January 11, 2005
 

The teleconference meeting was called to order by President Dan Hicks at
approximately 8:00 P.M.  Answering Dan's role call were:  First
Vice-President Kathy Davis, Treasurer Tom Hartig, Secretary Carol Feazell,
Board Member Joe Minichiello, Board Member Betty McNally and Board Member
Dwight Sayer.  Second Vice-President J. D. Townsend was missing.

A motion for the approval of the minutes of the previous meeting, that of
December 12, 2004,  was made by Tom, seconded by Kathy and the motion
carried unanimously.

Treasurer:  Tom sent out the report via E mail.  This month, the assess
statement went up about $1200, most importantly a CD came due and we have
another coming this month and then we can figure out our cash flow before
investing in another CD.  Kathy moved, Dwight seconded and the report was
accepted unanimously.

J. D. then arrived.

Commission:  Dan has talked with Craig Kaiser.  Craig says that we and other
heads of consumer organizations should talk with Toni Jennings in the next
month or so, explaining that we the blind do not want to lose our identity,
we would like a commission.  Dan/Gloria have drafted a letter to this
effect.  Dan has also talked with Jim Gashel.  Jim says that so long as we keep
DBS together in one organization, as long as we can keep the services, it really
isn't going to matter what department we are under.

We had some discussion about some seeming turmoil going on at National.
There have been some changes made and there have been some disgruntled
employees.  If it turns out that something is being done incorrectly, it
will be attended to.  Some felt badly that we federationists were some of
the last to know about the whole thing.  National may not be totally abreast
of the times in such things as dress demeanor and even perhaps what
reasonably can be expected out of workers of today, be that good or bad.

Budget:  Tom sent the budget.  Income that we have budgeted remains fairly
constant other than that we did expect a sizable increase in exhibitors or
general registration than we have done before, about an additional $2000.
Tom heard that Connecticut had a phonathon type thing and was somewhat
interested in checking that out.  At any rate, income Tom says is estimated
at $45,871.  This is about $5000 more than we actually raised last year.
Most items remain constant in terms of gifts.  We have given $500 to the
Imagination Fund and have carried over $2000 for the TenBroeck Fund and are
suggesting $2000 for White Cane this year, making $4500 as gifts to National
this year.  Office expense has gone down.  Travel and lodging remains pretty
much the same.  We had to add $6000 to the $4500+ because of scholarships.
Chapter grants have been budgeted at $4800.  That comes out to be $300 x 16,
representing the chapters that we have.  Discussion followed about how much
money chapters would be getting from the raffle which will probably be
something like 90 cents of the $2 ticket.  Then we went on to discuss
chapter grants.  Should we assess neediness of chapters?  Should we try to
encourage chapters to do more fundraising to get their members to fundraise
more?  Many have transportation difficulties.  Dan will announce to the
chapters our intentions.  Dwight reported that Orlando did well in the car
wash, primarily on the ads.  The car wash was actually free.  Proposed would
be $6000 for National Convention.  Chapter grant for National recommended at
$500.  It is difficult to be completely fair.  Every chapter should be
treated alike.  Some first-time-goers should perhaps investigate the
Jarnigan Fund.

Last year the expenditure for Tallahassee was $8000+ expenses.  This year
$8000 is budgeted.  How many should go?  Transportation is the biggest part
of the expense.  Last year we had 40+.  We need to pick cautiously those who
do go, not those who need too much "baby-sitting", unfortunately.  We do
need to be knowing right away who is going.  Notices will be sent out to the
chapter presidents.  So we never did spell out definitively how many we
would be sending but would await response from the various presidents to E
mail that would be sent out.

In the midst of this, Tom announced that the total budget from his committee
was $83,236.  The vote was unanimous to approve the budget.  Dwight then
revisited Tallahassee, to determine if our $8000 budgeted was indeed enough.
We still don't know our transportation costs.

We need a presidents committee.  Kathy asked Carol to do the minutes for
that meeting when it becomes established.

Gloria reported that there was a voting committee with Tom Ryan.  There is a
list of all the supervisors of election so we can determine who does and who
does not have accessible voting machines.

Gloria talked with a contact from Senator Wise's office regarding the
commission for the blind.  Gloria spoke with Dee Alexander.  There is no
bill yet and no language for same.  Gloria wants to hear from Senator Wise's
office if there is a possibility for the passage of our kind of
rehabilitation bill this year.  The time may not be right.  Once we get the
draft of our letter regarding the commission, we will be sending it out,
perhaps to other senators and representative.

Newsline:  Just got another paper, The Daytona Beach News Journal.  The
managing editor will be a guest speaker at the state banquet.  We have eight
people who are doing the Newsline training.

Scholarship:  Ray Fouchet may be able to come but will have to be gone by
that final morning.  As far as the scholarship committee, Kathy has the
scholarship application out now.  We are definitely going to do six
scholarships.  We have three funded already.

Duplicators:  We still don't have a place for the duplicators.  David can't
do it.  We don't know about Carolyn.

State convention:  Tom has two ads.  We do need to rethink who contacts the
various businesses.  Perhaps it should be someone that has some particular
knowledge or interest in the respective business.

Dwight mentioned someone with an immigration issue.  Some of the board
members will attempt to help find guidance and direction for this person.

Dwight moved and Joe seconded for adjournment which occurred at 10:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol Feazell, Secretary NFBF