[nfbmi-talk] November 6, 2011 Minutes for the National Federation of the Blind of MichiganBoard Meeting
Elizabeth
lizmohnke at hotmail.com
Thu Feb 9 19:46:23 UTC 2012
Hello Terri,
Thanks as always for sending out these minutes. However, I see that a few
corrections should be made.
First, I am not the President, nor have I ever been President of the
National Association of Blind Students. However, I did serve one year as the
President of the Michigan Association of Blind Students. I just thought I
would set the record straight, as there is a difference between the National
Association of Blind Students and the Michigan Association of Blind
Students.
Second, I see that not all of the current board members of the student
division were listed in the minutes. I would like to see the name of
Kimberly Mohnke be added to the list of the current board members of the
student division. If you are going to list the new board members, I think
you should either list them all, or none at all.
If you could please make these corrections to the minutes, I would greatly
appreciate it.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
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From: "trising" <trising at sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 9:15 PM
To: "NFBofMichigan List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] November 6,2011 Minutes for the National Federation of
the Blind of MichiganBoard Meeting
>
>
> November 6, 2011 Minutes for the National Federation of the Blind of
> Michigan Board Meeting 9:00 A.M. Clarion Hotel 3600 Cork St. Kalamazoo, MI
>
> SECRETARY'S Report, Terri Wilcox. Mike Powell moved to adopt the
> Secretary's Report. Dave Robinson seconded the motion. The Secretary's
> Report was approved.
>
> TREASURERS Report, Mary Wurtzel.
>
> First, the Balance in our Newsline account in November: is $1,529.35.
>
> Affiliate balances for each quarter of 2011 throughJanuary 2012:
>
> 1st quarter: January through March
>
> Income: $3,105.85
>
> Expenses $3,050.05
>
> 2nd quarter April through June
>
> Income $20,417.70
>
> expenses $8,852.80
>
> 3Rd quarter July through September
>
> Income: $14,517
>
> Expenses: $25,126.82
>
> The balances below include Washington Seminar expenses as of February 5.
>
> Affilliate account has a balance of $4,795.35.
>
> $1500 of that is Youth Outreach
>
> January newsline is $1,609.95
>
> We received $601.40 from Inagination fund.
>
> Dave Robinson moved to adopt the Treasurer's Report. Mike Powell seconded
> the Motion. The Treasurer's Report was approved.
>
> ELECTION of Board Position 1 Dave Robinson is elected to Board Position 1.
>
> ELECTION of Board Position 2 Sarah Norwood is elected to Board position 2.
>
> ELECTION of Board Position 3 Christine Boone is elected to Board position
> 3.
>
> ELECTION of Board Position 4 Nick Wilcox is elected to Board Position 4.
>
> NATIONAL Convention - Where and When? The National Convention will be from
> June 30 to July 5 in Dallas Texas.
>
> FUND Raising - National Convention. Past merchandise had high shipping
> cost. Other affiliates are going to smaller items. Items under
> consideration include: chocolate covered blueberries and balloons in a
> Whozit shape. Of course, we will still sell coffee and tote bags. Clothing
> sales will be discontinued.
>
> Washington Seminar. Washington Seminar has had good representation from
> Michigan. J.j. Meddaugh will be the point person. There are good air fares
> from Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo to Washington. Melinda Latham will
> coordinate youth vouchers for Washington Seminar.
>
> STATE Convention - Locations for Next Year. Possibilities include:
> Jackson, Travers City, Kalamazoo, and Detroit. Jackson seems to be
> favored.
>
> BRAILLE Monitor, new Formats by December Choices include: (e-mail,
> Newsline, thumb
>
> Drive. Cassettes are being phased out because they are expensive. The
> Braille Monitor is on Newsline as of January 2012.
>
> OPPORTUNITIES Unlimited for the Blind, Phil Gabel, Kacy Dutmer. Kacy
> Dutmer is the Chairman of Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind.
> Representation from the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan is
> needed on the Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind Board. We shall fill
> the three vacant spots on the board with National Federation of the Blind
> members. Camp Tuhsmeheta is important but Opportunities Unlimited for the
> Blind does not have the lease. Mr. Dutmer intends to keep on track and
> follow the bylaws. He wants help, encouragement, and support. Three camps
> were sponsored through National Federation of the Blind of Michigan, with
> the money coming through an anonymous donor. Camps had great numbers.
> Science camp was most successful. There were about thirteen students per
> session. Eighty percent of students at camp get scholarships. Thirteen
> programs occurred at Camp Tuhsmeheta, including high adventure camps such
> as the Colorado trip and sailing camp. Culinary Camp was a great program
> that can be even more successful if outdoor cooking space is used. There
> were challenges because Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind has no lease
> on the property. Kacy Dutmer is the Chairman of Opportunities Unlimited
> for the Blind. Merrilee Hill-Kennedy, Vice Chairman, Gwen Botting,
> Secretary, E. J. Pas, Treasurer, Scott Ford, Board Member, Larry Almond,
> Board Member, Scott Norris, Board Member, Rob Essenberg, Board Member,
> Julie Cushman, Board Member and Lucy Edmonds, Board Member. The National
> Federation of the Blind of Michigan kept the camp running for many years.
> Without our intervention, the state would have split the property. Fred
> and Mary Wurtzel were recommended to be on the Opportunities Unlimited for
> the Blind Board, but they were denied admittance. The National Federation
> of the Blind of Michigan will always be strong advocates for the success
> of Camp Tuhsmeheta to the legislature and Board of Education. Several
> articles in the Braille Monitor about Camp Tuhsmeheta are written from a
> Federation perspective. Kacy Dutmer can work with National Federation of
> the Blind of Michigan. Those responsible for the hateful treatment of Fred
> Wurtzel are gone. There is Federation spirit at Camp Tuhsmeheta!
> Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind needs our talent, passion, energy
> and expertise. The board meets by conference call on the fourth Monday
> evening of the month.
>
> RESOLUTIONS 2011-01-2011-09 were passed and 2011-10 was tabled due to
> legal review. Fred Wurtzel recommends that we table Resolution 2011-10
> until we obtain legal council. Resolutions will be on the list serve after
> approval by Vice President Mike Powell and after legal counsel is obtained
> for Resolution 2011-10. Christine Boone and Larry Posont left the room
> while the Resolutions were read.
>
>
>
> RESOLUTION 2011-01
> RESOLUTION RELATED TO PROGRAM ACCESS AND MCB
>
>
> WHEREAS, all Vocational Rehabilitation entities, including the Michigan
> Commission for the Blind, (MCB) have long ago been required to provide
> "program access" to all the facilities it uses on a daily basis and to
> hold hearings, meetings and events in fully accessible facilities, even to
> the point of signing assurances with the Rehabilitation Services
> Administration annually that it does fully comply with these long-standing
> obligations; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, one of those long-standing requirements was, and is to
> have raised character Braille signage mounted on every permanent room,
> nearest the latch side of each door in accordance with American with
> Disabilities Act Guidelines (3.40.1, 4, 5, and 6); and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, all such barriers were to have been removed under the
> required ADA transition plan by no later than July 26, 1995, yet exist to
> this very day in most, if not all, facilities used by the MCB; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Patrick D. Cannon was the former Chair of the United
> States Access Board which establishes the standards of the ADAAG, the
> State of Michigan ADA Coordinator responsible for implementation and the
> Director of MCB responsible for full compliance and knowingly so; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are
> civil rights laws requiring affirmative action; and therefore these
> inactions by Cannon constitute not only gross dereliction of known duties
> and deliberate indifference to these civil rights laws, but also must be
> considered malicious and intentional acts of mass discrimination; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, members of, and indeed the entire state affiliate of
> the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan, have promoted the full
> application of these requirements repeatedly over the years along with
> documenting violations; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the NFB-MI has long promoted Braille, including its
> use in the built environment, for reasons obvious to all:
>
>
>
> NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by the National Federation of the
> Blind of Michigan in convention assembled this 6th day of November, 2011
> in the City of Kalamazoo, Michigan that forthwith the NFB-MI lodges a
> formal Complaint with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) in the United
> States Department of Education, along with supporting documentation, on
> behalf of all its members, and indeed all people who are blind in the
> State of Michigan, against Patrick D. Cannon, individually, and against
> the Michigan Commission for the Blind as an entity; and
>
>
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as a part of this Complaint, the
> NFB-MI urges OCR to promptly enforce our individual and collective civil
> rights and to make the class whole as its charge.
>
>
>
>
>
> RESOLUTION 2011-02
> RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
>
>
> WHEREAS, all entities of State and local government are
> required to follow the effective communications requirements of the
> Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, including the obligation to
> affirmatively, let alone upon request, remit information sin alternate
> formats to people who are blind; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires
> that all recipients of federal funds provide auxiliary aids and services
> to those who are blind; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court found in Tennessee v
> Lane that state and local courts are not immune from these obligations
> and, indeed, have high responsibilities in these regards, for lack of
> access fundamentally denies "due process and equal protection under the
> law"; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Michigan Administrative Hearing Systems (MAHS) is
> both a Title II entity, federal fund recipient and an administrative law
> program where blind Business Enterprise Program participants and
> advocates, as well as others, routinely appear to seek justice and receive
> due process and equal protection under laws, including Public Act 260 of
> 1978 as well as major aspects of the Rehabilitation Act; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, MAHS, in documented fashion and principals therein,
> have denied advocates and respondents who are blind repeatedly information
> in accessible formats and in a timely manner; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, these are systemic, chronic, pervasive and fundamental
> violations of the civil rights of all Michigan citizens who are blind, as
> a class, by failure to act affirmatively in these regards; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Michigan Commission for the Blind has also been
> complicit in not only ensuring that MAHS follows these laws, but rather,
> has repeatedly violated these very same provisions of the law in these
> administrative proceedings which are in and of themselves conscious and
> malicious acts of discrimination perpetuated repeatedly against numerous
> blind individuals;
>
>
>
> NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by the National Federation of the
> Blind of Michigan in convention assembled on November 6, 2011 in the City
> of Kalamazoo, Michigan that forthwith, the National Federation of the
> Blind of Michigan will lodge a Complaint against the Michigan Department
> of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (MAHS's parent), MAHS, and The
> Michigan Commission for the Blind within the United States Department of
> Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, and the civil
> rights office of the United States Attorney in the Eastern District of
> Michigan.
>
>
>
> AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NFB-MI will seek any legal
> support in these matters from other resources, including our National
> office.
>
> RESOLUTION 2011-03
> COMMISSION BOARD ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
>
>
> WHEREAS, over the years, the Michigan Commission for the Blind
> Board has received quality secretarial and administrative support; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, notwithstanding this support, it is inappropriate for
> the Commission Board to co-mingle administrative support with that of the
> Commission Director; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Rehabilitation Act clearly calls for separate and
> independent administrative support staff directed and controlled by the
> Board; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Michigan Commission for the Blind Board in its
> September 2011 meeting passed a unanimous motion to establish separate
> clerical support for the Board;
>
>
>
> NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Federation of
> the Blind of Michigan in convention assembled this 6th day of November,
> 2011 in the City of Kalamazoo, Michigan
>
> that this organization calls upon the Michigan Commission for the Blind to
> take all appropriate, affirmative and expeditious steps to secure adequate
> and appropriate secretarial and administrative support as called for in
> the Rehabilitation Act, and adequate enough to assist the Michigan
> Commission for the Blind board in carrying out its duties and
> responsibilities; and
>
>
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization commends the Michigan
> Commission for the Blind Board for taking action to establish separate
> secretarial and support services.
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> RESOLUTION 2011-04
> MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND MINUTES
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Michigan Commission for the Blind has been in
> operation since 1978; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, until the repressive present regime, the commission
> met approximately eleven (11) times per year and is responsible to develop
> policy which affects blind Michigan citizens; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, it is very difficult to ascertain all relevant
> Commission policy pertaining to any specific topic or related topics; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, open and transparent government and the efficient
> operation of the Commission Board call for ready access to all policies
> and related discussions;
>
>
>
> NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by the National Federation of the
> Blind of Michigan in convention assembled this 6th day of November, 2011
> in the City of Kalamazoo, Michigan that this organization call upon the
> Commission Board to enact policies to organize a searchable public
> database of Commission motions and minutes that is available to
> Commissioners, staff and the public via the internet.
>
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> RESOLUTION 2011-05
> EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires
> that all Vocational Rehabilitation agencies, including the Michigan
> Commission for the Blind (MCB) communicates effectively through
> "appropriate modes of communication: with all customers; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of
> 1990 (Subpart e, Communications) requires that all entities of State and
> local government provide information to all people who are blind in their
> most effective format and in a timely manner, including, of course, all
> those engaged with the Michigan Commission for the Blind; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires
> the same; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, it has been documented over the years that MCB does
> not, in all cases, remit timely materials in Braille, audio, electronic,
> or large print even after continued requests from customers, Business
> Enterprise Program licensees and members of the public who are blind; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, these documented and ongoing breaches of civil rights
> laws delay, deny and otherwise inhibit delivery of required services and
> "due process and equal protection" under these laws and thus constitute
> systemic, chronic and pervasive acts of discrimination against people who
> are blind in the State of Michigan; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan is
> the leading advocate for the rights of all the blind of Michigan, and
> believes such violations of the law by the MCB denies blind persons of
> their right to equal access and such violations could be readily corrected
> by the MCB;
>
>
>
> NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of
> the Blind of Michigan in convention assembled this 6th day of November,
> 2011 in the City of Kalamazoo, Michigan that the National Federation of
> the Blind of Michigan files a Complaint forthwith to the United States
> Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights against the Michigan
> Commission for the Blind detailing the chronic acts of discrimination and
> demanding prompt compliance with all applicable laws in these regards.
>
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> RESOLUTION 2011-06
> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MICHIGAN
>
>
> WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan is an
> affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, the oldest and largest
> organization of all the blind in the country; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan is
> actively involved in many activities that improve the lives of blind
> people in Michigan, including civil rights, advocacy, the education of
> blind children and adults, good training and job placement for the blind,
> information and technology access; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Michigan Commission for the Blind Business
> Enterprise Program (BEP) operates a phone information line called the
> Operator Information Exchange Line which is supported with state and
> federal funds and is designed for the purpose of providing useful
> information to BEP operators; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
> attempted to place an announcement about its up-and-coming annual State
> Convention on the Operator Information Exchange Line for the BEP operators
> in Michigan; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, management of the BEP, without permission from the
> Federation's representative, edited out the portion of the announcement
> which contained information about the state convention and only included
> information about the NFBM Merchants division training seminar; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, a second submittal about the convention was rejected
> outright by BEP management; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, BEP management subsequently admitted denial of our
> announcement on this Information Exchange Line which is supported by
> federal and state funds because such information was available elsewhere;
> and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, to our knowledge there are no known laws, rules,
> policies or guidelines restricting the placement of information on the
> operator information exchange line; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, such censorship is a violation of our first amendment
> rights to free speech; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, such blatant discrimination of the NFBM by a state
> employee is a violation of our right to public access;
>
>
>
> NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the
> Blind of Michigan in convention assembled this 6th day of November, 2011
> in the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan that this organization condemns and
> deplores such discriminatory action on the part of Michigan Commission for
> the Blind BEP management; and
>
>
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that sanctions be placed on the employees
> responsible for such behavior; and
>
>
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization takes all
> necessary steps to stop this discriminatory behavior of BEP management,
> including the Michigan Commission for the Blind establishing a written
> policy instructing all staff that such discriminatory actions against the
> NFBM in the future will not be tolerated.
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> RESOLUTION 2011-07
> CHALLENGE EXPERIENCES
>
>
> WHEREAS, successful, quality rehabilitation for the blind
> includes such mandatory skills as Braille, Cane Travel, Daily Living
> Skills, Technology, and Manual Arts; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, these skills represent a minimum, or can be
> considered, core competencies for a person to become prepared to live
> successfully in the world as a blind person; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, in order to fully benefit from these skills each
> person must have a philosophic view of blindness which encompasses these
> skills plus an intrinsic belief in oneself which informs an approach to
> life based on confidence and empowerment; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, successful rehabilitation programs include "challenge
> experiences" that require the student to aggregate and consolidate the
> individual skills to accomplish a goal that challenges and stretches the
> students' self-image as a blind person. Examples of such experiences
> include rock climbing, water skiing, sky diving, participation in large
> social events such as state fairs, Mardi Gras, etc.; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center
> (MCBTC), in response to student demand, created a marksmanship challenge
> activity which served the ambient cultural needs of Michigan's outdoor
> hunting and sports environment; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, this marksmanship program was aborted in a drastic and
> destructive manner brutally repressing the spontaneous self-empowerment of
> blind people who were exercising their self-empowerment, thus undermining
> and stunting the full possibilities of a quality rehabilitation program;
> and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, now that the misguided, mean and regressive actions to
> repress the positive goals of the National Federation of the Blind as
> expressed in positive and progressive rehabilitation administration have
> been repudiated and shown for what they are, anti-consumer and anti-NFB;
> and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, it is now time to resume progress toward progressive,
> positive and creative rehabilitation that empowers blind people and
> creates an environment of encouragement and high expectation leading to
> personal freedom and confidence which will therefore lead to success in
> vocational and community pursuits; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the MCBTC must assume its rightful role as the
> planning, organizing and motivating engine within the Michigan Commission
> for the Blind rehabilitation programs;
>
>
>
> NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the
> Blind of Michigan in convention assembled this 6th day of November 2011
> in the City of Kalamazoo, Michigan
>
> that this organization demands in the strongest terms possible that the
> Michigan Commission for the Blind Board take immediate and affirmative
> steps to enable the MCBTC to develop signature challenge programs
> reflective of the unique environment and needs in Michigan and that they
> reflect the diverse interests of Michigan citizens; and
>
>
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board act in its December
> meeting to initiate a planning process that will produce a plan for
> creative and effective challenge activities to be presented to the
> Commission for consideration in the March 2012 board meeting that
> incorporates the philosophical and skill building requirements as cited
> above; and
>
>
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board incorporate this planning
> and implementation of an acceptable challenge program into the MCB
> Director's Performance Plan for 2012, and that the Board monitor progress
> towards this goal and take appropriate action if the goal is not achieved;
> and
>
>
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization demands the
> reinstatement of the marksmanship class at the MCBTC.
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> RESOLUTION 2011-08
> NEW HORIZONS
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Gwen McNeal has been on the Board of Trustees of New
> Horizons since 2010; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) through
> McNeal, continues to do business with New Horizons to this date including
> contracting for evaluations and engages New Horizons personnel on other
> cash match agreements, including one with Oakland County Schools; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, in the Rehabilitation Services Administration's (RSA)
> 5-year Monitoring Report, RSA found that the Michigan Commission for the
> Blind, the Macomb Intermediate School District, and New Horizons
> Rehabilitation Services engaged in an illegal "cash match" agreement
> whereby New Horizons kicked in funds for federal match, and then received
> a no-bid contract (see Finding 6); and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, MCB Regional Manager Gwen McNeal was the responsible
> agent for this and even gave an award to New Horizons in 2008; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, this, by any reasonable definition, constitutes a
> conflict of interest between this MCB Regional Administrator and a
> Community Rehabilitation Program; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, this clearly violates state ethics guidelines and may
> well be a violation of state and federal laws;
>
>
>
> NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of
> the Blind of Michigan in convention assembled this 6th day of November
> 2011 in the City of Kalamazoo, Michigan
>
> that the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan abhors this sort of
> apparent conflict of interests; and
>
>
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that forthwith NFB-MI informs, in
> writing, Rehabilitation Services Administration, the Office of the
> Inspector General in the United States Department of Education, and the
> Michigan Attorney General's Public Integrity Office about this situation
> and requesting a thorough investigation into these and other practices.
>
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> RESOLUTION 2011-09
> COLLEGE POLICY/MEANS TEST
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Michigan Commission for the Blind has a history of
> requiring college students who receive Social Security benefits to
> financially participate in the cost of their vocational rehabilitation
> services as documented in the 2009 Monitoring Report issued by the
> Rehabilitation Services Administration; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, this is illegal under the Rehabilitation Act of 1998
> regulations to ask college students who receive Social Security benefits
> to financially participate in the cost of their rehabilitation services;
> and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Michigan Commission for the Blind was asked to
> revise this specific policy by the Rehabilitation Services Administration
> to comply with federal laws and procedures; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Michigan Commission for the Blind spent a
> considerable amount of time changing and updating the entire college
> student policy without specifically addressing the issue of asking college
> students who receive Social Security benefits to financially participate
> in the costs of their vocational rehabilitation services; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Michigan Commission for the Blind insisted on
> creating a Means test as a part of this new college policy; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the Michigan Commission for the Blind refuses to
> revise agency policies and procedures regarding the vocational
> rehabilitation services it provides to college students to comply with
> federal laws and procedures; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, the lack of revising and implementing policies and
> procedures for providing vocational rehabilitation services to college
> students that comply with federal laws and procedures is a direct
> reflection of the lack of leadership provided to the Michigan Commission
> for the Blind through the agency director;
>
>
>
> NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of
> the Blind of Michigan in convention assembled this 6th day of November
> 2011 in the City of Kalamazoo, Michigan,
>
> That this organization calls upon the Michigan Commission for the Blind to
> immediately cease and desist the use of any Financial Needs Form that
> requires the financial participation of any college student and creates a
> Means test for college students who receives Social Security benefits; and
>
>
>
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization calls upon the
> Michigan Commission for the Blind Board of Directors to seek appropriate
> disciplinary action, up to and including, the termination of the agency
> director based upon his inability to adopt and implement policies and
> procedures for administering vocational rehabilitation services to college
> students that adequately reflect federal laws and procedures.
>
>
>
> RESOLUTION 2011-10
> FIRE CANNON
>
>
> WHEREAS, Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) Director
> Patrick D. Cannon has personally engaged in retaliatory actions in
> documented fashion against Christine Boone, Hazell Brooks, and David
> Robinson, that are still not fully resolved and typify reckless and
> illegal behaviors which have already cost case services for customers of
> MCB to be restrained, let alone the personal cost to these stalwart blind
> people; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Cannon has directly, and through his subordinates,
> violated core provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended for
> more than a decade, including, illegal means testing, failures to "fast
> track" SSI/SSDI recipients, violations of maintenance, informed choice,
> and even basic eligibility, among others, in both policy and practice
> harming all blind persons seeking services from MCB; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Cannon and subordinates have committed documented
> violations and perverted the Business Enterprise Program and Public Act
> 260 too many times to articulate by the employment of sighted persons over
> competent blind persons; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Cannon has scoffed at the Rehabilitation Services
> Administration which is the primary funder of MCB even to the point of not
> ensuring corrective actions required in the RSA monitoring report due
> almost one (1) year ago; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Cannon has directly violated the Americans with
> Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act which violates
> the civil rights of the entire class of blind people in Michigan; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Cannon has actively worked to suborn due process
> rights of individuals and has openly scoffed at legal processes themselves
> by not responding to lawful subpoenas; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Cannon has directly intervened to control the MCB
> Board with extra legal and highly political measures from the ethics
> attacks against former Commissioner Eagle to his recent, documented
> interventions with the Governor's appointed office in a ludicrous attempt
> to deny commissioners the right to write their own by-laws; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Cannon has directly, and through his subordinates,
> repeatedly violated the Open Meetings Act and the Michigan Freedom of
> Information Act; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, Cannon has directly intervened to deny vital
> information to the MCB Board in a timely and accessible manner, impeding
> them in fulfilling their duties: from not remitting state plan information
> for over a decade, to not ensuring that all complete transcripts,
> including exhibits, were afforded to commissioners in reviews of A.L.J.
> decisions; and
>
>
>
> WHEREAS, these and other actions represent not only
> malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance, but also violations of law and
> equity over a protracted period of time, and in numerous instances so as
> to be construed to be pervasive and malicious by any reasonable person and
> thus accuse of dismissal from his position;
>
>
>
> NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of
> the Blind of Michigan in convention assembled this 6th day of November
> 2011 in the City of Kalamazoo, Michigan
>
> that forthwith this organization will transmit a letter to Governor
> Richard Snyder, LARA Director Steven Hilfinger, and Patrick Cannon's
> immediate supervisor, Steven Arwood which states that Cannon should be
> immediately dismissed as director of MCB for cause.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> STUDENT Division Report, Elizabeth Mohnke, President, National
>
> Association of Blind Students
>
>
>
> Affiliate Approval of Amendments -- Both amendments were approved by the
> Affiliate. New Student Board officers include: President, Jordyn Castor,
> Vice President, Leanne Merren, Secretary, Matt McCubbin and Treasurer,
> J.J. Meddaugh. Board members include: Taylor Arndt, Cheryl Stahl, and Jeff
> Crouch.
>
> Michigan Association of Blind Students Constitution
>
>
>
> ARTICLE I - NAME
>
> The name of this organization shall be the Michigan Association of Blind
> Students.
>
>
>
> ARTICLE II - ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTER
>
> This organization shall be chartered as a state chapter of the National
> Association of Blind Students and as a division of the National Federation
> of the Blind of Michigan.
>
>
>
> ARTICLE III - PURPOSE
>
> The purpose of this organization shall be to promote educational
> opportunities and the general well being of blind students in this nation
> and the state and to function as an integral part of the National
> Association of Blind Students and the National Federation of the Blind of
> Michigan.
>
>
>
> ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP
>
> At least a majority of the active members of this organization must be
> blind students.
>
>
>
> 1. All active members shall have the right to vote, serve on committees,
> speak on the floor, and hold office.
>
>
>
> 2. Any person may become an active member of this organization upon
> application and payment of dues to the treasurer.
>
>
>
> 3. Expulsion
>
> Any member may be expelled for violation of this constitution or for
> behavior unbecoming to a member of the National Federation of the Blind,
> by a majority vote of the members present and voting at an annual business
> meeting or by a two-thirds vote of the board of directors. The annual
> business meeting of this organization may reinstate any person who has
> been expelled, unless such expulsion has been confirmed by the state
> convention, the board of directors of the National Federation of the Blind
> of Michigan, the National Convention, or by the board of directors of the
> National Federation of the Blind, in which event the person may not be
> reinstated except by the Convention or board of directors that confirmed
> the expulsion. Any person who feels he or she has been unjustly expelled
> from the organization may appeal to the state board of directors or the
> annual state convention. If the appeal is denied by the state board [or
> the state convention], the party may further appeal to the national board
> of directors, who may, at their discretion, reinstate a member.
>
>
>
> ARTICLE V - OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
>
>
>
> Section One: Elections
>
> There shall be elected at the regular annual business meeting a president,
> a vice president, a secretary, a treasurer, and four board members. The
> terms of their offices shall begin at the close of the annual business
> meeting at which they are elected and qualified. Officers shall be elected
> by a majority vote of all members present and voting. There shall be no
> proxy voting. If no nominee receives a majority vote on the first ballot,
> the name of the person receiving the fewest votes will be removed from the
> list of nominees and a second ballot recorded. This procedure shall
> continue until one candidate receives a simple majority of the votes. The
> president and vice presidents must be blind students and planning to
> attend a full-time educational program in the academic year following
> election.
>
>
>
> Section Two: Duties
>
> The duties of each officer shall be those ordinarily associated with that
> office.
>
>
>
> ARTICLE VI - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
>
> The board of directors of this organization shall consist of the four
> constitutional officers and four at-large members. The board shall meet at
> the call of the president or on written call signed by a majority of the
> board members. The board shall advise the president and shall have charge
> of the affairs of this organization between meetings. At least a majority
> of the board must be present to constitute a quorum to transact business.
> The board may be polled by telephone, email, or mail ballot on any
> question. A majority of the board of directors must be blind students.
>
>
>
> ARTICLE VII - MEETINGS
>
>
>
> Section One: Annual Business Meetings
>
> The organization shall hold an annual business meeting, the time and place
> of which shall coincide with the time and place of the state convention of
> the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan. At least twenty-five
> percent of the active members must be present to constitute a quorum to
> transact business.
>
>
>
> Section Two: Special Meetings
>
> The president of this organization may call a special meeting any time she
> or he or a majority of the board of directors deems such action to be
> necessary.
>
> At such special meetings at least twenty-five percent of the active
> members must be present to transact business. To call such a meeting,
> notice must be given to the board of directors at least ten days prior to
> the date of such special meeting.
>
>
>
> ARTICLE VIII - COMMITTEES
>
> The president may create such committees as she or he or the organization
> deems necessary. Any decisions made within a committee meeting must have
> at least two-thirds vote of the membership of that committee, and must be
> approved by the board of directors of this organization.
>
>
>
> ARTICLE IX - AFFILIATION
>
> The Michigan Association of Blind Students shall be an affiliate of the
> National Association of Blind Students and the National Federation of the
> Blind of Michigan, which are, in turn, affiliates of the National
> Federation of the Blind. The Michigan Association of Blind Students shall
> furnish to the president of the National Association of Blind Students and
> the president of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan annually
> or before the Michigan state convention a list of the names and addresses
> of the members and elected officers of this organization. A copy of the
> constitution of the Michigan Association of Blind Students and all
> amendments thereto shall be sent to the president of the National
> Association of Blind Students, the president of the National Federation of
> the Blind of Michigan, and the president of the National Federation of the
> Blind without delay.
>
> The Michigan Association of Blind Students shall not merely be a social
> organization, but shall formulate programs and actively work to promote
> the academic and social betterment of blind students and the blind
> generally. This organization shall comply with the provisions of the
> constitution of the National Federation of the Blind, the National
> Federation of the Blind of Michigan, and the provisions of the contract
> appearing on the back of the charter of affiliation issued to it by the
> National Federation of the Blind of Michigan. Policy decisions of the
> National Federation of the Blind, whether made by the National Convention
> or its board of directors or by the state convention or the affiliate's
> board of directors, are binding on this organization, and this
> organization shall participate and act affirmatively in carrying out such
> policy decisions. As a condition of affiliation it is agreed by this
> organization that the National Federation of the Blind, whether the
> decision be made by the Convention or the board of directors, has the
> power to expel or discipline an individual member and to expel or
> reorganize a state affiliate, division, or local chapter. In the event of
> reorganization, the assets of the affiliate, division, or chapter belong
> to the reorganized affiliate, division, or local chapter, and the former
> affiliate, division, or chapter shall dissolve and cease to exist.
> Michigan Association of Blind Students, National Federation of the Blind
> of Michigan Student Division, and any variant thereof, are the property of
> the National Federation of the Blind, and this organization, upon the
> event of disaffiliation with the National federation of the Blind, for
> whatever reason, shall forfeit the right to use the name Michigan
> Association of Blind Students, National Federation of the Blind of
> Michigan Student Division, or any variant thereof.
>
>
>
> ARTICLE X - DUES
>
> The dues of this organization shall be set at annual business meetings and
> shall be payable at annual business meetings. No person may vote who is
> delinquent in the payment of dues.
>
>
>
> ARTICLE XI - DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS
>
> The funds of this Organization shall be deposited in a bank to be selected
> by the treasurer, with the approval of the president. All financial
> transactions shall be discharged by check or other draft, issued on the
> order of the president, and signed by the treasurer or the president.
>
>
>
> ARTICLE XII - DISSOLUTION
>
> In the event of the dissolution of this organization or if, for any
> reason, it ceases to be an
>
> affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind, assets shall be given
> to the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan, to be held in trust
> for a reorganized student organization. In the event that no student group
> is reorganized within a period of two years from the date of dissolution,
> the assets may be deposited with the general funds of the National
> Federation of the Blind of Michigan, to be used for the purposes of that
> organization.
>
>
>
> ARTICLE XIII - AMENDMENTS
>
> This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of this
> organization by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the active members
> present and voting, provided that the amendment is in compliance with the
> provisions of the charter of affiliation issued by the National Federation
> of the Blind of Michigan and the policies of the National Federation of
> the Blind. Amendments may also be acted upon at special meetings.
>
>
>
> Last updated and revised on November 6, 2011
>
>
>
> Members at Large Chapter President, Kandy Jelinski, Vice President, Kevin
> Reeves, Secretary, Joe Harcz and Treasurer, Andrea Nelson. Board Members
> include: Rex Berkhead and Phylis Slater. The Board Members will present
> the charter next year so that the affiliate can approve the chapter
> Constitution.
>
> CONSUMER Involvement Council Elections. Georgia Kitchen was reelected to
> the Consumer Involvement Council. The entire list of Representatives are
> as follows, with the years that their terms expire: Fred Wurtzel, whose
> term expires in 2013, Georgia Kitchen whose term expires in 2014 and Sarah
> Norwood whose term expires at the end of 2012. Joe Harcz was elected as
> the alternate.
>
> CHAPTER and Division Reports. The Kalamazoo chapter appreciates our
> attendance at State Convention and thanks the Clarion Hotel. They have
> their Chapter meetings on the third Thursday at McGuiness Landing,
> beginning at 5:30. Larry Posont thanks all of the people who assisted with
> Convention.
>
> Old Business: A discussion about Camp Tuhsmeheta occurred. The budget that
> was eventually agreed upon was less than the first budget submitted. The
> money for camp is from an anonymous donor. We are called upon to manage
> the money because the money is intended for programs for youth at Camp
> Tuhsmeheta, and for youth. The donation is given out of love for children
> and Camp Tuhsmeheta. The Federation is a safe guard to insure that the
> expanded core curriculum and skills of blindness are imparted to the
> students. Braille, Culinary and Science are our programs. Students are
> involved in National Federation of the Blind because of Camp Tuhsmeheta.
> The program is entirely ours.
>
> Adjourn at 1:00?
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