[nFBMI-Talk] Board Meeting Minutes 11/5/17

[Linda Bloodsaw]

NFB of Michigan
Quarterly Board  Meeting November 5, 2017
Four Points by Sheraton Hotel 
Kalamazoo, Michigan 


The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m.
Board Members Present: Michael Powell,  Fred Wurtzel, Linda Bloodsaw, Mark Eagle,  Diana Mohnke, Derek Moore
Absent: J.J. Meddaugh, Melinda Latham, Mary Wurtzel
Quorum: Yes
Treasurer’s Report, Mark Eagle. Convention auction raised -$1,096.00. 98 people attended the banquet. A full report was not available because it was the middle of a quarter. As of October 31 PayPal has $2,410.31; Youth Account $9,931.24; Newsline Account $5,545.28; General Fund $26,118.50;  Treasurer’s Report was approved.

Secretary’s Report, Linda Bloodsaw. The secretary’s report was read and approved. 

President’s Report, Michael Powell. Mark Eagle will prepare a comprehensive Year in Review to be available in January. There are ongoing concerns about the airport. A travel advisory will warn people not to use the airport and the problems that will be encountered if one has a disability. We have participated in a number of events such as ride share, the BELL and science programs. We have to build the federation. Although the general fund is okay now, we have to build membership to bring money into the affiliate. 

Board Election results: Re-elected were Derek Moore and Diana Mohnke. Newly elected members were Jeff Crouch and Sabrina Simmons. 

National Convention Delegates: Motion made to have President Powell serve as delegate and Mark Eagle serve as the alternate. Motion passed. 

Resolutions Committee Report, Steve Handschu.  All eight resolutions passed.  
2017-01 Commending the Henry Ford Museum
2017-02 Braille Literacy Regulations
2017-03 Open Meetings with BSBP
2017-04 Training Centers
2017-05 Accessible Voting 
2017-06 Michigan POBC
2017-07 Accessible Voting Machines and Equipment
2017-08 Equal Access to Higher Education

Fred Wurtzel shared the Detroit Metropolitan Airport Travel Advisory.

Washington Seminar: Motion made and passed to allocate two rooms, one for men and one for women

Marcus Simmons Car Committee request for die cast cars. President Powell will send a proposal to President Riccobono. No Voard vote was taken at this meeting.


Student Division Report, Jeff Crouch. A new board was elected. Guzman Koroma was elected President. Jeff Crouch Vice President, Elizabeth Dunn Secretary, Haley Baylong Treasurer, Board Members elected were Taylor Arndt, Dakota Birch, Rachel Pavoni and Elizabeth Mohnke. President Koroma challenged the board to raise $25 each. Total amount raised was $262. 


Michigan  POBC Report, Haley Dare. Facebook page has grown the past year from 30 to 116 families who are looking for information. Articles of interest, news from the federation andevents from around the state that coincide with the NFB philosophy are posted on the Facebook page. Met with Portage Library and they will be getting Braille books for children to check out like any other child. Continues to help families connect with each other, to resources, and other organizations. 

The library hopes to have a Braille class for children. Plans to have a board soon. Putting together NFB packets of information that can be given to ophthalmologists. Contact Haley Dare if you are interested in distributing the information in your area. 

President Powell said that anyone interested in being an advocate for blind children must have training. Otherwise, the person cannot advocate in NFB’s name.  Everyone must have the same message when advocating on behalf of the children.

Guide Dog Report, Derek Moore: NAGDU has five new members. NAGDU will supply bags at next convention so that dog owners can pick up after their dogs. 

PAC Report, Derek Moore. He has 32 applications. West/SOuthwest Chapter Report, Derek Moore. They have one new member. Held an event at Kalamazoo Barnes and Noble. Gave out bookmarks about Braille. 

Detroit Chapter Report, John Scott. There are 38 paid members in the chapter. Gave out litererature at the Greater Detroit Agency for Blind in August. A group rode the Q-line and People Mover to Greektown and had lunch.  Received a Spirit of Detroit Award from Detroit City Council for riding the Q-Line. For meet the blind month in October, the chapter participated in a Feed the Homeless Event handing out literature. Members participated in the Local Advisory Council meetings regarding transportation. 

Flint/Genesee County Chapter, Georgia Kitchen. They serve Genesee County and the surrounding areas. They have been doing a lot of community service. They need more members who are willing and able to help the NFB local chapters, state affiliate and the national office because we all work together and help each other. 

The meeting adjourned at noon.