[Ohio-Talk] May 21 - 2021 - NFB Cleveland Chapter Minutes - Ali Benmerzouga

Fri Jul 16 19:12:40 UTC 2021

National Federation of the Blind - Cleveland Chapter

May 21, 2021 Minutes:

The May 2021 Chapter monthly meeting was held through zoom platform on
Friday, May 21, 2021 at 5:00 P.M. The zoom link and passcode were provided
to all members, guests, visitors and are given below in these minutes. The
reason for having this meeting through zoom platform is to adhere to
COVID-19 social distancing adopted by the National Federation of the Blind
and the local and state officials.

Welcome:

Wilbert Turner, member, welcomed and thanked all members, attendees from
other chapters and Divisions, all guests/visitors. 

Roll Call:

Suzanne Turner, President, welcomed everyone again and made sure about the
attendance of the chapter's members, guests and visitors.

The National Federation of the Blind Pledge:

William Turner, First Vice President, helped all attendees to recite the
National Federation of the Blind Pledge.

National Pledge of Allegiance:

Mr. Jefferson, member, help all attendees to recite the Pledge of
Allegiance.

Mending and Bereaved Members:

Suzanne Turner, President, informed the Board about some Chapter/Affiliate
members and/or their relatives are having some health issues and urged
everyone to keep them in his/her thoughts and prayers. Also, she mentioned
the names of those members who are feeling better or fully recovered.

Secretary Report:

Ali Benmerzouga, Recording Secretary, with the help of Suzanne Turner's
technology touch, presented the April 2021 minutes. Denise Moss made the
motion and Delcenia Brown seconded. The minutes were voted on and carried.

Treasury Report:

Natassha Ricks, Treasurer, presented the financial reports for May and April
2021. The details are given below:

April 2021 Report:

Checking Account: 

Balance: $674.81

Balance available to chapter: $494.81

Allocated Balance: $180.00

Beginning Balance: $549.81

Savings Account:

Balance: $1,138.40 

Beginning Balance: $1,138.40

Credits/interest: -0-

May 2021 Report:

Checking Account:

Balance: $600.81

Balance available to chapter: $420.81

Allocated Balance: $180.00

Beginning Balance: $674.81

Savings Account: 

Balance: $1,138.40 

Beginning Balance: $1,138.40

Credits/interest: -0-

She concluded by reminding all members to send their dues by mail as soon as
possible. Delcenia Brown made the motion and Linda Bluford seconded it. the
treasury report was voted on and carried. The complete April and May 2021
Treasury Report were submitted to the Recording Secretary.

National community service division:

Pat McPherson, member, thanked the Chapter for inviting her.  She talked
about the Ronald McDonald House Charity Project and informed all members on
how to actively participate. She urged all to mail their new blankets (all
sizes) before June 4, 2021. She concluded by urging all to send those sweet
letters/cards to Jeanetta Price as soon as possible.

OSSB - Model Restoration Project:

Todd Elzey, an alumnus of the OSSB and the treasurer of the Affiliate,
thanked the Chapter for inviting him to talk about the OSSB- Model
Restoration Project. In what follows the details of his presentation:

OSSB has numerous models of historical buildings and items that are used as
part of the school's education programs. These models are very old as they
were originally built by artists during the Work Projects Programs of the
1930s and 1940s. These models have served many generations. He mentioned
that he attended OSSB during the 70s and early 80s and he certainly
benefited from being able to use the models to better understand what the
historical buildings and items they represent looked like. He added,
unfortunately, time has not been kind to many of the models and they must be
restored so that they continue to serve their educational purposes.
Restoring these models is not an inexpensive process as they must be
restored by hand. OSSB is accepting donations to assist with model
restorations and is offering a plaque to be placed on models for every$500
donated. The Board of Directors authorized a program where the NFB of Ohio
will match all donations made to the project via the Affiliate by July 1,
2021. He further clarified that the goal is to garner at least $1000 in
donations so that we can receive at least two plaques to honor long-time NFB
members and OSSB graduates Paul Dressell and Paul Jordan. If we are able to
raise additional funds, we will also be able to receive plaques to honor
other long-time NFB members/OSSB graduates.

Again, the NFB of Ohio will match all donations received by members,
Chapters, and/or Divisions received for the project between Saturday, April
24, 2021, and July 1, 2021. He urged all members, chapters, and divisions to
donate to this project and show OSSB that we are committed to assisting in
maintaining these important historical learning aids by raising as much
money as we can for this project.

Donations to the project can be made through the Affiliate's Pay pal Account
or the Affiliate's Zelle Account. The email for both payment venues is
treasurer at nfbohio.org <mailto:treasurer at nfbohio.org> . Payments may also be
made directly via check to:

NFB of Ohio, 

Todd Elzey, Treasurer, 

3779 Waterbury Dr., 

Dayton, OH 45439.

Additionally, he urged everyone to make sure that donations should be
designated specifically to the "OSSB Model Restoration Project" so that it
is properly credited to qualify as part of the NFB of Ohio's matching
donation.

He concluded by urging all to get in touch with him in case they have any
questions about the project.

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio- The Scholarship Committee:

Jordy D. Stringer, Chairman, Scholarship Committee, National Federation of
the Blind of Ohio, announced the opening of the 2021 scholarship program
intended to benefit blind college students beginning March 2021.  He added
that in the fall of 2021 NFBO will offer scholarships to outstanding blind
students who currently live in, or are attending college in, the state of
Ohio during the 2021-2022 academic school year. Additionally, he pointed out
that scholarship winners must attend the entire National Federation of the
Blind of Ohio (NFBO), aka, 2021 State Convention during the month of
November and participate in all activities sponsored by the Ohio Association
of Blind Students (OABS). In addition, scholarship winners will be required
to meet with the Scholarship Committee during the 2021 state convention,
which will be held at The Double Tree Columbus - Worthington, November
5-6-7, 2021. He further clarified that scholarship winners will be notified
no later than August 15, 2021.  All convention expenses will be provided for
each scholarship winner. These expenses include, transportation, hotel
accommodations, registration, and banquet fees.  For more information on the
NFBO state convention, please visit http://www.nfbohio.org. He added that
applicants do not need to be members of NFBO to apply for these scholarships
and it does not matter if the student is pursuing an undergraduate or
graduate degree.

For any further questions, please get in touch with:

Jordy D. Stringer, Chairman, Scholarship Committee, National Federation of
the Blind of Ohio jssocil at gmail.com <mailto:jssocil at gmail.com> 

(614) 531-3945

He concluded by thanking the Chapter for giving him the opportunity to talk
about the NFB Ohio Scholarship.

Overview of COVID-19:

Francis Miles from the Department of Public Health, City of Cleveland
thanked the Chapter for inviting her to talk about COVID-19 Pandemic. She
clearly stated that it is very important to be fully vaccinated. She added
that COVID-19 is still around and gave some statistics such as: 212 clinics
are available and giving shots, there is Plentiful of vaccine now, the
Demand is low, and CVS, Walgreen, hospitals are all places where you can get
your shot. She advised all members to stay away from the crowd and to be
prudent. She concluded by mentioning the Ohio governor, Mike DeWayne, that
he is going to relax the mask wearing for those fully vaccinated by June 2,
2021. On behalf of all members, Suzanne Turner thanked her for such a great
presentation and for being with us.

Code of conduct:

Daffney Mitchel, a Survivor Task Force member, talked about the Code of
Conduct and explained it section by section. She added that the current Code
of Conduct was approved by the national board on December 2020 and it is
revised annually. She reminded everyone to read the Code of Conduct before
registering for the 2021 National Convention because you need to confirm
that you have read the Code before registering and thanked Suzanne Turner
for inviting her to the meeting. For more information about the Code of
Conduct, please visit the National Federation of the Blind website.

Meeting adjourned: 7:05 pm.

///

Please make a note of the action items below:

Voice Box Number:

(641) 715-3900

Code: 582705

Cleveland Teleconference Number:

(605) 313-4834

Code: 246345

Ohio Conference Line:

Tel: (712) 775-7031

Code: 240281423

Zoom link:

Join Zoom Meeting

 <https://zoom.us/j/4081850851> https://zoom.us/j/4081850851

Meeting ID: 408 185 0851

One tap mobile

+16468769923 and ID code: 408-185-0851.

Zoom Telephone number:

(669) 900-6833

Id: 4081850851

Ali Benmerzouga, Recording Secretary

440-590-0315 - cell

Natassha Ricks, Treasurer

(216) 376-9863

Notes!

1. Please take a moment and like, share and promote Cleveland's Facebook
Page

<https://m.facebook.com/NationalFederationOfTheBlindOfOhioClevelandChapter/>
https://m.facebook.com/NationalFederationOfTheBlindOfOhioClevelandChapter/ 

2. Please subscribe to Ohio-Talk to stay informed on the know in the Ohio
Affiliate.

Ohio-Talk mailing list

 <mailto:Ohio-Talk at nfbnet.org> Ohio-Talk at nfbnet.org

 <http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/ohio-talk_nfbnet.org

3. Please subscribe to Cleveland's List Serve for all up-to-date information
in the Cleveland Chapter.

 <http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfboh-cleveland_nfbnet.org>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfboh-cleveland_nfbnet.org

 <mailto:nfboh-cleveland-request at nfbnet.org>
nfboh-cleveland-request at nfbnet.org

4- Please don't forget to send your dues to our Treasurer, Natassha Ricks as
soon as you can.

5-please call a member who you have not seen for a while and talk to him/her
about returning to the Cleveland Chapter.

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