[nfbmi-talk] Final approved Minutes, May 22, 2010.

[trising]

Final approved Minutes, May 22, 2010. 11 A.m. to 5 P.m.

315 S. Rose Street

Kalamazoo, MI



Call to Order

Quorum yes

Introduction of participating members.

Secretary's Report. Terri Wilcox. Dave Robinson moved to adoption and the report was passed. The Minutes were sent out 
electronically.

Treasurer's Report. Peter Zaremba. The ending balance is $1901. Total revenue is $779. Total expenses is $1989. $20,000 was donated 
for Camp Tuhsmeheta.

Newsline $1287. Dave Robinson moved and Mike Powell seconded and the motion was approved.

All members are allowed to vote and make motions at this quarterly board meeting.

Appointment to the Commission Board. Congratulations John Scott! John Scott will undergo training on June 9 to be a part of the 
Commission Board.

President's Report. Larry Posont. Larry urges us to take part in the work of the affiliate by doing what we are good at. Fifteen 
scholarship letters were written for individuals from Michigan. However, no one from Michigan received a scholarship. Pat Cannon was 
laying low at Visions 2010. We ordered free white canes for 25 people. We need someone to help with a list of media contacts. There 
was a discussion about hiring a lawyer on the May 3 Commission Meeting. The Ann Arbor lawyer is examining our documents in order to 
determine whether to take our case. Contact Larry Posont to help sort out lists. People are requesting membership applications 
online. The National Office has been supportive.

Youth Outreach. Melinda Latham. The Michael See Memorial Bridge Walk will be held September 3-6. We want to stay below the bridge 
because of the distance on Monday morning. We intend to hold break out sessions like culinary, mobility, and Braille. The cost is 
$75, which includes everything but three meals. Although this is youth outreach anyone can attend. Melinda's contact information is:

melinda.latham at lansingschools.net

 NFB camps at Camp Tuhsmeheta Braille will be held from June 23-27. We will focus on Braille reading and building reading speeds. We 
will hold Science Camp July 19-23. There is a public school teacher who wants to learn to teach blind kids science. Kids will be 
introduced to methods for calculating and summarizing data. Rain is not an issue in our quest for field work adventures. Culinary 
Camp is August 15-19 and will involve crock pot cooking. Kids will take the crock pot home. They will also cook hot dogs and Sam 
ores outside. Recipes will be prepared in Braille. Mary Wurtzel points out that kids are not allowed to cook at home by parents. 
However, crock pots are a start. A parent's day is suggested. Each camp is $350. Scholarships are available.

Correspondence to Governor, Attorney General, state senator and Civil Service Commission. We must keep following up with 
correspondence even if no one responds to us. Our correspondence is being read even if it is not liked.

Update on Freedom of Information Request state and Federal. The RSA commissioner responded and indicated a willingness to follow up 
with Larry Posont. She was in the building in Lansing where we were protesting. We got complaints of being loud at our last protest. 
Pat Cannon claims the final report will be out in May or June. RSA issues forthright reports but may allow the agency to clean them. 
Fred Wurtzel asks if there is a lawful reason to shield the preliminary report. There is no reason why a sanctity of draft report 
should defeat FOIA. Even the Commissioners do not have the report. Public hearings should be held on the state plan at least every 
other year. There must be involvement of all stake holders. Ideally, all rehabilitation must be consumer driven. Michigan is only 1 
out of 17 states whose report has not been released.

Discussion.--Positions we gave the Commission Board during the March 19 meeting. During the Commission Board meeting, consumer 
groups had 45 minutes. We put our positions in writing. The Commission doesn't like it. The meeting minutes were edited and did not 
accurately reflect our position papers. Our papers should be included or excluded, not edited.

Discussion of the May 3 Special Commission Board Meeting. Fred Wurtzel was at the meeting. The Commission Board used the Freedom of 
Information Act to have a closed meeting. They also used Attorney Client Privilege. Barbra Schmidt combined two laws to justify this 
closed meeting. A closed meeting is permissible if personnel who are being considered want it closed. None of the issues warranted a 
closed meeting. There must be a 2/3 vote in order to go into closed session. She had no document in any accessible format. Terry 
Eagle, Mark Eagle, Jessica Madden, Fred Wurtzel, attended the meeting. Grace the

Facilitator was educated by NFB members. Mike Gino asked the attorney General if the board could write policy. The Attorney General 
confirmed that they could write policy. This victory enhances our credibility. The second issue then dealt with in closed session 
was whether they could rescind an agency decision. The attorney general confirmed this privilege. All agency hearings from the Bep 
need review. The board should not just use the Alj decisions without thoroughly reviewing them. The Commissioners hear from 
Constance Zanger and the Alj, but not from the vendors themselves. All Alj decisions were in favor of the agency. Constance Zanger 
got to talk to the board and not the operator. This is not proper. If the agency gets to present information, so does the operator. 
This is another big victory for us. The board has to review the whole transcript. Christine Boone's case was not directly brought 
up. They must deal with personnel issues. Christine Boone appealed to the board but no one would respond to her. If a director 
claims to have a consumer driven agency, it would seem that he/she would want feedback. He might even want protection by discussing 
discipline with consumer groups. Our points are being proved correct.

Discussion.--Future protest plans. We need to protest 12 P.M. to 1 P.M. each week on Thursday in front of the Commission building 
and Governor's building. A protest is proposed in front of the Governor's building next Thursday. Seven people were interviewed for 
the Director's position out of 200 applicants. There are instructions from Lansing to destroy all personnel information as soon as 
the position is filled. We need to guarantee news coverage, possibly by locking ourselves together in traffic.

Discussion.--New task force for BEP operators with Consumer organization input. A committee of blind vendors is being created. This 
committee includes: three blind vendors, Bill Lojer, Joe Sontag, James Chaney, who are part of the Elected Operators Committee. 
Staff include, Constance Zanger and James Hull. The presidents of the ACB and NFB, plus two individuals from the Commission Board 
are also included. Pat Cannon is not included. Larry Posont recommended two favorable people, Terry Eagle and Christine Boone. Joe 
Ann Pilarski will be included from the Commission Board. However, she cannot vote. Dave Robinson stated that Bill said Dave could 
not be on the committee because of his civil action.

Update on College policy. Elizabeth Mohnke, Fred Wurtzel. Elizabeth Mohnke sent out college surveys and a rewrite of the college 
policy. Surveys must be sent to students.nfbmi at gmail.com. They need to be turned in by Monday June 7 in order to get information 
from them to Jerry Taeckens by June 14. Jerry Taeckens wants comments by Monday June 14. Elizabeth Mohnke obtained favorable 
feedback on her version of the college policy which was then accepted by the Federation. Marcus Simmons motioned and Mike Powell 
seconded the motion to accept the college policy as amended. The text appears below.

MCB COLLEGE AND OTHER POSTSECONDARY TRAINING A. Purpose The purpose of the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) is to provide 
opportunities to individuals who are blind and visually impaired to achieve competitive employment and function independently. We 
believe that all blind and visually impaired individuals have the capacity to live up to their fullest potential and be active 
members of society.  The Michigan Commission for the blind believes rehabilitation is a cooperative venture between the agency and 
the individual, with the individual having primary responsibility for personal successes and failures, and that each individual is 
different with different strengths, weaknesses, interests and aptitudes which require vocational rehabilitation counseling, planning 
and training specific to their individual needs.  It is recommended that students keep an on-going dialog with their counselor to 
ensure that their individual needs are met throughout the rehabilitation process. Students are also encouraged to advocate for 
themselves through due process if they are not satisfied with any decision that is made by any member of the Michigan Commission for 
the Blind. B. Provision for Services  A student shall demonstrate his or her ability to participate in a college or other 
postsecondary training program that will result in competitive employment. Procedure: 1. Students shall participate in a college 
assessment to ensure that they have the skills necessary for college participation. Students must demonstrate competent skill levels 
in the areas of technology, communication, note taking, traveling, and independent living. If students cannot successfully 
demonstrate competent skill levels in these areas, they shall work with their counselor to receive additional training at the 
Michigan Commission for the Blind Training center or another qualified vocational training center consistent with the individuals 
informed choice. 2. Students shall demonstrate their knowledge of their chosen vocational goal by writing a job analysis report with 
the help and guidance of their vocational counselor. Items in this report should include a description of the vocational goal, 
qualifications necessary to obtain the vocational goal, and reasons for choosing the vocational goal. Examples of research for this 
report include job shadowing, mentoring, labor market analysis, and volunteer or paid work experience. 3. Students shall present 
their counselor with a letter of acceptance to an accredited institution recognized by the United States Department of Education 
along with a curriculum outlining their program of study. Students shall consider the advantages and disadvantages of attending a 
four-year university, a community college, and a vocational training program or trade school when deciding on an institution of 
higher learning. However, the student's final decision shall be honored by the Michigan Commission for the Blind. 4. The Michigan 
Commission for the Blind and each state-sponsored university or college in Michigan have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which 
defines the responsibilities of the university or college and the Michigan Commission for the Blind. Prior to the student's 
participation in any college program or Post-secondary training, the Michigan Commission for the Blind shall explain the contents of 
the Memorandum of Understanding to determine which entity should provide the student with specific accommodations. When there is a 
dispute over which entity will provide the necessary accommodations, the Michigan Commission for the Blind shall be responsible for 
providing the accommodation until the dispute is resolved. The student shall not be held responsible for failing or incomplete 
grades if either the Michigan Commission for the Blind or the educational institution fails to provide the accommodations necessary 
for the student to succeed.  C. Duration of Training Students are encouraged to complete their college program or post-secondary 
training as a full time student as defined by the educational institution. However, individual time frames shall be determined on a 
case-by-case basis between the student and his or her counselor. Procedure: 1. Michigan Commission for the Blind financial 
participation shall be limited to one associate's degree, one bachelor's degree, and one advanced degree. Students who complete an 
associate's degree may continue to pursue a bachelor's degree after completing their associate's degree. Students who complete a 
bachelor's degree may continue to pursue an advanced degree if their vocational goal commonly requires an advanced degree to secure 
competitive employment. 2. The Michigan Commission for the Blind understands that in some cases it may not be possible for a student 
to take a full load of classes. Special consideration shall be given to students who work part-time, have a secondary disability, or 
have some other special circumstance that prevents them from taking a full load of classes. However, it is important to ensure that 
time extensions do not interfere with the requirements of the student's educational program. D. Financial Aid The Michigan 
Commission for the Blind shall provide financial assistance for college and other post-secondary training after all other financial 
resources and comparable benefits have been exhausted. Procedure: 1. Comparable services and benefits refer to any appropriate 
service, financial benefit, or assistance available to a consumer to meet, in whole or in part, the cost of vocational 
rehabilitation services. Under this definition, comparable benefits do not include Social Security benefits, such as Social Security 
Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI); and unrestricted scholarships and awards based on merit. 
However, merit scholarships designated for a particular college cost shall be used according to the guidelines of the scholarship. 
2. Students requesting college sponsorship must apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal 
Student Aid (FAFSA), and submit a copy of their financial award letter to their counselor no later than one month before the 
beginning of the semester. Students who fail to meet this deadline will be considered for sponsorship the following semester. 3. If 
a consumer is in default of a student loan, no financial aid, including Pell Grants, will be available to the consumer. The Michigan 
Commission for the Blind is prohibited from paying for any training or related services at an institution of higher education for an 
individual who owes a refund on a grant or is in default of a student loan unless the individual makes maximum effort to resolve the 
default as defined under the guidelines of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 4. The Michigan Commission for the 
Blind shall sponsor students at out-of-state and private institutions at the same rate of a comparable program in an amount no 
greater than the highest tuition rate for Michigan residents attending a state-supported college or university in Michigan. Training 
at an institution outside the United States (study abroad) shall be sponsored as a part of an approved course of study by an 
accredited educational institution. The rates for a study abroad program shall not exceed the highest tuition rate for a comparable 
program sponsored by a state-supported college or university in Michigan.  5. Students shall be encouraged to pay the cost of 
application fees and entrance exams. However, the Michigan Commission for the Blind shall provide assistance for seeking alternative 
financial resources to help cover the cost of application fees and entrance exams. When appropriate, the Michigan Commission for the 
Blind shall pay for the cost of preparation classes or materials for entrance exams. The Michigan Commission for the Blind shall 
assist with the cost of professional certification exams and fees. 6. The Michigan Commission for the Blind shall provide 
rehabilitation technology and reader services as a part of a student's Individualized Plan for Employment. The Michigan Commission 
for the Blind shall be responsible for providing these services when they cannot be provided by the educational institution Or when 
they do not meet the individualized needs of the student.  7. The Michigan Commission for the Blind shall sponsor the costs 
associated with living on campus including meal plans and room and board based on double occupancy.  Students who do not choose to 
live in the housing provided by the college or university may receive assistance from the Michigan Commission for the Blind. This 
assistance shall not exceed the rate of the housing provided by the college or university, or the amount of the highest housing rate 
for Michigan residents attending a state-supported college or university in Michigan. 8. Students who require additional financial 
assistance shall be encouraged to apply for Social Security benefits including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and 
Supplemental Security Income (SSI. Students may also be eligible to receive maintenance from the Michigan Commission for the Blind 
to help cover the costs of participating in specific rehabilitation services. Students who wish to receive maintenance shall be 
required to create a budget outlining the need for additional financial assistance.  E. Academic Progress All students shall 
maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, or "C" average. In some cases, students may be required to 
maintain a higher grade point average depending on the academic program. In all cases, students must report their final grades to 
their counselor within two weeks after the end of each semester. Procedures: 1. Students shall follow the requirements of an 
academic curriculum approved by their educational institution. Any exceptions to a student's curriculum that is approved by the 
academic program shall be honored by the Michigan Commission for the Blind. 2. Students will be placed on probationary status if 
their grade point average falls below the 2.0 or "C" average, receive a failing or incomplete grade, or if they drop a class after 
the Michigan Commission for the Blind has already paid for the class. In the case of an incomplete grade, students shall resolve the 
incomplete grade during the next semester. Following the semester when any of these situations occur, students shall be given a 
grace period of one semester to correct these deficiencies. While students are on academic probation, the Michigan Commission for 
the Blind shall assist students by exploring resources to help them retain or reestablish their sponsorship.  3. When a student has 
failed or dropped a class after the Michigan Commission for the Blind has paid for the class, the student shall be required to 
contribute the amount paid by the Michigan Commission for the Blind. However, the student shall not be responsible for submitting 
this contribution if either the Michigan Commission for the Blind or the educational institution has failed to provide a necessary 
accommodation for the successful completion of the class. In the event that a student is required to pay this contribution, they 
shall make arrangements to pay this contribution before the beginning of the next semester. F. Advanced Degrees  The sponsorship of 
an advanced degree by the Michigan Commission for the Blind shall be limited to students who cannot obtain competitive employment 
with a bachelor's degree, or when they are included as a part of a student's Individualized Plan for Employment.   Procedure: 1. In 
addition to the procedures listed under the undergraduate degree sponsorship, students seeking an advanced degree shall maintain an 
acceptable grade point average as defined under the standards for their academic program. If the student's grade point average falls 
below this level, their sponsorship by the Michigan Commission for the Blind shall be suspended until they are able to bring their 
cumulative grade point average back up to the standards set forth by the academic program.National Convention Transportation? There 
were not twenty individuals who were willing to take the train.

Volunteers in Independence Market at National Convention Needed. Individuals are needed to report at interest groups. Volunteers are 
also needed for Independence Market and for the Michigan affiliate table. The opportunities to work the Michigan table include: 
Sunday 9 to 5, and Monday 8-30-5, Tuesday 12 to 1-45. Wednesday is 12-1-45 and 7-10. If you get assistance for attending Convention, 
you must help. Prices just need to be referenced in print and Braille.

State caucus at National Convention? Mrs. Jernigan was sent a message concerning the Michigan caucus for July 2 9 to 11 p.m. We have 
not received a response yet.

New Business:

Newsline Funding. We have not received our status for billing from the national office for Newsline.

Discussion--Technology Sizzler, June 23. Georgia Kitchen will help with Newsline. Mike Powell is working on getting volunteers 
there.

There is no update on progress of the new website.

Update on the solicitation license. Our national license is sought after from the National office. The National office put us in for 
a fall fund raiser. Our state President said we are held up because one person is not cooperative. Fred Wurtzel recommends that 
Larry Posont speak with Charlie Brown at the National Office. Dave Robinson says the board has been waiting quite a while. The 990's 
for 2009 are finished and current.

Volunteers are needed to work the Michigan table in the exhibit hall at National Convention. Contact Dave Robinson to volunteer.

We are working on the Complaint on the signage of the Victor Building? The Commission building third floor is starting to get 
accessible signage.

August Board Meeting, Doubletree Hotel Potential State Board Meeting August 14 or 28? August 28 was selected for the Board meeting. 
There will be a picnic at Larry's home after the board meeting.

Chapter Updates. The Lansing chapter had a successful theater project. They allocated the money to help members go to National 
Convention. There will be a pancake breakfast on June 5, 8-10 A.M. for $7. There is a Parade of homes on June 3-6 and June 10-13. 
Cindy Holmstead and Tyler Colter joined the Lansing chapter. They are a part of the Michigan Braille Transcribing Fund which donated 
last year's grand prize at National Convention. Lansing is trying to recruit new members. Lansing is giving $25 to each of the 4 
major funds at Convention. They challenge other chapters to give to the 4 funds as well.  Christine Boone will explain donating to 
the four funds to the Kalamazoo Chapter. John Scott says Detroit gave $250 last year as a chapter. Detroit accepts the challenge to 
donate to all 4 funds. The Detroit Chapter has five new members. The Detroit Chapter wants to fund raise with a talent show. Carrie 
Bradley's brother will give his free time for the talent show in October for Meet the Blind month. The Western Wayne Chapter is 
planning three fund raisers. These include, selling perfume and chocolate covered cherries, as well as running concessions at 
Comerica Park in 2011. The Kalamazoo Chapter has many people off keeping busy.

Jackie Paulding wants a volunteer orientation day before camp.

Sharon Kingsbury suggests break out sessions for the seniors at the State Convention. She wants to start work on the senior seminar. 
Fred Wurtzel intends to meet with the Tri-County Agency on Aging to try and obtain support for the senior seminar. It may be 
possible to sign up for the hotel room on the website by next week. We can register online. Dave Robinson says sign up for the race 
for independence.

Adjourn at 4-43.

Email address: president.nfb.mi at agmail.com

Thank you for being a part of the NFB of Michigan. Together, we are changing what it means to be blind in Michigan.