[OAGDU] OAGDU meeting minutes

[Deanna Lewis]

Oagdu Meeting Minutes:

Following the Fidelco Presentation with Gretchen Fisher, the April 12th meeting began at 8:10 with the following members present:

LuAnn
Marianne
Shane
Diane
Joe
Asia 
Our Guests were:
Pat McPherson
Richard Payne
Sharon Jackson
Misty Hagan
Suzanne Turner 

Minutes: Shane moved to approve the February meeting Minutes as emailed. Deanna seconded and the minutes were approved. 

Treasurer’s Report: Marianne reported that our Checking account balance was $2,231 and some cents 
Paula moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Shane seconded and the report was approved. 

Fundraising: Deanna reminded everyone that there was still time left on the Honey Baked fundraiser. It would be ending on 4/30. 

Marianne mentioned that we recently sold 7 of the 3D
printed guide dogs.

OAGDU will have a table at the NFB National Convention’s Exhibit Hall. We will be selling the 3D printed guide dogs as well as Buckeyes (candy)

New Business:
The NFB of Ohio will be holding a 
Leadership training seminar at the end of May. LuAnn and Marianne have been invited to attend. The Room rate is $109/night and most meals will be included. LuAnn and Marianne will be sharing a room. Marianne moved that we give LuAnn $140 to help off-set some of the expenses to attend, Shane seconded and the motion passed. Marianne declined assistance. 

As of now, Shane and Marianne are the only OAGDU members going to the National Convention. Deanna made a motion to give Shane $350 in Convention assistance, Joe seconded, and the motion passed. 

We discussed trying to get our guide dog legislation back up and running. Marianne says we are only covered by the ADA laws in Ohio. They added that into the Ohio code; however the legislators did not want to change the language from assistance animal to service dog. We can look into this more in the next few months. 

For the May meeting both LuAnn and Deanna will not be available. Shane made a motion that we skip the May meeting due to two of the officers not being present. Marianne seconded and the motion passed. The next meeting will take place on June 14th, following our School presentation from Guiding Eyes for the Blind. 

Asia recently encountered some issues at her job. A YMCA member’s  “service dog” was barking at her guide dog, Greyson. When Asia started to speak to the man, he became very defensive; this caused another member to get upset and defend the man and his unruly dog as well. Regardless of if the dog was a legitimate service dog or not, it should not be misbehaving in public like that. 
After the incident, Asia tried to educate the staff about what to do in these situations in the future. She shared all of the ADA Laws and with them. Even if it is a legitimate service dog, they can ask the person to leave if their dog is misbehaving or aggressive; the person can return again without the dog. Asia spoke with the administrators and they chose to put the YMCA members first and not their employees. She was reprimanded for asking the person to leave.
Richard suggested that Asia try to draft a service animal policy and send it to the company. It was also suggested that she approach the YMCA Board and report this issue. Hopefully we will receive updates about this issue at a future meeting. 

Joe Ansman mentioned that he recently received tech training at Leader Dogs. This pilot program focuses on blind tech and daily living skills. The program is a week long on the campus in Rochester Hills, Michigan. 

Pat mentioned that the Akron Chapter is having a Double Good popcorn fundraiser 4/24-5/1

She also mentioned that they are selling NFB of Ohio gear: zip up hoodies, Long sleeve shirts, and short sleeved shirts. Can ship items or pick up at state Convention as well. This is a fundraiser for the NFBO affiliate

Shane moved to adjourn, Marianne seconded and the meeting ended at 9:16




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