September 20, 2004

Treasurer Tom Hartig started right out by telling us that he had mailed out the Higgins
Foundation application today and expects to hear by 10/15.  Tom explained
that this is a private trust established through a bank that is a trustee.
There are a number of designated recipients of the assets of that trust.  We
do not know how many; we do not know how much is invested.  However we are
one of the recipients and have some minor hoops to jump through each year.
We get in the range of $12,000 from this.  President Dan understands that
this is a grant that President Mauer had told Wayne about, that we could
apply for.  It appears to be a grant that was established to help oppressed
persons of all kinds.  At any rate, their distribution was announced which
is an even distribution among all qualified and participating applicants,
applications to be in by 10/01 so we are well within the timeframe.

President Dan Hicks called the roll and responding other than Dan were:  Vice-President
Kathy Davis, Second Vice-President J. D. Townsend, Secretary Carol Feazell,
Treasurer Tom Hartig, Board Member Gloria Hicks, Board Member Joe
Minichiello, Board Member Betty McNally.  Dwight would be expected shortly.

Minutes and treasury were not dealt with at this meeting since primarily
this was a sort of emergency meeting to deal with Newsline funds for which
we are working up a contract, contract sent out by Tom earlier today.

Available money that we have for this purpose is a little bit vague but is
approximately between $14,000 and $20,000.  We have $14,000 budgeted but do
have some excess in telecommunications line since that is being picked up by
National this year.  Tom has full discretion under the general review of
Division of Blind Services to move money back and forth between lines.  The
contract advises persons who may be on SSDI that this could be jeopardized,
depending on their other sources of employment.  The marketing approval
committee will determine the schedule of payment for those contracting,
committee composed of Kathy, Dan and Tom.

First Dan asked for clarification from the board of members who would be
contracting.  Tom expressed desires of his own, that this is totally
acceptable.  J. D. works as a consultant.  He felt that we should not go for
specific time for presentation except perhaps a minimum time.  Betty is
willing to do volunteer work with the hopes that reimbursement for
out-of-pocket expenses be granted.  Those contracting must have good people
skills, not necessarily NFB members.  Gloria expressed concern about those
who had long been volunteering their time.  What choice would people make
between a paid job versus a volunteer job?  Question was asked about
out-of-pocket expenses.  Those would come from a different portion of
Newsline funds, different from the funds for contractors.  The funds are
somewhat flexibly available for Newsline use.  Discussion followed.  (Dwight
joined us at this point.)  Dwight also says that he desires to be a Newsline
contractor.  He and Tom would voluntarily abstain from voting.  Dan asked of
Tom how he would deal with the question of both being the chair of the
Newsline steering Committee and also being a subcontractor with Newsline.
Tom being staff would not have a vote on  that committee.  He could however
make recommendations.

The contract was discussed.  Dan was concerned about the Newsline committee
being mentioned as the contracting body.  Tom explained that the Newsline
committee is the official grant recipient.  The entity receiving it is the
National Federation of the Blind.  Dan began reading the contract as E
mailed.  There was much discussion about the invoices being submitted "from
time to time."  Perhaps this could be considered as a progress report,
indicating even if no hours were spent.  Independent Living Centers are
probably some of the better places to bring Newsline presentations.
Newsline presentations could even be done at Council meetings.  It is
difficult to determine a results-based rate of pay.  How will we do it?  Tom
does have authority to accept or reject possible subcontractors.  The
contract was revised to say that invoices would be submitted by the tenth of
each month.  In #4, the word "hourly" was removed.  J. D. moved and Carol
seconded to accept the contract as amended.  Voting for were:  Kathy, J.D.,
Carol, Gloria, Joe, Betty.  Abstaining were Tom and Dwight.

Gloria reminded Tom of the $9500 that is coming for the property sold.

Several people moved and seconded for adjournment which was done at 9:19
p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol Feazell, Secretary, NFBF