[Njagdu] NJAGDU Division October 20 Meeting

Sun Oct 19 17:55:32 UTC 2014

I will be on the call and looking forward to it!

Trisha
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Vincent Chaney Jr. 
  To: New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users 
  Cc: Joe J Ruffalo 
  Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2014 10:21 PM
  Subject: NJAGDU Division October 20 Meeting

  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

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