[Nfb-kzoo] Update on the Chapter

[Tyler merren]

Fellow NFB Members,
We had our last meeting on Monday September 14 at Leanne and I's house.  We had pizza and enjoyed some good conversation, so below is a quick update as to the conversations and the direction we are looking for the next year.  We just missed quarem, so no official minutes were taken, but here is the jest of the meeting.

The meeting began around 6:30, at which time we ate pizza and began our discussion.  Those present were Tyler Merren (current president), Leanne Merren (current secretary), Jason Meddaugh (current member), Matthew McCubbin (current member), and Mike Torrez.  No membership fees were collected at this meeting.

Jason Meddaugh indicated that his pet project of working with the Kalamazoo Metro Transit to have them purchase an audible announcement system for stops is looking hopeful, as they are about to purchase a GPS system for the buses.  He indicated that he will be working with them and updating the chapter.

Jason also brought up the fact that the second millage vote will be happening this fall, and that it may be another situation where their will have to be some phone work done to help the millage pass, though he sounded hopeful that it wouldn't be as much of a challenge with this millage, the big concern would be more with the understanding that this millage would bring Kalamazoo back to the same point, and wouldn't be another increase.

I emailed Kevin King, our contact from the library, to check on how the library project is progressing.  He indicated that due to some budgeting issues that the actual purchasing of the equipment would have to be pushed back to January 2010 approximately.  We are keeping in contact.

I spoke with the group about the direction that I want the chapter to look this coming year.  One thing that I want to focus on is building a steady membership.  I feel that the one thing that will help out with this is to make the meetings a little more fun and enjoyable.  I don't think the meetings have been bad, but maybe just a little too serious?  Perhaps some feedback on this thought would be good.  We tried this out by playing some games at the end of the meeting, and I think it was a lot of fun.  Any ideas would be welcome.

Elections will be held at our next meeting Monday October 12.  I will update the group as to the location of the meeting.  Put it on your calendars and we'll see you there.  In the mean time ideas would be appreciated as to how we can improve attendance at the meetings and increase membership.  Also, if you know that you will not be present at the meeting, a notice would be very much appreciated, however advanced it can be is also good.

Thanks,
Tyler Merren
President of the NFB of kalamazoo