[nfbmi-talk] Minutes Quarterly Board Meeting, National Federation of the Blind June 1 2013

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	Minutes Quarterly Board Meeting, National Federation of the Blind June 1 2013
Quorum, yes Larry Posont, Mike Powell, Joe Sontag, Terri Wilcox, Mark Eagle, Nick Wilcox, Dave Robinson and Sarah Norwood.
Secretary's Report, Terri Wilcox. Mike Powell moved to approve the Agenda. Sarah Norwood seconded the motion. The Agenda was 
approved. Dave Robinson moved to adopt the January 26 Quarterly minutes. Mike Powell seconded the motion. The January Quarterly 
Minutes were approved. Dave Robinson moved to approve the May 14 Minutes. Joe Sontag seconded the motion. The May 14 Minutes were 
approved.
Treasurer's Report, Mark Eagle. The general account of the Michigan Affiliate contains $121,936.02. The Newsline account contains 
$1,784.00. The lottery commission requires a letter stating that the Michigan Affiliate will get an audit. The lottery Commission 
requires documentation of over sight of Affiliate funds. The National office does not do audits on Affiliates. Larry Posont will 
write a letter to Charlie Brown. Dave Robinson moved to adopt the Treasurer's Report. Sarah Norwood seconded the motion. The 
Treasurer's Report was approved.
Introduction of participating members
President's Report, Larry Posont. The advisory board is a puppet board. The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan will not 
back away from its duty to take on the Agency. It took seven emails to get Rodgers to address Newsline. Rodgers is even questioning 
the consumer's choice to attend certain training programs. When the agency does not do their job The National Federation of the 
Blind will picket. 3,100 people are subscribed to Newsline. Only 6,000 blind people out of 50,000 are being served. The job service 
on Newsline is not being used by many people. The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan does not want a welfare system for 
blind people and will send out a policy statement written by us. The Governor's office did not want blind people on the rehab 
council. Mary Lou and Al Philips paid 18,000 to complete their bequest. A discussion occurred about whether the National Federation 
of the Blind of Michigan should donate half to the National office. Dave Robinson moved that we retain the 18,000 based upon later 
need. Nick Wilcox seconded the motion. The motion was approved.
Presidential Correspondence, Larry Posont. Newsline must be fully funded. The general rehab agency lapsed 8 million. The National 
Federation of the Blind of Michigan would like access to the list of organizations that have requested money from the Bureau of 
Services for Blind Persons. Pat Cannon gave Radio Reading Service money even though it is not a state wide program like Newsline. 
Joe Sontag tried to get Newsline in to the state wide budget via appropriations in a line item. This is another way to attack the 
National Federation of the Blind of Michigan. Ed Rodgers is micromanaging the agency in regards to choice. Ed Rodgers scrutinizes 
any budget item over $1,000.
Legislative Report, Joe Sontag. An attack on the Business Enterprise Program came through the Legislature via House Bill 4256 on 
Valentine's Day. House Bill 4549 allows the private sector to sue if they feel that state government is in competition with them. 
Everyone is protected except the blind. Joe Sontag briefly testified before the House Oversight committee for a bill that prevents 
Licensing and Regulatory Affairs from charging outrageous fees for processing Freedom of Information Requests.  The National 
Federation of the Blind of Michigan was named in the paper. Joe Sontag tracks the Legislature almost daily. Visibility at the 
Legislature will help our cause.
Discussion: Guide Dog Laws in Michigan. Our state law has some things pertaining to Guide Dogs that do not work with The Americans 
with Disabilities Act. All state laws pertaining to Guide Dogs were requested from Leader Dog. The information was needed by the 
Guide Dog line sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind. Guide Dog law has not been addressed in a long time and must be 
updated with the Legislature.
The caucus for Michigan at National Convention is Monday, July 1 from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM. It will be held in the Salon 7 room. 
Those receiving assistance from the Affiliate should pick it up at the Caucus. Hope to see you there!!
List of Individuals Attending National Convention. People who receive assistance will get debit cards at the caucus. The main hotel 
is full. room rates went up to $79.
National Convention Fund Raisers, Cinnamon Almonds, tote bags and balloons. The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan will 
sell cinnamon almonds for $4.00. Tote bags will be sold for $15. If there is money in balloons we will sell them as well. Lillian 
Quickly is spearheading our exhibit table this year. Her contact information is Lillian Quickly 313-587-7866 luckylillian at att.net 
Please sign up to work at the exhibit table.
Donations to National Funds: Terri Wilcox moved that the Affiliate gives $100 each to the Imagination, White Cane, Sun, TenBroek and 
Jernigan Funds. Mike Powell seconded the motion. The motion was approved.
Donation to National Federation of the Blind Camp? Dave Robinson moved to send $100 to National Federation of the Blind child care 
Camp. Mike Powell seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Leadership Seminar. Dr. Maurer and Larry Posont have exchanged emails concerning a Leadership Seminar for Michigan. A bus will pick 
up people in Lansing and Detroit. The Michigan Leadership Seminar attendees will go to Baltimore on Thursday and leave at noon on 
Sunday. The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan will pay for the bus. A small fee will be charged to each participant. An 
email was sent to the board concerning content at the Leadership Seminar. The Leadership Seminar will either be in September or 
November.
Organization of Grand Rapids Chapter. The first meeting will be July 20 at the Airport Hilton from 10:00 to 3:00. Participants will 
have lunch and then the meeting at 1:00.
The August Quarterly Board Meeting will be on August 17 at the Hilton Airport Hotel from 10:00 to 4:00.
Braille Camp, July 16-21, Terri Wilcox. Braille Camp will involve improving students Braille reading speeds and introducing the 
slate and stylus. Each student will have an embossed Braille book to take home plus several donated books. We will take a field trip 
emphasizing Braille and go to a restaurant with a Braille menu. Students will read the menu in Braille at meals for their peers. The 
budget must be obtained because the Board would like to approve the budget for Camps.
Chapter Reports. Jackson's new chapter has 18 members. The Chapter is planning and educating the community via an information fair. 
The Chapter is reaching out to the community and educating new people. It is hoped that new chapter members attend State Convention 
and board meetings. The Jackson Chapter meets the second Thursday at 6:30, at Steve's Ranch. The Detroit Chapter honored member Vera 
Brooks. The Detroit Chapter is raising money to get a bus for State Convention. On June 15, from  1:00 to 3:00 the Lansing Chapter 
is working the Parade of homes. The money is divided between nonprofits. The Lansing Chapter is also having a spaghetti dinner. They 
meet the third Monday of each month at the Sparrow Professional Building. The Wayne County Chapter has 7 new members. They meet the 
first Saturday of each month from 2:00 to 4:00. Their fund raising has been centered around the auction at the end of each meeting. 
The Ann Arbor Chapter meets the second Saturday from 12:00 to 3:00 at Pizza Pinos. The Ann Arbor Chapter had a dinner at the 
Ypsilanti Moose Lodge for fund raising. On June 8, the Chapter may have Steve Delongchamp demonstrating new voting equipment at our 
meeting. It is a possibility that the National Guide Dog President may attend.
Policy Statement, Bureau of Services for Blind Persons. The training for new vendors was adequate until 2010. Terry Eagle's program 
that used to assist blind people to find and keep good jobs is not working. Terry Eagle was changed to the senior blind program at 
age 55. It is suggested that sections such as Senior blind, Youth, transition, employment and vending should be stand alone 
documents in the policy. The potential number of blind citizens 65 and older is 4,400 new blind seniors each year. Widely distribute 
the document to the public and let the people respond. The National Federation of the Blind has the power to make a difference. One 
of our members must be at the Capitol every time the Legislature meets. Pat Cannon wanted to merge the Commission for the Blind with 
the General agency. If the Commission for the Blind had gone into the Department of Human Services Cannon would have been head of 
the Agency for the Blind. Join with us on the barricade. We will not give up. Mary Ann Robinson suggests that the policy statement 
be short and concise because people will get lost. Dave Robinson wants Resolutions in the Position paper. Newspaper coverage is 
suggested. Ray Roberson urges the reestablishment of the Commission under Public Act 260. Use Facebook or other social media to 
distribute the policy. The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons may hire a franchise at the State Plate. Currently, the National 
Federation of the Blind does not have a legislator who will stand with us but a position statement will help. The policy statement 
should be placed in government publications. The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan must influence Legislators who can 
demand federal and state oversight hearings. Dave Robinson suggests calling for the elimination of staff. Present Terry Eagle to the 
media in conjunction with the State Plate. The name of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan must be recognized. Eighty 
positions are empty at the general rehabilitation agency out of 500 positions. Legislation must reestablish the Commission for the 
Blind board. Joe Sontag and Mark Eagle will work together on Legislative concerns. Mark Eagle may be able to get legislative 
support. Mary Ann Robinson wants to help with the policy statement. Terry Eagle will work on the vendors portion of the document 
along with coordinating the entire group. Mary Wurtzel, Ray Roberson, and Leonard Gross may be  willing to work on the  senior 
document. Fred Wurtzel may be willing to write  the document concerning youth. Contact Jordyn Castor for the Student division and 
for assistance with social media. The war will never be over because we declare it.
New Business: Marcus Simmons is selling raffle tickets for $2 for the Deaf/Blind Division. The national office is taking car 
donations. Contact Marcus Simmons or the National Center. The person donating must have the title and the car must be towable. The 
majority of the car must be there. Stickers are available. The phone number for car donations is 1800-659-9314. The National 
Federation of the Blind receives a minimum $500 donation.
Old Business: The State Convention theme and Registration pricing must be planned. Mary Wurtzel is spearheading a senior program. It 
is suggested that we concentrate on a senior and new members reception on Friday evening at State Convention. No limits no 
boundaries is suggested as a theme. Dave Robinson moved to retain the same registration price for State Convention. Mike Powell 
seconded the motion. The motion passed. The website must be updated. The Kalamazoo Chapter needs reviving.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30. Joe Sontag moved to adjourn the Meeting. Terri Wilcox seconded the motion. The meeting was 
adjourned.