[nfbmi-talk] May 14, 2011 Minutes

[J.J. Meddaugh]

This all makes sense to me and would be consistent with what most other 
organizations I see do as far as approving minutes.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Elizabeth" <lizmohnke at hotmail.com>
To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2011 7:41 PM
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] May 14, 2011 Minutes


> Thank you for sending out these minutes. However, the discussion about the 
> scholarship committee that occurred during the beginning of the meeting is 
> not reflected accurately in these minutes. Although some discussion did 
> take place, there were no motions or decisions made regarding the 
> scholarship program at this meeting. As the chair of this committee, I do 
> not recall ever being asked about who was serving with me on this 
> committee. The committee was formed well before this meeting, and I was 
> never contacted by Brunhilde Merck-Adam about being a part of this 
> committee.
>
> I honestly believe it would be good practice to start approving the 
> minutes for board meetings consecutively instead of treating the minutes 
> from the face to face board meetings separately. I believe treating the 
> face to face minutes separately only seems to create problems and 
> confusion among members. I do not know of any organization that treats the 
> minutes from face to face meetings any differently than a meeting that 
> takes place over the phone, so why should we be any different? It would 
> seem to me that as long as there is a quorum, then a board meeting is a 
> board meeting regardless of where and how it takes place.
>
> It only seems to confuse things when we discuss and decide things in one 
> of the phone conferences, and then it appears different in the minutes 
> from the face to face meetings. If we have continued to discuss and vote 
> on an issue, then why should we have to go back and rectify what was 
> posted in the minutes from the face to face meetings? It seems to me that 
> this only brings up a he said she said battle, and since so much time has 
> passed since the meeting, there really is no good way to rectify this 
> situation. Therefore, I believe in order to prevent these kinds of 
> situations from happening again in the future that we begin to approve the 
> minutes from board meetings on a consecutive basis. I believe this 
> practice would help promote a more positive relationship among all group 
> members.
>
> Respectfully,
> Elizabeth
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: <trising at sbcglobal.net>
> Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2011 7:00 PM
> To: "NFBofMichigan List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [nfbmi-talk] May 14, 2011 Minutes
>
>> National Federation of the Blind of Michigan Board Meeting May 14, 2011 
>> Minutes, 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
>> St. Paul's Lutheran Church
>> Quorum yes Larry Posont, Mike Powell, Melinda Latham, Terri Wilcox, Mary 
>> Wurtzel, Marcus Simmons, and Dave Robinson.
>> Secretary's Report, Terri Wilcox. Fred Wurtzel moved to adopt the 
>> Secretary's Report. Mike Powell seconded the motion. The Secretary's 
>> Report was approved.
>> Treasurer's Report, Mary Wurtzel. We will be getting a new Youth Outreach 
>> account.
>> The affiliate account had $4323.71.
>> The Newsline account had $1329.35.
>> The youth account had $1035.43.
>> We subtract the youth money and have $3288.2.
>> Marcus Simmons moved to adopt the Treasurer's Report. Dave Robinson 
>> seconded the motion. The Treasurer's Report was approved. The money for 
>> the Michigan Scholarships was discussed. Brunhilde Merck-Adam may have 
>> $2,000 of Scholarship money. The Scholarship money would be divided in 
>> the following manner, one $1,000 Scholarship and 2 $500 Scholarships. The 
>> Scholarship Committee is Elizabeth Mohnke, Donna Posont, and Brunhilde 
>> Merck-Adam.
>> Introduction of participating Members
>> President's Report, Larry Posont. On Friday, Larry Posont had training as 
>> a member of the Commission Board. He was trained with many Commission 
>> employees. Steve Arwood is above Pat Cannon. The Commission is now under 
>> Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. He had training on 28 separate issues. 
>> Some of these included: conflict of interest, and the bylaws, which need 
>> to be changed because they give too much power to the Director and the 
>> Commission Board Chair. They discussed the Training Center and every 
>> aspect of the training program. The budget is to be discussed at an extra 
>> training meeting. Larry Posont asked for financial information for 
>> 2008-2011. The agency is not broke. Last year, they had 1.2 million left 
>> in Case Services money. Each year, they have Case Services money left 
>> over. The Business Enterprise Program has money left as well. Last year, 
>> they lapsed over two hundred thousand dollars in operational money. The 
>> agency spent 48 percent more than they budgeted to fund other state 
>> agencies. Joe Harcz got the budget through Freedom of Information and 
>> gave it to Larry Posont. Meanwhile, blind people are denied services. 
>> Several excuses were given about why Business Enterprise Money was held 
>> back. Pat Cannon is trying to down grade the Commission for the Blind 
>> Board. Larry Posont does not believe he will achieve this down grade, 
>> because the Board has more power than they have ever used under Public 
>> Act 260. The legislative budget has two line items one for agency 
>> operations, and one for Training Center remodeling. The Commission for 
>> the Blind Board needs to be more involved in the budget. The National 
>> Federation of the Blind of Michigan needs to take action now.
>> Geri Taeckens resigned and the position will be filled by the June 
>> Commission Board Meeting. Send things to the Commission and the 
>> Commission Board in writing.
>> August Board Meeting. The next Board Meeting is August 6 from 10:00 to 
>> 4:00 P.M. at the Clarion Hotel in Kalamazoo. Lunch will be served. 
>> National and State Conventions. National Convention will be held in 
>> Orlando on July 3-8. The rooms in the primary hotel are full. Call the 
>> main hotel to schedule rooms in the over flow hotel. There may be a 
>> shuttle across to a market for a small fee. Our table in the exhibit room 
>> at National Convention is selling Leelanau Coffee. The Board allocated 
>> $600 to ship 100 bags of coffee and assorted confections to the hotel. 
>> Mike Powell made the motion, and it was seconded by Mary Wurtzel. Tote 
>> bags and back packs will also be sold. A product and price list will be 
>> available in Braille and print. Please recruit people to work the table. 
>> We need workers to volunteer at Independence Market. Mary Wurtzel and 
>> Georgia Kitchen volunteered for this. Larry Posont will ask for a caucus.
>> State Convention is the first weekend in November. Food prices are 
>> reasonable. Rooms are $79.99 per night. The Commission is moving out but 
>> they are two weeks behind schedule. The time for the Resolutions 
>> Committee has not yet been determined.
>> Conducting the Parents Seminar around our other Convention activities 
>> both on Friday and Sunday gives parents a chance to get acquainted with 
>> the organization. A motion was made to have a Parent's Seminar on Friday 
>> evening and Sunday afternoon. Fred Wurtzel made the motion, and was 
>> seconded by Mike Powell.
>> Expenses for the Seminar must come through the President and to the 
>> Board. Melinda Latham will organize the Parent Seminar. Brunhilde Merck 
>> Adam, Diana Mohnke, Mary Wurtzel, and Mike Baer will assist her with
>> various aspects such as child care and conferring with the hotel.
>> Youth Outreach, National Convention. Youth are attending National 
>> Convention through Youth Outreach. They leave July 2, and return July 10. 
>> Rooms are reserved for youth. Tickets will be purchased within a week. 
>> Two parents are attending. If you are interested in helping youth, 
>> contact Melinda Latham. The youth are selling tee-shirts.
>> Bridge Walk. We will walk the Mackinac Bridge, along with other fun 
>> activities, from September 1-5. We will stay in Traverse City at a YMCA 
>> Camp arbutus. Thursday we will depart in the evening. The price is not 
>> yet established. Melinda Latham is working with Low Incidence Outreach. 
>> Recruit youth and mentors. The camp is a good deal. We will stay in a log 
>> building. Everyone must bring bedding.
>> State Convention. Melinda Latham and Diana Mohnke will be in charge of 
>> children's and youth activities.
>> Brunhilde Merck Adam, Students are not getting transition plans. On 
>> average, in eleventh grade in reading blind students without other 
>> disabilities test at the same level as sighted students. Blind students 
>> are seven points behind in science in eleventh grade. Blind students are 
>> very behind in math. Numbers are not available concerning the numbers of 
>> Braille readers versus large print readers. We also do not know how many 
>> blind students took the MEAP test. There is a new MEAP for multipply 
>> disabled students with fewer choices and fewer questions. College surveys 
>> will come out in the fall. Text book publishers from outside the U.S. do 
>> not feel like they must comply with our Copyright laws in giving access 
>> to files for special formats for students.
>> Donations at National Convention. Dave Robinson made a motion to donate 
>> $100 each to the Jernigan, White Cane, and Imagination Funds. Mike Powell 
>> seconded the motion. The motion was adopted. Coffee will be donated for 
>> door prizes.
>> Newsline. We must talk to the legislature about House Bill 4314. The 
>> Chairman of the Subcommittee is reluctant to change the Bill. Many people 
>> are doing much work. Marcus Simmons sent letters to Lions Clubs. Georgia 
>> Kitchen urges us to sign more people up for Newsline. The Commission 
>> could fund Newsline through stimulus and other sources. We could show the 
>> Commission's budget to the legislature, but that may cause cuts. The 
>> legislature needs to see the letter and be educated about Newsline. Larry 
>> Posont wants members to volunteer for projects of interest.
>> Nature's Finest Bounty Report. We are urged to, "buy coffee!" We may need 
>> to set up our own Nature's Finest Bounty Website. Baker College Students 
>> might be able to be hired for this.
>> Consumer Involvement Committee Report. A Commission Counselor took leave, 
>> but did not notify many of her clients. Larry Posont followed up and 
>> asked about the policy for contacting clients while going on leave. Fred 
>> Wurtzel asked if any money was spent at Lee's Inn. The first time, the 
>> agency said no. The second time they were asked, they admitted to 
>> spending $3000. There is no money for Consumer Involvement Committee 
>> members for food and transportation. However, other committees have 
>> funding. It is proposed to add Blinded Veterans representatives to the 
>> Consumer Involvement Committee and increase the Parent's group 
>> involvement. The staff liaison is Susan Turney and the Secretary is Carey 
>> Martin. Commission staff cause conflicts that result in many canceled 
>> appointments. Document all encounters with Commission personnel.
>> Legislative committee Report, Mary Wurtzel. The Legislative Committee 
>> urges us to speak with Legislators. Legislative day is May 18. We plan to 
>> meet at The State Plate at 9:15 to 9-30 to set up teams to visit the 
>> offices of our Representatives. Georgia Kitchen wonders what we should 
>> ask for, and how much in funding from our Legislators concerning 
>> Newsline. Larry Posont believes we should urge the Commission for the 
>> Blind to pay for Newsline. Legislators should see all the unspent money 
>> in the Commission for the Blind budget. Then, they could use it to fund 
>> Newsline. However, if they see unspent money they may trim the 
>> Rehabilitation budget.
>> The Lansing Chapter is growing and getting together with parents and 
>> blind kids. During the third week of August, they will have a picnic.
>> The Merchants Division is quite active. They are busy dealing with 
>> Business Enterprise grievances. They had a workshop and will have another 
>> meeting on May 21. They intend to have a fund raiser to sponsor a bus to 
>> Blast which is at the Nashville Airport Mariott. This conference 
>> addresses business relating to Randolph Sheppard and other 
>> entrepreneurial affairs. It is $50 cheaper to register before August 15.
>> Membership. Kimberly Mohnke is working on the master list of individuals 
>> from the last several State Conventions. This is a great source of 
>> potential members. Let Kimberly know if you want to be a part of an At 
>> Large Chapter.
>> Reggie Alvarado says that Western Wayne County is selling books for 
>> children with their names in them. They are also selling cherries. They 
>> had a chocolate fountain during their last meeting. They have $700 for 
>> chapter members to go to National Convention. Members are still 
>> participating in the Birding by Ear class.
>> Ann Arbor had an excellent Job Seminar on March 12. We had an excellent 
>> Structured Discovery Training Seminar on April 9. We plan to have a pool 
>> party in August.
>> Camp Tuhsmeheta. Braille Camp, June 19-25. Culinary Camp, June 26, July 
>> 1. Science Camp, July 24-30. We are trying to determine what can be paid 
>> for by the camp and by the grant. Culinary Camp needs leaders. Each camp 
>> needs volunteers. We get information from kids because they give it to 
>> us. The state of Michigan is pulling the license. The state is 
>> responsible for complying with camp laws. We want contact information on 
>> kids attending our camps. We want a budget for each camp. We need people 
>> to be on the Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind Board. What we do at 
>> Camp Tuhsmeheta is valuable. There was a motion to have one contact 
>> person between National Federation of the Blind of Michigan and 
>> Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind for
>> our Three Camps. Elizabeth Mohnke made a motion to have one appointed 
>> person as a contact between National Federation of the Blind of Michigan 
>> and Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind for our three Camps, Braille, 
>> Culinary, and Science. Also, there will be a budget signed by
>> National Federation of the Blind and Opportunities Unlimited for the 
>> Blind before camp begins. We will also receive contact
>> information for campers attending our three camps. Dave Robinson seconded 
>> the motion. Larry Posont appoints Christine Boone as
>> our contact person. The motion was approved.
>> Discussion on Commission for the Blind
>> Presentation at the June 17 Commission Meeting. Mike
>> Powell, Dave Robinson, Terri Wilcox. Larry Posont stepped out of the room 
>> at this time.
>> The Commission Board needs to respond to expectations. We expect the 
>> Board to take responsibility and be in control and take actions that best 
>> meet the needs of blind consumers. In our opinion recently power has been 
>> deferred to the director. Policy should be written that requires quality 
>> services for Michigan's blind children. The Commission has not taken 
>> necessary steps to support Children's Services as mandated by Pa. Act 
>> 260. There is a lack of support to parents and school systems regarding 
>> blind, deaf blind and multipply handicapped children. Programs need to be 
>> overseen and gaps need to be filled. Commissioners and blind Consumers 
>> need to be given materials such as budgets and the State Plan in an 
>> accessible format, in a timely manner, without their having to obtain 
>> pertinent information through Freedom of Information Requests.
>> Training of staff. Policy statement the Board should consider? Staff that 
>> are hired should have more immersion and extensive training under sleep 
>> shades. New hires need 600 hours of training. Rehabilitation counselors 
>> should have training in the Rehabilitation Act and have a clear 
>> understanding of issues blind individuals encounter. Training should have 
>> a positive philosophy about blindness. There should be an understanding 
>> about blind consumer's inclusion in their vocational goals. Trainees 
>> should know what constitutes a competent blind person. Hiring practices 
>> of unqualified candidates should be questioned. A perspective employee 
>> should have a positive philosophy of blindness. Hiring practices should 
>> reflect the attitude and philosophy that is put forth in the training.
>> Consult bylaws that defer too much power to the director. The bylaws give 
>> power to the director, rather than the Commission Board. Investigate the 
>> bylaws to make sure the Board's role conforms with Public Act 260.
>> The budget is on target for staff but expenditures for case services and 
>> stimulus money is down. The Board must figure out why this is happening.
>> The Client assistance program is not functioning in its capacity of being 
>> an advocate for blind citizens. The Board needs to investigate the 
>> agency's role and make sure it complies with the Rehabilitation Act.
>> We recommend that the Board establish a policy on job development. 
>> Greater employability of blind people needs to be achieved. A new 
>> approach to job development is needed.
>> The Board needs to show support for the program to make the jobs that are 
>> available within the Business Enterprise Program economically viable for 
>> blind operators. Launch a full investigation into the viability of 
>> Business Enterprise Program locations with results given to the 
>> Commission Board. We should petition the Commission Board to do the just 
>> thing and restore Christine Boone to her job. The  arbitrator said that 
>> Dave Robinson was fired because of his affiliation with the National 
>> Federation of the Blind. The Commission needs to allow people to make 
>> choices in the college policy. Self determination is vital. We want the 
>> Board to deal with issues and give immediate results with recommendations 
>> and a time line. We need a bulleted list of demands and expectations. 
>> Goals or benchmarks concerning spending should be in the high nineties in 
>> categories dealing with services to individuals. Twenty-five to 33 
>> percent of the entire Commission budget should go to individuals, rather 
>> than other state agencies. A person receiving Social Security is not to 
>> be required to use it for certain things. The Commission Board needs to 
>> take action to get rid of the management of the agency. We cannot get 
>> discouraged even if we lose. We cannot protect people doing a bad job. 
>> Cannon only recorded Larry Posont at the Business Enterprise workshop. 
>> Mike Powell will present the introduction and explain why we are the 
>> National Federation of the Blind. Terri Wilcox and Mary Ann Robinson will 
>> read. The tone needs to be set and violations of the law noted. Fred 
>> Wurtzel intends to write. The college policy is also important and ties 
>> in with our state resolution. We are the strongest advocates for blind 
>> people and we need to clearly lay out our positions and expectations. The 
>> document should be a call to action. Fred Wurtzel and Marcus Simmons join 
>> the Commission presentation Committee. Establish fairness for everyone. 
>> Support our policy of empowering blind people. We will put our document 
>> on our website.
>> Monitoring Report. Pat Cannon sent Larry Posont an update on the 
>> Monitoring Report. He notified Rsa and they have not responded. John 
>> Scott sent Pat Cannon an email requesting transcripts of Dave Robinson's 
>> case. We want Sherri Heibeck to stop changing things at the Training 
>> Center. Staff have multiple skills but are master of none. We inquired if 
>> any blind people are being interviewed for Orientation and Mobility 
>> positions. After a long hesitation, we were told one. Sighted men are 
>> being hired for Orientation and Mobility positions. John Scott asked for 
>> documents and said he would go to the Bar if he did not get information. 
>> It is the responsibility of the Commission for the Blind to give it to 
>> him. The Commission Board should have influence in budgetary matters with 
>> the Michigan Commission for the Blind. Cannon claimed not to know that 
>> Dave Robinson or Christine Boone are part of the National Federation of 
>> the Blind. Christine Boone's arbitrator asked for a three week extension. 
>> There was nothing mentioned about the State Plan or college and high 
>> school assessments. No cap is allowed for accommodations for college 
>> support. In rehab, if you can justify it you can have it. The Commission 
>> and Lansing Community College's Memorandum of Understanding is not 
>> working. The Commission for the Blind is not helping concerning 
>> grievances with Lansing Community College. In the past, the Commission 
>> Board did not get involved with client issues. We are changing that 
>> understanding. The Commission does not want us involved with clients, but 
>> our intervention does work. If you are a member of, or promoted by a 
>> member of this organization, you are not served by the Commission for the 
>> Blind. Notify the organization set up by Schuette that is trying to 
>> eliminate corruption in state government. Blind people should have 
>> ownership of hardware and software purchased for them by the Commission 
>> for the Blind. The Commission seems to own it for three years. It is in 
>> the Policy Manual. Pat Cannon and Leamon Jones are civil servants. There 
>> were nine cash matches in Larry Posont's training documents. MRS sent 
>> back six to eight million in cash match agreements. Larry Posont believes 
>> that they could not come up with state match dollars. The Commission for 
>> the Blind may be doing this as well. Money is allocated for services to 
>> students who do not see these services. The authority level and spending 
>> level are different. Close to thirty million is allocated for this 
>> agency.
>> Blast Conference Nashville Tennessee, September 2011. Let Larry Posont 
>> know if you plan to attend. Rooms are $113 plus tax.
>> Adjourn soon after 4:00 P.M.
>>
>>
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