The teleconference meeting was called to order at approximately 8:00 P.M. by President Dan Hicks.  Answering his role call were:  First Vice-President Kathy Davis, Second Vice-President J. D. Townsend, Treasurer Tom Hartig, Board Member Gloria Hicks, Board Member Dwight Sayer, Board Member Joe Minichiello,
Palm Beach Chapter President David Evans and Carolyn Lapp also from Palm Beach.  Secretary Carol Feazell was missing at the time of the original role call.

Discussion followed regarding the minutes.  The decision was that the minutes of the previous meeting had not been submitted and so that would have to wait for the next meeting, probably at Boca.  Then Carol arrived, explaining that on or about March 25, the minutes had indeed been sent out.  However, apparently few if any had had time to read them or had forgotten about them by this time.  Therefore, the motion was made by Tom, seconded by Joe to postpone that
discussion to the next meeting and the motion carried unanimously.

Treasurer’s report:  Tom did not have a new one as it was too early in the month.  However, he referred us to back in March when we had $167,520, not including $14,500 in Newsline money.  Since that report going out on 4/15, we have received reimbursements of about $23,000 in Newsline funds, thus bringing Newsline reserves up to $37,000 right now.  All of our receipts for the year must be in by 5/25 for Newsline.  There is no carry-over.  It appears, pending the
governor’s signature, Newsline does have its $150,000 next year.  Other items will come up during later agenda topics.  Motion was made by J. D., seconded by Gloria and passed unanimously to approve the report as presented.

President report:  Dan is on the National scholarship committee.  He announced that there are two Florida scholarship winners and that he thought possibly we could technically claim a partial ownership from Colorado.  Dan also talked to Joann Wilson about the Washington protest of 5/26 regarding funding cuts involving among other things the RSA being cut as would much vocational rehabilitation.  This would likely be a same-day trip.  The problem is that we
are right on the heels of our state convention.  Joe asked about sending a petition in lieu of going, at least for some.  Dan agreed that this would work.   Possibly some funding could come from National.  This would be discussed later.

Gloria felt that our Tallahassee visit was very effective.  We had some hotel issues but we worked them out and Tom said that we came in $200 under budget.

Tom said that several of the chapters had sent in a little money, particularly to cover our dinner meeting.  The TD passage is looking promising.  The software accessibility seems to be moving forward.  The Service Animal Bill will pass in amended form but in a satisfactory conclusion insofar as guide dogs are concerned.

Newsline:  Moving along nicely, Spanish on board, The Sentinal is coming on, meetings are set for the state convention.  We have not done nearly so much in the way of people going out to present Newsline.  We may need to rethink how we do this.  In March we had a Newsline recruit.  This year it looks like we may get around 500.  We have maybe 7500 on Newsline.  J. D. said in his experience, DBS counselors should be more informed about Newsline to present
it to new clients.

Scholarship committee:  Kathy gave the names of the six scholarship winners.  Mentors have been assigned to the winners who are inexperienced enough to need same.  Rooms are running out for State.  Gloria will be checking on this.  Tom needs a big block of rooms for board members and such.  We had 15 to 20 scholarship applicants this year.  Applicants are informed even if they do not win and encouraged to try again next year.

Events:  The seminars are looking good for State.  The agenda is not complete but is coming along rapidly.  Gloria says to view the checklist to see if perhaps there is something we need to personally complete.  Marion is in charge of entertainment.  Sherrill, Carolyn and Gloria are in charge of food.

David is in charge of exhibits and also local speakers for State.  Betty is in charge of seminars, David Anspach , things having to do with the outside area of convention, i.e. such as dog relief.  Door prizes are Carolyn and Bill.  Dwight will help with auction.  Dan read the entire checklist.  There is somewhat a mixup as to who has the final responsibility for child care which is a new thing for us and we could have 14 children.  Right now much has been going to David but he will need some relief.  David Evans will not be free to carry this responsibility.  We do not want to take our members out of
meetings.  Donna’s girl scout troop will provide many working hours, could be to assist in their fundraising for a trip the scouts are taking.  There is also the possibility of community service hours for girl scouts.  All of this has to be worked out.  The subcommittee quickly needs to be up and running.

We were reminded that we need not forget liability issues in determining who will watch the children and what activities will be promoted.  Each card for the door prize drawing must be in print and in braille.  Tom has plenty of volunteers for braille.  The banquet ticket will be a dot on the membership badge, color to be determined.  We need a fairly accurate student count for the student lunch boxes.  A letter will be sent out to chapter presidents to respond with the number of students attending from each chapter.  Kathy can see if Rick has a good idea of student count.  Middle school and up will qualify for a student lunch.  Presidents and vice-presidents will be invited to the presidents meeting.  We do not need too elaborate a reception but we do have a nice reception planned.  Tom needs to reserve 16 rooms for board members, the talking book reader, the National rep, and the students, pronto.  Rooms seem to be going fast.  The “Who’s Cooking” award got voted out.  For clarification, the “Humanitarian” award will go to Allen Bornstein.  Motion was made
by Dwight, seconded by Betty and carried unanimously to allow Tom to spend $100 or less for the award plaques.  Tom will bring many different-colored cards for the election, in case of the secret ballot request.  It is believed that we have the microphones we need for the respective areas, some of which we may borrow from members/chapters.  Gloria will talk to Paul Prescott about refreshments for the presidential suite as usually vendors are heavily involved
in that project.

Resolutions:  One pertaining to convention date, one honoring Craig Kaiser and another having to do with school systems and how choices for school options are presented, particularly within student local school districts.

Publicity:  David is sending out to nearby papers and TV and radio stations.  Lydia wants to help.  Call her regarding this.

Agenda:  Dan is calling for additions or corrections.

Chapter grants:  A basic $300 for each chapter.  We do not believe that Pensacola or Gainesville will be coming.  No one hears from anyone in Pensacola.

Chapters who have not paid dues or sent reports:  There were some problems in some areas but all seems to be straightening out fine.  Dwight made a motion that Pensacola, not currently being a chapter in good standing,  be sent no money unless, for example,  that president presents herself/himself to the convention. At that time he/she would be given at least the $300.  Joe seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.  Tom will try to contact that current
president.

Consideration of chapters paying $750 of the scholarship money:  This will be tabled for the new board.
Tickets to Paradise:  We will ask Allen to report on that at the state convention.

Margaret Spellings:  Margaret Spellings will be at the Knott Building in Tallahassee on 4/16.  That building is connected to the Capitol, a cross-over from the second floor.  Greg Gyle and Lydia have been alerted.  It is a leadership forum, a private meeting.  We can perhaps talk to Ms. Spellings outside, perhaps get some press on it.  J. D. moved to take this on to the legislative committee with a flexible budget up to $600.  Dwight seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

We have a table at National to sell our Tickets to Paradise.

The RSA demonstration:  This is 5/26 in Washington.  Will we get National money?  Most will go for just the one day, coming and going the same day for most.

J. D. moved that we sponsor five people to Washington, hopefully with National funding assistance.  These people would be staying overnight and taking congressional appointments.  Gloria seconded J. D.’s motion and it carried unanimously.  Gloria then made a motion that pending assistance (substantially at something like a 90%)from National, we let people know that they need to come to a 1-day rally in D.C.

Tom now being 1-1/2 hours past his bedtime made the motion for adjournment, seconded by J.D. and this was done so at approximately 11:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol Feazell, Secretary, NFBF