[NFBOH-Cleveland] Updated today's Agenda and minutes

Cheryl Fields cherylelaine1957 at gmail.com
Fri Apr 17 23:29:45 UTC 2020


Thanks Suzanne, great meeting! See F

Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 17, 2020, at 1:18 PM, Suzanne Turner via NFBOH-Cleveland <nfboh-cleveland at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> Cleveland,
>  
> Please read the minutes below. The agenda is there as well.
>  
> Suzanne
> /////////
>  
> Cleveland Chapter April 2020 Meeting
>  
> April 17, 2020
>  
> 5:00 – 7:00 PM
>  
> Call: 712-775 - 7031
> Code: 240281423
>  
> AGENDA
>  
> Welcome
> Shirley Patterson
>  
> Role Call 
> Suzanne Turner
>  
> Pledge
> William Turner
>  
> Shut-in Members
> Cheryl Fields, 2nd Vice president
>  
> Secretary Report:
>  Ali Benmerzouga, Recording Secretary
>  
> Treasury Report:
> Natassha Ricks, Treasurer
>  
> New Members
> William Turner, Vice President
>  
> President’s Announcements:
> Suzanne Turner, President
>  
> Serving under COVID-19
> Alexis Tyson
> Natassha Ricks
>  
> Cleveland’s Shout Out:
> Cleveland Members
>  
> Washington Seminar:
> Theresa McKenney, Member
> Wilbert Turner, Member
>  
> Encouraging Power
> Joann Williams, Cleveland’s Cheering Coordinator
>  
> National Convention
> William Turner, Vice president
>  
> Cleveland Guide Dog Committee
> Renee ArringtonJohnson, Guide dog Committee Chair
>  
> Senior Report:
> Gloria Conway, Senior Committee Chair
> Sandra Krems, Ohio Senior Division
>  
> Community Outreach:
> Cheryl Fields, Community Outreach Chair
>  
> Team Building Exercises:
>  
> ///////
>  
>  
> January Minutes:
> National Federation of the Blind of Cleveland Chapter
> By, Ali Benmerzouga
> January 17, 2020
>  
> The January Chapter monthly meeting was held through a teleconference call on Friday, January 17, 2020 at 6:00 P.M. The Call number used is 605-313-4834 and the pass Code is 246345.
>  
> The purpose of this teleconference meeting is to provide all members the opportunity to participate, especially those working.
>  
> Suzanne Turner, President, welcomed everyone and mentioned that Mark Riccobono, President, said that 2020 is the year for educating the public and advocating for change. This is the year of Blind Wisdom. Additionally, she reminded everyone about the one-minute message and, as usually, she recited it as well:
>  
> “The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.”
>  
> Good news:
> Suzanne turner, President, informed the Board that Maya has been accepted to an adequate school and asked everyone to congratulate her. The whole Board congratulated her and wished her all the success. Also, she mentioned Brooke Dowdy and her powerful video and urged everyone to watch it. Moreover, she mentioned Owen McCafferty and the success he is making with his art exhibition all over Ohio. She added that his entry, “Autumn Trees” was accepted into the Accessible Expressions Ohio 2020 exhibition and tour! He joins a talented group of artists representing all corners of Ohio.  Owen’s art will be presented at the AEO opening ceremony and travel to diverse communities across Ohio in the 2020 year. Last but not least, she mentioned that our friend Regina had a successful surgery and now she is doing great. The whole Board congratulated all three members about their achievements and successes and wished them the very best and healthy future.
>  
> Members who are healing:
> Suzanne Turner, President, asked everyone to keep William, Sarah, Dyvette, Rosa and Charlette in his/her prayers and thoughts.
>  
> Natassha Ricks, Treasurer
> Our Treasurer, Natassha presented financial reports for January 2020. They were voted and carried.
>  
> 
> Ali Benmerzouga, Recording Secretary:
> Our recording secretary, Ali, informed the Board that he will report both November 2019 and January 2020 minutes during February monthly meeting for approval.
>  
> Gloria Conway, Senior Division Committee Chair:
> Gloria Conway, Senior Division Committee Chair announced that the monthly Sharing Solutions for Vision Loss teleconference will be on Sunday, January 19, at 7:00 p.m. EST.  She mentioned that anyone dealing with vision loss is welcome to join the call, whether they are members of NFB or not.  She added that this month's topic will be the Senior Retreat and our guest speaker, Ruth Sager, a member of the NFB Senior Division, will present information about the retreat.  Further, she mentioned that Ruth will be accompanied by a past participant of the retreat, who will share her experiences.  She concluded her announcement by reminding callers that the monthly teleconference is sponsored by the NFB of Ohio Senior Division.  Callers do not need to be seniors or members of NFB to participate. The details for joining the teleconference are: Phone number: (712) 775-7031, the Access Code, when prompted: 240281423#, the date: Sunday, January 19, 2020, and the Time:  7:00 p.m.
>  
> Presidential Remarks:
> Suzanne Turner, president, made the following remarks and reminders:
>  
> 1.    Adjusting to Blindness Seminar:
> 
> Suzanne Turner announced that The National Federation of the Blind of Cleveland will offer a seminar called, Adjusting to Blindness, An Introductory Seminar during the month of February 2020. The exact date will be given later. The location is Cleveland Public Library, 3096 Scranton Road, Cleveland Ohio 44113. She added that this is an introductory Seminar for newly blind individuals that will highlight best practices by Peer Mentors from the National Federation of the Blind of Cleveland. The philosophy of the NFB will be presented, along with the “value of alternative techniques of blindness, and the solid belief that it is okay to be blind.” Further, she mentioned that it is up to the individual to determine his/her degree of “newly blind.” Members are encouraged to attend as well.  Here are some goals that this one-day introductory seminar would like to achieve:
> To introduce the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and its philosophy.
> to introduce Basic Techniques and products for everyday use.
> to Identify, explore and recommend community resources to enhance activities, to become involved in one’s residential area, and to increase peer interaction and support.
> She concluded by urging members to get in touch with her for any questions and to email her if they are interested in attending the seminar. Her phone number is (216) 990-6199 and her email address SMTurner.234 at gmail.com.
>  
> 2. Ohio Affiliate Board of Directors:
> Suzanne Turner, President, reminded all members that the Ohio Affiliate Board of Directors meeting is going to be held on Monday, January 27, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. She added that the Ohio Affiliate Board Meeting will be held by conference call. Furthermore, she urged all members to be on the call. She concluded by promising to send out a reminder with the conference number one week prior to the meeting.
>  
> February 2020 Meeting Venue for our Chapter:
> Suzanne Turner, President, informed the Board that our February 2020 meeting will be at Cuyahoga Community College, Metro Campus. She added that we are going to visit an accessible apartment, furnished and equipped with accessible items and gadgets. Further, she mentioned that only 10 people will visit the apartment at a time for a better exploration, grasp and learning. Moreover, she promised to send the list of the items and technology available in the accessible apartment. She concluded by pointing out that our February meeting is going to be a short one.
>  
> March 2020 Meeting Venue for our Chapter:
> Suzanne Turner, President, announced that March 2020 monthly meeting will be held at the Cleveland Sight Center from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.
>  
> The 2020 Washington Seminar:
> Suzanne Turner, President, announced that On February 10th thru 12th, 2020, Cleveland members, Theresa McKenney, Wilbert Turner and Albert Elia will attend the Washington Seminar. They will go on the Hill with three legislative bills, which are described in APPENDIX A.  She urged everyone to review them to be ready for future calls and emails to Congress and Senate to support these initiatives. We wish them well and await their return!
>  
> She concluded by reminding all members that we are all supposed to call a Senator and a Congressman/women on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 about the three bills.
>  
> Yearly Dues:
> Suzanne Turner, President, reminded all members that dues are currently due. She urged everyone to have his/her dues paid as soon as we return to our face-to-face meeting. She added that the dues are $10.00 with $5.00 for benevolent and dues are paid once per year. She concluded by giving the mailing address to those who would like to send them by mail.  The mailing address is: NFB of Cleveland, PO Box 141077, Cleveland, Ohio 44114.
>  
> Ohio Fundraisers:
> Suzanne Turner, President, reminded the board that Ohio Affiliate has two fundraisers, namely, the Piggest Raffle Ever and the PAC Plan. In what follows a description and some information about each.
>  
> The Piggest Raffle Ever:
> It is now open for purchasing tickets. They are $5 each, which is split as follows between the local Chapter and the State Affiliate:   $2 will be put into our chapter’s treasury and the $3 is given to the Ohio Affiliate. She added that this is the easiest fundraiser ever. She urged everyone to have his/her family members, friends, siblings and others go on the website and purchase tickets. She concluded by providing the name of the website, how to access it as well as the necessary steps to go through in order to purchase the tickets. The details are given below:
> The link to the Piggest Raffle Ever website is,
> www.piggestraffle.com.
> Just type, National Federation of the Blind of Ohio or the letter N and it will pop-up. Then choose the quantity of tickets you would like to purchase and follow the steps.
>  
> PAC Plan:
> It is one of the ways we can contribute to the work of the organization at the National level. She added that a member can have as less as $5 withdrawn from his/her bank account monthly by using a debit card. Also, she mentioned that she is the chair for fundraising for the state of Ohio this year.  She openly said that she wanted her chapter to be the best contributor. She concluded by promising those contributing that she will remind them in April – The 10th or the 20th of the month.
>  
> 8.    Cleveland Fundraiser:
> 
> Suzanne Turner, President, proposed a wine tasting with appetizers event. She added that this event should raise $900 or more within one night. Further, she explained that the wine is three tasters for $7.50 and we could serve strawberries, chocolate, cheese and crackers with cocktail wieners for $7.50. The cost would be $15 per ticket. Also, she mentioned that there is music at the winery already and a beautiful atmosphere. Additionally, she mentioned that the cost of holding the day is $25.00 (day not fixed yet), and we will be in our Own area. She concluded that we will talk again about this event in more details in our February meeting when having more information.
>  
> 9.    2020 National Convention:
> 
> Suzanne Turner, President, informed the Board that the Hilton Americas-Houston hotel (1600 Lamar Street, Houston, TX 77010) will serve as our convention headquarters hotel. The room rate is $105 for singles, doubles, triples, and quads. In addition, the sales tax rate is 8.25 percent, and the hotel occupancy tax rate is 17 percent. Call, 1-800-236-2905 for reservations. She added that If you use a credit card, the deposit will be charged against your card immediately. If a reservation is cancelled before Monday, June 1, 2020, half of the deposit will be returned. Also, she has provided the information and how to apply for the Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship for first-timers as described below. She asked those who need assistance to let her know right away. Finally, she announced that a Conference call about the 2020 National Convention is going to be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2020   at 7:00 P.M. to discuss many important issues, i.e., how to get assisted, first goers, paratransit, banquet, etc.. She urged everyone planning to go to the 2020 National Convention to be on the call that night.
>  
> Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship
> Suzanne Turner, President, informed the Board that the Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship provides funding support to National Federation of the Blind members who want to attend a national convention for the first time. She provided the complete information about the scholarship and how to apply, which is given in APPENDIX B.
>  
> The NFB Coin:
> Suzanne Turner, President, informed the Board that there is a special chain for the NFB Coin. The chain can be purchased   for $20.00. She added that she will send the complete description of the chain later for us to learn more and decide.
>  
> 2020 State Convention:
> Suzanne Turner, President, informed the Board that the 74th State Convention will be held at the Crowne Plaza, Dayton Downtown; located at 33 E. Fifth Street, Dayton, Ohio    45402. Room rates are $109.00 with a 13.50% tax per night, which includes a hot buffet breakfast. The Crowne Plaza Dayton is in the heart of downtown Dayton Ohio and offers free Wi-Fi, televisions with premium HD cable channels, and comfort to help you unwind at the end of your busy day.
>  
> January Presidential Release:
> Suzanne Turner, President, informed the Board about the availability of the January 2020 Presidential Release and provided the link to the website -  https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases.
>  
> 2020 Technology Trainings for our Chapter:
> Suzanne Turner, President, announced that there will be many technology training sessions to those who would like to use their iPhone, JAWS and maybe other gadget/screen reader software independently and efficiently. She added that more information and details about the trainings will be given very soon.
>  
> 2020 Cleveland Chapter Picnic:
> Suzanne Turner, announced that our chapter is going to have a picnic this year. We will try to find a location and talk more about it during February and/or March meetings.
>  
> Appointments:
> Suzanne Turner, President, announced the following three appointments: the first one, she appointed Cheryl Fields as the Second Vice President due to the health issue of our First Vice President, William H. Turner, the second one, she appointed Sandy Krems as chairman of a committee to see how all committees are doing/performing, and the third one, she appointed Shirley Patterson as the Chairman of an Advisory Board to deal with any concerns and make sure that everything is running smoothly in our chapter. The reason for these last two appointments is that our President, Suzanne Turner, is very busy and has tons of things on her plate at all levels of the NFB.
>  
> Gide dog Committee:
> Suzanne Turner, President, mentioned that we have nine guide dog users in the chapter and it is time to have a committee that takes care of their specific needs and wants. She appointed Renee Arrington as the Chair of the newly formed committee. Furthermore, she mentioned that Renee Arrington wrote an article about guide dog users. She concluded by reminding the newly formed committee and the Board that the bill of service animals will be in the agenda for march 2020 meeting in Columbus.
>  
> 18. 2020 Cleveland Chapter’s Committees:
> 
> Suzanne turner, President, informed the Board that she will call later about the formation and composition of the 2020 Cleveland Chapter’s committees.
>  
> Meeting adjourned at 7:00 P.M.
>  
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