[nfbmi-talk] National Federation of the Blind Minutes October 21, 2012 Doubletree Hotel
Elizabeth Mohnke
lizmohnke at hotmail.com
Sun Jan 6 02:58:45 UTC 2013
Hello Terri,
Thank you for posting the minutes from state convention. I find them to be
well written and informative. However, there are a few things that seem a
bit unclear to me.
First, I appreciate the fact that you included the resolutions word for word
in the minutes. This is the first time I have ever seen a copy of them.
However, it does not seem clear in the minutes that these resolutions were
passed at the convention, and I think it would be important to include such
a statement in the minutes.
Second, it does not appear to be clear what happened with the motion to
appropriate $3000 for a communications coordinator. If this motioned passed,
then I believe this should be reflected in the minutes. I see this was done
for all of the other motions that were made during the meeting, so perhaps
this was just a simple oversight for this motion.
Other than these two simple corrections, I believe the minutes are well
written, and I appreciate all the hard work you put into writing them. Thank
you very much for posting them to the email list.
Warm regards,
Elizabet
--------------------------------------------------
From: "trising" <trising at sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2013 8:39 PM
To: "nfbmi List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] National Federation of the Blind Minutes October
21,2012 Doubletree Hotel
> National Federation of the Blind Minutes October 21, 2012 Doubletree Hotel
>
> Quorum, yes, Larry Posont, Mike Powell, Melinda Latham, Terri Wilcox, Mary
> Wurtzel, Dave Robinson, Nick Wilcox and Sarah Norwood.
>
> Mike Powell made a motion to approve the Agenda. Dave Robinson seconded
> the motion. The Agenda was approved.
>
> Secretary's Report, Terri Wilcox. Dave Robinson made a motion to approve
> the Secretary's Report. Mike Powell seconded the motion. The Secretary's
> Report was approved.
>
> Treasurer's Report, Mary Wurtzel. Youth Outreach Report, An anonymous
> donor gave 20,000 for our Braille and Science camps at Camp Tuhsmeheta.
> The total spent on the two camps was $17,095. This left 2,905 to be used
> for other expenses for youth. There is 5,105 in the youth account. The
> Michigan parents of the Visually Impaired gave $1,450. $1,450 was spent as
> expenses for the Bridge Walk. $250 was the advance deposit for the YWCA
> Camp. $1,609.55 was spent on supplies for the Bridge Walk. $483.39 was
> spent on tee shirts. $3,059 was spent on the YWCA camp. $656.40 was spent
> on the bus. Kevin Reeves was paid $200 for his work as a musician, and DJ
> during the talent show and dance. $100 was spent on food for the drivers.
> $89.78 was spent on supplies purchased at the Bridge Walk. $480 was spent
> on two vans. Total expenses for the Bridge Walk were $6,979. These
> included $6,555, plus $550 that was paid by attendees. $7,305 was the
> income from the Bridge Walk. Revenue of $7,305 minus expenses of $6,979 =
> $326.
>
> The Newsline Account contains $1,557.63. In July, the Affiliate account
> contained $85,689.03. At the end of July it contained 117,016.45. On
> October 19, the Affiliate Account contained $86,007.50. Mike Powell made
> a motion to approve the Treasurer's Report. Sarah Norwood seconded the
> motion. The Treasurer's Report was approved.
>
> Margo Downey was thanked for attending Convention. She stated that she
> felt welcome. There will be a Christmas Open House at the Training Center.
> The Affiliate made $528 at the Auction. Haley Dare's sister and
> brother-in-law are going to raise Leader Dog puppies. Kandi Jelinski
> thanked Marcia Catona and other Chapter at Large Members who made cookies.
> The Chapter at Large made $200. Come and buy National Federation of the
> Blind products from Dave Robinson. The Ann Arbor Chapter has the gift card
> raffle and the 50/50. Elsie Duell made the following announcement: Give
> new people with the Bureau some benefit of the doubt. Allow the change to
> happen. If workers have good will they will take direction from blind
> people themselves. We are not always recipients but givers.
>
> Results of Elections
>
> Larry Posont has been elected by acclamation for President of the National
> Federation of the Blind of Michigan.
>
> Mike Powell has been elected First Vice President of the National
> Federation of the Blind of Michigan.
>
> Joe Sontag has been elected as Second Vice President of the National
> Federation of the Blind of Michigan.
>
> Terri Wilcox has been elected by acclamation as Secretary of the National
> Federation of the Blind of Michigan.
>
> Mark Eagle has been elected by acclamation as Treasurer of the National
> Federation of the Blind of Michigan.
>
> Mary Wurtzel has been Elected by acclamation to Board Position three of
> the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan.
>
> The National Convention will be July 1-6, in Orlando in 2013. Mike Powell
> made a motion that the President and the First Vice President are the
> delegate and the alternate delegate for National Convention.
>
> National Convention Fund Raising. A different distributor is needed for
> coffee. J.J. Meddaugh volunteered to check out coffee possibilities in
> Kalamazoo. Mary Wurtzel is the liaison. Helium balloons need helium.
> Cinnamon almonds were popular. Tote bags are good and we are out. Sheila
> Latham will check the cost for tote bags.
>
> Locations for Next Year State Convention. We have talked with Grand Rapids
> concerning State Convention in 2013 and Travers City or Southgate for
> 2014. A Convention in Lansing may lead to legislative attention. We would
> like to begin a support group/Chapter in Grand Rapids. State Convention
> will also be there. 80% of American Council of the Blind members are in
> Grand Rapids. Parents in Grand Rapids are a potential source of members.
> Brunhilde Merck-Adam is willing to do a Parent Seminar in Grand Rapids.
> Technology needs to be available, with people to demonstrate. A support
> group can expand people's thinking about what blindness is and is not. We
> get the Free White Cane list. This is information which should be used for
> chapter building. West Michigan uses Newsline. Students will help. J.J.
> Meddaugh made a motion to have Mary Wurtzel secure a hotel for Grand
> Rapids for 2013 for State Convention. Dave Robinson seconded the motion.
> The motion passed. J.J. Meddaugh made a motion to secure dates for State
> Convention around down river Detroit in 2014. Christine Boone seconded the
> motion. The motion passed.
>
> Washington Seminar 2013 is February 4-7. Rates are $177 plus tax per room
> per night. Terri Wilcox made a motion to fund a room for women and a room
> for men for three nights for Washington Seminar at a cost of $1,200. J.J.
> Meddaugh seconded the motion. The motion passed. Mary Wurtzel made a
> motion to allocate $1,000 at Larry Posont's discretion to assist people to
> attend Washington Seminar. Terri Wilcox seconded the motion. The motion
> passed. Matt McCubbin volunteered to set up appointments for the Michigan
> Affiliate.
>
>
>
> Resolutions
>
> Resolution 2012-01
>
>
>
> A RESOLUTION TO RE-ESTABLISH THE MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND THROUGH
> AN ACT OF THE LEGISLATURE
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Executive Order 2012 - 10 abolishes the Board of Commissioners,
>
>
>
> established by Public Act 260 of 1978, as amended, section 393.352 of
> Michigan Compiled Laws; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, The abolition of the Michigan Commission for the Blind Board of
>
>
>
> Commissioners under Executive Order 2012 - 10 eliminates the Commission
> board's
>
>
>
> participation to develop and set the policies that affect the lives of
> blind citizens both
>
>
>
> personally and professionally; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Executive Order 2012 -10 does not comply with PA 260 of 1978
>
>
>
> and the Executive order Act of 1965 and other federal regulations required
> under the Rehabilitation Services Administration as the Board of
> Commissioners has been
>
>
>
> abolished and replaced with an Advisory Board. The Advisory Board is only
> to advise the Director of the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons; and;
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Executive order 2012-10 grants to The director of Licensing and
>
>
>
> Regulatory Affairs the authority to make final agency decisions related to
> grievances
>
>
>
> filed under due process rights granted by promulgated rules against the
> department
>
>
>
> providing no fair and impartial review and judgment of such adjudication,
> thereby
>
>
>
> creating an unethical conflict of interest: Now Therefore,
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the
>
> Blind of Michigan in convention assembled this 20th day of October, 2012
> in
>
> the City of Dearborn, Michigan that that this organization calls upon the
> Michigan
>
>
>
> Legislature to enact a bill to abolish the Bureau of Service for Blind
> Persons and the
>
>
>
> position of Director and to re-establish the Michigan Commission for the
> Blind, The Board of Commissioners and position of Director, and all other
> rights to the Commission Board found in P.A. 260.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Resolution 2012-02
>
>
>
> BEP Operator Information Exchange Line
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan is the largest
>
>
>
> consumer organization of blind persons in Michigan; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the NFB of Michigan provides a great deal of information, support
> and services to the blind of Michigan, including the Business Enterprise
> Program
>
>
>
> Operators; and has been doing so for many years; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Operator Information Exchange Line is operated by the
>
>
>
> Business Enterprise Program to provide operators information that may be
> of interest to
>
>
>
> the operators; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, for the second year in a row, the Business Enterprise Program
> manager, Constance Zanger, has rejected our request to have information
> about the NFB
>
>
>
> of Michigan's annual convention placed on this information line; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Ms. Zanger gave no response for such rejection to our
> organization's representative, totally ignoring our repeated request to
> include the entire
>
>
>
> requested announcement and not just the portion announcing the Merchants
> division meeting; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Commission for the Blind, now the BSBP, did not address the
>
>
>
> egregious act of discrimination against the National Federation of the
> Blind of Michigan
>
>
>
> last year when such action was requested See resolution 2011-06: Now,
> Therefore,
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the blind of Michigan in
>
>
>
> Convention assembled this 21 day of October in the city of Dearborn,
> Michigan that
>
>
>
> this organization demand from the management of BSBP and the program
> manager of the BEP a public apology to our organization for such
> discriminatory actions, and
>
>
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that severe discipline including termination from
> State employment be rendered to those responsible for such acts; and
>
>
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the BSBP take all necessary steps to
>
>
>
> assure the blind of Michigan, that such discriminatory behavior will never
> occur again.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Resolution 2012-03
>
>
>
> RESOLUTION RELATED TO THE STATE PLATE CAFETERIA
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, under Public Act 260 of 1978, as amended, a priority is given to
>
>
>
> blind persons to operate food establishments within state mandated
> buildings and/or
>
>
>
> properties without discrimination; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, There is no licensee within the Business Enterprise Program
>
>
>
> interested in operating the State Plate cafeteria located in the Anderson
> building; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Business Enterprise Program has demonstrated in recent years
>
>
>
> a practice of securing sighted individuals to operate BEP facilities for
> either short or long term agreements; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, The Business Enterprise Program, also has a record of employing
>
>
>
> outside food service companies to operate facilities which have been
> established for the
>
>
>
> employment of blind persons; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, It is critical to the employment of blind persons to maintain the
>
>
>
> priority to operate food establishments within state mandated buildings
> and/or
>
>
>
> properties without discrimination now and into the future: Now, Therefore,
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the
>
> Blind of Michigan in convention assembled this 20th day of October, 2012
> in
>
> the City of Dearborn, Michigan that that this organization calls upon the
> BEP manager to
>
>
>
> seek out a licensee in the program or a qualified blind individual outside
> of the BEP to
>
>
>
> operate the State Plate Cafeteria located at the Anderson House of
> Representatives Building.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> RESOLUTION 2012-04
>
>
>
> TRANSPORTATION RESOLUTION
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Act 51 of the public Acts of 1951 as amended provides for the
> creation
>
>
>
> of a public transportation system which includes demand vehicles as well
> as fixed route land haul vehicles; and
>
>
>
> whereas, said demand vehicles are for the use of the elderly, over 65 and
> the disabled,
>
>
>
> including the blind, who are challenged by issues of mobility from using
> the fixed route land
>
>
>
> haul vehicles; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the act requires the creation of a Local Advisory Council (LAC)
> which enables the active participants of the LAC to offer their input to
> address any problems that arise in conducting the service; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the LAC consists of consumers and consumer organizations, such as
> the National Federation Of The Blind (NFB), Warriors On Wheels (WOW), The
> Detroit Area Agency On
>
>
>
> Aging (DAAA), and said consumers and consumer organizations are to carry
> out their responsibilities under the Act through the LAC by commenting on
> the services of the local public transportation operation, which has been
> done continuously and vociferously; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the local transportation entity is to provide the LAC with the
> mandatory
>
>
>
> annual Accessibility Plan for comment before sending it to the Michigan
> Department Of
>
>
>
> Transportation (MDOT) on an annual basis, which it has failed to do; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Detroit Department Of transportation has established a demand
> vehicle system called "Metro Lift" which utilizes four private vendors,
> Enjoi Transportation, Checker Cab, Delray Transportation, and Lakeside
> Transportation, which are required to provide curb to curb
>
>
>
> Service; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, there appears to be a systemic management and service delivery
> problem involving
>
>
>
> Metro Lift and the vendors which are demonstrated buy the following:
>
>
>
> A. Enjoi Transportation is inexplicably the first vendor of choice
> selected every time by the DDOT scheduling representative even though
> personal choice by customers is allegedly available.
>
>
>
> B. There appears to be a number of chronic service delivery problems with
> Enjoi Transportation and Checker Cab as service providers, which include
> but are not limited to the following:
>
>
>
> 1. Enjoi is guilty of transporting seniors eighty years of age and older
> for an excessive period of time in violation of Federal and State
> guidelines, which has caused some to soil their clothing.
>
>
>
> 2. Overloading buses that have sometimes required passengers to sit on the
> floor.
>
>
>
> 3. Continuously causing employed passengers to be late for work, because
> they refused to
>
>
>
> prioritize trips, which can result in employment termination.
>
>
>
> 4. Rewriting trip manifest provided by DDOT, which results in them missing
> clients, who are
>
>
>
> ultimately recorded as "NO shows" by Enjoi and Checker Cab.
>
>
>
> 5. Many of the Checker Cab drivers specifically are not helpful with
> customers, which is
>
>
>
> demonstrated by their failure to blow their horns to notify blind
> customers, of their presence,
>
>
>
> failing to direct blind customers in which direction to travel after they
> disembark.
>
>
>
> 6. Failing to identify themselves so blind customers can know they are
> entering the correct vehicle, and
>
>
>
> 7. Refusing to take customers to locations outside the City Of Detroit,
> even though the travel
>
>
>
> destination is within the service area; and
>
>
>
> Whereas, a large part of this management and service problem may be
> resolvable
>
>
>
> through sensitivity training of scheduling clerks, dispatchers, and
> drivers, which has been offered
>
>
>
> by the LAC and rejected; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, DDOT claims it has provided sensitivity training but will not
> state by whom, when,
>
>
>
> Or where or how often it has occurred: Now, Therefore,
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> BE IT RESOLVED that the National Federation Of The Blind Of Michigan in
> Convention assembled this 21st day of October 2012 in the City of
> Dearborn, Michigan that this organization demands strongly that the
> Detroit Department Of Transportation follow all requirements of the
> Michigan Department Of Transportation in carrying out all the requirements
> of Act 51 of P.A. 1951 as amended regarding the manner and method of
> providing services to the elderly and disabled; and
>
>
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Federation Of The blind of
>
>
>
> Michigan demands that DDOT correct the previously described acts of
> malfeasants and
>
>
>
> malfeasants by the service providers; and
>
>
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NFB will provide sensitivity training
>
>
>
> through its knowledgeable members, or aid in finding sources for proper
> sensitivity
>
>
>
> training; and
>
>
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of the National Federation Of The
>
>
>
> Blind Of Michigan shall cause complaints to be filed with the Federal
> Transit Authority
>
>
>
> MDOT, the department of Civil rights, and the U.S. Attorney's office of
> Disability Rights upon failure of DDOT to correct the describe problems
> expeditiously.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Resolution 2012-05
>
>
>
> Commendation for THE Michigan Braille Transcribing Fund
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Michigan Braille Transcribing Fund, located in Jackson,
>
>
>
> Michigan is celebrating its 50th year of service to the blind of our
> nation and the world and;
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, its ongoing production of Braille books and other Braille
> material has kept Braille in the hands of blind people and giving them a
> vital resource for
>
>
>
> knowledge and literacy; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind has consistently advocated
>
>
>
> for the use of Braille by blind persons through its many programs
> including the Braille Readers are Leaders contest and
>
>
>
> The Michigan Braille Transcribing Fund through its foundation has
> generously supported
>
>
>
> many programs and services to the blind including the needs of individuals
> who are blind, and;
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Michigan Braille Transcribing Fund develops vocational
>
>
>
> opportunities for the expanded production of Braille by helping to set up
> those who are
>
>
>
> trained as Braille transcriptionists into their own Braille production
> business: Now, therefore,
>
>
>
> BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan in
>
>
>
> convention assembled this day of October 21, 2012 in the city of Dearborn,
> Michigan that
>
>
>
> this organization congratulates and celebrate the Michigan Braille
> Transcribing Fund for
>
>
>
> its 50 years of service and support; and
>
>
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this commendation be forwarded to all the
>
>
>
> appropriate governmental, private and media sources.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> RESOLUTION 2012-06
>
>
>
> FUNDING FOR THE NEWSLINE SERVICE
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Newsline is a free service which provides for the reading of
> newspapers, magazines and other information resources for the blind and
> print disabled and is sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind;
> and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Newsline provides access via the telephone, and other wireless
> devices for more than 300 newspapers, 40 magazines, job listings, TV
> listings, voting information and many other sources of valuable
> information needed by all Americans; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, more than 2900 people in Michigan currently subscribe to
> Newsline, with thousands more eligible for the service, and;
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Newsline service in Michigan costs more than $80,000 annually
> to operate; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, many states throughout America provide funding for the Newsline
> service to their print disabled citizens: Now, therefore,
>
>
>
> BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan in
> convention assembled this 21st day October 2012 in the city of Dearborn
> Michigan that this organization take all necessary steps to assure
> Newsline funding so that this vital service can continue; and
>
>
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization seek funding for the
> Newsline service as a line item within our state's budget; and
>
>
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we continue to reach out to everyone in the
> state that could benefit from this vital service.
>
>
>
> Chapter Reports. Jordyn Castor gave the Student Division Report. Elections
> are as follows: President, Jordyn Castor, Vice President, Mauricio
> Almeida, Secretary, J.J. Meddaugh and Treasurer, Matt McCubbin. The Board
> consists of Jeff Crouch and Kim Mohnke.
>
> The Michigan Association of Guide Dog Users Elections
>
> Chairman, Larry D Keeler
>
> Vice-chair, Bob Rehahn
>
> Secretary, Cynthia Cross and
>
> Treasurer, Karen Evans.
>
> A new member came from Ann Arbor to convention. The Ann Arbor Chapter
> meets the second Saturday of each month. The Wayne County Chapter meets
> the first Saturday of each month. Bob Rehahn is running for President. The
> Lansing Chapter brought three new members to Convention. The Lansing
> Chapter meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30. The Lansing Chapter
> is working with Lansing Community College to make it better for blind
> students. They are having fund raising activities at Noodles and Co. and
> with the Leah Sophia jewelry company. The Detroit and Lansing Chapters are
> having Christmas parties in December. The Detroit Chapter has meetings the
> second Saturday of each month. The Merchant's Division had its annual
> meeting. The Governor and his Administration should not snub or deny
> opportunities to vendors in the Business Enterprise Program. This is the
> largest employer of the blind in the state. The Merchant's Division is
> applying for a license to run bingo to send people to Blast.
>
> New Business: The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan is in need
> of a Newsletter publication on the internet. It would contain news, plus a
> calendar of events and information concerning blind people. $3,000 is
> needed to write this newsletter. It would be an internet newspaper for
> Michigan. The National Federation of the Blind is found on the internet
> and the national office helps with this. Bob Rehahn made a motion to
> approve 3,000 for a communications coordinator to disseminate information
> concerning blindness in the state. Funds are restricted to 3,000. It was
> seconded by Mike Powell. Larry Posont met with Ed Rogers. It is necessary
> to focus on four main areas that include: long term training of staff with
> positive attitudes and beliefs about blindness, achieve ADA accessibility,
> an emphasis on Braille for people who need it plus raised character and
> Braille signage. Clean up and improve the Administration of the Business
> Enterprise Program and give vendors proper training. The State Plate must
> be operated by a blind vendor. Blind people must be employed. Placement
> Specialists should not be bumped. Our name should be on Good Search.
> People with projects of interest should bring them to the Board but we
> need individuals to volunteer for things that interest them. Mike Ellis
> stepped-up to do sound and did a great job.
>
> Mike Powell made a motion to adjourn at 12:25.
>
> Voice Lessons and Braille Tutoring available. Contact Terri Wilcox MA at
> (734)663-4050 or at trising at sbcglobal.net
> _______________________________________________
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