presidents  of the 
merchants division were removed from their jobs.

Discussion. The 20/20 proposal. Fred Wurtzel. Decision making should happen 
without confrontational communication. People can make recommendations and 
suggestions but everything has to be positive. There is a Commission board 
meeting on March 19 at 9 a.m. We need the board to make favorable changes 
for blind citizens. The meeting on March 20 will be run by a facilitator. 
Persons involved include: The Commission board, staff of the Bep, the 
Elected Operators Committee, and blind citizens such as all of us. Nine Bep 
facilities are on the bid line. Operators are being put into the 70 percent 
unemployment rate of the blind. Dave Robinson motions we give Larry freedom 
to communicate as he deems necessary. Fred suggests phrasing problems as 
questions.

Discussion.--Update on College policy January 29. Fred Wurtzel, Elizabeth 
Mohnke. The meetings do not seem to resolve issues regarding college policy. 
The issue of the memorandum of understanding is still not resolved when both 
the college and the Commission decide it is the other's responsibility. 
There is still a financial aid issue involving more bureaucracy. The 
Commission wants everyone to attend the training center before college. The 
time frame is still a problem. Scholarships are a dividing issue. The 
Commission board created an ad hoc committee to create a document. This 
document has to be read by Cannon and Leamon Jones before it goes back to 
the board. NFBMI members are urged to keep attending College Policy 
meetings. Elizabeth is attending meetings and doing a good job.

Discussion.--Events at Camp Tuhsmeheta for the first six months of 2010. 
March 12-14 Technology week end. Major vendors will network with parents and 
students. April will be How to succeed or Career Building week end. It will 
be held the week end after Easter. There is no age limit to attend. May is 
Gardening week end.

Washington Seminar. Sixteen people attended from Michigan. Those who 
attended include: Matt McCubbin, J.J. Meddaugh, Michael Torrez, Tyler 
Merren, Diana Mohnke, Ann Petrous, Laura White, Sheila Latham, Fred Wurtzel, 
Melinda Latham, and five youth.

 J.J. Meddaugh urges that we follow up on The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement 
Act.

Matt McCubbin says there will be a 2-year study on minimum accessibility 
standards for appliances. Another bill is being proposed on earnings limits 
for Social Security. Diana Mohnke urges us to call, write or email 
representatives and senators. Melinda Latham, Fred Wurtzel, and five youth 
went to Washington Seminar. Melinda Latham got a $5000 grant which made it 
possible for the children to attend Washington Seminar. The kids who 
attended are high partial and need blindness education and training.

Old Business.

State Convention. Marcus Simmons motioned and Michael Powell seconds the 
Convention be at the Doubletree in Dearborn. The hospitality room is $100. 
Room rates are $85. The motion passes.

 Discussion.--Twelve seniors live in one senior high rise so a senior 
seminar is suggested for Friday and Saturday. The registration and banquet 
can be done electronically on the website.

New Business. The Kalamazoo public libraries worked with the Kalamazoo 
Chapter and got Zoom text. They will get other technology. There is a social 
gathering for people after the goal ball tournament on February 27. Lansing 
Chapter officers include, president, Dave Robinson, Vice President, Diana 
Mohnke, Secretary, Mary Wurtzel, Treasurer, Gere Wilcox. Board Members 
include: Kimberly Mohnke and Larry Woods.   Major problems exist with 
Lansing Community College which include getting books on time and the 
accessibility of technology.

Detroit Chapter Officers. John Scott, president, Sarah Norwood, Vice 
President, Pauline Smith, Secretary, Shana Smith, Treasurer, Carrie Bradley 
and Leonard Gross. Board members. Someone from each chapter is needed to 
work together on arranging transportation from Michigan to Dallas for 
convention this summer.

Western Wayne County Chapter Officers. Donna Posont, President,

vice president - Marcus Simmons

Treasure - Sharon Kingsbury

Karen Simmons, Secretary, Bob Rehahn, Senora Clifton, Reggie Alvarado, Board 
Members. Fund raisers for Western Wayne County involve working concessions 
for 10 Tiger games and eating at Senate Coneey Island, where the owner will 
donate some of the proceeds to the  chapter.

There were 36 people at the Western Wayne County chapter meeting in 
February.

Kalamazoo Chapter Officers. President, Tyler Merren, Secretary, Leanne 
Merren, Vice President, Matt McCubbin, Meghan O Roark, Treasurer. Board 
members include: J.J. Meddaugh and Christine Boone.

To be an imaginator go to www.raceforindependence.org or call the national 
office or contact Diana Mohnke.

The student Division will hopefully have a state scholarship.

Contact Nick Wilcox to get your chapter signed up for a chapter list serve.

For a college scholarship contact Larry Posont.

For a Jernigan Scholarship contact a chapter or state president to write a 
letter for you.

The next Board Meeting is on March 4 at 8-30. p.m.

Adjourn after 3 p.m.

Thanks for being involved in the NFB of Michigan. Together, we are changing

what it means to be blind in Michigan.

President, Larry Posont

President.nfb.mi at gmail.com

Vice President, Michael Powell

mpowell at wowway.com

Second Vice President, John Scott

jcscot at sbcglobal.net

Secretary, Terri Wilcox

trising at sbcglobal.net

Treasurer, Peter Zaremba

peter_zaremba at yahoo.com

Board Member, Marcus Simmons

Marcussimmons302 at att.net

Board Member, Dave Robinson

brightsmilebleaiec at -cast.net

Board Member, Melinda Latham

youthslammi at yahoo.com

Board Member, Matt McCubbin

mgoalball at gmail.com