[nfbmi-talk] {Spam?} Opportunities Unlimited for theBlindTheBlind Planet
joe harcz Comcast
joeharcz at comcast.net
Fri Feb 21 20:20:43 UTC 2014
Do you or anyone have a current list of the Board of Directors of OUB?
The information is absent from there web site.
Best,
Joe
----- Original Message -----
From: "Amy Shepherd" <amyshepherd at mpvi.org>
To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, February 21, 2014 3:10 PM
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] {Spam?} Opportunities Unlimited for
theBlindTheBlind Planet
> Thanks Joe. Like I said there were counselors placed as part of the BSBP
> training program that were paid by BSBP funds.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Feb 21, 2014, at 3:03 PM, "joe harcz Comcast" <joeharcz at comcast.net>
> wrote:
>
>> Hi AAmy,
>>
>> Here are just some payments to OUB from LARA/BSBP last fiscal year.
>>
>> I have no real issues with anyone in OUB one way or another but when a
>> state employee is on the Board of Directors he or she, if a state
>> employee cannot steer any money in to that outfit and simply shouldn't be
>> on the Board.
>>
>> It is patently unethical and in fact goes against LARA's and other state
>> agency conflict of interest policies.
>>
>>
>> Note that most of the state funding comes from education to OUB and they
>> don't have anyone from education on the board to my knoledge which is
>> simply as it should be.
>>
>>
>> Joe
>> Payments to OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED FOR BLIND INC by LICENSING AND
>> REGULATORY AFFAIRS for fiscal year 2013
>>
>> Table with 4 columns and 5 rows
>> Agency Name
>> Category Description
>> Warrant Date
>> Payments Total
>> LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS
>> Contractual Services Supplies and Materials
>> 9/18/2013
>> $1,880.16
>> LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS
>> Contractual Services Supplies and Materials
>> 9/6/2013
>> $450.00
>> LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS
>> Contractual Services Supplies and Materials
>> 8/9/2013
>> $1,504.12
>> LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS
>> Contractual Services Supplies and Materials
>> 7/29/2013
>> $400.00
>> table end
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Amy Shepherd" <amyshepherd at mpvi.org>
>> To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Friday, February 21, 2014 2:36 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] {Spam?} Opportunities Unlimited for the
>> BlindTheBlind Planet
>>
>>
>>> OUB does not receive funding from the BSBP. In the past couple of years
>>> they have had Blind students who were placed at Camp T as counselors as
>>> part of the BSBP job training/placement program. Their salaries were
>>> paid by the BSBP. It is a valuable collaboration and a good opportunity
>>> for Transition aged students to get on the job training and work
>>> experience they need.
>>>
>>> Amy Shepherd
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>> On Feb 21, 2014, at 1:58 PM, "joe harcz Comcast" <joeharcz at comcast.net>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> He is a state employee on the board of an outfit that is funded in part
>>>> by BSBP
>>>> That is why it is relevent. It is a conflict of interest.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "J.J. Meddaugh" <jj at bestmidi.com>
>>>> To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Friday, February 21, 2014 1:44 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] {Spam?} Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind
>>>> TheBlind Planet
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> How is this relevant?
>>>>>
>>>>> Best regards,
>>>>> J.J.
>>>>>
>>>>> On 2/17/2014 5:15 PM, joe harcz Comcast wrote:
>>>>>> Is Essenberg and are other BSBP employees still members of the OUB
>>>>>> Board?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Larry Posont"
>>>>>> <president.nfb.mi at gmail.com>
>>>>>> To: "nfbmi List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Sent: Monday, February 17, 2014 4:47 PM
>>>>>> Subject: [nfbmi-talk] {Spam?} Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind
>>>>>> TheBlind Planet
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The Blind Planet
>>>>>>> February 2014
>>>>>>> OUB is a charitable nonprofit organization under Section 501c3. We
>>>>>>> gladly accept your generous donations!
>>>>>>> Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind's mission is to enrich the
>>>>>>> quality of life of people who are blind and visually impaired
>>>>>>> through
>>>>>>> lifelong education and recreation.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Breaking News!
>>>>>>> Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind is now partnering with four
>>>>>>> organizations to provide great experiences for children, youth and
>>>>>>> adults with blindness or visual impairment! Our new camp home is
>>>>>>> Indian Trails Camp in Grand Rapids, and we are working with Michigan
>>>>>>> Parents of Children with Visual Impairments, the Association for the
>>>>>>> Blind and Visually Impaired in Grand Rapids, and Running Blind, who
>>>>>>> is
>>>>>>> sponsoring our fabulous Adventure Trip! See inside for more
>>>>>>> details!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> From your Executive Director, Gwen Botting
>>>>>>> Happy February, everyone! Who knew that we were going to have
>>>>>>> record
>>>>>>> weather all over the country this winter?
>>>>>>> If you are having trouble coping with this season's challenges, it
>>>>>>> might help to imagine our Spring and Summer events and camps, coming
>>>>>>> very soon! All of our camps in 2014 are being offered through some
>>>>>>> great partnerships with Indian Trails Camp (our new camp home),
>>>>>>> Michigan Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (MPVI), the
>>>>>>> Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI), and Running
>>>>>>> Blind.
>>>>>>> Our Spring Fling will be a lovely weekend at ITC spent in nature,
>>>>>>> enjoying each other and the music of our feathered friends and blind
>>>>>>> and visually impaired campers! So find your dancing shoes and come
>>>>>>> on
>>>>>>> out for a great time! Also coming soon is our Michigan Parents of
>>>>>>> Children with Visual Impairments (MPVI) Family Camp weekend, where
>>>>>>> one
>>>>>>> of our activities will be to install our new garden - requiring
>>>>>>> woodworking as well as gardening, and we want everyone to have a
>>>>>>> chance with a hammer and a shovel! Previous experience not
>>>>>>> required!
>>>>>>> We also have a completely new camp, Blindness Immersion, that is a
>>>>>>> 2-week camp, or you can come to just the first week or just the
>>>>>>> second
>>>>>>> - whatever fits your life and your schedule. Blindness Immersion is
>>>>>>> just that - all things blind! Music, art, cooking, daily living
>>>>>>> skills, sports, nature - everything will be offered both weeks of
>>>>>>> camp. If you are 14 or older and want to take part in the
>>>>>>> Association
>>>>>>> for the Blind and Visually Impaired's Summer in the City program,
>>>>>>> never fear! We are currently working things out with ABVI so that
>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>> can attend BOTH programs, and making transportation easier for your
>>>>>>> family! It's going to be an awesome opportunity! We end the season
>>>>>>> with two fantastic camps: Survivor Art Camp, focusing on survival
>>>>>>> skills at Camp Optimist and on exploring the art community in Grand
>>>>>>> Rapids, and our Running Blind Adventure Camp, sponsored by Running
>>>>>>> Blind, an organization dedicated to fostering athletic endeavors for
>>>>>>> blind and visually impaired persons. THIS IS GOING TO BE THE MOST
>>>>>>> AWESOME ADVENTURE TRIP EVER! Sign up soon, because, for only $200
>>>>>>> per
>>>>>>> camper, this trip is available to ONLY the first 15 campers to
>>>>>>> register!
>>>>>>> There is a lot coming up, and you can help and have fun by attending
>>>>>>> our fundraiser, Bowling Blast! This event will be held this coming
>>>>>>> Sunday, February 16. See flyer inside for more details! You can
>>>>>>> also
>>>>>>> check out Indian Trails camp this weekend - see flyer for their Snow
>>>>>>> Ball Dance!
>>>>>>> Looking forward to seeing YOU at camp!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Gwen
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Winter Bowling Blast
>>>>>>> Please mark your calendars for this exciting event:
>>>>>>> Sunday, February 16
>>>>>>> 2:00pm
>>>>>>> Park Center Lanes, 2222 28th St SW Wyoming, Michigan
>>>>>>> For $20 you get to bowl three games, includes shoes, 2 slices of
>>>>>>> pizza
>>>>>>> and a pop. If you are not a bowler, join us for the Silent Auction
>>>>>>> Sponsored by: Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> 2014 Camp and Event Schedule
>>>>>>> Locations: Indian Trails Camp, 1859 Lake Michigan Drive, Grand
>>>>>>> Rapids, MI
>>>>>>> Camp Optimist, 10324 Lovers Lane NW, Grand Rapids, MI
>>>>>>> Camp-in-a-Box, Beaver Island and Lake Charlevoix, MI
>>>>>>> Date Event Location
>>>>>>> Jan 17-19 Snow Much Fun (family event) Indian Trails
>>>>>>> April 4-6 Spring Fling (family event) Indian Trails
>>>>>>> May 16-18 MPVI Family Camp/Open House Indian Trails and Camp O
>>>>>>> May 27- June 1 Staff Training with ITC staff ITC and Camp O
>>>>>>> June 4 - 8 Specialized Staff Training for OUB staff ITC and Camp O
>>>>>>> June 8 - 14 Tech Camp (Adults 18 and over) ITC and Camp O
>>>>>>> June 15 - 22 Blindness Immersion (Ages 7-HS)* ITC and Camp O
>>>>>>> June 22 - 28 Blindness Immersion (Ages 7-HS)* ITC and Camp O
>>>>>>> June 29 - 5 ------off------no camp
>>>>>>> July 6 - 12 Survivor Art Camp (Ages 12-HS)** Camp O only
>>>>>>> July 13-23 Running Blind Adventure Camp (Ages 12- HS)** Beaver Is,
>>>>>>> Lake Charlevoix
>>>>>>> October 24-26 Harvest Festival (family event) ITC and Camp O
>>>>>>> *campers may attend either or both weeks of Blindness Immersion
>>>>>>> Camp.
>>>>>>> Campers do not need to return home over the weekend between the two
>>>>>>> weeks of camp.
>>>>>>> **participants in Survivor Art may stay with us for the Adventure
>>>>>>> Trip
>>>>>>> without returning home in between camps - but they will be expected
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> help us pack!!!
>>>>>>> Join us for a great experience - fun and learning and friendships
>>>>>>> all-in-one package:
>>>>>>> OUB Camps!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Camp Descriptions - Everything you want to know!*
>>>>>>> *if we missed something, please call, email, or check out our
>>>>>>> website,
>>>>>>> www.oubmichigan.org
>>>>>>> Snow Much Fun January 17-19 - This was our first event at Indian
>>>>>>> Trails Camp and it was SO MUCH FUN! We "got lost" on a nature walk,
>>>>>>> made cardboard sleds, creatures out of vegetables and gingerbread
>>>>>>> houses, played games, ate s'mores and had hot chocolate, sat by the
>>>>>>> fire and had a great time! Indian Trails is a great camp for us!
>>>>>>> Spring Fling April 4-6 - Don't miss this fun family event with
>>>>>>> nature
>>>>>>> exploration, music, crafts, dancing, an auction and so much more!
>>>>>>> Held at Indian Trails Camp. Cost: $75 per family of 4, $20 each
>>>>>>> extra
>>>>>>> person.
>>>>>>> MPVI Family Camp/ Open House May 16-18 - We love Family Camp! MPVI
>>>>>>> co-sponsors this camp which will give families a great opportunity
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> explore both ITC and Camp Optimist, help put in our new garden at
>>>>>>> Camp
>>>>>>> O, and just relax and have fun together, play games, do special
>>>>>>> crafts
>>>>>>> designed just for you, and learn from each other. Held at ITC and
>>>>>>> Camp
>>>>>>> O. Cost: $75 per family of 4, $20 each extra person.
>>>>>>> Staff Training May 27-June 1 and June 4-8 - for those of you who are
>>>>>>> considering applying to work as a camp counselor this summer,
>>>>>>> consider
>>>>>>> working for OUB! Staff training will be held with ITC staff May
>>>>>>> 27 -
>>>>>>> June 1 and with OUB staff only from June 4-8. Held at ITC and Camp
>>>>>>> O.
>>>>>>> Tech Camp June 8 - 14 - for adults only (18 and over). This camp is
>>>>>>> for adults of any age who enjoy meeting others with blindness or
>>>>>>> visual impairment, like to have fun, and want to learn more about
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> latest in technical improvements and help with those they already
>>>>>>> own.
>>>>>>> Brush up on your cooking and life skills, too! Experts in the field
>>>>>>> will lead classes, and fun activities will be planned for the
>>>>>>> evenings. All meals included. Held at ITC and Camp O. Cost: $500
>>>>>>> per person. Hint: talk with your BSBP counselor about helping you
>>>>>>> attend this camp!
>>>>>>> Blindness Immersion June 15-28 (ages 7 - HS) or June 15-21 or June
>>>>>>> 22-28. This camp includes - well - EVERYTHING! Music, drama, art,
>>>>>>> cooking, like skills, sports, field trips (even a baseball game!),
>>>>>>> campfires, swimming (in a pool!), boating, singing silly songs - all
>>>>>>> things blind, all the time! Come to one week or both. SPECIAL
>>>>>>> ARRANGEMENT: for those students who are 14 and over who would like
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> attend the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired's Summer
>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>> the City Program, we are currently working out details to make it
>>>>>>> possible to do BOTH - OUB will provide transportation to and from
>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>> great program in Grandville, and participants can then come back to
>>>>>>> Indian Trails to participate in our evening and weekend activities,
>>>>>>> including overnight accommodations and meals. For more information
>>>>>>> on
>>>>>>> Blindness Immersion or the Special Arrangement, please call Gwen at
>>>>>>> 989-855-2430. For information about Summer in the City, contact Amy
>>>>>>> Schreiner at the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired at
>>>>>>> 616-458-1187 extension 332. Held at ITC and Camp O. Cost: $1200 per
>>>>>>> week or $2000 for 2-week camp. Reduced rates based on ability to
>>>>>>> pay.
>>>>>>> Scholarships available. Blindness Immersion/Summer in the City
>>>>>>> rates: $300 per week or $500 for two weeks.
>>>>>>> Survivor Art Camp July 6-12 (ages 12-HS) In this exciting reboot of
>>>>>>> our wild and crazy new camp of 2013, Survivor Art Camp will be held
>>>>>>> at
>>>>>>> Camp Optimist, learning survival skills, sleeping in tents,
>>>>>>> participating in crazy challenges, cooking all of our own meals but
>>>>>>> also taking field trips to explore and do extremely cool
>>>>>>> 3-dimensional
>>>>>>> art with experienced artists in the Grand Rapids community. Held at
>>>>>>> Camp O. Cost: $1200. Reduced rates available based on ability to
>>>>>>> pay. Scholarships available. Special Rate: for participants in
>>>>>>> Survivor Art and Running Blind Adventure Camp, two-camp (2 1/2
>>>>>>> weeks)
>>>>>>> special rate is $600! What a deal!
>>>>>>> Running Blind Adventure Camp July 13-23 (ages 12-HS) THE ADVENTURE
>>>>>>> OF
>>>>>>> A LIFETIME! 5 days on Beaver Island and 5 days at Lake Charlevoix,
>>>>>>> all sponsored by Running Blind! Hop on one of our camp vans on July
>>>>>>> 13 for the ferry to Beaver Island, spend 5 days there exploring and
>>>>>>> camping, swimming and whatever else we can cook up, and then go back
>>>>>>> to the mainland for 5 days of adventures including Fort Mackinaw,
>>>>>>> zip
>>>>>>> lining, canoeing, track and field challenges, backyard barbeques and
>>>>>>> even parasailing! (That is, being lifted up on a giant kite over
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> water behind a boat! All events are with professional organizations
>>>>>>> and are inspected and safe!) You will NOT want to miss this! With
>>>>>>> the financial and organizational support of Running Blind, we can
>>>>>>> offer this camp for only $200! Limited to first 15 participants.
>>>>>>> Held at Beaver Island and Camp Whiting and various locations in NW
>>>>>>> MI
>>>>>>> Lower peninsula. Cost: $200 Special Rate: for participants in
>>>>>>> Survivor Art and Running Blind Adventure Camp, two-camp (2 1/2
>>>>>>> weeks)
>>>>>>> special rate is $600! What a deal!
>>>>>>> Harvest Festival October 24-26 It might be hard to think of the
>>>>>>> fall
>>>>>>> of 2014 right now, but plan on taking part in our Harvest Festival
>>>>>>> family event at ITC and Camp O. See what our new garden produced
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> us over the summer! Held at ITC and Camp O. Cost: $75 per family
>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>> 4, $20 each extra person.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Pricing our camps - why so many options?
>>>>>>> We are trying a new pricing structure this summer. $1200 per week
>>>>>>> might sound like a lot, but we run small camps with a lot of staff
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> get a nearly one-to-one ratio of campers to staff. We find our kids
>>>>>>> learn best this way. We also have to pay a little more to hold
>>>>>>> camps
>>>>>>> at Indian Trails than in our previous location. $1200 is what it
>>>>>>> actually costs us to produce camps for your kids. We know that, for
>>>>>>> some families, paying $1200 may be what they can choose to do. But
>>>>>>> for most, that much is out of the question. So we are offering a
>>>>>>> $600
>>>>>>> half price option, and we are offering that rate for those of you
>>>>>>> who
>>>>>>> get scholarships from the State of Michigan Department of Education
>>>>>>> Trust Fund. That will allow you who qualify for those scholarships
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> come to at least two camps for free. For those who DO NOT qualify
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> MDE-LIO scholarships, but cannot afford $600, we have a third
>>>>>>> option.
>>>>>>> We will accept $200 from you, but we ask that you try to get
>>>>>>> scholarship money from other sources to make up the difference. All
>>>>>>> you have to do is write letters to local service organizations in
>>>>>>> your
>>>>>>> area, and send me a copy to show me that you asked for assistance.
>>>>>>> A
>>>>>>> sample letter is included in this newsletter! BUT HERE'S THE
>>>>>>> CATCH!!!
>>>>>>> A lot of service groups like Lions Clubs don't meet in the summer!
>>>>>>> If
>>>>>>> you plan to ask for scholarship assistance, you need to do it NOW!
>>>>>>> Better yet, ask your child to help you with the letter, so that they
>>>>>>> begin to understand the process of politely asking for help from
>>>>>>> groups that like to help others. It always helps if you are willing
>>>>>>> to share your child's story with the group you are asking for funds
>>>>>>> from. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!
>>>>>>> SPECIAL DEAL #1: Partnerships are allowing us to offer some camps
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> extraordinarily low rates! If you live in the Grand Rapids Area and
>>>>>>> your child is 14 or older, you may have heard of the STEPS program
>>>>>>> offered by the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, or their two-week (Monday
>>>>>>> through Thursday) summer program called Summer in the City. This
>>>>>>> program offers lots of experiences with cooking, managing money,
>>>>>>> taking public transportation and other important skills under the
>>>>>>> watchful eye of Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists and
>>>>>>> Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists. This is a really great
>>>>>>> program with a terrific track record. The only problem is, for some
>>>>>>> families, that parents often have to provide transportation both to
>>>>>>> and from this program 4 days a week for two weeks. HERE'S THE
>>>>>>> SPECIAL
>>>>>>> DEAL: Your blind or visually impaired teenager can come to
>>>>>>> Blindness
>>>>>>> Immersion Camp at Indian Trails AND to Summer in the City. Your
>>>>>>> student can stay with us overnight, have breakfast at Indian Trails,
>>>>>>> then we will provide transportation to the SITC program, pick them
>>>>>>> up
>>>>>>> in the afternoon, and they can stay with us and participate in all
>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>> our evening activities. They can also stay THROUGH THE WEEKEND,
>>>>>>> June
>>>>>>> 20-22. The cost is only $300 for one week or $500 if participating
>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>> both weeks. WE hope you like this new option that will help more
>>>>>>> kids
>>>>>>> participate in both SITC and OUB CAMPS!
>>>>>>> SPECIAL DEAL #2: Running Blind, and organization dedicated to
>>>>>>> fostering athletic endeavors with people who are blind or visually
>>>>>>> impaired, is sponsoring our RUNNING BLIND ADVENTURE TRIP. This is a
>>>>>>> totally awesome combination - our great staff and programming ideas
>>>>>>> partnered with Hal Wolf and his ability to organize and fund events
>>>>>>> that he is passionate about. Entirely due to this passion and
>>>>>>> generosity, the cost to any camper attending this 11-day camp is
>>>>>>> only
>>>>>>> $200. Again, DO NOT DELAY. Open only to the first 15 registrants!
>>>>>>> This camp will fill fast!
>>>>>>> SPECIAL DEAL #3: For those of you 12 and older who are REALLY into
>>>>>>> Adventure, you can attend BOTH Survivor Art Camp AND the Running Bli
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>>
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