[Ohio-talk] Buckeye Update

[Macy McClain]

Good update. I wish I could be at the board meeting, but sadly, I won't be there. :-(
I will be with you all in spirit. Have a great meeting!
Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 6, 2013, at 4:55 PM, Eric Duffy <eduffy at deltav.org> wrote:

> National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
> Buckeye Update, September 6, 2013
>    It has been some time since I last sat down to write an update. Much
> has happened in my own life since then, and as always, it certainly makes me
> appreciate the family that I have in the Federation.
>    As many of you know by now, my sister Jackie passed away on August
> 25. Jackie has been to National Conventions, and various Federation meetings
> around the state. The last Federation activity I remember her driving some
> of us to is a meeting of the Muskingum County a little more than three years
> ago.
>    Many of you have expressed your sympathy, prayed, and been very
> supportive in a number of ways. I appreciate all of your support. 
>    Many of you have asked about sending flowers. We are going to have a
> family gathering to celebrate Jackie's life later this fall. We have asked
> those who wish to do so to make contributions to the James Cancer Center in
> her name. However, anyone who wishes to do so may also make contributions to
> the NFB of Ohio in her name. I will appreciate it and so would Jackie. She
> believed in our cause.
>    I appreciate every one who has kept things going in our Federation
> family as I have struggled to cope with the emotions that we all experience
> when we lose some one we love. In particular I want to thank Richard Payne,
> Shelbi Hindel, Barbara Pierce, and Debbie Baker for keeping us moving
> forward during this time. Others have done so as well, but their
> contributions stand out in my mind.
>    September 21 is the date for the next meeting of the Board of
> Directors in Columbus. We will meet at the North Community Lutheran Church,
> 114 Morse Rd., in Columbus. The meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 AM.
> Please be early.
>    As we have done many times before we will order lunch from Wendy's.
> We have ordered Scrip cards to purchase lunch. Although it can be done, it
> is a challenge to spend much less than $10 per person when eating at
> Wendy's. We are asking everyone to pay for their own lunch that day, and if
> your order happens to be less than $10 to round your payment up to $10 if
> you can do so. Remember not to include drinks in your order. Please email
> your orders to Shelbi by Wednesday September 18. Shelbiah1 at gmail.com If for
> some reason you must call in your order, Shelbi can be reached at (614)
> 558-8059. We will have coffee and soft drinks available. 
>    I have been asked about travel expenses to the meeting. I will
> reimburse board members only for reasonable cost associated with travel to
> the meeting. The policy is that we ask those who can do so absorb their own
> expenses, then ask chapters to pay the cost, and finally the affiliate picks
> up the cost for only members of the board if needed.
>    We will of course plan for the convention  during the meeting. The
> agenda is really coming along. Here is my reminder about door prizes.
> Prizes should have a value of at least $10.00. Please consider purchasing
> gift cards from the NFB Scrip Ohio program. This is a good idea for a number
> of reasons. They are easy for you to get to the convention. They are easier
> for others to carry, and your purchase benefits the National Federation of
> the Blind of Ohio. Paul Dressell is once again in charge of door prizes.
> Prizes may be sent to him or given to him at the convention. 
>    Paul is also in charge of gathering names for the memorial service.
> Please make sure he knows who has passed away since our last convention.
> pmd at pobox.com
> 
>    Here are some things you should be aware of concerning the
> convention . Please let Shelbi Hindel know who will represent your chapter
> on the nominating committee as soon as possible. Her email address is:
> 
> Shelbiah1 at gmail.com
> 
> You may also reach her by phone at : (614) 558-8059. It will make it easier
> for her if she has the names of those serving on the committee well in
> advance of the Board Meeting at the Convention.
>    Our block of rooms at the hotel will be released after October 11.
> Please make your room reservations by that date at the latest.
>    Here is another reminder about the awards process for 2013. All
> materials are due by September 21. Please read the memorandum from Paul
> Dressell carefully and direct any questions to him. Even if your chapter or
> division does not wish to compete for the Gavel Award, you must submit a
> completed form in order for your members to be eligible to vote during the
> convention. This is how we learn more about what your chapter or division is
> doing.
>    Barbara has done her usual fabulous job of putting the newsletter,
> and it would have been out a long time ago but for my delays. So I want to
> thank Barbara for all of her work and all of you who contributed to this
> issue. It will be in your inbox and on NFB-NEWSLINE early next week.
>    I will conclude with these comments about NFB-NEWSLINE. We have
> worked hard to make sure that we have had NEWSLINE in Ohio since we were
> told that the national organization was prepared to put black boxes in the
> states. I had the guts of Ohio NEWSLINE in my basement many years ago. We
> have worked to find funding and to make the service as robust as possible.
> We funded the service when we had the money and it was necessary to do so.
> We do not have money to put in to NEWSLINE at this point.
>    The Rehabilitation Services Commission has funded NEWSLINE for the
> past several years. During the current Contract negotiation the Commission
> decided not to pay for the cost of the Toledo Blade. That is a decision that
> many of us are unhappy with. Nevertheless, the Commission is paying the
> bill, and they have the right to decide what they are willing and able to
> pay. They are using Federal dollars, and I must say we should be grateful
> that they have stepped up to the plate at this point. Some people want the
> Blade, others want the Youngstown Vindicator, and still others want another
> paper or two. All of that is well and good. I want to read as many papers as
> I can get access to, but remember access comes at a price. If the money is
> there we can have the Blade and other papers. If you want a particular paper
> on NFB-NEWSLINE, contact service organizations and foundations and raise the
> money to get your paper on the service.
> 
> 
> <september 6 2013.doc>
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