[nfbmi-talk] May Quarterly Minutes516.doc

[Fred Wurtzel]

Minutes, National Federation of the Blind of Michigan 

Quorum yes, Larry Posont, Mike Powell, J.J.  Meddaugh, Terri Wilcox, Mary
Wurtzel, Derek Moore, Sarah Noorwood and Dave Robinson.  

Introduction of Participating Members 

Secretary's Report, Terri Wilcox.  Dave Robinson moved to adopt the April 21
Minutes.  Mike Powell seconded the motion.  The April 21 Minutes were
approved.  

Treasurer's Report, Mark Eagle.  Mark Eagle was absent.  Left over money
from the retainer was returned.  The Affiliate paid for a press release
concerning access to Metro Airport.  President's Report, Larry Posont.  The
protest at Metro airport was successful.  There was coverage in both Detroit
papers plus the State Journal.  The civil service web page is not accessible
so blind people are unable to apply for jobs there.  Driver's licenses are
required for state jobs.  The Department of Justice is showing interest in
the lack of accessibility at Metro Airport because of the National
Federation of the Blind of Michigan.  

Agency News, Larry Posont.  The agency is reorganizing.  Lisa Kisiel heads
vocational rehabilitation.  Leamon Jones heads independent living and youth
low vision.  Work with President Riccobono to get people to apply for the
Director's position.  Fred Wurtzel moves to write a letter to the Director
to ask that interviews for the director be public.  Mike Powell seconded the
motion.  Currently, there is no public input for blind people in services
for the blind in Michigan.  Six promotional agents have been hired under
Heibeck for the Business Enterprise Program.  Essenberg was fired, but got
the Operations Center illegally.  The committee must speak with Nicky Gacos
again.  A Resolution for oversight of the Randolph Sheppard program should
be written by June 19.  A committee is needed to write the Nfb response to
the report on the Agency.  The response should be sent to the Governor.
Mike Powell, Fred Wurtzel and Elizabeth Monkey will work on the committee.  

Guide Dog Committee Report, Larry Keeler.  The Guide Dog Committee Meets the
first Sunday of the month at 6:00.  The House and Senate have a bill
addressing Service Dogs with better wording that complies with the Americans
with Disabilities Act.  It is hoped that both the House and Senate will see
this Bill.  The National Guide Dog Committee should see the new wording and
approve it as well.  The Guide Dog Committee will achieve divisionhood in
November.  

Drivers Licenses are required for civil Service Jobs.  A letter was written
to civil service to ask them to consider removing the driver's license
requirement.  The Civil Service gets Federal money.  

Youth Outreach, Fred Wurtzel Donna Posont.  Kary Supalo is coming to Science
Camp.  The check for the grant is on the way.  A meeting took place with
staff in Dearborn.  The teaching staff is lined up.  The program is in
process.  Twelve students are expected.  Mentors should send emails to Donna
Posont and/or Fred Wurtzel.  Rooms will be connecting with students in one
side and adults in the other.  A Birding by Ear event occurred at Camp
Tuhsmeheta with ten students and 5 adults attending.  It costs $100 per day
for up to 75 people for meals and lodging in order to rent Camp Tuhsmeheta.
Camp Tuhsmeheta should be rented for summer programming in 2016.  Thank the
Board of Education for Camp Tuhsmeheta.  

National Convention 2015 the original mugs have arrived to sell at
Convention.  A travel mug with Braille arrived, but the Braille is not good.
Nfb 75 is suggested in Braille for an anniversary mug for Convention.  9
P.M.  On Sunday is suggested for the Michigan caucus.  Affiliate Financial
Support $200 per person will be given to those who applied for Convention
assistance.  

Update Access to Metro Airport, Larry Posont.  picket April 26 loud jet
fumes stinky but accessible to public You-tube video shows Mary and Fred
getting off flyer and getting to Delta counter it also shows old drop off
that was very close difficult to get from flyer to counter no dog relief
area in new drop off area construction equipment in path and very loud 9
story parking structure except for other passengers no way to know which
floor to get off at numbering system varies with elevators keep message very
simple it was accessible and independent now I can't Judy Putnam from State
Journal interviewed Fred we influence public to do right thing You-tube send
message to Nfb talk about it in Chapter Meeting put link on nfb Facebook
page another lawsuit filed by Michigan Flyer and Indian Trails for
retaliation clerk at court came to hearing press release was sent to her
because she in charge of Ada Department of Justice gets involved take
appropriate action Ceo seemed inflexible there was no negotiating at meeting
southeastern Michigan transit authority with Ford proposing transportation
that buses from Wayne and Oakland Ceo and 2 attorneys against Larry Fred and
Mary it was accessible and now it's not.  

Constitutional Committee Report, Mike Powell.  committee had meetings
version of constitution was sent to board members and state constitution was
updated May meeting with membous is now addressed and divisions are
addressed ten bills paid by check and debit default to secret ballot for
voting most unless convention votes to suspend submit chapter lists and dues
lists go to treasurer by January 31.  And then to Secretary.  Accessible
procedures needed 

Convention election.  State active members pay dues to affiliate and
affiliate votes you in at Convention.  Join division chapter or Members at
Large person becomes active member by paying dues as stated ina specific
article.  "Constitution must be read at two consecutive meetings.  The draft
constitution will be on the listserv.  

State Convention 2015, J.J.  Meddaugh.  If a hospitality room is needed, it
will cost $175.  Food prices are reasonable.  This can save the cost of
having a hospitality suite.  State Convention is November 6-8 at the Ramada
Inn in Lansing.  The food is excellent for the price.  $75 per night
includes a hot breakfast buffet.  Plated lunches are $12.  Dinners are $20.
The theme should reflect the 75th anniversary in some wan.  J.J.  Meddaugh
moved to have the 2016 State Convention in the Detroit metro area.  Mike
Powell seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  

Chapter and Division Reports

The Detroit Chapter's membership is growing.  Advocacy is occurring
concerning transportation.  Ten people came to the Board meeting.  Larry
Keeler will recruit members for the Ann Arbor Chapter.  The Jackson Chapter
is growing strong.  There will be a project recognizing White Cane Safety
Day.  Blind prisoners at the Cotton facility are assisted.  The Chapter is
working on getting additional transportation in Jackson.  Computer training
at the library is occurring.  A blind child was assisted with their Iep.
The Grand Rapids chapter is having a fund raiser at Bob Evans.  The Chapter
will also have an open House and Walk-a-thon.  The Lansing Chapter is
working on membership and at the Parade of Homes.  The chapter meeting is
the third Monday of each month.  The Flint Chapter is working on getting
members.  The Chapter meets at the Flint public Library every other month
and at the White Horse Tavern on the other months.  Flint will have a Bob
Evans fund raiser in the fall.  Nvda is being installed on public computers
in the library.  Sign up people for Newsline.  The Human Services Division
has 6 members.  A survey is available.  Respond via phone and email.
Membership lists need to be worked on.  

Old Business: At the Michigan Association of Education and Rehabilitation,
there was interest in camps, Scholarships and mugs.  The Does Conference
budget will be under 3,000.

Sarah Norwood moved to adjourn at 2:28.  Terri Wilcox seconded the motion.
The Meeting was adjourned.

 

 

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