June 2, 2023 FCB Preconvention Board Committee Meeting Minutes

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2023 Preconvention Board Meeting Minutes
June 2, 2023

A Preconvention Board Meeting was held on Friday, June 2, 2023, at the Orlando Sheraton North in Maitland, Florida.  The meeting began at 5:00 PM.

President Sheila Young welcomed everyone to the 70th Convention of the Florida Council of the Blind and apologized for being unable to attend in person as she was hospitalized due to an injury.

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jason Goldfield.

Roll was called by   Sally Benjamin.  Those in attendance were: Chapter At Large Members, Coalition for the Concerns of the Totally Blind, Florida Council of Citizens with Low Vision, Greater Orlando Council of the Blind, Guide Dog Users of Florida, Halifax Council of the Blind, Jacksonville Council of the Blind, Manatee County Council of the Blind, Miami Beach Council of the Blind, Palm Beach Council of the Blind, Pinellas Council of the Blind, Southwest Florida Council of the Blind, and Tallahassee Council of the blind.  Also in attendance were President, Sheila Young, 1st Vice-President, Mikey Wiseman; 2nd Vice-President, Cassandra Jessie; Treasurer, Mark Lear; Recording Secretary, Mary Tyson; Membership Secretary, Sally Benjamin; and representatives from the following committees: Archives, Awards, Budget and Finance, Constitution and By-Laws, Convention, Credentials, Education and Leadership, Employment, Executive,    Fundraising, Membership, Project Insight, Publicity and Publications, Resolutions and Technology.   

Those not attendance included: Braille Revival League of Florida, Miami Metro Council of the Blind, Northwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Council of the blind, Sarasota Council of the Blind, Tampa Council of the Blind, Immediate Past President, Access, Employment, and Governmental Affairs committees.

Motion to approve the minutes of the Midyear Board Meeting was made by Eugene Batke and seconded by Paul Lewis.     Motion passed.

Sheila thanked ACB media, FCB Zoom hosts, streamers and all who made this hybrid convention possible.   

Mikey reminded everyone about the location of the service dog relief areas and stressed the need to keep them clean.  

He advised that there would be a cash bar at the banquet tonight and reminded everyone that they would need their banquet tickets for admission. Sheila welcomed everyone, with a special welcome to our scholarship winners who will be attending tonight’s banquet.

Mark will be sending out checks after convention and Kati will be sending out the emails requesting travel receipts.  Board members receive $30 per diem for one day and transportation reimbursement.  Committee chairs receive two days per diem plus transportation cost.  Please acknowledge Kati’s email and advise how you wish to be paid; Zell, PayPal or check.

Dan Spoone thanked Leslie Spoone for all of her hard work in obtaining sponsors.  He recognized the 2023 FCB Convention sponsors: Platinum sponsor, Democracy Live, Platinum Light, Spectrum Charter; five Silver sponsors, Disability Rights of Florida, ES&S, Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Vispero, and Halifax Council of the Blind.  Silver Light sponsor Friends of Library Access, Inc., and seven Bronze Sponsors: Blind and Beyond Radio, Envision America, Lighthouse of Central Florida, OrCam, Greater Orlando Council of the Blind, Jacksonville Council of the Blind and Pinellas Council of the Blind.  Two Bronze Light sponsors: Doug Hall and Tallahassee Council of the Blind.  Also, Red Sponsors: Mark and Kati Lear and Manatee County Council of the Blind.  The total raised is $9,300 through sponsorships.  

Everyone wished Sheila a speedy and complete recovery.

Motion to adjourn was made by Cassandra Jessie and seconded by Wanda Stockley.  The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted by,
Mary Tyson,
FCB Recording Secretary