[NFBO-Springfield] March Meeting Minutes

[Todd Elzey]

Good afternoon!  As promised attached are the minutes of the March 2021
meeting minutes. I have attached the Minutes as both a .doc and .txt files
so that everyone should be able to access them with ease. Please let me
know if you have any problems accessing the document or have any questions
regarding the minutes.

Todd Elzey, Secretary
NFB of Ohio Springfield Chapter
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National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
Springfield Chapter Meeting March 20, 2021

Debbie Baker, President
Susan Day, Vice President
Todd Elzey, Treasurer
Crystal McClain, Treasurer
Hans Wagner, Member of the Board
Richard Payne, President NFB of Ohio
Dan O’Keefe
Lois O’Keefe
Mickie Cooper
Macy McClain
Jolene Bennett
Eric Duffy
Sharon Dodds
Susan Connor
Gail Cowan
Vickie Travis

President Baker opened the meeting at 10 A.M.

The Secretary’s Report was submitted and there were no additions or corrections to the minutes February 2021 meeting.  Dan moved to accept the minutes and Macy seconded the motion. The  motion passed without objection.

The Treasurer’s Report was submitted. The Chapter had a Beginning balance of $7276.29. The only activity was a $20 expenditure for the Chapter’s monthly PAC donation. This left the Chapter with an ending  balance of $7256.29.  Crystal indicated that the Chapter received membership dues for Lois O’Keefe, and that Hans Wagner made a $10 donation.   This income however will be reflected in the following month’s Treasurer’s report. Todd moved,  and Eric seconded to accept the Treasurer’s report. The motion carried without objection. 

Susan Day is presenting to the Senior Division’s Sharing Solutions meeting regarding blind seniors living safely in the home. Susan indicated that there will also be a segment on balance.  President Baker asked members to support Susan by attending if possible and offered to email the call-in number and access code for Susan’s presentation to anyone who was interested.  

Ms. Meghan Ryser from Representative Koehler’s office was scheduled to attend the Chapter’s meeting but was unable to attend due to a family emergency. Eric then explained how we are trying to get the Parental Rights legislative proposal included in this year’s budget. He indicated that members would be receiving a sample letter the following week that can be used to contact legislators to ask them to support putting the legislation in the Budget. Gail indicated that she had recently received some prescriptions with Braille.  Debbie discussed the factsheets on our two legislative proposals (Parental Rights and Accessible Prescription Labels).  

There were questions about the need for the Parental Rights legislation and Eric explained how people have had newborn babies taken away simply because the parent is blind. He also discussed how CPS workers have also taken away children almost as soon as they contact families simply because the parents are blind. The idea behind that Parental Rights legislation is that blind parents would have a presumption of competency. It also applies in custody cases. The goal is that a child cannot be taken away or custody cannot be denied simply based on blindness.  Gail thought this is a Civil Rights issue that simply makes common sense. Eric talked about how she is right but that sometimes emotions and prejudices take over. Gail also talked about how when she had a broken neck a social worker expressed concerns about her care because her husband was blind and because she had children. We discussed how Adult Protective Services (APS) issues are part of a different legal frame work than child custody issues, and how our current legislative proposal is strictly limited to children’s issues because of the differing legal frameworks.

President Payne indicated that as late as this week he had received a call from an individual who has had problems with getting a Walgreens Pharmacy to use audible labeling system that they developed in house. Jolene Bennett talked about how she has difficulty getting Script Talk to be used at CVS.  Eric indicated that WalMart will do script talk for blind customers if requested. You just have to give them time to get the equipment, get it set-up, and do the necessary training.  

President Payne indicated that he just had a pharmacist offer to get his COVID card printed in Braille.  Eric talked about how when you get a COVID vaccination card you will need to hold onto those cards because eventually you  may be required to present proof of COVID vaccination to access some facilities or events.  President Baker indicated that she has learned that the original guide dog school she used will soon start requiring vaccination cards for program participants.

Mickie talked about how when she got the second vaccine at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base she was also told to keep the card with her shot records as it is a permanent record of the vaccine.  Mickie indicated that she was told not to lose it.  

President Baker asked President Payne to speak regarding the National Membership List.  President Payne indicated that the Affiliate had not yet received the break out of the Affiliate membership list.  President Payne indicated that National is running behind but hopes to have it out by Wednesday, March 24, 2021.

President Baker indicated that there would be a March 23, 2021, 4:30 P.M. Town Hall meeting with OOD.  This is to help advocate for better services. Eric asked as many people as possible to join the call because the number of people showing up matters greatly in showing support for our policy proposals.  

President Baker also told the Chapter about the planned NFB of Ohio leadership training seminar scheduled for March 27, 2021 at 1:00-5:00 P.M.  This training is currently for elected Chapter officers. However, Eric indicated that eventually there will be a training for all members.  Chapter Treasurer Crystal McClain will not be available for the training because of a prior commitments.

Todd indicated that he sent Dan a list of children’s books for the library project.  President Baker also talked about using Kernal Books for the project.  

Registration for National Convention is open until May 31, 2021. The Convention is scheduled for July 6-10, 2021 and will be virtual.  This year, when registering, you are asked to check that you will abide by the Code of Conduct.   There may be a work-around for the Code of Conduct certification for Chapter Presidents registering more than one person simultaneously.  Members can find Convention information, including the registration form, at:  https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention?q=get-involved%2Fnational-convention

 The chapter discussed the possibility of hosting a Joint technology fair with the Miami Valley Chapter.  Chapter leadership has not lost site of the possible transportation account either.  Todd indicated Miami Valley is very interested in the joint-venture.  Also talked about the possibility of a joint chapter meeting with Andrea White who is the new Representative for Ohio House District 41.  

Gail indicated that she had retired, and is looking forward things opening up so she can begin participating in retirement activities.  The Chapter congratulated Gail on her retirement.

President Baker indicated that the Chapter’s next meeting is scheduled for Saturday April 17, 2021.

Gail moved to adjourn, Mickie seconded. The motion carried without objection.



    
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