[nfbmi-talk] Minutes, Quarterly Board Meeting National Federation of the Blind of Michigan, January 31 2015

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Minutes, Quarterly Board Meeting National Federation of the Blind of Michigan, January 31 2015
Quorum, yes Larry Posont, Mike Powell, J.J.  Meddaugh, Terri Wilcox, Mark Eagle, Dave Robinson, Mary Wurtzel, and Sarah Norwood.
Mike Powell moved to approve the Agenda.  Mary Wurtzel seconded the motion.  The Agenda was approved.
Secretary's Report, Terri Wilcox.  Mike Powell moved to adopt the Secretary's Report.  Sarah Norwood seconded the motion.  The 
Secretary's Report was approved after revisions were discussed.
Treasurer's Report, Mark Eagle.
NFB of Michigan
Financial Statement
Summary Page
January 31, 2015
General Fund: $53,533.30
Newsline: $2,083.26
Paypal: $0.00
Youth Grant: $13,382.35
Comments:
1.	Board needs to approve 2015 Budget.
2.	Treasurer recommends hiring an executive director.
  Dave Robinson moved to accept the Treasurer's Report.  Mike Powell seconded the motion.  The Treasurer's Report was approved.
Introduction of Participating Members
President's Report, Larry Posont.  Mark Riccobono is going to be on the conference call.  Newsline Newsline has been billed to the 
Agency on a quarterly basis.  The bill is paid 30 days after the quarter.  Newsline funding from the Agency is sufficient.  However, 
more funds would be needed if Newsline is to expand.  Georgia Kitchen will Chair the Newsline committee.  A member of the National 
Federation of the Blind could speak at a regional managers meeting of the Bureau of Services to Blind Persons.  Larry Posont can 
write a letter thanking The Bureau for paying for Newsline.
Washington Seminar, J.J.  Meddaugh.  Follow up is crucial with Senators and Representatives about the Time and Teach Acts.  A long 
discussion occurred where J.J.  Meddaugh and Terri Wilcox described the two bills for the members.
Employment Seminar Update, Jordyn Castor.  Blind students thirteen and up can attend the Employment Seminar.  The Seminar will be 
held on March 27-29 at the Ramada Hotel.  Seventeen participants expressed interest in various topics on a survey.  These include: 
resume writing, nonverbal communication, talks from employers about what they are looking for, technology in the workplace, 
reasonable accommodations and mock interviews.  Students must be introduced to the National Federation of the Blind philosophy. 
Student involvement in the Federation should be discussed.  The job line on Newsline could be demonstrated.  Louisiana Center could 
be discussed.  The budget involves a cost of $250 per student.  Low Incidence Outreach could cover this for students still in high 
school.  $25 would be charged for those unable to pay the $250 and not covered by Low Incidence Outreach.  The Michigan Association 
of Blind Students is donating $750.  The student organization asked the Board for 3,000.  J.J.  Meddaugh moved to have the Student 
Seminar at the Ramada Hotel on March 27-29 and asked the Board to allocate $3,000.  Mike Powell seconded the motion.  The motion was 
approved.  A complete budget and Agenda should be presented.  Mark Eagle opposed the motion.  Students can reach out to blind 
students and the Bureau of Services to Blind Persons in order to find more participants.
Agency Report A job was sent to Larry Posont.  There has been no discussion between the Agency and the National Federation of the 
Blind of Michigan.  A committee of blind vendors meeting was canceled.  Connie Zanger resigned.  Sherri Heibeck is taking the 
Administrator position for the Business Enterprise Program at the Agency.  It is rumored that business enterprise will be eliminated 
in state buildings.  President Riccobono recommended that we work with the National Blind Merchants Division.  The Agency has many 
troubles.  The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan must concentrate its energy in one area at a time.  J.J.  Meddaugh moved 
that the President appoint someone to contact Nicky Gacos and also bring in others to determine next steps concerning Randolph 
Sheppard in Michigan.  Mike Powell seconded the motion.  The motion was approved.
A college advocacy handbook is soon to be released by the National office.
Governmental Affairs List Currently, there are two list serves in Michigan.  There has been much discussion on the general list 
serve about agency issues.  The second list serve was created to keep blindness issues and governmental issues separate.  Mark Eagle 
moved to abolish the Governmental Affairs list serve.  Dave Robinson seconded the motion.  The motion passed.  J.J.  Meddaugh moved 
to affirm the President's decision to not allow Joe Harcz to be on any list serve of the National Federation of the Blind of 
Michigan.  Terri Wilcox seconded the motion.  The motion passed four-two-two.
Purpose of National Federation of the Blind of Michigan Guidance, focus and function Resolutions give us focus.  Use time and 
resources wisely.  A balance must be kept between dealing with the Agency and building programs for members of the Federation.  Many 
suggestions follow.  A list is included.  Build relationships with the state legislature.  Present reasonable approaches to 
problems.  People need to be committed to the legislature on an ongoing basis.  Transportation is a significant barrier for 
mobilizing people for pickets.  Documentation is key for vendors.  Point out needs for accessibility.  Meet with the Lieutenant 
Governor's office.  Work on two or three priorities.  Communication Concerns of Members The communications committee will meet and 
bring back a report.  A conference call between the state President and Chapter Presidents is suggested.  Value members.  Post 
events to the list serve.  Legal Actions of the Affiliate It is suggested that support for legal issues must be obtained at a Board 
Meeting.  The Board put a sum of money on the Terry Eagle case.  The case already went to court and cannot be retried.  One thousand 
is being used for a Randolph Sheppard Case.  The person also spent $1,000 of their money.  A small amount of the retainer is left. 
It is $2,000.  The board was approached.  Mark Riccobono asks how he can help in Michigan? Find a strategy to work with vendors.  If 
money is spent the entire board should be consulted together rather than individually.  Biweekly calls would solve this.  Convention 
Election Protocol There is not a system for determining who can vote.  The Secretary must have a list of members from chapters to 
determine voters.  This will be on the May Agenda.  Expectations and Responsibilities of Affiliate Board Carry out your 
responsibility to the best of your ability.  Conduct workshops to get people interested in the National Federation of the Blind of 
Michigan.  We are perceived as just fighting the Agency.  Make sure we, and others know the accurate story.  Build our team and keep 
gossip down.
Committee and Division Reports.  Legislative, Mark Eagle Responses to a survey were received from four state representatives and two 
senators.  The survey evaluated where they stand on issues.  The Secretary of State is purchasing machines to replace the Automark. 
Each county must have an accessible machine.  It is necessary to contact all 83 counties in order to assure that the machines being 
purchased meet the accessibility needs of blind voters.  Feedback on which machine is most accessible is necessary.  Dave Robinson 
moved that, upon receiving a recommendation from Mark for the best machine, that letters are submitted to all counties supporting 
the purchase of that unit.  J.J.  Meddaugh seconded the motion.  The motion passed.
Fred Wurtzel and Mark Eagle will meet with the Capitol Director in the next week.  One sponsor is needed from the Senate and one 
from the House on the Dog Guide issue.
Membership. The Members at Large chapter is meeting regularly.  Flint and Kalamazoo will be strengthened before the McComb chapter 
is started.  The mailing list includes Braille Monitor and Future Reflections subscribers.  Money was allocated for membership 
events.
The Dog Guide committee holds a conference call the second Sunday at 6:00 P.M.  The National Association of Guide Dog Users created 
an app for the I-phone.
Fund Raising. There have been two good sized orders for Braille mugs.  The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan is equipped 
to mail out mugs.  Chapters can sell mugs.  Mark Eagle, Fred Wurtzel and Larry Posont will create the 2015 Budget.
Human Services Committee Report, Mary Ann Robinson The next meeting is February 3 at 7:00.  Jackson and Hillsdale counties now have 
some accessible information.  In these two counties, medical records have some forms that are more accessible.  Mary Ann Robinson 
will follow up in her capacity as President of the division.  Pursue education and align with social workers.
Youth Outreach 2015, Fred Wurtzel Come to the Great Backyard Bird Count at Camp Tuhsmeheta.  An event, in late March, titled 
Celebrate Urban Birds is to be held at the Tolgate Wetlands.  This is located near the Wurtzels.  $16,000 in grant support is needed 
for the summer program.  A backpacking trip at Waldemar Nature Center is being added to the plans.  Birding participants hopefully 
will attend National Convention.  J.j.  Meddaugh moved to have Fred Wurtzel investigate Jernigan Scholarships and investigate what 
students would come and what support would be needed to make this happen.  Terri Wilcox seconded the motion.  The motion was 
adopted.  A grant was given by Michigan Braille Transcribing Fund.  It can be spent by those who applied for it.
Scholarships J.J.  Meddaugh moved to allocate $1,500 for scholarships plus state convention expenses for the winners.  Terri Wilcox 
will chair the Scholarship committee.  She is thankful for the assistance of J.J.  Meddaugh, Jordyn Castor and Mark Eagle who will 
place the Scholarship information on the website.  Dave Robinson seconded the motion.  The motion passed.
State Convention 2014 Follow up Report More notice is needed for things to work optimally and for planning with hotels.  Terry Eagle 
sent an excellent follow up report to the Board.  The May Board Meeting is being planned for Ann Arbor.
State Convention 2015 The Ramada Inn in Lansing was investigated by J.J.  Meddaugh, Fred Wurtzel and Jordyn Castor.  It has 
reasonable rates of $75 per night and includes breakfasts.  It is clean and well maintained.  Hot lunch can be purchased for $10.25. 
This is plated or buffet and includes selections like lasagna or chicken.  Dinner costs $16.50.  First floor courtyard rooms can be 
used for guide dog users.  Convention is planned for the first weekend of November.  Transportation will be in the contract and will 
involve a shuttle from East Lansing and Amtrak.
 Michigan Affiliate Constitution and Bylaws We have a Constitution but not bylaws.  Past elections have not been contentious.  There 
should be a system put in place to assure voters are members.  An accessible voting system was available.  Each Board member can 
read the Constitution.  Dave Robinson, Fred Wurtzel and Mike Powell will investigate the Constitution and bylaws. Terry Eagle will 
provide comments.
National Convention 2015 Mike Powell moved to allocate $3,000 to provide financial assistance to members requesting help with 
national convention expenses. Dave Robinson seconded the motion. The motion passed. President Posont stated that requests for 
assistance would have to be in by May 1.
Under old and new business Dave Robinson reported on the Braille transcriber's situation at Jackson Prison involving incorporating 
Nemeth Code for math into the UEB code for literary Braille.  They are having problems getting transcribers trained and certified as 
they are not allowed to use internet resources.  There are also concerns involving the additional costs that can arise in 
transcription with the implementation of these two codes. Our Braille committee will continue to monitor this situation and work 
with Napub.
Michael Powell made the motion to adjourn which was seconded by Sarah Norwood.  The meeting adjourned at 4:53 PM.














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