[Ohio-talk] Buckeye Update

[J. W. Smith]

Buckeye Update - November 21, 2008

To say it's cold outside in Athens today is an understatement!  It's the 
kind of weather that makes you want to stick your toe out from under the 
covers and quickly retreat to its warmth again. Believe me, I considered 
that option this morning.

Let me begin this update with the good news that we have received our share 
of the Imagination Funds totalling about $2900.  Congratulations to the 
Miami Valley Chapter for receiving a grant of $1500 for their proposed 
activity.  This should serve as an incentive for all of us to sign up for 
the March for Independence in Detroit next year.  Please look for messages 
and prompts from Everett Gavel about becoming an Imaginator, or you may go 
to the website itself and join those of us who have already done it.

My quarter officially ends today, and our winter quarter does not begin 
until January 5th.  This will give me more time to continue my transition 
and to relax and get some vacation time.  I have hired a secretary, and 
together we are familiarizing ourselves with the voucher system and all 
things NFBO, at least from the President's office perspective.  My 
technology woes continue, however, including not being able to figure out 
how to ensure that the recipients of my messages can reply to all, 
filtering out all the heading junk when I forward you messages (especially 
to the Ohio Talk list), and I have not received my equipment for home as of 
yet.  I'm confident it will all work out, and in fact, December will be a 
great month to figure all of this out.

As I write this, Barbara Pierce is in Baltimore at the NFB Board of 
Directors meeting, and she tells me that she began attending these meetings 
even before she became President of this affiliate, so at least 25 
years.  She is also working to get the next issue of the newsletter out, 
and I know it will be issued in a timely manner and with its usual 
quality.  Remember that this year we will be trying the CD route instead of 
cassette tapes.  We are doing this with the understanding that those who 
can will record the newsletter on cassette for those who do not have access 
or choose not to utilize CDs.

Eric continues to transition into his new job and we communicate daily, and 
that will probably be the case for some time as we all get used to our new 
roles.  Eric has also been getting braile done for us, most notably the 
combined leadership list, which should be in the mail to you next week.

Our winter board meeting will take place in Columbus on January 17th from 
10am to 2pm, so please mark your calendars and look for more details about 
location and lunch.  This is a very important meeting because it's the time 
we set our annual goals and budget and make committee assignments.  It is 
our custom to seek maximum input for these assignments.  I am today, 
however, in this update announcing the formation of an Ad Hoc committee to 
be chaired by Bruce Peters.  I am charging this committee with the sole 
responsibility of assessing and evaluating as many aspects of our affiliate 
as is possible.  I think it is healthy for a new administration to engage 
in this particular activity, so I am asking them to be prepared to make a 
report of their findings at our spring board meeting.

Remember that December 1st is the last day to express interest in the 
Washington seminar and I can already tell you that the list is 
growing.  Clearly, we will not be able to take everyone who wants to go, 
but we will do what is necessary to put together the most effective group 
we can.  Remember if you are chosen that you need to be prepared to do a 
lot of walking.  I would like to encourage you also to really consider 
joining the PAC Plan. This is a way for you to make a monthly contribution 
to our efforts right from your checking account.  Contact me if you need 
more information here.

Finally, enjoy the holidays and please eat too much and enjoy your family 
and friends far too much, because I guarantee you I will.  This is my 
favorite holiday and so I won't be available very much next week, but if 
you need to contact me, call the office, or if you really need me to do 
something, call my cell phone at (740)707-5114.