[nfbmi-talk] Minutes, National Federation of the Blind of Michigan Board Meeting, Thursday, April 4 2013

[trising]

Minutes, National Federation of the Blind of Michigan Board Meeting, Thursday, April 4 2013

Quorum, yes Larry Posont, Mike Powell, Joe Sontag, Terri Wilcox, Mark Eagle, Nick Wilcox, Sarah Norwood and Dave Robinson. 

Secretary's Report, Terri Wilcox. Dave Robinson moved to adopt the March 14 Minutes. Mike Powell seconded the motion. The Minutes were approved.

Treasurer's Report, Mark Eagle. Approximately $83,000 is in the Affiliate account. We received another $18,000 from the bequest of Mary Lou Philips. Mike Powell moved to adopt the Treasurer's Report. Joe Sontag seconded the Report. The Treasurer's Report was adopted. 

Introduction of participating members

President's Report, Larry Posont. A letter was sent to Mike Zimmer about training of staff. The department and agency do not understand training for staff. Lisa Kieshel is directing the Training Center. A direction must be taken for a long term battle as long as federal rehabilitation money is used for an ATM. Ed Rogers said the Agency favors the Federation. This, of course, is not true. Training must come from outside the agency and must not be done by Western. We will never apologize for trying to get good services for blind people in the state. Ed Rogers said he is too busy to go to Kalamazoo for training. He is an administrator and does not understand blind rehabilitation. There has been more discussion with the National Office relating to Newsline. Solicitation has been discussed with the National Office but they do not want to do an audit. People in Grand rapids use Newsline. 

National Scholarships: Twelve scholarship applicants have applied from Michigan.

Currently, Michigan has one Jernigan Scholarship applicant.  

Assistance from the Affiliate, to attend National Convention, which is due by May 1. Eight have applied. 

Bsbp Advisory Meeting, March 28, Joe Sontag. The meeting consisted of committee meetings and Ed Rogers' vision for the Bureau of Services to Blind Persons. Consumer services still demonstrates a pronounced lack of employment opportunities for blind persons. Leamon Jones said he was unaware of a report generated by system seven, that showed blind people served and not served in each county. There is concern about Director Rogers issuing the command that all Training Center students must have a cookie cutter schedule of nine weeks. The Center will serve adults for 36 weeks a year, and serve youth the rest of the time. The National Federation of the Blind must prepare a plan of action at the May Board meeting. The National Federation of the Blind is the only organization that will be strong advocates and will stand up for blind people. Ed Rogers vehemently denies being in pity mode. There is supposed to be a plan developed that involves six performance criteria for Bureau of Services for Blind Persons employees. Mike Powell heard on TV about federal money that is supposed to be for the disabled being filtered into the general fund. Ed Rogers is looking for a Technology person. They are looking to hire someone at the Talking Book Library. We are planning a Board Meeting for May 18.

 New Business: A person is pedaling her way from DeWitt Michigan to Texas to demonstrate lack of services for deaf-blind people. A job as the Assistant to Chief Director of Lara was posted yesterday. The posting lasts until April 5. It is a civil service position. The National Federation of the Blind will demonstrate Newsline at the Michigan Association of Education and Rehabilitation Conference.

Mike Powel moved to adjourn the Board Meeting at 9:27. Nick Wilcox seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned.