President Debbie Grubb called the meeting to order at 8:38 AM. Sila Miller gave the invocation. John Richards led us in the salute to our flag. Sally Benjamin called the roll and established a quorum. Sharon Youngs read the minutes from last year's convention. Robert Miller made a motion to approve these minutes. The motion was seconded by Barbara Grill and carried. Sharon also read the Treasurer's report. This report was moved for approval by Robert Jones and seconded by Lorene Darby-Henry. It also carried. This report is part of these minutes.
Debbie then gave her President's report. Debbie first thanked her officers and committee chairs for working with her. She then talked about the enactment by the legislature to push back the date for compliance with the paper-trail ballot issue. She was very disappointed with this. She urged us all to build a relationship with our local and state legislators. She said that there is great potential in the area of the Vision Caucus and FAASB. She said we would not be noticed unless we get involved. She urged us to contact Governor Grist's office to ask him to veto BJII131. She said that although we have made some strides in the areas of transportation, voting, and children's issues, much work needs to be done. At the end of her report she received a standing ovation from the membership.
We next heard from Linda Jacobson with a report from the Awards Committee. The following people were honored this year: The R. Henry P. Johnson Award was presented to Larry Turnbull. The Dolly Gamble Award went to Andrea Busada. The Cook Chapter President Award was presented to Daniel O'Connor. The "Just Bill" Humanitarian Award went to Doug Hall. Debbie presented her special awards to David and Patti Land and to Paul Edwards for all of the extra assistance she received from those people. Also, 7 chapters acknowledged special members.
Jim Kracht then brought forth two proposed by-law changes. The first change really only clarifies the per diem reimbursements to Board Representatives and Committee Chairs. Jim Moved to adopt this change. The motion was seconded by Robert Jones and carried. The second proposed change Spelled out who is eligible for actual reimbursement of expenses. Jim again moved for approval of this change and again Robert Jones seconded the motion and it carried. The actual wording of these new By-Laws is included as part of these minutes.
We heard a report from Bill Freeman about this year's raffle drawing. He reported the following winners: Rosanna Lippen - Tamarac, FL - $100, Donald A Ward - Pensacola, FL - $200, Paul Kaminsky, Jr. - Jacksonville, FL - $300, Barbara Greenup - Venice, FL - $400, Tamika Fitzgerald - Orlando, FL - $500, Terri Williams - Sedalia, Mo - $1,000. It was noted that Terri Williams is President, Debbie's sister. Myrtle Curry - Pensacola, FL - $25 cash donated by the Mid-Florida Chapter, Judith Hamilton - Gainesville, FL - $50 Wall-mart gift card donated by the Pinellas Chapter, Garrett Scott - Fernandina Beach, FL - $50 cash donated by the Tallahassee Chapter and Elizabeth Truitt - Fleming Island. FL - Talking Caller Id donated by A to Z Adaptive Aids'. Bill said that approximately 15, 000 tickets were actually sold.
We then heard from Barbara Grill who announced the scholarship recipients. The $750 award that was named for Bobbie Probst was awarded to Linda Richards. The $1,500 scholarship that was named for Timothy Turpin was presented to Zunair Wasif. April Byrne was awarded the $2,000 scholarship named for Terry Blessing. And Kerri Ann Salter was presented with the $2,500 scholarship named for our beloved Gayle M. Krause-Edwards.
The election of officers was next on the agenda. The elected officers are:
Paul Edwards, President
Debbie Drylie, First Vice President
Sharon Youngs, Second Vice President
Sila Miller, Secretary
Dale Roberts, Treasurer
Sally Benjamin, Membership Secretary
We moved on to Resolutions. The resolutions thanking the hotel and the chapters were approved on Saturday. Resolution 2010 Conv#1 concerned opposing the legislatures passage of the law to postpone inclusion with voting. Jesus Garcia read the resolution and moved for adoption of it. The motion was seconded by Robert Jones and carried. Resolution 2010Conv#2 concerned legislative priorities. This resolution was moved by Jesus Garcia. It was seconded by Barbara Grill and carried. Resolution 2010Conv#3 urges FAASB to meet on a regular basis with all the blindness entities. Again Jesus moved for approval of this resolution. It was seconded by Robert Jones and carried. These resolutions with their exact wording are part of these minutes.
Doug Hall spoke on behalf of the Access Committee. He said that Am-Trak is planning an extension of the rails service to service the entire east coast of Florida. This is supposed to happen within the next 3 years. It was suggested that Jesus Garcia and Paul Edwards write a resolution encouraging this. Jim Kracht made this into the form of a motion. Gwendolyn Myers seconded the motion and it carried.
Sila Miller talked about the convention. She said that 153 people had pre-registered for this convention. There were a total of 167 registered in all. She then told us about next year's event. We are expected to convene at the Plaza Resort hotel 600 N. Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach. The convention is scheduled for June 9th - 12th, 2011. The room rate is expected to be $99 per night. Sila reminded us that the Board meeting is scheduled for the Hilton in downtown St. Petersburg for December 3rd - 5th, 2010.
We moved on to Unfinished Business. Robert Jones stated that although the license fees have doubled the money allocated to the transportation disadvantaged has remained the same. Dan Spoone asked about the money that was set aside for our use if needed, with a possible lawsuit. Dan was informed that the money is still in a separate account but has not been used yet. Jim Warth asks if there is a possibility of having the minutes of the Executive Committee's phone meetings published on the list. We were assured that this would be done.
Under the general topic of New Business, Robert Miller made a motion to donate $1,000 to the special interest group, Guide Dog Users of Florida. This money is to be used to host the Top Dog event again next year. The motion was seconded by Mary Tyson and carried. Some affiliates had had fund raising drawings and these drawings were conducted at this time.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 AM,
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Youngs, Secretary Florida Council of the Blind
INCOME
DHSMV $9,321.62
Vehicle Donation 0
Merrill Lynch Interest $2,502.20
Membership/Assessments $9,548.68
ACB, Welcome Party, Convention 2009 $5,436.80
Donations $240.00
Total $27,049.30
ASSETS
Chase General Account $61,346.23
Chase DHSMV Account $12,002.74
Total Chase Accounts $53,348.97
Merrill Lynch $288,895.57
(65% Fixed; 33% Equities, 2% Cash)
Total Assets $362,244.54
EXPENSES:
2009 Board Meeting $11,606.05
Project Insight $5,421.99
(Includes salary, plus phone and bank account)
Website $1,500.00
Accountant Services (2009) $2,600.00
Taxes, 4th & 1st quarters $1,124.72
ACB Membership $3,125.00
CTAA Dues $225.00
Vision Summit $1,078.77
(Includes $500 donation, plus one person to attend)
Legislative Seminar $2,825.70 (3 attended)
Host chapter Reimbursement, convention 2009 $772.25
Mack Paper $236.88
Postage/Supplies, Officers & Committee chairs $401.61
Total Expenses $30,917.97
1. ARTICLE IX, Expenditures and Reimbursements
B. The state will pay each chapter representative's bus or train, plus local taxi fare to and from bus or train station or mileage, plus one day per diem, to help defray some of the expenses. Each person receiving this allocation will be expected to attend all board meetings and committee meetings to which he/she is assigned, and be on time.
2. ARTICLE IX, Expenditures and Reimbursements
A. The FCB is responsible for the reasonable and actual expenses of FCB officers. White Cane Bulletin Editor(s), Committee Chairs and non-Board member committee persons (with prior approval of the FCB President) attending FCB Board of Directors Meetings, special committee meetings, and conventions on the following basis; true lodging paid, $0.445 per mile, or actual transportation expenses, as well as per diem of $6.00 for breakfast, $11.00 for lunch, and $19.00 for dinner. The mileage and per diem rates set forth above shall be periodically adjusted by the Executive Committee to conform with the state reimbursement rates authorized in S. 112.061 of the Florida Statutes. Travel by plane must have prior approval of the President. All out of state travel must be approved by the Executive Committee.
Respectfully submitted:
James Kracht
Constitution and Bylaws Committee Chair
WHEREAS, the Florida Councel of the blind selected Jacksonville as the location for its 2010 anual convention; and
WHEREAS, the Jacksonville chapter was asked by the state organization to assist with the convention; and
WHEREAS, the Jacksonville chapter carried out these tasks in a very satisfactory manner.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Florida Councel of the Blind meeting at the Crown Plaza Airport Hotel May 23rd 2010 That this organization expresses its deepest appreciation to the Jacksonville Chapter of the Florida Councel of the Blind for a job well done.
WHEREAS, Mike Gunde has served with the Talking Book Library in Florida for the past twenty-eight years; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure as Director, the library has grown to become the largest and most active library of its kind in the nation; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Gunde is recognized by his peers throughout the country for his innovative ideas, adherence to principles, and breadth of knowledge concerning library services to people who are blind and/or print disabled;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Florida Council of the Blind in convention assembled at the Crown Plaza Jacksonville Airport Hotel in Jacksonville Florida on this the 21st day of May, 2010 That this organization convey to Mr. Mike Gunde our deep appreciation for his twenty-eight years of service to Floridians with print disabilities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Florida Council of the Blind joins with his many other admirers in extending our best wishes to Mike Gunde for a long and fruitful retirement beginning the 1st of July 2010.
WHEREAS, House Bill 131 was passed by the Florida legislature and has been sent to Governor Krist for his signature; and
WHEREAS, this bill would serve to lessen democracy within our state; and
WHEREAS, this bill contains a provision that would extend to 2016 a requirement that people with disabilities continue to vote on machines that, in 2007, the legislature of Florida determined were inappropriate and illegal for the rest of those entitled to vote in our state; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Councel of the Blind, the National Federation of the Blind of Florida, the Florida Blinded Veterans' Association chapter, the Rehabilitation Council of the Division of Blind Services, and the Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind, among many other organizations of and for people with disabilities categorically opposed this bill; and
WHEREAS, many organizations of people interested in fair elections also oppose this bill;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Florida Council of the Blind in convention assembled at the Crown Plaza Jacksonville Airport Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida on this the 23rd day of May, 2010 That this organization directs its President to convey in all appropriate ways our urgent request that the Governor of the state of Florida veto this bill which limits access to equitable voting for Floridians with disabilities.
WHEREAS, last year the Florida Council of the Blind adopted a set of legislative priorities; and
WHEREAS, these priorities were used by our members to promote legislative action in consultation with members of the Florida House and Senate and their staff members; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Council of the Blind desires to move our legislative agenda forward;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE Florida Council of the Blind in convention assembled at the Crown Plaza Jacksonville Airport Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida on this the 23rd day of May, 2010 That our legislative priorities be forwarded to other organizations of and for the blind with a view to developing a joint legislative agenda that all organizations of and for the blind can work on together and which can be promoted, among other ways, at the Vision Summit of 2011.
WHEREAS, Florida is one of the few states in our country where all organizations working on issues concerning people who are blind have been able to speak with one voice for many years; and
WHEREAS, given the many potential threats to services and funding of programs serving people who are blind that may be on the horizon, it is of paramount importance to maintain our capacity to speak with a single voice to our government officials and our legislature; and
WHEREAS, during this legislative session, for the first time in years, there was evidence that cooperation among organizations of and for the blind was not optimal;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Florida Council of the Blind in convention assembled at the Crown Plaza Jacksonville Airport Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida on this the 23rd day of May, 2010 That the Board of Directors of the Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind (FAASB) is hereby urged to meet at least twice a year with consumer organizations and the Division of Blind Services leadership to assure that legislation being proposed by any and all such organizations can receive the full support of all interested organizations, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that organizations of and for the blind in Florida consider developing a joint legislative plan for the next several years to maximize our joint capacity to use the vision caucus of the Florida legislature to promote the interests of people who are blind in the state of Florida, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to FAASB and to other organizations of and for the Blind so that such organizations may consider its adoption.
WHEREAS, the Florida Council of the Blind chose to hold its annual 2010 convention at the Crown Plaza Airport Hotel in Jacksonville Florida; and
WHEREAS, the FLORIDA Council of the Blind required certain accommodations from the hotel's Management and staff; and
WHEREAS, the staff and management conducted themselves in a professional manner and went out of their way to make this a great convention.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the FLORIDA COUNCEL of the Blind meeting in Jacksonville Florida at the Crown Plaza Airport Hotel That this organization expresses its deepest gratitude to the staff and management and to its hotel organizer Ms. Rosanna Lippen for a job well done.