[nfbmi-talk] Minutes, August 16 2014

[trising at sbcglobal.net]

Minutes, August 16 2014 
Quorum yes Mike Powell, Joe Sontag, Terri Wilcox, Mark Eagle, Dave Robinson, Derek Moore 
and Mary Wurtzel.  
Secretary's Report, Terri Wilcox. Dave Robinson moved to adopt the May 17 Quarterly Minutes.  
Joe Sontag seconded the motion. The Minutes were adopted.  
Treasurer's Report, Mark Eagle.
NFB of Michigan
Financial Statement
Summary Page
July, 2014

General Fund: $63,049.85
Newsline: $2,083.26
Paypal: $0.00
PNC: $82.75
Youth Grant: $22,591.40
  Terri Wilcox moved to adopt the Treasurer's Report.  Derek Moore seconded the motion.  
The Treasurer's Report was adopted.
Introduction of Participating Members 
President's Report, Larry Posont. The second design of the Braille mugs are on the way with the 
three stick figures one of a person reading Braille, one with a dog guide and one with a cane.  
Rodgers has been written to regarding employment of the blind. He has also been invited to State 
Convention. He has not responded. Mr. Rodgers is out of the office until October 1.  Employers 
of blind people and blind workers will be invited to speak at convention. The consumer 
satisfaction survey does not distinguish between independent living or employment seeking 
clients. Some members urge that we establish communication with the agency. Others would not 
even invite Rodgers to Convention. People are welcome to come to our meetings but they are not 
always invited to address the Convention. It is suggested that we invite someone to address the 
Individualized Plan for Employment process at Convention. It is a right to receive information in 
the most effective format in a timely manner. The Bureau should be the lead agency. Derek 
Moore volunteers to speak on the Agenda. A workshop is suggested for people who do not know 
about the Federation.  It is crucial to build the Federation. Empower and educate people behind 
the scenes.  
Braille Mug Purchases and Sales. Braille mugs are on the way. They cost $15. A travel mug is 
desired.
Leadership Seminar September 5-7. Leadership Seminar is to be held at Pretty Lake Camp in 
Kalamazoo. The approach and purpose as an affiliate will be discussed. Kevan Worley will 
attend. Take back the tools and philosophy from the Seminar to your chapters. Vans will come 
from Detroit, through Ann Arbor, and travel along 94. Another van will go through Lansing, 
travel on 69 and onto 94. Dave Robinson moves that the affiliate covers the cost of the vans but 
the people will be asked to make a free will donation for the van. Joe Sontag seconded the 
motion. The motion passed.
State Convention, Flint October 10-12. Agenda Items are Needed. The flyer will be set out.  
Derek Moore moved to make a box lunch available for $15 for the Affiliate Action luncheon.  
Dave Robinson seconded the motion. The motion passed. People may not want to pay and eat, 
but may want to attend the event. Tables are available for literature. Call Terry Eagle if you need 
a room for a Division meeting on Friday evening. Three or four rooms are available.  
Resolutions will take place Friday from 4:00!-6:00. A Technology Seminar will take place 
Friday from 1:00 -- 4:00. Registration on the Website? The State Convention page is operational 
online. Registration will go on the site now that Affiliate Action Luncheon details are known.  
Online registration will be forwarded to Paulette and Mike Powell. Use Paypal or send a check 
directly to Mike Powell. A vegetarian option will be available for the banquet and luncheon.  
Many Agenda items were suggested. These include: voting machine demonstrations, a 
self-defense workshop and shopping and make-up classes. Newsline could be covered by 
Georgia Kitchen. The Bureau's Services could be addressed. Larry will respond to agenda items.
Door Prize Letter, Terri Wilcox. The 501 c3 number may not be necessary but Guidestar already 
has it as public information online. In order to donate, some businesses want a letter with the 501 
c3 number on it.    
Human Service Division in Michigan, Mary Ann Robinson? Electronic Medical Records Update, 
Mary Ann Robinson. The National Human Service Division includes: psychologists, social 
workers, counselors, music therapists and child care workers. Nationwide issues concerning the 
inaccessibility of licensing exams have been noted. The National Association of Social Workers 
material is not accessible. A Human Service Division at the state level is suggested.  There are 
concerns about the accessibility of electronic health records. It should be mandated that records 
are available in the format requested by the consumer. Mental health agencies state that they 
have no intention of making records accessible. If WCAG guidelines are used, any screen reader 
can read these records. P.C.E. is a wide spread company in Michigan that is not accessible and 
has no intention of making its software accessible. In Michigan, at least 33 counties have P.C.E., 
with its inaccessible software and records. It is likely that the inaccessibility of medical records is 
a nationwide problem. The National President of the Human Service Division is proposing that 
states check with members about starting a division in the state. Call center representatives could 
be part of the Human Service division. Contact Mary Ann Robinson at
Brightsmile1953 at comcast.net
 Science Camp, Fred Wurtzel. Three purposes of National Federation of the Blind Summer 
Science Spectacular include: working with kids on stem training, having fun and helping kids 
gain knowledge for the next school year. This was a one week program at the University of 
Michigan Dearborn Campus on the old Henry Ford estate. Kids went into college classrooms and 
laboratories. The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan is changing the paradigm about 
how the kids fit into society. The program showed that blind kids can do real Science. The 
students met Cary Supalo, a real blind scientist. Two percent of blind people are under 18, but 
they can model for older blind people. Birding by Ear occurs in Detroit and Lansing once each 
month. Next summer, the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan might work with Collette 
Bauman for Science Camp. A three day backpacking trip to South Manitoo Island might be part 
of Summer Science Spectacular. Students will participate on the State Convention Agenda to talk 
about Summer Science Spectacular. Mary Wurtzel moves that we pay for 4 rooms to help people 
come to State Convention from National Federation of the Blind Summer Science Spectacular. 
Joe Sontag seconded the motion. The motion passed. Federation philosophy is promoted to the 
students. Follow up is crucial. Cary Supalo will do free Talking Lab Quest training.  No Talking 
Lab Quest equipment is in classrooms in Michigan.
75 in 75 Action Committee.  J.J.  Meddaugh, Derek Moore and Dave Robinson are on this 
committee. November 16 is the beginning of the 75th year of the National Federation of the 
Blind. A chapter in McComb/Oakland County will be organized on September 27. The 
Kalamazoo Chapter will be strengthened. An Upper Peninsula Chapter will be started.  
Oakland/Macomb County has parents that need connection with the NATIONAL Federation of 
the Blind of Michigan.
Guide Dog Division Mary Wurtzel. Mary Wurtzel asks if the Dog Guide COMMITTEE could be 
included in the 75 days of action? There is a report on stocks and dividends. Marcus Simmons's 
report can be sent to board members who have not seen it.
Old Business: College Students should apply for National Federation of the Blind of Michigan 
Scholarships by September 5. We must do all we can to implement our Resolutions. The 
		Federation is a volunteer organization that needs both members and leaders to do the work of the 
organization. Mary Wurtzel moved to adjourn at 2:36. Terri Wilcox seconded the motion. The 
meeting was adjourned.

    

Sent from my Windows computer