[Ohio-talk] Buckeye Update

[Deborah Kendrick]

Eric and all, 
Just in case you didn't see it, there was wide distribution yesterday of the
news that there is now an apparently completely accessible app for using
Kindle on iOS devices. 
Deborah
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Ohio-talk [mailto:ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Eric
Duffy
Sent: Friday, May 03, 2013 2:16 AM
To: NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List
Subject: [Ohio-talk] Buckeye Update

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio Buckeye Update, May 3, 2013
	Earlier in the week I said that I would write this update on
Thursday. As I begin writing it is 1:15 AM., so I am writing very early
Friday morning.
	Later today Shelbi and I will attend the state-wide meeting for the
Business Enterprise Program. We will then have dinner with a large group of
blind operators from around the state.
	Thursday evening I went to dinner with Kevan Worley and Terry Smith.
They are here to address the BE meeting and interact with operators and
staff.
	Congratulations to Kaiti Shelton who is Ohio's only national
scholarship winner this year. Kaiti is an active member of our student
division, and I am looking forward to having her as a part of our convention
delegation this summer.
	The May 1, deadline for our Ohio scholarship application has come
and gone. If you have been asked to write a letter of recommendation for a
scholarship applicant, please get your letter to Barbara Pierce immediately.
	The At-Large Chapter will be meeting by conference call at 7:30
Sunday evening. Members of the Board in particular please be a part of this
call if you can. I have a family commitment and cannot make this call. The
number to call is (605) 475-4875. Use access code 201909 followed by the
pound sign.
	Sunday evening is also the deadline for May Scrip orders. May has
the potential to be a very good month for us in this program. It can be a
great month if everyone who is signed up orders something. 
	I have no real information yet, but I was contacted by the National
office on Tuesday about taking major responsibility for a protest  at the
Parent Teacher Association's National Convention in Cincinnati. This will be
from June 20-23. In short:  PTA is urging the use of Kindles and the Kindle
Whispercast, which are inaccessible to disabled students.  Dr. Maurer  sent
them a letter on March 11,  urging them not to keep pushing that program and
educating them on how inaccessible Kindles in the classroom is a violation
of Federal law, but they are moving full steam ahead anyway. You now have
all of the information that I have on this subject. When I know more, I will
be in touch with Sheri Albers as well as other chapter presidents and the
Board.
	Many of you have asked  how I am doing after my recent kidney stone
surgery. I am doing very well, and I thank you for your concern. I can
honestly say the only pain I left in my life at this point is Richard.
	I am including the minutes from the April 20, Board of Director's
meeting here. I want thank Shelbi and Barbara for the work they do to get
the minutes done accurately and quickly. 

Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio April 20, 2013

1. President Eric Duffy started the meeting promptly at 10:00 a.m. This was
a teleconference meeting (605) 475-4875 access code 201909#.

2. Board members Debbie Baker, Crystal McClain, and Bruce Peters were not
present. During the roll call board members were asked to state whether or
not they had signed the online Fair Wages petition and filled out the NLS
survey. See the attachment for the results. 

3. All members of the organization are encouraged to participate in both the
signing of the Fair Wages petition and the NLS library survey. We do not
know what the survey will be used for, but participating will strengthen our
position, should the need arise. 

4. Sherry Ruth moved the acceptance of the January 2013 minutes. Susan Day
seconded the motion, and it carried. 

5. Shelbi Hindel read the financial report. Barbara Pierce moved that the
report be approved as read. Susan seconded the motion. Sherry Ruth answered
several questions, and the motion passed. 

6. The affiliate has tickets for an iPad drawing. The tickets are $5 each.
These have been mailed to presidents of chapters and divisions. Sell them
now. Do not wait till convention since we have a total of 1,000 tickets. The
iPad has been donated by a member of the Lorain County chapter. The winner
can choose an iPad Mini, Retina, or 16-gig. The only cost for the drawing to
the affiliate is printing the tickets.

7. Carol Akers gave a report on the Elder-Beerman fundraising project that
was conducted in the fall of 2012. We should be receiving an additional
check for $409.80 sometime soon. This is our portion of store sales during
the community days. We have already received $480.00 for the sale of coupon
booklets. 

8. In the past we have contributed to various national funds, but now our
financial situation is dire. Barbara reported that the Imagination Fund is
still in place, and money is being appropriated to it although no one is
actively chairing it at this time. Sherry R. moved that we contribute $100
to each of four funds: White Cane Fund, tenBroek Fund, SUN Fund, and
Imagination Fund and a minimum of $200 for door prizes. Barbara seconded the
motion, and it carried. Chapters and divisions are encouraged to contribute
to any fund that they'd like. These contributions will be included in the
total Ohio contribution. Checks should be to Sherry R. by June 10. Any such
contributions should still be listed on the chapter or division Gavel
Report. Barbara reported that we have given $200 for door prizes in the past
and we should give at least that much this year , so we are asking chapters
to contribute at least this amount. If we receive more than that, we will
send the total donated for this purpose.

9. Richard Payne is coordinating the candy sales for the affiliate at the
national convention. He is still trying to find a source for purchasing the
candy. 

10. Natalie Shaheen joined our call to speak about the BELL Program. She
gave an overview of the program and answered questions. The word is getting
out, and we have approximately five children who have applied. Soon we will
be purchasing materials. Lessons are diverse and individualized as much as
possible. Debbie Baker is the certified Braille teacher. Thanks to Natalie
for participating with us. 

11. We would like to know beforehand who is going to the national
convention. It would also be helpful if we had email addresses and cell
phone numbers for attendees. Email this information to the affiliate
secretary at shelbiah at att.net.

12. Suzanne Turner reported that a team of people from the Cleveland Sight
Center will be attending the national convention so that they can learn how
to serve blind clients better. The Sight Center will be paying their
expenses. Approximately twelve people from the Cleveland chapter and the
Sight Center will be going to the convention. In May an aide from Marcia
Fudge's office will be attending the Cleveland chapter meeting. Barbara
Pierce will join the group, and members will press Fudge to reconsider her
refusal to cosponsor H.R. 164 and to sign on as a sponsor of H.R. 831.

13. Shelbi read the proposed changes to the Ohio Constitution and Eric read
the original. Each article with a proposed change was voted on individually.
All the proposed changes passed, so they will be presented to the convention
and voted upon in November.

14. Jesse Hartle joined our call to speak about legislation on the national
level. He is working to keep states better informed on the progress of
issues. There was discussion. We appreciate Jesse's joining us. 

15. William Turner gave a report from the membership committee.
Consolidating the Cleveland and Cuyahoga chapters has been recommended by
the committee. The charters of Ohio River Valley and Southeast chapters
should be lifted. William has not had a chance to speak with Richard
McConnell, president of the Muskingum county chapter, so William doesn't
have a recommendation for them at this time. Barbara reported that Mary
Pool, president of Stark County, is having some health issues and is very
tired. Mary would like to see that chapter revitalized. Barbara will be
talking with Shirley Beckner about becoming president of Stark County.
Richard moved that the charters for the Ohio River Valley and Southeast
chapters be lifted. William seconded the motion. It passed. Barbara moved
that we explore consolidating the Cleveland and Cuyahoga chapters. This will
take time to work through and should not be understood as a mandate from the
board of directors. The final decision should be made by the chapter members
who care enough to show up for the discussion and work through the details.
A number of people remember the history of the early 1990's in which there
were hurt feelings on both sides. We want to be sensitive and look forward.
Richard seconded the motion. It passed. 

16. In states where at-large chapters are going strong there is a lot of
support from the state board. Eric and Barbara encouraged all board members
to participate in the at-large chapter calls. Colleen Roth, president of the
At-Large Chapter, thinks that having people help with the calls by using
three-way calling and their long distance plan will greatly assist. Eric
stated that this could be a means of building new chapters if we have a
large number of people in a given area who show interest. At the national
convention there will be a meeting, led by Joe Ruffalo, for states wanting
to develop strong at-large chapters. The upcoming At-Large Chapter call will
be May 5, starting at 7-30 p.m. Contact Colleen for further information. 

17. Richard would like to see the Ohio Brochure revised and distributed.
Barbara said that Sylvia Cooley had done the layout and we no longer have
her services. It would cost more money than the affiliate currently has to
pay for the production of a brochure. It was suggested that chapters stamp
the national pamphlets with their local information. If you have any copies
of the Ohio brochure do, not use them unless you put an updated information
sticker over the outdated contact information. 

18. Deborah Kendrick recorded the Buckeye Bulletin in MP3 format. Eric has
had a very difficult time putting this recording on the website but is still
trying. This was a very good issue of the newsletter. Eric encouraged people
to keep contributing to the newsletter. The next issue will be after the
national convention and the BELL Program.

19. The national affiliate has a new vehicle donation program. Richard Payne
is the coordinator of this program in our state. We can accept boats that
float as long as they come with trailers, motor cycles, cars, vans, RV's,
and trucks. NFB is guaranteed at least $500 for each donation, and there is
the possibility of more money if the book value is greater. The company does
all the paper work. Our part of the process is to get the donor in contact
with the company. There is a link on the NFB website and a toll-free phone
number, 855-659-9314. Vehicles will be towed to Colorado. The challenge for
each of us is to get the word out about this program in our communities. 

20. A national online auction is going to be held in November from Black
Friday to Cyber Monday. Each state is asked to donate something of value
that is unique to it. Shelbi will coordinate this effort for Ohio. Some of
the suggestions for our state are tickets for a Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame
weekend get-away, a piece of furniture made in the Amish country, a National
Football Hall of Fame weekend, Ohio amusement parks passes, and a fine item
from Longaberger. Some of these suggestions might need to have a package
deal that would include hotel stay, meals, and entry tickets. Remember we
are aiming for donations so that the items do not cost the affiliate
anything. 

21. Eric reported that the monthly presidents' calls have been well attended
with good discussions. The next call will be on Tuesday, June 18th, at 7-00
p.m. Use the conference line that is being used for this meeting.

22. We must continue to find ways to promote NFB-NEWSLINER. At our last
convention Kevin Miller committed RSC to support NEWSLINE. Continue to
encourage people to sign-up for the service, and, if you are already signed
up, continue to use the service. NEWSLINE is a robust service with many ways
to use it such as iPhone app, email, standard telephone, and more. 

23.DAN will be having a fundraiser in the near future. They plan to sell ink
pens, reported Barb Fohl. 

 24. The September meeting of the board of directors will be held in person
in Columbus. It will be on the 21st, starting promptly at 10 a.m. with the
location to be announced at a later date. 

25. Crystal McClain is coordinating the Ohio table at the convention. Since
she was not on this call, she will email people with information. 

26. The money raised by the Parents of Blind Children's gift card drawing
will go to BELL. Sherry Ruth drew the tickets, and Tom Ruth announced the
names. Winners were as follows:
 A. $25 Olive Garden Ecard-Angie Clark of Columbus  B. $25 Panera Bread gift
card--Paul Gordan of Cincinnati  C. $10 Pizza Hut gift card and a $10 Subway
gift card--Tom Ruth  D. $10 Bob Evans gift card and $10 Bath and Body gift
card--Colleen Roth  E. $25 Giant Eagle gift card-Cindy Conley  F. $100 Giant
Eagle gift card--April James, sold by Stephanie Claytor Thanks to all who
participated in this fundraiser.

27. The next NFB Scrip Ohio order is due Sunday, May 5, 7:00 p.m.

28. The meeting adjourned at 2-17 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted,
Shelbi Hindel, Secretary