[NFBMI-Talk] Minutes from August 24, 2019

[Diana Mohnke]

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan state board meeting
August 24, 2019
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Grand Rapids, Michigan

The meeting was called to order at 11 am by President Mike Powell. 

Board Members Present: Mike Powell, JJ Meddaugh, Sabrina Simmons, Diana Mohnke, Mark Eagle, Marcus Simmons and Derek Moore.  Absent: Jeff Crouch and Fred Wurtzel. 

Quorum: Yes

Introduction of members and guests.

President Powell read the proposed agenda. Marcus moved to accept the agenda as presented, JJ seconded and it passed.  

Mike welcomed all of us here at the meeting. Lunch details, JJ Meddaugh. Lunch $8 with choice of wrap, salad, kettle chips, cheesecake and drink. 

Welcoming remarks from hosting chapter president.  Derek Moore, President West/Southwest Chapter. 

Secretary’s Report, Diana Mohnke.  Marcus moved to accept the minutes as read, Sabrina seconded and it passed. 
Treasurer’s report, Mark Eagle.  As of August 24, 2019 General Funds has $13,581.58; Newsline has $3,853.62; PayPal has $0.00; and Youth Grant has $5,298.51. Sabrina moved to accept the report, JJ seconded and it passed. 

President Powell reviewed activities that took place during the summer.  In July, Mike was on panel at Disability Network in Detroit. 

SASS, sensational adventures in summer science, Donna Posont. SASS was held from August 1-11. The theme this year was watershed. Activities included floating on the Huron River, a cruise on Lake Erie and going to the wave pool. A security guard was hired in the evenings. There was 17 staff and 13 kids signed up, one kid was sick and did not come and one went home during the week. Ashley, a blind chemist, fell and broke her arm and leg during the week. Backpacks, water bottles and shirts were given to everyone. 
JJ Meddaugh, Paulette Powell and Mike Powell looked at hotels for state convention for 2020. They visited three hotels: Windom in Sterling Heights, Pontiac Center Point and the Detroit Marriott. Look at doing a student parent activity at the Windom hotel in the spring. 

Autonomous vehicle seminar. August 18-20 Mike and Fred attended. Looking at careers, rode the autonomous shuttle. Mike and Fred did a presentation about the NFB, showed the blind driver challenge video. 

Other activities.  World Visions Day Fair in Taylor on October 10 at the Taylor Library.  The NFB of Michigan will have a table at the fair. 

Further development of our Chapters.  President Powell has visited a few chapters this year. There is work to reorganize the Wayne County chapter. The Wayne County will have a reorganizing meeting on October 5 in Livonia at Archies Restaurant from 12-3 pm. There was discussion on whether we should be creating new chapters or not. 

Legislation and related issues. Steve Handschu and Mark Eagle co-chair legislation. 
Mike received an email from LAURA about having public comment on moving the Bureau Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.  Steve and Mike made public comment.  Steve, Mark, Fred and Mike will take further action on this. 

Sabrina moved that the president file a civil rights complaint statewide and/or federal because of the voting machine issue.  Diana seconded and it passed. 

Parental rights bill for the blind., Mark. National sent a list of states that has passed this and fact sheets.  Mark feels we should have a day at the capital to push for this legislation.  JJ moved that we hold a capital day to push parental rights law in October, Sabrina seconded and it passed. 
Sabrina stated that the woman has retained guardianship of her adult son. 

Planning state convention.
Registration is now available online. $15 for registration and $35 for banquet, $15 for Saturday lunch and $5 for Friday evening hospitality. Room rates are $99 per night, $110 includes breakfast for two.  The restaurant in the hotel is open for lunch and dinner.  A letter to get door prizes is available, need items for door prizes and the auction.  The hospitality room will be on the 4th floor.  The exhibit hall will be on Friday from 1-6 pm.  
The student division is hosting a fundraiser called Michigan’s Got Talent Friday night starting at 9 pm. The cost is $5 before, $7 at the door, there will be wristbands. 
Saturday will have speakers from 9-12 and then breakout sessions in the afternoon.  Break out session suggestions: seniors, parents, job hunting, tech/iPhone, rehab planning, dating/relationships, chapter development, mobility, and Braille.  JJ, Sabrina, Robert and Hayley will work on the breakout sessions.  Scholarship applications are up on the website.  Jim Gashel is our national rep for state convention. 
Mike talked about a clicker voting system that was used at autonomous vehicle seminar and wonders if we would want to try it at state convention. It was decided we would like to use it if it is possible to get for convention. 

Students Division, Robert Parsons. Not able to fund their scholarship program this year.  They will have an exhibit table at state convention selling baked goods. 9 students went to Chicago for Midwest Student Seminar, Michigan will not host event next year. 

Chapter Reports.
Kalamazoo, Robert. Canceled picnic, do an O and M talk on October 26, using a cane or a guide dog.

Detroit, Sabrina. Bobby will be keynote speaker at Black Tie White Cane event on October 12. Aging gracefully on September 7.

Capital Region, Diana. Change our name to better fit those who attend our chapter, working on membership, possible fundraiser in October with Noodles and Company. 

Genesee, Hayley. Working on membership. 

West/southwest chapter, Derek. Working on membership. 

Old and new business.  Sharon Scott’s birthday is Thursday and we sang to her.  Sabrina’s son is working on an Eagle Scout project of producing Braille menus. 

The meeting adjourned at 3:32 pm.