[Travelandtourism] Board of Directors minutes for the September 2011 meeting

[cheryl echevarria]

SECRETARY'S REPORT
NFB Travel and Tourism Division Board
September 27, 2011

President Cheryl Echevarria called the meeting of the Travel and Tourism
Division to order at 7:05 P.M. central time. The following board members
and member were present:

Mary Donahue, secretary
Pete Donahue, webmaster and board member
Anahit LaBarre, board member
Cheryl Echevarria, president
Jemal Powell, board member
Milton Taylor, treasurer
Graham Mehl, member
Maurice Shackelford, first vice president
April Scheppe and Nelson Echevarria were absent.

Officers and board members introduced themselves.

Mary Donahue read the August minutes. Milton Taylor moved and Pete
Donahue seconded the adoption of the secretary's report. The secretary's
report was unanimously approved.

There was no change in the treasurer's report. The treasurer's report
was also approved.

President Echevarria reported about the appointment of interim officers
to fill vacancies until the time of elections during the national
convention.

First Vice President Shackelford reported that he was not able to attend
the BLAST conference in Nashville. He has yet to hear from hotel
personnel. The hotel was sold out when he was supposed to arrive on
September 20. President Echevarria suggested that First Vice President
Shackelford contact Kevan Worley as soon as possible. Luckily, there was
no plane ticket.

Discussion followed about a slogan for the division. The slogan reads:
"Leading the way in accessible and independent travel. Changing what it
means to be blind." Discussion followed about putting in something about
mobility. President Echevarria and Treasurer Taylor will work on the
slogan and send out an e-mail.


President Echevarria reported that she made presentations at the NYAGDU 
Division Meeting
and the afternoon of September 17 at the New York State Convention. She 
pointed out that it is important to inform travel agents of needs. "Ask 
Never Assume" . President Echevarria is in talks with President, Margo 
Downey of NYAGDU on a possible lecture for next year's convention
Anil Lewis was New York's national representative. Her Saturday presentation 
was only 15 minutes, but she mentioned the Travel and Tourism Division. Both 
presentations went well.

First Vice President Shackelford reported that he will be streaming the
Georgia convention on October 8 and 9.

Mary Donahue has been promoting the Travel and Tourism Division during
local chapter meetings.

Milton Taylor suggested that members read "The Nature of Independence," a 
speech by Dr. Kenneth Jernigan during the 1992 convention in Dallas.

Don Gilmore has not called Milton Taylor about this past summer's division 
meeting minutes.

Jamel Powell reported that he will report about the division at the next 
Chicago Chapter meeting and at the At-Large Chapter meeting.

Anahit LaBarre is working at the Colorado Center for the Blind part time, 
and is talking to seniors about travel and tourism. The Colorado Convention 
will take place over the weekend of November 4-6, 2011, and Anahit is 
working on some travel packages to contribute to the Colorado auction.

Pete Donahue reported about his past experiences with Southwest Airlines, 
and has looked into private air charter flights as an alternative to 
scheduled airline service. SOCIALFLIGHTS.com has been cooperative about 
getting its Web site accessible after talking with staff at the Jernigan 
Institute

Secretary of Transportation LaHood has been working to get language into the 
Americans with Disabilities Act about accessible information kiosks.

There were 2 cases lost both in California and Las Vegas.

President Echevarria reported that a college Web site is getting feedback 
for Secretary of Transportation LaHood, but so far, the site is 
inaccessible.

President Echevarria reminded members to send a paragraph about what the 
Travel and Tourism means to her, so the paragraphs can be submitted into an 
article for _Braille _Monitor Editor Gary Wunder.

All board member e-mail accounts are set up. Pete Donahue has not been able 
to work on the Web site because of technology issues, but will have the site 
up by Christmas morning or before. Autobiographies should be sent to Pete as 
soon as possible. At present, Pete, President Echevarria, and First Vice 
President Shackelford have access to the site, but any board member will be 
able to access the blog in the near future.

Mary and Pete Donahue moved and seconded adjournment. Before adjournment, 
discussion followed about the next meeting date. The meeting adjourned at 
8:37 P.M. central time.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Donahue, Interim Secretary

Leading the Way in Independent Travel!

Cheryl Echevarria
http://www.echevarriatravel.com
631-456-5394
reservations at echevarriatravel.com

Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Superior Travel, located in 
Baldwin, NY. www.superiortravel.com