Board of Directors’ Meeting
July 7, 2005
The Board of Directors’ meeting of the NFBF was called to order by President Kathy Davis at 12:31 p.m in Louisville, KY.
Roll Call
First Vice President, Dwight Sayer
Second Vice President, Dan Hicks
Treasurer, Tom Hartig
Board Members:Betty McNally, Gloria Mills Hicks, Joe Minichiello, and JD Townsend
Not present:
Secretary, Merry Schoch
Secretary’s Report
When discussing the June 12th minutes Dan stated the only correction was the spelling often Broek.Joe made a motion to accept the minutes with respect to the above mentioned correction, seconded and carried.
Treasurer’s Report – submitted by Tom Hartig
Tom had no formal treasurer’s report.Stated he expected to close the fiscal year in the coming week.He stated he sent a budget to Kurt Ponchek; which he has approved the budget for Newsline for the year.Tom requested and received permission for the NFBF to bill the grant up to $28,000 for overhead for running the Newsline program; which he will be invoicing $7000 quarterly for the NFBF general coffers.
Old Business
Roll Call of States
Kathy asked for input regarding the donations that the NFBF will be announcing at the Roll Call of States.
Results from discussion:
ten Broek$1500
White Cane $1500
Imagine Fund $1500
Kathy suggested we raise the monthly amount that is given for the PAC Plan. Dan made a motion to raise the amount to $80 each month, Betty seconded, motion carried.
Banquet Plans
Gloria stated we have 48 people registered for banquet.
Imagination Grant Funds
Kathy stated we have received approximately $1800 from the Imagination Fund.Betty stated the imagine funds we received are from contributions received for the entire year and are allocated in the following manner:50 % to the Jernigan Institute, 25 % to state affiliates and 25% for grants or special projects.Kathy asked for input on how the affiliate would like to use the $1800.After some discussion Tom made a motion to use the $1800 and approximately $1200 from the NFBF general coffers to hold a Leadership Seminar consisting of board members, chapter presidents and committee chair persons and other leaders within the affiliate; JD seconded; motion carried.
Imagination Grants Available
Kathy stated the affiliate can apply for a grant up to $5000.Dan suggested for our next state convention we apply for the grant to bring in someone from national to do a Parents’ Seminar.Betty thought that would help get us the grant.No decisions or motions were made on this item.The board will have to see if there is an interest in this project.
Tallahassee Event
There was discussion regarding Gloria’s availability due to her business commitments and spring break.This item was tabled until the next board meeting.
New Business
New Chapter
Kathy mentioned that Kurt Waters in Apalachicola has ten people wanting to start a chapter.No decisions or motions were made regarding this item.
FCAT
Joe stated he spoke with Debby Brackett regarding the FCAT issue.They would like to put together a small panel to review the questions, see what types of questions they are asking on the test and how those questions will affect visually impaired and blind people.Kathy appointed Joe to chair a committee for the FCAT issues.It was decided to ask Sherrill O’Brien, Merry Schoch and Sue Townsend to be members on the committee.
Meet the Blind Month
JD stated National has expanded the Meet the Blind Month project to include a portion of September and November and to continue as it has been in the past for the full month of October.National is providing free materials to include braille alphabet cards, videos such as Braille is Beautiful, Blind Camp Experiments, and Newsline.The National Center also provided fundraising ideas such as wine/beer tasting events and the Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club Matching Funds Grant. JD has suggestions on how to do these grants and will be willing to supply this information via an email to the list serve.
Professionals in the Field of Blindness
JD stated there are professionals who are teaching blind students and training in the rehabilitation areas who do not have the experience in the field.It is his desire to see the NFBF create a legacy for professionals who are involved in teaching and training blind individuals in our state.He believes the affiliate should assist these professionals with understanding the needs of the blind and their responsibilities to the blind.JD would like the affiliate to begin working on this endeavor as soon as possible by inviting the chair of the vision department of Florida State University to meet the convention and be a part of that convention.
NFB Bracelets
Betty asked if the affiliate would be interested in purchasing a case of the NFB bracelets.There are 500 bracelets in a case costing $500.Betty suggested they be distributed to the chapters for raising funds and then have the chapters reimburse the affiliate.Dwight made a motion to purchase a case of the NFB bracelets; Betty seconded; motion carried.
Polling the Membership
Dan asked Kathy how she planned to poll the delegation for such things as resolutions on the floor at this Convention.Dan suggested that the affiliate have the members stand that are in favor of the item being presented and then be counted and do the same for those who are not in favor.
The White Cane Law
Dwight stated that awareness regarding the White Cane Law is quite inadequate.He spoke with Colonel Knight, Director of the Highway Patrol, asking for his assistance to resolve this issue.Colonel Knight stated FHP is not the agency to deal with this issue.and guided Dwight to a group known as The Community Traffic Safety Team.Dwight has joined this team to help spread the word regarding this law to the law enforcement agencies. He will obtain the coordinators for each of our counties and distribute the information to the chapter presidents.Tom suggested Dwight work on addressing The Community Traffic Safety Team’s next state convention.
Ticket to Paradise Winners
Tom announced the winners of the Ticket to Paradise drawing are Joseph and Jean McCabe.
Accessible Voting Articles
Dwight read two articles to the Board regarding the Accessible Voting Issue.
Meeting adjourned @ 1:50 p.m.