SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2003
ORLANDO, FL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CALL TO ORDER AND FIRST BUSINESS
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
COMMITTEE REPORTS
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Robert Miller called the meeting to order at 2:04 PM. The usual ceremonies of flag salute and invocation were observed.
Linda Jacobson, Membership Secretary, called the roll. Although some chapters were not represented, a quorum was established.
Recording Secretary, Sharon Youngs read the Pre- and Post-Convention Minutes. They were approved with one correction. Treasurer
Patti Davis gave a report of our finances. Jim Kracht made a motion to accept the report. Seconded by Jesus Garcia, the motion
carried.
Robert gave his President's Report. There is a concerted effort to make improvements in the area of transportation for people who are
blind. He also announced that there are many improvements and updates on FCB's website. Robert was proud to announce that some
improvements have been made in FCB's financial situation.
We moved on to Committee Reports. The first committee to report was the Access Committee.
ACCESS COMMITTEE - Doug Hall
Doug told us about a lawsuit in litigation. The judge in this case has ruled that Southwest Airlines are NOT responsible for making their
website accessible to the blind. An appeal has been filed. Doug then told us about some White Cane Awareness events that took place
throughout the state.
He briefly touched upon the subject of the guide dog issue that is taking place in Iowa. He concluded his report by
telling us about the election reforms that are being worked upon. Everyone is hoping all issues will be resolved by the Presidential
primary election in March. The general consensus is that the poll workers need to have better training.
ARCHIVES COMMITTEE - Liz Bowden
Liz reported that her Committee has been very busy. They have accomplished most of their goals. They have managed to get all of
FCB's important documents in a centralized location. The cataloging of photographs is an on-going project since pictures are coming in
all the time. They are still looking into preserving the older documents through electronic means.
AWARDS COMMITTEE - Diane Bobrowsky
Diane said the Committee is trying to determine how many winners of the W. A. Outzs Award have not yet been awarded the lifetime
membership into ACB that is a part of the award. They will then be able to authorize the Treasurer to pay ACB for these memberships.
She also stressed that the absolute deadline for getting nominations into her for the 2004 awards is February 1st, 2004.
BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE - Patti Davis
An ad hoc Subcommittee was set up for the sole purpose of overseeing the fundraising efforts for FCB. Carl McCoy was selected to
chair this. There were many ideas for fundraising aired. Among these ideas were: enhancing the motor vehicle donation program
(already in place), a telemarketing campaign, or a corporate payroll deduction plan. FCB will definitely apply for this.
CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS COMMITTEE - Jim Kracht
Jim reported that some chapters have changes to their By-Laws and others are awaiting approval. The major issue for this Committee
is the issue of voting at Convention. Jim said that there would be an amendment brought forth at the Convention concerning this.
CONVENTION COMMITTEE - Debbie Grubb
Debbie said that this year's Convention would focus on "the next 50 years". She reminded us that this year is an "Election of Officers"
year. The Convention is scheduled for Thursday, June 3rd through Sunday, June 6th, 2004. The main workshop will be about
transportation issues. Other workshops planned include: a computer workshop, a pet wellness workshop, a workshop about taxes
and an ADA workshop. She said that Mr. Pat Sheehan is scheduled to be the banquet speaker.
EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE - Nancy Folsom
Nancy said that the application for our scholarships is now up-to-date and on the website. She mostly talked about the mentoring
program with AFB and FCB. It is called "Career Connect". Its main purpose is to connect members of FCB who are employed with
disabled students. She gave the phone number to reach them.
EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE - Dan Spoone
Dan said that the main focus of the Committee was self-employment. He said DBS has hired a company to review small business
plans of blind people. Dan and his committee have questions about a resolution sent to DBS a few years ago about self-employment.
They want to know if we have gotten any feedback and if not why not.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - Robert Miller
Robert announced the hiring of Sally Benjamin as the Project Insight Coordinator. She is already hard at work. She now needs to have
her hours increased from 10 to 15 hours. The additional hours would be spent working on publicizing Project Insight. Rosanna Lippen
made a motion to increase Sally's hours. The motion was seconded by Pat Lipovsky and carried. Although the 800 number remains the
same, there is a new local number for the Project Insight office.
INSIGHT (PROJECT INSIGHT) COMMITTEE - Rosanna Lippen
The first thing Rosanna did in her report was to publicly thank Bobbie Probst for filling in when FCB had no official Project Insight
Coordinator. She then thanked the members of the selection committee for their hard work to find just the right person for the job. She
introduced Sally to the Board. She said that although the number of calls has lessened, with the new brochures, the calls should, once
again, increase. Rosanna mentioned that the Peer Counselor Manual is now on the website. Lastly, Rosanna thanked Carl McCoy for
instigating Project Insight.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE - Linda Jacobson
Linda said that Membership Renewal Packets have been handed out to the chapters. The packets contain new forms. Each chapter
must send $8 per member to FCB.
Linda said that the Credential Committee Meeting at the last Convention was very poorly attended. Because this is an election year, it is
most important that dues are sent in on time and that each chapter sends a representative to the Credential Committee Meeting at the
Convention. There will, once again, be delegate seating at the Business Meeting at the Convention.
PUBLIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE - Carl McCoy
Carl had a lengthy report. He said that there are still some voting machines that are inaccessible. Training the poll workers is essential.
Carl reported that the telephone rates are scheduled to increase dramatically soon. Carl made a motion to write a letter to the Public
Services Commission expressing our stance on this. The motion was seconded by Jesus Garcia and carried.
Carl then talked about the creation of a Commission for the Blind. He said that a bill has been proposed that would tax eyeglasses for
the purpose of funding this Commission. Carl made a motion that FCB go on record as opposing this tax. This motion was seconded
by Barbara Brown and carried.
Carl then talked about ACB's Annual Legislative Seminar in Washington, D.C. Carl said it should cost about $800 to $1,000 per person
attending this seminar. Carl moves that two people from FCB be sent to this seminar. Jim Warth made a friendly amendment that if
funds from the Department of Motor Vehicles can be used for this, we send 4 people to Washington. The amended motion carried.
PUBLICATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE - Sharon Youngs
The Committee is working on a new brochure that would have three parts. It would serve multipurposes. It would gain membership,
gain funds and promote Project Insight. The Committee hopes to have the draft for this brochure by the first of the year.
RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE - Jesus Garcia
Jesus reported that there were three resolutions for our approval. Resolution "Fall 2003 - 1" talked about a standard for service delivery
for rehab providers that needs to be put into place. Jesus moved for adoption of this Resolution. Diane Bobrowsky seconded the motion
and it carried.
Resolution "Fall 2003 - 2" concerned voting issues and the funding to make the necessary changes happen. Once again, Jesus moved
for adoption of this Resolution. It was seconded by Jim Kracht and carried.
Resolution "Fall 2003 - 3" concerned ACB and certain administration issues and how they impact FCB. This resolution was very lengthy.
Again, Jesus moved for adoption of this Resolution. Jim Kracht seconded the motion and after much discussion the motion was
defeated.
TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE - John Richards
The Committee has worked to make some forms that were not accessible accessible. They are now on the web page. John said that
Computer Access would, once again, be part of the Convention. He said that Jay Bader has worked to get the website more up-to-date.
Having heard from all Committees, we moved on to Unfinished Business. As usual, this consisted of many announcements and
segued into New Business.
See the above under Unfinished Business.
The announcements were brief and varied. Sila Miller talked about the ACB Quilt and the drawing to see which chapter has possession
of the Quilt. Bill Probst said that the Jacksonville Chapter has a Braille Calendar for sale. Maxine Stallings said that the Alachua Chapter
still has t-shirts for sale.
Doug Hall said that Talking Book Packets were available. Jesus Garcia announced that Bill Ferrell is very ill. Jay Bader urged all
Committee Chairs to e-mail him with information about their Committee. Liz Bowden urged all of us who have e-mail to opt to receive
the White Cane Bulletin through e-mail.
There being no other business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:28 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon K. Youngs, Secretary
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