[nfbmi-talk] Fw: MCB Minutes - June 23, 2006

Tue Aug 9 15:53:05 UTC 2011

Hi Joe,

Thanks for the memories, but aside from all the warm fuzzies, what is the
message?  It would help my poor old feeble mind if you would suggest your
point in sending this out.  I do love seeing my name in print along with
members of my beloved family, one of whom is now in Minnesota providing good
services to blind people.  now I'm going to cry.  Gotta go, now.

Warm Regards,

Fred

-----Original Message-----
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On Behalf Of joe harcz Comcast
Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 11:37 AM
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Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Fw: MCB Minutes - June 23, 2006

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Kingaby, Tish (DLEG) 
To: MCB2020-L at LISTSERV.MICHIGAN.GOV 
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 1:41 PM
Subject: MCB Minutes - June 23, 2006

APPROVED

MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND
JUNE 23, 2006
VICTOR BUILDING
LANSING, MICHIGAN

MINUTES

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Ms. Jo Ann Pilarski, Chair                    Ms. Sheila Ashcraft

Mr. Richard Grant                                 Ms. Geri Taeckens

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT

None (Vacant position)

Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) STAFF PRESENT

Mr. Patrick Cannon                                Ms. Tish Kingaby

Ms. Melody Lindsey                              Mr. Leamon Jones

Mr. Fred Wurtzel                                    Ms. Susan Turney

Ms. Sherri Heibeck                                Ms. Diamalyn Gaston

Ms. Constance Zanger                          Ms. Lucy Edmonds

Mr. Joe Pelle                                          Ms. Judy Wallace

Mr. John McEntee                                 Mr. James Hull

GUESTS/ATTENDEES 

Ms. Irma Zuckerberg                             Ms. Kim Walsh

Mr. Doug Spade                                    Mr. Michael Clement

Mr. John Victory                                     Ms. Gwen Botting

Ms. Mary Wurtzel                                   Mr. J. J. Jackson

Ms. Valarie Barnum-Yarger                   Mr. George Wurtzel

Ms. Jeannette Brown                             Mr. Casey Dutmer

Mr. Bill Park                                            Mr. Carl Pilarski

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

The Committee of the Whole was opened by Chair Jo Ann Pilarski at 9:08 a.m.
The meeting was audiostreamed.

COMMISSIONER ACTIVITIES

          Ms. Geraldine Taeckens reported review of draft brochures that the
Image and Identity Team is proposing for statewide distribution.  Ms.
Taeckens participated in the weeklong Discovery Learning session held in
Escanaba the week of June 12, a training which focuses on demonstrating the
many ways people who are blind can use non-visual cues, especially in
orientation.  Ms. Taeckens said that the training was excellent.  She
commented on her perspective that staff and volunteers require constant
training on recognizing the needs of blind people to be independent, and not
provide help unless requested or under dangerous conditions.  Ms. Pilarski
said this would be a good subject for consumer dialogue.  Ms. Taeckens also
attended the Ad Hoc Committee on Training Center Services meeting held June
19, which she said was very productive and that good progress has been made
in three sessions.

          Ms. Sheila Ashcraft reported a visit to the Pontiac Lions Club, at
which she provided information on the Michigan Commission for the Blind
(MCB) website and placement opportunities for MCB clients.  Ms. Aschraft
also attended the MCB Service Delivery Focus Design Team meeting, which is
working on the Policy Manual as there are sections in the manual which need
addressing.  Ms. Ashcraft said attendance at that meeting by Ms. Jeanette
Brown, from Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services, Client Assistant
Program, was extremely helpful.  

Discussion was held regarding MCB's business networking practices, including
a recent meeting with Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and a
handout distributed to all of the account reps at that meeting which
describes the services provided by MCB and Michigan Rehabilitation Services
(MRS). 

          Mr. Richard Grant and Ms. Pilarski had no commission activity to
report.

ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR

Discussion was held regarding the election of a Vice Chair, to succeed
Commissioner J.J. Jackson who had resigned from the board, effective May 31,
2006.  Ms. Ashcraft was nominated by Mr. Grant and indicated she would
accept the nomination.

AUGUST MEETING

Discussion was held regarding logistics of travel to Escanaba for the August
21 meeting.  Commissioners Ashcraft and Grant indicated a wish to travel on
the state plane, if approved.

PREVIOUS ISSUES

Ms. Tish Kingaby reported that the One Stop Inclusion Workgroup Summary
Report on accessibility of the Michigan Works! Centers was distributed to
the board in late May, and read aloud a letter sent May 2 by Chair Pilarski
on behalf of the board and staff to Governor Granholm regarding the
disposition of funds from the sale of the previous Michigan School for the
Blind (MSB) property (letter attached).

Discussion was held as to whether the board had endorsed the request to the
Governor without full information, as the final language of the bill signed
by the Governor differed from the board's intent.  Progress was described to
the board of two separate bills, one of which had been proposed for Newsline
funding which was integrated into the MSB bill at the last hour on the
Senate floor.  Mr. George Wurtzel, Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind
(OUB), state they did not recommend this change. Representatives of both MCB
and OUB said that although they were pleased the majority of funds were
assigned to the Department of Education's MSB Trust Fund, and not the
State's General Fund, they were extremely surprised that the final
distribution earmarked 95 percent for use by Camp Tuhsmeheta (Camp T) with
the remaining 5 percent assigned to Newsline for the Blind of Michigan.  Ms.
Pilarski reiterated that she believed it was entirely appropriate for the
board to send their letter and its language was correct.

CONSUMER DIALOGUE

          Mr. John Victory opened the consumer dialogue session which allows
interaction between attending members of the public and the board and
assists in building trust and relationships.

Ms. Mary Wurtzel, NFB Lansing Chapter, said she believed Newsline had been
included in the MSB bill due to a deadline of June 30 for Newsline funding
and reiterated that NFB of Michigan did not advocate for any MSB proceeds to
go to Newsline.

Ms. Taeckens said that when she raises issues to do with MCB's efforts in
communicating abilities of blind people and MCB's growth and improvement in
this area, she meets with defensiveness and is often informed these efforts
are already being made.  Ms. Pilarski said that defensiveness is probably a
reasonable reaction as it is difficult for any hard-working professional who
already has many duties and expectations to be given direction or suggestion
on how they should be performing their job.

Ms. Gwen Botting read a letter, distributing copies to attendees, thanking
the board for their action in sending the letter to the Governor regarding
MSB proceeds and commending Mr. George Wurtzel's efforts in advocating for
these funds to go to the MSB Trust Fund. 

Mr. Casey Dutmer raised the issue of the Business Enterprise Program which
is encountering problems nationally, including the lack of highly skilled
workers, and how MCB could address the training needed to develop better
skilled workers with higher expectations.  

REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM

          The regular meeting was called to order at 11:05 a.m.  Roll call
was taken and a quorum was present.  Ms. Pilarski said that the board was
currently awaiting an appointment for the vacant commissioner position.  

MS. ASHCRAFT MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. TAECKENS, TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE
APRIL 24, 2006 MEETING, AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

PUBLIC COMMENT

          Mr. Casey Dutmer said that although nothing has yet been brought
to the attention of the board, he is concerned about the possibility being
discussed by the State of Michigan's Office of Retirement Services about
changes to the BEP retirement program, involving a change in the formula
using net income instead of net proceeds, which would lower vendor
retirement pensions by approximately 10 percent.  He believes that BEP
should be involved in discussions regarding any such proposed changes.

BOARD CORRESPONDENCE

          There was no Board correspondence.

MCB DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Mr. Cannon referred the Board to the written MCB Report and information
previously submitted to the Board and posted on the MCB website.  Mr. Cannon
specifically mentioned participation with Michigan Rehabilitation Services
(MRS) in the Partnership Forum; at which three key strategies were
identified to help promote employment of people with disabilities:
marketing, communications and information sharing, and soft skills
(employability and good work habits) training.

Mr. Cannon reported attendance at the spring meetings of the Council of
State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) and the National
Council of State Administrators for the Blind (NCSAB), at which the Randolph
Sheppard Act was a particular topic.  Scrutiny of the Business Enterprise
Program is being conducted by the Senate Committee on Health, Education,
Labor and Pensions which is looking at the value of the BEP and the possible
inclusion of other people with disabilities in the program.  The new program
monitoring and technical assistance by the Rehabilitation Services
Administration (RSA) was also discussed, and Mr. Cannon reported that RSA
would be conducting its first on-site visit to Michigan August 1-4 since its
reorganization.

Mr. Cannon also referred the board to the award won by MCB at the Lansing
Board of Water and Light's chili cook-off, the college prep program for
youth, and the Visions 2006 technology fair.  Mr. Cannon reported 35
participants in the mini adjustment program in Clare, with the next program
planned for Lansing the last week in August.  Mr. Grant commented on the
thoroughness of the MCB written report.

MR. GRANT MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. TAECKENS, TO ACCEPT THE DIRECTOR'S REPORT,
AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND ECONOMIC GROWTH REPORT

          Ms. Irma Zuckerberg, DLEG Acting Deputy Director, thanked the
board for their invitation to the meeting although, as announced in May,
this was her last day working for the State of Michigan. Ms. Zuckerberg said
she was joining the staff of previous DLEG director, David Hollister, at his
new organization, the Prima Civitas Foundation, which has a goal to
transform mid Michigan's economy, focusing on jobs of the future: homeland
security, advanced manufacturing, construction and skilled trades, health
care, and alternative energy and fuel cells.  

          Ms. Zuckerberg thanked Pat Cannon for his outstanding work,
advocating for people with vision impairment and for supporting MCB's goals
and mission.  With a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling, working both as a
vocational evaluator at Peckham with Mitch Tomlinson and as director of City
of Lansing Parks and Recreation Programs for People with Disabilities, Ms.
Zuckerberg said she had a long working relationship with Mr. Cannon.  She
said DLEG was very proud to have MCB in its department and was committed to
continuing its relationship with and support of the Commission.

          Ms. Zuckerberg reported on the recent successful meeting with the
MEDC account managers, which Mr. Cannon had requested, and the distribution
of a handout describing MCB and MRS services.  Ms. Zuckerberg said an
additional DLEG focus was communicating workforce development strategy and
that although emphasis is often placed on Michigan's job losses, it was also
a fact that many jobs had been created.  There are both job vacancies and
people who are unemployed, but there is a gap between the workforce
available and the highly skilled workers that businesses need and Ms.
Zuckerberg said it was vital to provide training to bridge this gap.  The
Michigan Opportunity Partnership, a DLEG initiative, exceeded last year's
goal to place 30,000 people in jobs and has a current goal to place 40,000
people. 

          Ms. Zuckerberg thanked the board, staff and director of MCB, and
said she hoped their paths would cross again.

MCB CONSUMER SERVICES REPORT

Mr. Leamon Jones, Director of the Consumer Services Division, highlighted
sections from the written MCB report, and reported that Consumer Services
works closely with numerous agencies, including Michigan School for the
Blind, which is developing programs for youth in transition with the goal of
a pilot program this fall to be implemented in the K-12 system. 

Mr. Jones said staff training continues, including the second phase of
Building Trust Relationships which involves having a coach go out with staff
to help develop employer relationships.  At the Clare mini adjustment
program, many local employers took place in mock interviews, which led to
job opportunities for participants.  Mr. Jones described the many summer
youth opportunities being offered in collaboration with many community
partners, information on which has been published and distributed statewide.

The number of cash match agreements with many partners has increased
significantly over last year, especially the Intermediate School Districts
which Mr. Jones said is extremely helpful in developing programs for youth,
especially in technology and soft skills training.  Collaboration with
community employment agencies is ongoing to assist in job placement for MCB
clients, including contracted assistance.

Mr. Jones said an ad hoc committee has been formed at MCB to survey careers
of the future and how MCB can adjust its programs to reflect the need to
fill these jobs, especially those regarding technology which is constantly
changing. 

In filing State Plans with the RSA, Mr. Jones reported a request made by the
RSA to amend language in a section of the Policy Manual Section XVI,
Administrative Policy, Item J-Serving People Who Are Employed, to reflect
the removal of any "absolute dollar amount" on services.  Discussion was
held regarding the suggested language which was provided to the board in the
commission packet.

MS. ASHCRAFT MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. GRANT, TO ACCEPT THE POLICY MANUAL
CHANGE, AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

          In conclusion, Mr. Jones presented a Certificate of Recognition
for twenty years of service to the State of Michigan to his secretary,
Diamalyn Gaston.

MR. GRANT MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. TAECKENS, TO ACCEPT THE CONSUMER SERVICES
REPORT, AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRPERSON

          Ms. Pilarski asked for nominations for a vice chairperson to the
commission board.  

MS. TAECKENS MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. GRANT, TO ELECT MS. ASHCRAFT AS VICE
CHAIRPERSON. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

          Mr. Cannon informed the board that Leader Dogs for the Blind had
invited MCB to hold its commission meeting at their facility, and that
although the 2007 meeting schedule had already been approved, Mr. Cannon
suggested that the February meeting be changed from Cadillac Place, Detroit
to the Rochester site.  The board agreed and Mr. Cannon said a revised 2007
meeting schedule, along with a proposed 2008 meeting schedule which would
include Cadillac Place, would be presented at the August commission meeting.

Recessed for lunch at 12:00 p.m.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

          The meeting was reconvened at 1:05 p.m.  

SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PROGRAM REPORT

Mr. Doug Spade, Liaison, and Mr. Mike Clement, Analyst, with the Department
of Management and Budget's (DMB) Supplier Diversity Program outlined the
establishment of their positions, and their duties which are to identify
disability-owned businesses, advise them of potential opportunities for
state contracting, and assist them in the Invitation To Bid (ITB) process.
This work involves their office in assistance to the Business Enterprise
Program.

Mr. Spade explained that 2005 Public Acts 90-91 were passed last summer
establishing a goal of awarding at least three percent of Michigan's
contract value to businesses owned by persons with disabilities or veterans
with service related disabilities, with a required annual report to the
state legislature by DMB on the progress of this goal.  Contracts of $25,000
or larger are bid through DMB's purchasing operations, with individual
departments handling bids of less than $25,000, and all existing contracts
are listed for reference on the website www.Michigan.gov/doingbusiness.  

Mr. Clements said much of their work so far has been updating the current
disability-owned vendor list and verifying that businesses are in fact
registered correctly.  Many companies were registered in error and work is
ongoing to improve the vendor registration format and eliminate
misinterpretation.  It is also hoped to improve the system to alert vendors
to the ITBs relevant to their business or service, rather than the present
system where the vendor must constantly check the ITB list.  Mr. Clement
also described the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC),
regionally located throughout Michigan to assist with all levels of
government contracting, with which they are also working closely.

AUDIO SERVICES FOR THE BLIND

Ms. Kim Walsh, Director of the Detroit Radio Information Service (DRIS)
WDET-FM, Wayne State University, gave information on the background of audio
services for the blind and the impact these services have on the audience.
Ms. Walsh has worked in radio reading industries for over twenty years, and
is also the First Vice President for the International Association of Audio
Information Services (IAAIS) which is an association of approximately 140
independently operated volunteer services that use audio technology to turn
print into speech, and which encourages the preservation of audio
information. Many of the operations in the United States are affiliated with
National Public Radio.

Ms. Walsh said radio reading services received legislative permission
approximately 30 years ago to use copyright material without express
permission.  In Michigan, WKAR's Radio Talking Book was the first service
founded, followed closely by the Detroit Radio Information Service (DRIS).
DRIS provides reading of more than 100 newspapers and magazines a week and
special targeted programming, such as access to public forums, support
groups, community events, and in special circumstances such as emergency
situations, access to timely information, etc. 

Ms. Walsh said the future direction for audio information services, besides
the radio which is a medium very much trusted by older citizens, includes
digital radio, webcasting, dial-in services, audio archives of newspapers
and the need for technology which is both accessible and affordable for the
audience.  Current estimates are that the weekly radio audience nationally
is more than a million people and it is believed that functional vision
impairment of adults 45 years of age or older will affect one in six
Americans, or almost 25 percent of the elder population that cannot read
print.  In Detroit, about 30,000 of the 128,000 senior citizens require
audio information services, not just radio reading, but also descriptive
video, audio description of stage plays, handbills, retailer flyers, etc.
Approximately 400,000 citizens in Michigan would benefit from such services,
which are not available at this time especially in rural areas.  Ms. Walsh
said equal access for all citizens to these services is a vital goal, for
instance through the purchase of reasonably priced radio receivers for
digital radio.  In closure, Ms. Walsh offered her services as a resource at
any time.

MCB TRAINING CENTER REPORT

Ms. Melody Lindsey, Director of the MCB Training Center, reported the hiring
of a new receptionist, Mary Carter, and that it was hoped to post the new
Technology Specialist position shortly.  Regarding technology, Ms. Lindsey
said that wireless technology had been installed at the center so that now
students could access the internet from their laptops in dorm rooms.  An
updated college assessment developed by a team of field and center staff has
been implemented which Ms. Lindsey said addresses current issues such as
technology for people who are going to college. 

At the NCSAB spring conference in April, Ms. Lindsey participated on a panel
on training centers for the blind, many of which have different approaches
to providing training services.  It is expected that training centers will
be a focus of the NCSAB fall meeting.  Ms. Lindsey also made a presentation
as a member of a panel on Independent Living, at which the MCB's mini
adjustment programs were described.  

Discussion was held about collaborative efforts with the State of Michigan
Office of Services to the Aging in providing independent living services to
older citizens. 

Ms. Lindsey said plans for the Quest for Success program at Camp T, July
23-28, were progressing well, with ten of the targeted twelve referrals
filled.  

In conclusion, Ms. Lindsey said that following seven years as Director of
the MCB Training Center, she was announcing her resignation in late summer
to take up a new position as director of the training center in Virginia.
Ms. Lindsey said it had been a privilege to work at MCBTC and that it has
been an extremely positive learning experience.  The board and director
expressed their congratulations and sorrow that she was leaving.

MS. TAECKENS MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. ASHCRAFT, TO ACCEPT THE MCB TRAINING
CENTER REPORT, AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM REPORT

          Mr. Fred Wurtzel, Manager of the Business Enterprise Program
(BEP), who announced his retirement in May, said it was fitting that the
Commission meeting June 23 was his last official duty.  Mr. Wurtzel was also
congratulated by the board and wished a happy retirement.  Mr. Wurtzel said
he expected to keep a positive relationship with MCB as he carried out more
fully his role as President of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of
Michigan.

          Mr. Wurtzel said that in the BEP, a new partnership agreement with
Kosch Food Services in Detroit had been established, which he said would be
very beneficial to the program's cafeterias following the catering policy
implemented in state government.  A catering exhibition is scheduled for
August 23 to which various catering customers throughout state government
will be invited. 

          As Mr. Thomas Kent, Chair of the Elected Operators Committee
(EOC), was unable to attend the meeting to present a motion from the April
EOC meeting, Mr. Wurtzel introduced Ms. Constance Zanger, assistant
administrator of the BEP.  Ms. Zanger read the motion, which did not require
action by the board and which concerns the publishing of operators'
promotion points to them following the annual workshop and that points be
made available to the operators for all future workshops.  Mr. Wurtzel said
staff agreed with this recommendation, and although it is currently a very
time consuming task, software upgrades to the system in January should
facilitate this task in future.

          Mr. Cannon said that Mr. Wurtzel had been a valuable asset to the
Vision 2020 Initiative as he often reminded the Planning and Quality Team
about the nature of blindness, as well as for his technical expertise, and
said that he would be missed for these contributions in addition to his
dedication to the BEP.

MR. GRANT MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. ASHCRAFT, TO ACCEPT THE BUSINESS
ENTERPRISE PROGRAM REPORT, AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

PUBLIC COMMENT

          Mr. Fred Wurtzel demonstrated a new reading device called the
Kurzweil NFB Reader which takes an instant picture of typed materials and
reads the text.

          Mr. Casey Dutmer complimented Ms. Lindsey on her work, especially
her involvement of both consumer organizations and willingness to be
open-minded, and Mr. Wurtzel on working with him at the BEP and on many
committees dealing with a variety of issues.

          Ms. Valarie Barnum-Yarger of the Statewide Independent Living
Council said she was very pleased with increased involvement by the blind
population and praised both MCB and Mr. Wurtzel, as a representative of NFB
of Michigan, for the resulting benefits to all people with disabilities.

ADJOURNMENT

MR. GRANT MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. ASHCRAFT, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.  THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

          The meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m.  The next meeting will be
held on Monday, August 21, 2006 at the State Office Building, second floor
conference room, 305 Ludington Street, Escanaba.  The meeting will begin at
9:00 a.m.

Jo Ann Pilarski, Chairperson

Date

(MCB Board May 2 letter to Governor follows)

May 2, 2006

The Honorable Jennifer M. Granholm

Office of the Governor

Romney Building, 2nd Floor

Lansing, MI 48933

Dear Governor Granholm:

At our meeting held in Kalamazoo on April 24, 2006, the board of the
Michigan Commission for the Blind adopted a motion in which we urge the
Office of the Governor and the Legislature of the State of Michigan to
deposit all of the proceeds from the sale of the former Michigan School for
the Blind (MSB) property in Lansing, into the Michigan Department of
Education's School for the Blind Trust Fund which was established for the
benefit of Michigan's blind children.

Currently, House Bill 5354, passed by the House April 27 and awaiting action
by the Senate, apportions only a minor amount to address the needs of the
blind population in Michigan, and in particular its blind children.  Ms.
Elizabeth Bauer, member of the Michigan State Board of Education, is in full
support of the proceeds being deposited to the MSB Trust Fund and
Superintendent Mike Flanagan has indicated his interest in this action.
These funds would provide urgent and long-term educational opportunities for
Michigan's blind children.  While these modest funds would mean a great deal
to blind children, depositing this money in the General Fund would be of
little significance to the State's overall budget.

On behalf of the Michigan Commission for the Blind and the blind citizens of
Michigan, we appeal to you to help direct these proceeds into the MSB Trust
Fund.

Sincerely,

Jo Ann Pilarski, Chair

Michigan Commission for the Blind

JP/tk

Cc:      Elizabeth Bauer, State Board of Education

            Patrick D. Cannon, Director, Michigan Commission for the Blind

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