[Njagdu] NJAGDU Division October 20 Meeting

Sun Oct 19 02:21:15 UTC 2014

NJAGDU Division Meeting Minutes

September 15, 2014

The agenda will cover:

 1.     Call to order

2.     Reports

3.     2014 NFBNJ Resolutions

4.     Donations Letter (Sent in a message after this invitation/reminder)

5.     Discussions

 The minutes for our prior meetings are included as attachments. Please let
me and Alice know if you are not able to read the documents either on the
Monday meeting or via an email.

Call to order:

Meeting of NJAGDU was called to order on Monday, September 15, 2014 at 7:11
p.m. by President Vincent Chaney

Roll call:

Vincent Chaney, President

Trisha Ebel, Vice President

Alice Eaddy, Secretary

Lynn Reynolds, Treasurer

Angela Perone

Ginger Kutsch

Jack Truehaft

Jerilyn Higgins

Kathy Rawa

Les Cameron

Michele Chaney

Sue Tillett

Treasures Report:

Lynn Reynolds our balance as of June 30th is $505. In June deposit of $25
for dues and a $50 donation were received. Michelle motioned to accept the
treasures report and Kathy seconded it. It carried unanimously.

Secretary's report:

Minutes were provided prior to the call and comments were asked for
regarding them. Hearing none Michele moved to accept all minutes tonight
with any potential updates from other members, Trisha seconded.

2014 NFBNJ Resolutions:

Vincent explained the resolutions that had been presented at state
convention thus far- 2009 attack of a guide dog and in 2010our resolution
centered on access issues in public places. At that time Ginger Kutsch
suggested updating the law for New Jersey, at present it is a civil offense
and there is not a penalty for someone misrepresenting their dog as a guide
dog or other service dog. We should develop a resolution to encourage the
division of civil rights to add penalties for falsely representing dogs as
guide or hearing dogs. The other approach is to review the appropriate
potential presentation to make a criminal bill into a law for this false
service dog misdemeanor.

The question was asked if we have a previous resolution does it carry over
automatically. Vincent explained that our 2010 resolution needs to be
reworded. Then he outlined the components within the Resolution and the
breakdown of a resolution.

It was stated that last January we discussed this idea. In January, Dan
Facchini had presented the motion to prioritize the 2010 Access Issue for
NJAGDU to work on. The motion was discussed and then unanimously approved.
Kathy stated that this topic was discussed by Marion Gwizdala, President of
NAGDU. Perhaps we should review statues that Florida passed related to
passing off pets as guide or other service dogs. Lyn Reynolds stated that it
was a good idea to revisit the resolution and review Florida's law. Maybe by
checking Florida's' website and then ask Marion to share information with us
regarding this topic.

Alice reminded Vincent about the NAGDU app. Vincent and Alice talked about
the new NAGDU App which had been presented at the 2014 NFB National
Convention. The National Association of Guide dog Users Inc., a division of
the National Federation of the Blind announced upcoming release of the NAGDU
Guide & Service Dog Advocacy & Information app. This new iOS app provides
comprehensive information about the rights and responsibilities of service
animal users under state and federal law. 

If you are traveling you can look up the laws in the state you are traveling
to see their laws before you get there. There is a GPS type feature to it
for the same purpose so that depending on where you that state's laws will
show up on your iPhone. The NAGDU app provides the entire text of the
implementing regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
concerning service animals, along with the relevant laws of each state. It
also offers specific guidance for those industries in which service animal
users face the most challenges, such as restaurants, taxicabs, hotels, and
health care facilities. In addition, those who face discrimination because
of their service dog can use the app to call a special advocate trained to
resolve such issues. The app is provided for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch
users free of charge as a public service by the National Association of
guide dog Users. You can find the app by going to
https://appsto.re/us/F8jO2.i or by searching NAGDU in the App Store

Michelle thanked Alice for presenting and reading the NJAGDU affiliate
letter at the NAGDU 2014 NFB National Convention meeting. Vincent also
thanked Alice and said that Kathy had done the same in the past. They
streamed NAGDU meetings this July 2014 for the first time. He heard Joe
Braz. Trish stated that she too was there but in and out due to her first
timers' commitment held at the same time. Vincent said that at state
convention we will work to help others and talk to newbie's. In public we
never know the impact we have on others because they saw one of us working
our dogs. Sue, Ginger, Lynn, Anna plus others helped to write our original
resolution. When NJAGDU started we were just a committee who established our
priorities: the attack on the guide dog was done first. In 2009 we composed
the resolution that was approved before we became a division.

Angela asked if there was any way to clarify the nature of a guide dog
versus a therapy and service dog. Was there a certification as it were?
Vincent will check with Ginger. The NAGDU and Marion present that there is
no movement toward certifications. NJAGDU role could be to educate
businesses about what they can and cannot ask and what to do if a dog is
unruly. ADA does not require ID or proof or certification. Emotional support
dogs do not have the same rights in the ADA definition. Check Harness UP!
http://www.nagdu.org/harnessup.html.

Question and Discussion time

More discussion followed about cruise lines exceptions and comfort dogs.
Kathy brought up problems related to pet friendly hotels. Vinnie, if you go
to pet friendly places expect situations and travel with sighted assistance-
not expecting our dogs to not be distracted. Jack said some situations
cannot be avoided so plan for them or take your business elsewhere. You
could leave your dog home and use your cane. Ginger stated this is a matter
of personal choice there is no right or wrong but let common sense direct
your behavior. Ginger has a list of 2013 state laws dealing with false
representation of guide dogs and will send to the list and Vincent. 

If you have any resolution ideas start writing before the next meeting.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Next meeting will be October 20th.

 Minutes submitted by Alice Eaddy, Secretary

To The NJAGDU (New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users) Members and Those
Whom Wish to Join,

This is the reminder message for the NJAGDU October 20, 2014 conference
call. The September 15th minutes and the October agenda are included.

The conference call will be using the following number for our meeting:

    Dial-in number: 1 712 432 0360

    Conference Code: 462721#

Agenda:

1.     Call to order

2.     Reports

3.     2014 NFBNJ State Convention

4.     NFBNJ Resolutions

5.     Donations  

6.     Discussions

Please also share of our New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users with
anyone whom may not know of our division.

Vinny

Vincent G Chaney Jr

732-251-8650

President, NFBNJ New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users

President, NFBNJ Diabetes Division

Webmaster: nfbnj.org  <http://www.nfbnj.org/> http://www.nfbnj.org

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/njagdu_nfbnet.org/attachments/20141018/f095c5ec/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: NJAGDU Division Meeting Minutes 2014-09-15.doc
Type: application/msword
Size: 33280 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/njagdu_nfbnet.org/attachments/20141018/f095c5ec/attachment.doc>