[Nfbsatx] March Meeting Minutes

[Mary Donahue]

Good evening everyone,

    I am attaching the text of the minutes to this email this time due to 
technology issues that have been going on. However, both the March and April 
minutes will be on the Web site later this weekend or early next week.

    See you all tomorrow.

Mary Donahue

SECRETARY'S REPORT

San Antonio Chapter

NFB of Texas

March 20, 2010



President Jose Martinez called the meeting to order at 1:05 P.M. It was 
announced that refreshments would be served after the meeting courtesy of 
Cindy Garcia, Sarah Litzler, and Denise Rodriguez. Denise, Sarah, and Cindy 
were delegated as the refreshment committee.



            First, the Chapter listened to Presidential Release #382, which 
mainly touched on the settlement of Google Books and and the Pedestrian 
Safety Act. State presidents were invited into the Jernigan Institute. There 
was a reminder for members to register for the cnventionand for hotel rooms. 
Announcements included one about science, one about the seniors' division 
seminar, one about the Race for Independence, one about the Pedestrian 
Safety Enhancement Act with urgent action to contact Chairperson Waxman, and 
one about the summary of the Google settlement and digital books within two 
years.



            There is no word yet whether the state affiliate will have buses 
or not, as in 2006 and in 2008. Discussion followed about the last day of 
the convention and date of the banquet. Barbecue tickets are $45, and will 
no doubt take place on the first day of

General sessions.



            Discussion followed about NFB Net and the Chapter discussion 
list. Pete Donahue offered to set up a second host site mirror in case NFB 
Net goes down.



            Mary Donahue offered to replace Carla Valpeoz as list moderator. 
The motion was unanimous.



            President Martinez introduced the concept of door prizes at the 
meeting. The question was about which year Dr. Maurer became president. Pete 
Donahue was the winner of a bottle opener/key chain as the first official 
door prize.



            President Martinez summarized the low vision expo on March 6. 
Jim Sofka received the iPod Shuffle in the Chapter raffle. The proceeds went 
to Foundation Fighting Blindness Vision Walk on March 13. Chapter members 
were at the vision walk to create awareness. Discussion followed about 
contributing to Foundation Fighting Blindness. In addition, discussion 
followed about demonstrating blindness skills and inviting staff from the 
NFB training centers. Sarah Litzler pointed out that there were 
approximately 30 blind people present and using canes.



            There will be a fund-raiser on April 8 with Red Robin. Members 
will pass out fliers any time between 11:00 and 9:00 P.M. or after 5:00 P.M. 
until 9:00 P.M. Ten percent of the proceeds will go to the Chapter. (As of 
this writing, the Red Robin fund-raiser did not take place on April 8, but 
will take place some time in the very near future.



            President Martinez suggested that the Chapter donate to the Race 
for Independence between April and June. Pete Donahue moved, and Scott 
Edwards seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The Chapter will 
participate in the Race for Independence as a team. Discussion followed 
about race team names. The Chapter unanimously agreed on the team name "The 
S.A. Rio Racers."



Discussion followed about setting up a PayPal account. Cindy Garcia 
explained about paying by PayPal for those not familiar. Members presented 
pros and cons about PayPal. Pete Donahue moved to add a PayPal payment 
gatewayfor processing of on-line transactions, and Mary Donahue seconded. 
The discussion was tabled until a later date. Cindy suggested that members 
take a look at the PayPal Web site.



            Pete Donahue suggested that a laptop be available at Chapter 
events so potential members can register for Newsline or join the Chapter 
when there is a PayPal account.



            The meeting adjourned at 2:28 P.M.



Respectfully submitted,



Mary Donahue, Secretary