NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF FLORIDA

BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S MEETING

JUNE 12, 2006

Kathy called the meeting to order at 8:07 PM. The following officers and board members were present:

Kathy Davis - President

Dwight Sayer - First Vice President

Dan Hicks - Second Vice President

Sherri Brun - Secretary

Tom Hartig - Treasurer

Gloria Hicks - Board Member

Betty McNally - Board Member

Joe Minichiello - Board Member

Sherrill O'Brien - Board Member.

Kathy asked for secretary's report. There were no particular items at this time. Tom and Sherrill still need president's committee minutes.

Tom gave the treasurer's report. State convention excluding parents' seminar. We went in with a budgeted deficit of $14399.69. Holiday Inn $14,848.59. Income: $19,480+. Expenditures $28,193+. Deficit at this point is $8,713+. Slightly more than half of what we budgeted. Feels deficit can be reduced by $2,350. This involves moving $500 from Newsline® to Miami Dade scholarship and underwriting scholarship of $1100. Also requested underwriting of a full sponsorship for Newsline® at $1100. Within $43.30 cents of using all approved funds for Newsline®. Parents' Seminar: Problematic. Preliminary figures: Beyond Tom's control and out of Debby's, because of transferring funds back and forth. Parents' fund must supplement for 13 hotel rooms for parents who attended from scholarships. Received in cash through grants, contributions, lions clubs $11,144, 3500 of which was DBS. Expenses to date $7,614. Surplus: $3,529. Started at $300 for this last conference.

With 2/3 of the funds complete we had budgeted income of $77,400. Received income of $62,900. Have budgeted $86,000 and have spent so far $67,000. We budgeted a deficit of $8,800. We have a deficit of $4,000. Each year has had declining success with raffle program. Run with fiscal year of July to June, but fundraising goes calendar. This year's income will be much less than last year's. Take whole issue of fund-raising out of operations to a separate budget. Gloria does not see a need to do this, because she feels expenses will be covered.  If we keep in the same account, expenses will appear distorted. Projected as surplus in expense account. Projected cost of $3,500 a year. We have already paid out over twice that amount $7,336. Includes to all chapters, the award and the two prizes. Will cover chapter participation of this year including prizes. Remove fund-raising from the budget along with parents. Parents' account will still be run through the account. Determined to use both systems for one year.

Kathy mentioned we almost had a crisis with the parents' committee. No business meeting was held for parents' group. No elections were held. Carol Castelano said we are not ready for a division. Kathy offered to get together with parents at time of auction. Urged Debby to get parents together. Tried to present the challenge in a positive light. Everyone who ran for a position was given a responsibility. Got the board filled and elected.

Joe mentioned that Dennis Davids, a member of the parents' division is learning Braille and is on the board. Debby has potential, but not a lot of confidence. Betty McNally mentioned that people were there who could possibly be trying to subvert the election.

Kathy thanked all of us for working on the convention with particular thanks to Dwight, Sherri and Tom who played a big role in hosting the convention this year. Gloria did good job with events committee and Dan with the agenda. Commented that Evelyn did a good job on menus. We discussed both positive and negative aspects of the convention. Approximately 260 people attended the convention. Senior concerns went well. The auction was the best we have ever had. Carl Miller felt forgotten, but Dwight talked with him and smoothed things over at the end. Sherri asked how we can work around Rita's seminar, since when it takes place; attendance at other seminars is quite low. It was suggested that we give some more thought to this matter before next convention but that her seminar should continue. Kathy discussed behind-the-scenes events that most of us were not aware of. She mentioned that one scholarship winner Josh Cowen was not in attendance at most of the convention. Dan said that scholarships ar mailed out after the national convention and if criteria are not met, the scholarship is denied. Josh Cowen stayed overnight an extra night on our dollar. One other parent stayed extra as well.

Betty suggested we need to have an information table, since she was registering people and also answering informational questions. This took up extra time and slowed down registration.

Joanne Wilson says we have the longest convention of everyone and the best of anyone. Tom sent flowers to several hotel staff members. Orlando Convention and visitor's bureau wanted to know how it worked out and they were informed that it went well.

We next discussed the various funds the national organization has and how much we would like to donate. Explanation of the various funds was given. The White Cane fund funds the organization. The tenBroek fund owns the building, pays the salaries of President Maurer and others, etc. The Jernigan fund is a scholarship fund set up for those needing help attending the NFB convention. The Imagine fund is for research and development. For the Imagine fund, we have given $1.930. Have check for $70 bringing total to $2000. Tom says we now have $951 in pack plan. White cane and tenBroek were all paid in September of last year. After much discussion, Tom and Dan arrived at the following numbers as to what we will give and pledge at this year's convention. White cane fund, general operations: We are pledging $3000 and paying today $1500. Jernigan fund: Check in hand $500 pledging an additional $500. TenBroek Check in hand $1500 and pledging additional $1000. The motion was made and passed that Dan and Tom's suggestions regarding numbers be approved. Tom will write this all out and get it to Kathy so she can present the correct amounts at the up-coming national convention.

Various times for our Florida caucus were discussed. Sherri suggested that we could get a room from 5 to 7 PM on either Sunday or Monday. It was decided to try first for Monday. All should come with banquet tickets so Gloria can do banquet ticket exchange.

It was decided we would hold our NFBF board meeting at the national convention at lunch on Tuesday in Tom Hartig's room.

Kathy talked about coverage of table. She proposed that raffle tickets sold can be sold for each participating chapter.

It was suggested that Sherri send out cell phone list of those attending convention in a text file. Divisions and chapter boards should send their information to Tom. It was suggested that contact information be included on leadership A list.

Kathy says that recruitment of new members takes place when she refers people to their appropriate chapter.

Kathy authorized $100 to be sent to University Experience in Tallahassee, which is a group organized for helping blind people transition between high school and college. Dawn Arthur and Carlos are involved.

Funding NFB leaders to attend convention was discussed. We originally were going to fund Mary Schoch, JD Townsend and Joe Minichiello who are unable to go. Kathy suggested that since they have worked very hard and need the help, we should fund Marion and Debby to attend convention. Joe wanted to know how we determine need. Kathy said that if someone lets us know he is broke. Joe mentioned there are probably many people who desire to go to convention and cannot afford to do so. After some discussion, it was decided that we will award $300 to Marion and to Debby to help defray expenses for attending the national convention.

Jacksonville and East Hillsborough are looking into bids on the next NFBF convention. Daytona may be possibly looking into it.

Tom will be conducting several seminars at the national convention. These have to deal with planned giving and Newsline®.

The NFBF-Kurzweil reader was discussed. It will be priced at $3495, but will be on sale at the national convention for $2995.

In items of new business, it was mentioned that Craig is doing better. He will be a participant as a speaker at the national convention. Joe mentioned that Ed Hudson had been on the radio show Eyes On You and that he answered many questions about the Daytona Orientation and Adjustment Center. Joe suggested that we visit the center. Kathy said that things would get back on track once Craig is working again.

Joe also said that his guest this week on the radio show is Erik Sanvold.

Dwight will be representing the NFB at the BVA national convention in August. This will be the first time NFB has had representation there.

The meeting adjourned at 10:31 PM.

Respectfully Submitted:

Sherri Brun,
fl_mom@earthlink.net
Secretary
National Federation of the Blind of Florida
Vice-President
National Federation of the Blind
Greater Orlando Chapter