[NFBO-Springfield] Springfield Chapter Meeting

Fri Apr 15 05:09:10 UTC 2022

Good evening fellow Springfield Federationists. It's time again for our
monthly meeting. We will meet Saturday morning at 10:00 A.M. at the Clark
County Public Library Gaier Room located at 201 S. Fountain Ave.,
Springfield, Ohio. We've got another exciting agenda on tap so we hope to
see everyone there. Here is the agenda.

1. NFB Transportation and debit card

2. Subscriptions to Springfield chapter list

3. National Convention registration

4. Hartman Rock Garden

5. We Are WithU concert, today, 2:00, (helps Ukraine through World Blind
Union) broadcast on Mushroom FM)

6. Article for discussion: A Definition of Blindness by Kenneth Jernigan

7. NAGDU App

8. Legislative update

9. Goodwill Easterseals job announcement issues

10. See3D Fundraiser with a model example

11. NFB of Ohio Piggest Raffle Fundraiser

12. Planning for Chapter fundraiser

13. Planning for Chapter community education activities

14. April Presidential Release

15. Next meeting, May 21, 2022

Below are the minutes from the March 19, 2022 meeting.

*National Federation of the Blind of Ohio Springfield Chapter*

*Meeting Minutes - March 19, 2022*

Attendees:

Debbie Baker, President

Todd Elzey, Secretary

Crystal McClain, Treasurer

Hans Wagner

Mickie Cooper

Dan O’Keefe

Arlie Ray

Gail Cowan

Treasurer Crystal McClain presented a written Treasurer’s report. Treasurer
McClain also presented President Baker with all of the bank statements.
The chapter received $5 income for dues, and a $100 reimbursement for an
unused Washington Seminar travel advance  The chapter also incurred $20 of
expenses for the monthly National PAC donation. Hans Wagner moved to accept
the Treasurer’s report and Dan O’Keefe seconded the motion.  The motion
passed without objection.

The Secretary’s Report was submitted to the Chapter membership via email
for review. Mickie Cooper moved to accept the Secretary’s report of the
February 2022 Chapter meeting. Arlie Ray seconded the motion. The motion to
accept the Secretary’s report passed without objection.

NFB of Ohio Treasurer Todd Elzey informed the Chapter that the Affiliate
would be taking over the process of securing Doing Business As (DBA)
filings with the Secretary of State for all NFB of Ohio Chapters and
Divisions. The NFB of Ohio is taking over this responsibility because of
the complexity of the task and to ensure that all Chapters have their
official names legally protected.

After resolving some technical issues, the Chapter received a virtual
presentation via Zoom from Ken Redd of the State Library. He talked about
this being the 125-year anniversary of the library.  Mr. Redd also
discussed the name change to the Library for the Blind and Print Disabled.
Mr. Redd also told the Chapter about how services are available to anyone
who has difficulty reading print.  He also talked about the Braille
e-reader.  The library switched to the Humanware Braille e-reader.  They
are going right into the program with this reader and will not have a pilot
program.  Dan O’Keefe asked if the Braille e-reader had Optical Character
Recognition (OCR) technology. Mr. Redd indicated that these Braille
e-readers do not have OCR.  Mr. Redd indicated that those interested in
receiving one of the e-readers can request one through the library.

Mr. Redd also talked about the library’s newsletter. The newsletter can be
accessed online in large print, braille, and in audio format.  Mr. Redd
also said that the library offers the service of assisting patrons to find
books to read from authors who are similar to authors they already like.

Mr. Redd also explained how the library now bundles books instead of
sending out books individually. Since books are now all on-demand
downloads, multiple patrons can borrow the same book simultaneously. One
cartridge can hold up to 24 books.  The library doesn’t put a deadline on
returning cartridges, but you don’t receive another cartridge until you
return one.  The library’s online application, BARD, limits users to 100
downloads per month. If you reach the 100 download limit, your BARD access
will be blocked temporarily.

Mr. Redd stated that the Library is moving downtown back into the main
library.

President Baker thanked Mr. Redd for joining the meeting to make the
presentation to our group.

We discussed changing the meeting time slightly because the Clark County
Library Building does not open until 10:00 A.M. The Chapter decided to
change the meeting start time to 10:15 A.M. to give us time to get set up
once the library doors open. Dan O’Keefe agreed to make a standing
reservation with the library for our meetings. Given the new meeting start
time, he will adjust the meeting ending time to ensure that we have enough
time to complete chapter business.

Hans Wagner had a book recommendation/podcast written about the author's
experience losing his eyesight The book is titled “The Beauty of Dusk”
Hans learned of the book via the Podcast “The Ax Files”.  Hans indicated
that the book Is not on BARD yet, but is available through Audible.

Hans also said that he participated in the Affiliate’s Committee for
Membership workshop on Wednesday evening March 16, 2022.  Hans said that
the bulk of the meeting was spent talking about the membership database. He
indicated that there were apparently issues with new members not getting
the NFB National introductory materials because of the database issues.
Hans also said the workshop presented talked a little about membership
building and the importance of mentorships for new members in Chapters.

Crystal talked about how personal contact is important in recruiting new
members.  She talked about how that personal contact is important for blind
people to build relationships and skills.

Arlie talked about the need for connecting with professionals such as
Ophthalmologists offices. President Baker talked about how she wants to
invite these types of professionals to our meetings.  Crystal talked about
how she learned of the NFB from a brochure in the doctor’s office.

The Chapter also talked about the importance of having a Welcome Package
for new members.  As discussed above, there have been delays in obtaining
Welcome Packages from National. So, there was a discussion about the
possibility of us putting together our own welcome packages for new members.

We also discussed reaching out to United Senior Services.in Clark County as
Dan indicated that they occasionally serve seniors who are losing their
sight. Dan will look into the possibility of the Chapter making a
presentation to the group.

Arlie stated that he has Kernal books that he needs to get rid of.  Todd
will take them and combine them with Kernal books he already has for
distribution to libraries, etc. Arlie will bring the Kernal books to the
April 2022 meeting.

Following a discussion of whether it should be moved because of the Easter
Holiday, President Baker set the next Chapter meeting for April 16, 2022.

Dan offered to bring in Health Care Power of Attorney forms and Living Will
forms for members interested in completing them.  He will bring the forms
to the April 16th meeting.

The Chapter discussed having a Facebook page Arlie volunteered to maintain
it.

President Baker indicated that the Ohio Association of Guide Dog users is
looking for signatures for an audible signal on Bridge Street near the
Pilot Dogs facility.

President Baker discussed access issues guide dog users are facing.  She
indicated that Chapter member Vickie Travis had recently had an access
issue in Springfield. We discussed having the Springfield Police Chief,
Sheriff’s Office, and perhaps the local prosecutor at a Chapter meeting to
discuss Ohio’s Guide Dog access laws. President Baker also stated that the
Springfield Police are having an in-service in the fall and they would like
to have a short training on Ohio’s law.

The Chapter decided to visit the Hartman Rock Garden following the
Chapter’s May 21, 2022, meeting. President Baker will try and coordinate
this visit with the representative who spoke to the Chapter about the
Garden.

President Baker said that the Ohio Association of Guide Dog Users is having
Honey Baked Ham chocolate bar fundraisers.

Todd updated the Chapter on the progress of H.B. 448, the NFB of Ohio’s
Accessible Prescription Labeling Bill. He asked all Chapter members to
write to the Chairman of the House Insurance Committee to encourage him to
hold the Proponent hearing on H.B. 448.

Todd Elzey, Secretary

NFB of Ohio Springfield Chapter
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