Board Meeting
President Randy Howard
called the quarterly board meeting to order at
A quorum was established with
the following board members in attendance. Randy Howard, Joe Fallin, Vicky
Golightly, Elaine Boykin, Paul Miller, Julie Brantley, Jeanne Meyer, Judy
Hansen and Tommy Robertson.
President Howard went
through the agenda and no additional items were added.
Minutes have been
distributed on the Oklahoma List serve and copies in large print and braille
were provided to those in attendance. Joe moved, Vicky seconded and the board
approved, that the minutes be approved as distributed.
The treasurer’s report has
been distributed on the Listserve and copies in large print and braille
provided to those in attendance.
Joe moved, Julie seconded
and the board approved, that the treasurers report be approved as submitted.
President’s report: Randy
provided a quick legislative update once again thanking all the individuals
that have helped with the DRS budget issue's, and transportation issues as they
occur. he stated that the fast action of OCB has benefited many individuals
within DRS and
Randy encouraged those that
could to attend the National Convention of the American Council of the Blind,
to be held on July 5 through 12 in
DRS Committee: Joe
commented on the fine work of many individuals that have fought hard to obtain
funding for DRS, and he considers their assistance to be very successful. Ray
also stated that DRS has received less then last year in funds but more than we
were expecting. They have received funds that will restore 1.1 million of the
initial 2003 budget. Ray stated that the DRS agency administration contributes
this to the hard work of OCB members.
DRS is also looking at
refinancing the capital bonds bills for the
School for the Blind and
School for the Deaf, which should savesome money. They anticipate that this
should increase the budget by around 8 thousand dollars.
Ray explained that state
funded programs will be making the biggest sacrifice if additional cuts occur.
They are looking at opening priority group 1, so new cases can be initiated and
served. They also are considering opening priority group 2 and working only
those cases that are currently in status 10.
Doesn't look like riffs or
furloughs will occur at this time, and the schools will not have to lay off
teachers.
Ray reported that the
library will be losing one third of its staff.
These employees will be
moving from the library to other positions. He also reported that some state
office positions will be moved in to the library. These moves are a cost saving
factor that will assist in maintaining a budget for the library.
The braille textbook
program has lost 3/4 of their funding and they are trying to get funds from the
department of education.
Ray stated that the DRS
committee recommends the board send a letter to the legislators, thanking them
for their support and assistance in the DRS appropriations.
Ray stated that word had
been circulated about the School for the Blind and School for the Deaf being
absorbed by the Department of Education. Letters have been sent by the schools
asking that this not be done.
Randy also added that the
schools needed supplies and were provided with some from TCB, OLB and other
individuals and they were very much appreciated.
Ray provided information
concerning the Rehabilitation Act/Workforce Investment Act. This act has been
passed by the house and includes a provision that will allow each state
governor to determine the amount of money that is needed for these programs. He
would have the ability to move money from the rehabilitation agencies to the
one-stop centers. This has been opposed by all disability organizations. This
bill has not gone to the senate and when it does it is possible that it will be
on the fast track and will need consumer action quickly.
Also contained in this same
legislation is a provision to convert the presidential appointed RSA
administrator to a lower status position as
it will be appointed by the
Department of Education Director.
Legislative Committee
Report: Perry Boston was not in attendance so Joe provided an update. He stated
that the public transportation revolving fund was receiving level funding. He
informed the group that he, Ray and Jean have talked with legislators concerning
the transportation cuts and feels that their conversations may have helped in
avoiding major cuts. He stated that the state of public transit in
Convention Committee: Vicky
Golightly provided an update on the activities of the convention committee. The
committee will be meeting again on Tuesday, July 1 at
Dale Lamar is in charge of
door prizes so make sure your contribution of a prize gets to him.
Randy stated that he has
received an e-mail from the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce and they have offered
their services when the convention comes back to
Technology Committee: Roger
Strain is encouraged that people are using our website. Can it be improved?
Sure, and they are working on it. He stated that Jeanne is doing a good job
keeping it updated. She can only update as we are giving her current
information. It is the responsibility of all of the affiliates to provide their
current information.
They are current looking
for a counter as our website host has started charging for this service. If any
members know of a free tracking counter that is JFW friendly contact either
Jeanne or Roger.
Jeanne stated that our
website as of January installed a tracking mechanism on the home page. She said
that over the past 180 days we have 3,284 hits to our website. This tracking
mechanism will tell what operating system a person is using, the periods of
heavy traffic and the highest usage day plus more. The highest day was January
29, and this could be due to the addition of the legislative information about
the DRS budget crisis.
Jeanne needs help with the
OCB accomplishments, as they have not been updated since the 90's. It appears
that the OCB By-laws are current. She inquired if we should enlarge our
legislative offering including state and federal options. She asked Jean to
provide those legislative actions that need to go on the website. We will
develop a minutes page where the quarterly minutes will be placed. These will
be stored for a year. Again she asked the affiliates to provide their current
information. She stated that we have
received inquires from individuals moving to
Joe asked if it would be
possible to have an e-mail address on our website, but to have it masked so
that we do not receive SPAM. Rodger stated that he would check in to this.
Randy reported that they
have made 4.2 million after six months and they are doing very well. They are
looking at getting the bottle water up and going but do not have a contract in
that area. The commissary at Tinker has asked if they can buy it directly.
They are continuing to look
at new contracts and beefing up the staff in doing product development. They
are getting ready to fill out the board so that all 11 positions will be
filled. The league has acquired a membership with the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce
and thinking in terms of an operation in
Constitution and Bylaws
Report: Vicky Golightly asked that anyone that had suggestion for changes of
the constitution or bylaws provide them to her as soon as possible. She
reported the constitution that was distributed in 1992 did not have a
disillusionment clause. She continues to ask for members to look for any other
copies of the constitution.
ACB report: Randy is still
sending out the weekly ACB information, which include the News from
Alumni Meeting: Tommy
stated that they had an excellent attendance, with 97 at the banquet. There
were more than 100 people at the meetings. A new steering committee has been
selected and they are interested in input of others. Members of this committee
are Carolyn Patocka, Jeanne and Tommy.
A question was asked about how
much of the money donated to the school actually was given to them. It appears
that money donated to OSB, visual services etc, has to be reported to the
commission and the administration takes 6 percent off the top. The reason for
this is that they are a 80-20 federal matched which requires the administration
fee. To avoid this donate through the foundation and ask that it be earmarked
for a particular project through the school.
The alumni association
collected four hundred dollars which will go to the two students attending the
braille contest. This will allow each student two hundred dollars. These checks
were made out directly to the students.
Old Business: Randy
provided an update on the individual that is attempting to raise money in the
name of OCB without our permission. He stated that we have sent a letter to
Anderson Enterprise restating our severance of ties with them. We are going to
communicate to the General Attorney's office and run a press release in OKC.
Newsletter: Judy reported
that we will develop a short newsletter that will go out before the convention.
She will get with Elaine on developing the list of names and labels. Randy
stated that we might be able to generate an audio version from the computer.
New Business: Vicky reported
that she talked with Beal Picket about activating some activities at the school
for the blind to make the students aware of OCB, he has asked that the
president develop a committee.
Ray Jones updated us on the
BEP program, he is temporary appointed as acting director of the program.
Looking at three major areas, recruiting, selection process and training. They
are looking at making the vending program seen as a high quality job, not one
of last resort. The average income for a BEP vendor is 30,000.
Elaine informed the group
about the DRS 10 year anniversary celebration. They are asking for assistance
in raising money for this project. Vicky moved, Joe seconded and the board
approved a 50.00 donation to DRS for this project. Jean stated that they are looking
for any information or documents such as the 1991 resolution that started
everything.
Announcements: Perry
Sanders stated that TCB is having a picnic at
Jerri Cooper mentioned a
fundraiser for the OSB school that will take place in
Judy stated that APOSI will
have their braille literacy booth at the OKC state fair. This will be on September
21 and be open from
Chris Gilbert stated that
his neighbor is starting a nursing home ministry. If you have any religious
tapes that you can donate please contact Chris.
The
meeting was adjourned