December 12, 2004

The meeting was called to order via teleconference by President Dan Hicks at
approximately 8:00 P.M on December 12.  Responding to President Dan's role
call were:  First Vice-President Kathy Davis, Second Vice-President J. D.
Townsend, Treasurer Tom Hartig, Board Member Joe Minichiello, Board Member
Dwight Sayer and Board Member Betty McNally.  Joe reported that Secretary
Carol probably would not make the meeting due to choir and work commitments.

Minutes:  J. D. moved, Joe seconded and the motion carried unanimously to
approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

Treasurer:  Tom reported an increase from a contribution by the Higgins Fund
of $12,870 and also $500 for a scholarship account from Orlando.  The rest
were miscellaneous ins and outs.  Assets statement shows that there has been
no significant increase in our Money Market or Securities in the last three
months but there will be this month as a $12,000 CD actually comes due.
Another $50,000 CD comes due at the end of January.  Newsline reserves is
almost back up to the $40,000 that we started out with.  There is still a
$7,000 outstanding transferred from Newsline to Checking due to cash-flow
issues.  Gloria made the suggestion to try to put the $10,000 into something
with a good rate.  J. D. moved, Dwight seconded and the motion carried
unanimously to approve the treasurer's report.

NFB National letter:  A lengthy discussion ensued.  The letter is troubling.
The fired employee was/is a disgruntled employee.  Dan could talk with
National board members.  We will keep a watchful eye.

Accessibility Subcommittee:  Tom Ryan Chairman.  A big issue appears to be
getting accessible machines that will allow for a paper backup since that
seems to be a disputing point for some of the early buyers.  Dwight said
that Orlando was taking its time for that reason.  Joe talked to Beth who
was involved in  the Duval law suit with regard to timely installation of
accessible machines.  The case is going to the eleventh circuit.  Duval
County has appealed, so some time in January the case should make it to the
eleventh circuit.  The hopeful feeling is that the circuit will go with the
judge in Jacksonville.  Beth could be asked to join the subcommittee.  The
suit would not preclude her participation.

Imagination Fund:  There have been meetings of state presidents.  There
seems to be a great deal of resistance among presidents, feeling it to be a
real burden, being a bad strategy, asking so much of perhaps relatives and
friends.  How many mailouts will be done? This whole thing might backfire,
completely disillusioning/tiring our people, sickening them of more
money-seekers.  Perhaps a different strategy needs to be implemented rather
than this Imagine Fund, the way it is being handled.

Budget Committee:  On Tuesday, 1/11, we will have the next meeting to vote
on the budget.

Newsline:  Dwight and Tom attended the annual Newsline Seminar, November
16-18.  The primary emphasis was getting and keeping new subscribers,
getting money in each state, and marketing within the state.  Tom hears from
Sen. Pruitt's office that we are in the budget for $150,000 this next year.
Demonstrations of Newsline have been done by Marion currently, David Beardon
has done some and Miami is working on same.  At the first committee meeting
this year, in August, full Newsline Committee, Sherrill O'Brien felt that
something should be developed for children.  Tom presented her idea to the
steering committee including Peggy Elliott and Eric Duffy of Ohio.  A
national subcommittee is being established with Sherrill being on this.

Fundraising:  Marion attended a seminar on grant-getting, how to find them,
how to present oneself for the grant.  Grants need to be very specific of
purpose, i.e. the Tallahassee Seminar even in years to come.  Dan will and
possibly Gloria be going in February to make sure the Tallahassee chapter is
ready and excited about the seminar which is March 16-18.

Tom discussed raffle tickets which are soon to be distributed.  Tickets are
printed.

Allen Bornstine is the ticket master.  This is our 2005 Ticket to Paradise.

DBS Reorganization Issues:  A conference call is scheduled with Senator
Wise.  Hopefully Senator Wise will feel the need to move quickly on this
issue as it is rather imperative to us.  This coming Wednesday is the date
scheduled, a representative from each group.  Jim Gashel would be a good
source to tap for help in this matter, with his many years of experience.
We have an uphill battle as the consensus seems to be that "the handicapped"
are one lump.  One board member said that she was actually made to feel
unappreciative because she did not want to be "helped" by such a "wonderful"
arrangement.  Dwight pointed out that the Veterans Administration a long
time ago recognized the importance of the separation of the blind from other
handicaps.  J. D. explained in a letter that, for example, psychiatric
rehabilitation is an ongoing, a continual rehabilitation process.  Blindness
is not.  We need to go public with our views.

It would be good to have a board meeting with Craig and possibly someone
from National.

Washington Seminar:  Seven board members are interested in going, January 31
to February 3. It looks like 12 can go for $700 each, $400 over the
recommended $8,000 proposed Washington seminar budget.  Rick, Laurel, Holly,
Lydia and David are the five members besides the board.  If Carol cannot go,
denise will go.  If Lydia cannot go, Carlos would have to be the alternate
because of the need for Tallahassee people to be represented.

Tallahassee Seminar:  Dwight is working on the buses.  We don't know when TD
day is yet but thus far Dwight seems to be really working out some awesome
arrangements for our NFB travel.  We will need to think about wheelchair
accessibility.

Exhibitors for State Convention:  We need to follow up on letters sent out.
Tom has two checks, one is not-for-profit.  We need to glean, for example,
Monitor Miniatures, for ideas of persons perhaps buying ads.

Talking Book Reader:  Ray Fouchet or Mitzi Friedlander seemed to be
currently the top two interests.

Kathy talked with Tom about the difficulty with the Daytona News Journal
being three days behind.  Tom stated that the problem was mostly the weekend
and that Monday at probably 3:00 P.M., Monday would be on.  The managing
editor said that as the word got out about the late problem, that would give
credence to working on more promptness in issues.

Tom would like to approach the publisher of the Palm Beach Post and ask him
if he would appear somewhere on our agenda to accept an award.  Tom could
try for the banquet.  If not, some other time during the convention.  Kathy
suggested also an award for Carolyn Lapp.  Tom moved, J. D. seconded and the
motion carried for her award.

Bill Lapp is not going to be able to do tape duplicating any more because of
health reasons.  David might be able to do it again.  He previously had a
space problem involving children moving in and out.  We could go with
Newsline and E mail for our Focus distribution.  We have already paid for
the duplicators but there is labor.  Much of our population is elderly and
resistant to the changeover to Newsline.  Also there is the issue of the
grant for the duplicating equipment.  Can we move it?  Where can we move it?
Perhaps David would know.  The list also needs to be surveyed to determine
the accuracy of its users.  Kathy could request that presidents announce in
their chapter that we need to know if a tape issue is requested.  Tom needs
more help in the marketing end of the Newsline.  Who could coordinate the
volunteers?  It is a paid job, $10 an hour.

Betty inquired of Gloria about the Articles of Incorporation.

Kathy moved, Tom seconded and the meeting was adjourned at approximately
10:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol Feazell, Secretary NFBF