NFBF Board Meeting

June 10, 2004

 

The meeting was called to order via teleconference by President Dan Hicks at approximately 8:30 P.M.  Answering the roll call were:  President Dan Hicks; First Vice-President Kathy Davis; Second Vice-President J.D. Townsend; Treasurer Tom Hartig; Secretary Carol Feazell; board members:  Gloria Hicks, Joe Minichiello and

Betty McNally.  Dwight was absent, on Federation business.  Dan welcomed Betty and Joe, our newly elected novice board members.

 

Kathy moved that the minutes be approved as E mailed, Tom seconded and the motion carried unanimously. 

 

Treasurer:  Between 4/30 and 5/30, we spent an additional $21,700, most of which was to the state convention.  Also Tom sent a reconciliation statement to give us a better idea of cash flow.  Also Tom sent a budget report, showing where we are at 11+ months into the budget year.  Kathy moved, Betty seconded and the motion carried unanimously to accept the treasurer’s report.  Tom went on to explain that we have paid half of our Adam’s Mark bill, probably have another $4500 to pay there.  We are approximately $1500 above budget.  We are going to be about $6000 to $700 over budget on the convention.  the auction brought in $477, not as much as we had anticipated; we had budgeted $500.  From the exhibitors we received $720; we had budgeted $1200.  J. D. said that he would like us to do more with exhibit prospects ; it’s not too early to start now for next year.  Could go booth by booth to the national convention; Dwight might be able to do that.  Discussion followed regarding reasons for difficulties with exhibitors; it was multifactorial.  J. D. likes the idea of the NFB store type thing as National has.  Could we do something like that?  Ms. Rovig seems to be in charge of the store. 

 

Tom will continue on as head of Newsline.  At large members are somewhat difficult to cultivate and keep track of.  Names can be obtained through the Newsline database.  Tom explained some things regarding membership dues to the state.  He shows 403 registered paid members.  Are membership and chapter-building two separate committees?  Discussion followed.  Membership committee could draw on several databases to explore new/revitalized members.  Tom and J. D. both expressed desire to be on but not to chair such a committee.  We need to think of a good data person who can chair this committee.

 

Dan feels that for the most part the committees will not need to change.  Of course we want to include the new board members and, for that matter, others of our members who have burning desires to serve on various committees.  Dan can put a all out to the list. 

 

Discussion centered around scholarship winners.  Generally all was felt to have gone well with everyone managing to get to convention; sometimes there were difficulties but that’s always the case.  Kathy got all the plaques for about $59.  Many pictures were taken.

 

J.D. spoke to resolutions.  What course should be taken on the five resolutions?  The ID resolution should be dealt with through the legislature as well as the guide dog protection resolution.  We just need to discern the appropriate legislators to receive these.  Gloria as legislative chair will report later regarding these matters.  The DBS resolution needs to go to Craig Kaiser and to Ed. Hudson.  Kathy said that J. D. could handle that; he agreed.  Dwight’s library resolution is being acted upon.  Events committee will discover good rate times for hotels, i.e. September versus October.  Gloria will chair Events and

Betty McNally said that she would be glad to help. 

 

National convention:  Board funding is $750 per board member including the two outgoing.  Tom wished thanks to the gentleman who did the Planned Giving brochure.  Exhibitors need a “thank you” note.  Roy Avers sent a very nice letter. 

 

Discussion followed about the manner in which the presidents offered the allotted $300 assistance for convention.  Dan hasn’t compiled a list of those receiving the $300.  Last year we pledged money to National and will pay that this year.  We will announce the money that we gave last year to White Cane.  $5000 will go to TenBroeck and $2000 will go to Gernigan.  Tom needs to have answers from chapters who have not yet submitted money or returned their tickets.  We will need people to man the ticket table.  Dwight will coordinate that.

 

Fort Myers:  Carolyn Lapp has requested that she be a part of that formation.  Gloria will go if needed. 

 

Dwight now called in; the library meeting is over; they are pretty much determined to have things their way, whether they didn’t really have all the facts or what is something that we know not; but a library demonstration will indeed be in order, says Dwight.  They voted on budget before they heard any of our members speak to the preservation of the subregional library.  We will have to get signs made and schedules of meetings so that we can make our presence known. 

 

Dwight agreed to organize the table/workers for the convention selling of our raffle tickets. 

 

Tom has been tapped to lead the committee on planned giving as well as having national Newsline responsibilities.  Tom is sending a copy of our brochure to the national planned giving committee.

 

Tallahassee will be having a special election this weekend.  Their president has resigned and the now acting president is moving.  Should we have anyone there?  It was felt that they were all right without us for that event. 

 

J. D. moved adjournment and Gloria seconded.  Joe did volunteer for the Newsline committee before adjournment, and 9:47 was the time of adjournment. 

 

Respectfully submitted,           

 

Carol Feazell, Secretary, NFBF