[Ohio-talk] Fw: BUCKEYE UPDATE - March 18, 2009

[Dr. Smith]

One correction, the correct phone number for Cindy Conley is, 513:608:1399.

JW

Dr. J. Webster Smith
President National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
P.O.BOX 458 Athens, Ohio, 45701-0458
Phone Number - 740-592-6326
"Changing What it Means to be Blind"
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "J. W. Smith" <jsmith1 at ohio.edu>
To: <Dr. John W Smith :>
Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 12:33 PM
Subject: BUCKEYE UPDATE - March 18, 2009


>I don't have a great deal to report this time, but I can tell you the 
>weather is gorgeous (sunny and 75 degrees).
>
> To start with, you should know that my spring break begins tomorrow and 
> although I will not be making any major trips, I will be enjoying and 
> taking advantage of some much needed down time.  I will be watching a lot 
> of basketball and catching up on sleep and relaxation.  I believe Eric 
> will be leaving for California tomorrow as well for a short time, so it is 
> essential that if you need to contact either of us, you should certainly 
> use our cell phones.  Remember that our phone rings in my office so I will 
> be able to respond to calls, especially urgent ones, if necessary. I will 
> be back at my university office on March 30th and essentially back from 
> spring vacation then as well.
>
> Spring Board Meeting Preparation
>
> Our spring board meeting will be held April 25th, from 10-3 at the 
> Gethsemane Lutheran Church, located at 35 E Stanton.  The bulk of this 
> meeting will be dedicated to committee reports, and I hope extensive 
> reports by our Ad-Hoc committee, and our mentoring project coordinator.  I 
> asked the ad-hoc committee to be prepared to talk with us about issues of 
> assessment and evaluation as it relates to our affiliate, and I look 
> forward to a fruitful discussion.
>
> In preparation for this meeting, remember that it is at this spring 
> meeting that we conduct our gourmet food basket drawing, so we need good 
> items for the baskets.  I'm sure that the parents division would welcome 
> any contributions to this fundraiser both financially and in terms of 
> products for the baskets.  Also, if you are coming to the board meeting 
> and would like to have lunch with us, we will be ordering from Wendy's and 
> I've asked Cindy Conley to oversee this activity.  Therefore, you should 
> contact her with your meal request at cconley at fuse.net or by calling 
> 513-681-1399.  We will break for lunch from 12-1 and it is always helpful 
> when you can pay for your meal.  I will be sending out an agenda to the 
> board probably in early April, but if there are particular items that you 
> feel we should address please don't hesitate to let me know.  Finally 
> remember that these board meetings are open to everyone, and in fact the 
> more the merrier.  It is a great time to catch up on affiliate news but 
> also its a great time to fellowship and renew acquaintances.  I think next 
> year we will really try to move this spring board meeting to another part 
> of the state so that we can maximize our opportunities to network and 
> fellowship together.
>
> The Coin Event and Jernigan Raffle Tickets
>
> As you know by now, the big Louis-Braille coin event will take place on 
> March 26th in Baltimore.  As some of you have seen on our list-serve, our 
> Loraine County chapter will be purchasing a full box of the chocolate 
> coins which can be used in a number of ways to publicize this event and 
> the importance of Braille.  Let's continue to try to find ways to 
> distribute these coins and call attention to the importance of Braille as 
> often as we can this year.  To my knowledge I don't think that we will be 
> having a corresponding event in Ohio on that day, but I am pleased that 
> Barbara Pierce will be attending the event as our representative.  This is 
> a historic time and this coin is a symbol of the importance of Braille and 
> the necessity for inclusion of the blind and visually impaired in every 
> aspect of our society.  Please take some time on the 26th and commemorate 
> this event in your own way, or with your federation family in some way.
>
> I have received our share of the Jernigan Raffle tickets and I will be 
> contacting chapter presidents to see how many each chapter will be 
> purchasing.  Remember these are the tickets that sell for $10 each and the 
> drawing is for $1,000, a trip to next year's convention in Dallas, and of 
> course hotel accommodations.  Additionally, the winning chapter receives 
> $500 for selling the winning ticket.  We have 12 books this year and I 
> really would like to sell them all.
>
> Conclusion and a Look Ahead
>
> My party was a rousing success and overwhelming in many ways.  Thank you 
> for your cards and well wishes, and special thanks to those who came to 
> the party.  The next time I write one of these updates hopefully we will 
> have a new chapter in Wooster, and the makings of one in Toledo.  On March 
> 21st it looks like that Toledo meeting is shaping up quite well and 
> special thanks should go to Richard Payne, Coleen Roth and Barbara Pierce 
> in advance.  March 28th we will be with Diane Johnson in Wooster and 
> hopefully we can get that chapter started. Finally, remember that the 
> deadline for newsletter submissions is fast approaching (April 15th), so 
> please get something in to Barbara Pierce.  I want to see new names and 
> faces represented in that publication.  Get something in to Barbara Pierce 
> at bbpierce at pobox.com.
>
>