THE FCB AUTUMN BOARD MEETING
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6th, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG, FL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CALL TO ORDER AND FIRST BUSINESS
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
COMMITTEE REPORTS
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO ORDER AND FIRST BUSINESS
President, Debbie Grubb called the meeting to order at 2:02 PM. Membership Secretary Sally Benjamin called the roll and a quorum was
established. An announcement of the passing of our beloved Bobbie Probst was announced. Secretary Sharon Youngs read the minutes
from last year's Fall Board Meeting. Sila Miller made a motion to accept the minutes. There was one correction. Rosanna Lippen
seconded the motion and it carried. Treasurer Patti Land read her report and budget recommendations. Robert Miller moved for adoption
of this report. The motion was seconded by Paul Edwards and carried.
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PRESIDENT'S REPORT
President Debbie gave her President's Report. She reported that we are trying to make connections with the newly elected state officials.
This is most important because the Vision Summit is scheduled for February. The format of the Summit has been changed this year. It will
showcase consumers instead of the presidents of the various participating agencies. The next portion of Debbie's report concerned the
possible lawsuit against Florida because the computers in state offices are still inaccessible. She then mentioned her work with VSA Arts
of Florida. This entity is working to make all aspects of communication accessible to everyone.
Debbie then mentioned two projects that are still in the works. One of these projects is the seamless system of transportation. The other
is the ongoing work being done with the Florida Voting Rights. She then told everyone about FCB's part in the selection of the new
Executive Director of DBS. The new Director has instituted a regularly scheduled communication between herself and the different consumer
groups. One of the important topics that will be discussed is the possibility of forming a separate commission for the Blind.
Debbie then talked briefly about the up-coming trip to Washington to speak to the legislature. She then mentioned the recent change in the
Rehab Council. Because his term of office has expired, Jesus Garcia can no longer serve on this committee. Debbie has selected Paul
Edwards to fill that vacancy. With the welcoming of a new chapter in Polk County, Debbie ended her report.
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COMMITTEE REPORTS
We moved on to committee reports.
ACCESS COMMITTEE - Doug Hall
Doug reported that Sheila Young has joined this committee. He feels that we need to make the State aware of the need for accessible
computers. He said most Point of Sales machines are still in accessible. We became aware of the fact that some law enforcement agencies
actually charged some groups to protect participants in White Cane Awareness exercises. A resolution was presented to protest this. The
resolution was read by Paul Edwards and recommended for passage by Doug. Rosanna Lippen seconded this and it unanimously carried. Doug
went on to report that we are once again getting involved in the Intermodle Transportation Coalition. The Governor's Committee on
Disabilities has been re-enacted. The only person on that committee who is blind is not a member of FCB. There will be a "convention"
for guide dogs and their owners held in Daytona Beach in January.
ARCHIVES COMMITTEE - Sharon Youngs
Sharon reported the purpose of this committee was defined as the history keepers for FCB. The committee has discussed the responsibilities
of each chapter to FCB. The committee recommended that each chapter send a short report regarding important events for the chapter and the
current officers. Hopefully, this information would come to us on a disc and would then be placed in that chapter's section of the
archives cabinet.
Another important recommendation from the committee is that every person who holds any records or property belonging to FCB should have, as
part of their final wishes to their family, the name and phone number of a contact person from FCB. It is hoped that we can have some
labels made that would attach to said property and have them available by the time of the state convention. Three of the four binders of
past minutes have been now been placed in the archives. FCB has many audiocassettes from past events. The Technology Committee has
volunteered to assist with putting these into a format whereby these can be used as "sound bites" and be used on FCB's website. Probably
the most important recommendation to come out of this committee meeting was that every member of FCB should review the entire "Policy
Manual."
AWARDS COMMITTEE - Debbie Drylie
Debbie reminded everyone of the deadline to submit nominations for the various awards. She said that nominations from past years are
still being used for this year's selection.
BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE - Patti Land
Patti talked about the changes in the vehicle donation fundraising program. Then she outlined the proposed budget with specifics on every
line item.
CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS COMMITTEE - Jim Kracht
Jim told us about a potential chapter asking for a charter in the Nassau area. He reminded us that all chapter assets are to be in both the
name of Florida Council of the Blind and in the chapter's name. He also reiterated that each chapter is to send a copy of their
constitution and by-laws in to his as chair of that committee annually. Unfortunately, not many chapters comply with this responsibility.
The committee is trying to find a way to compel the chapters to do this.
CONVENTION COMMITTEE - Sila Miller
Sila said that a great convention is planned for the Oceanfront Resort at Daytona Plaza. The dates for the convention are June 4th-7th, 2009.
Michael Byington is to be the keynote speaker at the banquet. There is to be an awards dinner also. A meal package will be available in our
registration packet.
EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE - Barbara Grill
The first subject Barbara addressed in her report was the need to compensate the scholarship winners for their travel expenses. She made a
motion to reimburse them using the same rules as governs officers on our voucher forms. Sheila Young seconded the motion and it carried.
Barbara said that the committee was in favor of making some minor changes to the criteria for the scholarships. One such change would be to
not allow a person to apply in two consecutive years. Another proposed change concerns the Gayle Krause-Edwards Scholarship. This change
would be that the applicant must have been currently attending an institute of higher education at the time of application and to change the
required GPA to 3.2. She made this proposal into a motion. Loreen Darby-Henry seconded the motion and it carried.
Barbara then made a motion that a plaque should accompany the Gayle Krause-Edwards award. This motion was seconded by Jim Kracht and carried.
Jim and Pat Kracht donated $300 and Barbara Grill contributed $100 to the scholarship fund.
EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE - Mary Ellen Ottman
Mary Ellen announced that DBS program specialist is willing to work with this committee and help with peer support and local job fairs.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - Debbie Grubb
(No report given)
INSIGHT (PROJECT INSIGHT) COMMITTEE - Debbie Drylie
Debbie reported that call volume has been quite low. The committee urges everyone to distribute brochures wherever they can. There is a
teleconference scheduled for January 15th, 2009. Debbie made a motion to order 5000 more brochures at a cost of $900. The motion was
seconded by Paul Edwards and carried.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE - Sally Benjamin
This committee meeting consisted of an idea exchange on how to increase membership. One idea was to send out a letter through the library
inviting people to a meeting. A membership packet was suggested.
PUBLIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE - Carl McCoy
Carl is absent. Doug Hall sat in as chair of this committee this time. Doug talked about a lawsuit against the Social Services
Administration because their publications and other materials are not in accessible format. He also talked about the scheduled quarterly
conference call with the Executive Director of DBS. He also informed us that the Legislative Seminar in Washington is coming up. Debbie
Grubb, Debbie and Mike Drylie are scheduled to go as our representatives. Doug made a motion to contribute $500 to the Vision Summit in
Tallahassee. This motion was seconded by Barbara Grill and carried.
Then Doug talked about the Legislative Workshop that is usually part of the convention. Senator Evelyn Lynn and Representative John Mica
have been invited to attend. Doug said that the Telecommunication Act for the 21st Century has died in congress. It is planned that it
will be reintroduced in the next session. We need to support this bill. Doug ended his report by saying that we need to work with other
groups and churches to bring forth change.
PUBLICITY & PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE - Sally Benjamin
Apparently many people have changed their e-mail address and have not informed the office since many of the e-mailed versions of the WHITE
CANE BULLETIN have been returned. Sally also reported that the supply of FCB brochures is low. She recommended that a supply of 5000 be
purchased. She has a source for that number at a cost of $900. She made this into a motion that was seconded by Paul Edwards and carried.
RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE - Jesus Garcia
Jesus reported on two resolutions. The first resolution concerned inaccessible entertainment on airplanes because of the use of touch
screens. Jesus recommended passage. Paul Edwards seconded the recommendation and it carried. Paul Edwards introduced the other resolution
for our consideration. This resolution had to do with voting on inferior machines. Paul recommended passage of this resolution. Debbie
Drylie seconded the recommendation and it carried.
TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE - John Richards
John reported that his committee is currently working on making registration for the convention available online. The next subject addressed
by this committee was the alternative listening devices currently belonging to FCB. More of this equipment may be needed. Jim Warth made a
motion to purchase whatever equipment is needed to be ADA-compliant and to have it in place by the next meeting. Loreen Darby-Henry seconded
the motion and it carried. John said that the technology workshop at the convention may be a bit restructured and may be a one-on-one
training session.
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS
With the completion of committee reports, we moved to UNFINISHED BUSINESS. There is much to be discussed.
Robert Miller reminded us that, in 2004, we voted to file a formal complaint with the State because electronic information technology was
inaccessible. So far, no action has been taken by the State. He then made a motion to enjoin a lawsuit against the State and to allocate
$5,000 to put forth this forward. Jesus Garcia seconded this motion and it carried.
Loreen Darby-Henry inquired about a seminar to train future officers for FCB. President Debbie Grubb suggested that this may be a great
subject for a few chapter presidents' teleconference meetings.
Paul Edwards talked about the VSA Arts program. He feels that if we continue to stay involved this may get people involved and make art
more accessible to us. Toward that end, he made emotion to donate $500 to VSA Arts. Jim Kracht seconded this motion and it carried.
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NEW BUSINESS
We moved on to NEW BUSINESS.
Joyce Thornton reported on the fundraising project in conjunction with White Cane Awareness. She announced a donation to FCB in the amount
of $250 from the efforts of the Southwest Chapter.
Randi Rabner talked a bit about Jet Blue Airline. She reported that their website is inaccessible.
Rosanna Lippen feels that we should send a gift to our accountant Andy Csandy. She made a motion to send him $250. Debbie Drylie seconded
the motion and it carried.
Barbara Grill told us that she had recently been the victim of a scam. A Yellow Cab driver charged her extra because she was using a dog
guide.
Paul Edwards talked about a partnership between ACB and renowned journalist, Jean Parker. Ms. Parker has agreed to do a series of articles
about life in a school for the blind in Sri Lanka if her travel expenses to that country are paid. He made a motion for FCB to donate $200
toward these travel expenses. Rosanna Lippen seconded the motion and it carried.
Robert Miller talked about the newest special interest affiliate, GDUF. They are hosting the Southeast Top Dog seminar in Daytona Beach in
January. He made a motion to donate $1,000 to this affiliate to help to defray the costs of such a seminar. Joyce Thornton seconded the motion
and it carried.
Doug Hall talked briefly about a raffle within and for the Halifax chapter.
Nancy Burgess-Hall asked how to honor the life of Bobbie Probst and what to do to commemorate her passing. Sila Miller suggested that one of
the $750 scholarships should be named for Bobbie and made a motion to that effect. The motion was seconded by Barbara Grill and carried.
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GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
There was no other business to come before the Board and the meeting was adjourned at 5:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon K. Youngs, Secretary
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