Oklahoma Council of the Blind Board Meeting

Minutes

March 27, 2004

President Randy Howard called the quarterly board meeting to order at 10:35 AM, at the Brookside Library in Tulsa.

A quorum was established with the following board members in attendance. Randy Howard, Joe Fallin, Vicky Golightly, Elaine Boykin, Julie Brantley, Tommy Robertson. Others in attendance were Jeri & Dan Cooper, Dan & Diane Garret, Marilyn Sanders, Charles & Carolyn Gant and Teresa Kruta.

Minutes have been distributed on the Oklahoma Listserv and copies in large print and braille were provided to those in attendance. The board approved minutes as distributed.

Treasurers report was distributed on the Oklahoma Listserv and copies provided to the members in large print and Braille. The board approved the treasurers report as distributed. Randy stated that Paul had mentioned concern about our vehicle fundraiser. We have gone about a year with out getting money and it appears the money they are receiving is used for the advertising. The question is should we continue with a fundraiser that is not providing any income for us. Further discussion will be held during new business.

Presidents Report: There has not been a great deal of OCB activity over the past few months. The main activity has been focused on the current situation with the leadership of ACB. Randy has conferred with LeRoy Saunders about providing a response. At this time he feels that we should back off and not add any thing further to the national level. Melanie Brunson has been named as the new executive director for ACB.

Committee Reports:

DRS: Joe stated that they have had a conference call initiated by VS director Jane Nelson. As a result the committee will be meeting on Tuesday, March 30 in Oklahoma City to discuss some prevalent issues. One concerns the duties of the VS Field Coordinator positions and a proposal that has been made by the CLIC group within DRS that is to strengthen a partnership between VS & VR.

It is a possibility that DRS will get a bit of a funding increase and Jane has stated it will go back into the library. He does not anticipate that DRS will receive any type of cuts at this time. Joe stated that they would like to meet with Linda Parker during this time to get a feel as to where we are on the budget and where is that money going and will be get the library back as a distinct unit. Joe stated that Jane mentioned some other ways they are trying to get staff who are blind on a management track. He feels that the department leader ship is in a bit of disarray.

Tommy added that the click did publish a 13-point project report and the report has been read by many people. Jane has asked the DRS committee to look at it positively but that it will not go anywhere if the OCB DRS committee does not approve it. The CLICK committee has eleven people and 9 are VR and 2 VS individuals which explains the slant of the proposal.

Randy informed the board that the Governor has signed the 5.3 billion budget but was not sure that the DRS budget was part of it. He heard that the budget was the same as last year and may be a bit more of an increase. It is felt that DRS wants OCB members as advocates but not as serious negotiating partners. Joe reminded all of us that we need to make friends with legislators as many of our supporters and friends are leaving.

Convention: Jeri stated that the committee has been meeting frequently through the conference bridge. The convention is set for September 17-19 in Tulsa. She has had excellent help from the Tulsa Chamber in selecting the hotel. The convention will be held at the Adam's Mark hotel at 100 East 2nd Street. Our rates will be $65 a night. The conference registration will be $75, $90 at the door, this will include four meals. The committee has a lot planned and we are working towards the theme of R&R (Rights and Responsibilities) The girl scout club is going to provide volunteers to assist members in negotiating the hotel. Saturday night will be a fun filled casino night and silent auction.

Membership: Jeri stated that they are in touch with Jane Maxwell who is trying to get approval from Karen Kizzia to obtain address of students in order to provide them with information about OCB and possibly do some mentoring if any came to the convention. It was mentioned that maybe we could get a spot during career day to let them know about the benefits of our organization.

Technology: Randy stated that we are looking at reorganizing the website and trying to clean it up and up date the information. They have put some things on the website and they are trying to fit them into better categories. Jeanne is doing the clean up work and she has added the Muskogee Newspaper.

Resolutions & bylaws: At our convention we had a resolution about the free matter for the blind and Randy asked for an update. Vicky stated that she contacted Sharon Loverling at ACB and She asked them about the mailing of their convention issue. She was informed that ACB is now paying for the mailing of their convention information. She stated that other states are having problems as well. She inquired about the article Here & There that appear in the Braille Forum and advertises products, etc. She stated that at this time she has not received a response back as to how they are able to send this free matter for the blind. She stated that at this time ACB has not taken any official stance concerning this matter. Randy will place a quarry out to the Leadership listserv about what others are doing about the Free Matter for the Blind issue.

Randy asked Marilyn to provide an update on the LeRoy Saunders Award. Marilyn and her committee members have outlined some requirements for this award and these were read to the board. It was pointed out that we do have an Gordon P Stephens Award and we are trying to get the guidelines for this so there will be no duplicate requirements. She has talked with Norman Dalke and he state that the Gordon P. Stephens award was pretty general. Leroy Saunders Award guidelines will focus more towards employment and advocacy. We also have a Betty Boyd award for legislators. Marilyn will fine tune what has been written for the LeRoy Saunders Award and provide this to the listserv for member comments.

New Business: Randy re-visited our fundraiser dilemma to see if we wanted to stay with the vehicle donation fundraiser or should we look at some other project. It appears that the IRS is looking at those that donate vehicles to see about the true value so this may slow the number of donations. It appears we should begin looking at other fundraising projects. Joe moved, Tommy seconded and the board approved that the President take action to terminate and/or re-negotiate our contract and that he further be authorize to establish a committee to make recommendations for a long term fundraiser.

Joe updated the board on the activities of Oklahomans for Public Transit and stated that he has agreed to bring to Randy the idea of rather than rehab bring up the website and then selling it to the organization after they receive their tax exemption status. He moved, Vicky seconded and the board approved that we purchase the dominion name and one year web fees for the Oklahomans for Public Transit.

Joe then took a point of personal privilege to express that he has traditionally held and OCB has taken the position for around 70 years, that we do not charge members dues. He stated that over the past few years some members of the board have stated that it is time to take a look at the possibility of charging for membership dues. He stated that he has felt that If we were to charge it would not raise enough money to help our organization and he fears we would lose membership. He has decided that he will no longer stand in the way of any proposal that is drafted that will allow us to charge dues. He believes that he for one is at a point in his participation in OCB that he does not want to stand in the way of new ideas. Randy stated that he nor the board takes this situation lightly, but that as our treasurers report shows finances are an issue with our organization. Randy stated that this is not fundraising, but that we need to look at it as a revenue neutral issue to cover our national dues. He will appoint a committee to start gathering information and develop a proposal concerning this matter.

Elaine informed the group of an idea that has been developed by the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind to inform individuals of the White Cane law. They have developed a flyer and are working with their Department of Transportation to have it placed in every driver's manual. They feel that just a small notation of this in the drivers manual is not enough. Joe stated that the Tulsa Transit is also looking at it as well. It was determined that we should add information about the White Cane Law, Voters Information and other information concerning the rights of individuals who are blind on our website.

Old Business: There are some concerns about an organization called Heritage for the Blind doing fundraising activities in our state. Vicky attempted to get information about then and found out that they are based out of New York and sponsors a camp and do some braille. She asked how many attended the camp and they were unable to provide her with that information. Jeanne and Ray are going to do some checking on this organization.

OLB report: Randy stated that it has been a very busy quarter showing a 3.1 million in sales. If that trend continues they will be heading for another record year. Last year the hose department generated 3.5 million. They are expanding their board by adding two new members, which brings them to 8 members. The strategic plan is in place and they are starting to work that plan. They have applied for a few grants, one will be used to redo their website. They are looking at employment possibilities in Tulsa, such as National Rent-A-Car. If this company moves to Tulsa it would bring 700 to 1000 call center jobs. They are trying to reach out to the community and had a good open house. Once again this year they are sponsoring an art show.

ACB convention will be held in July in Birmingham and in 2005 in Los Vegas. Tommy asked if there is some negotiation between NFB and ACB having their conventions closer together. No one knows at this time.

Joe stated that the share of the foundation money that was collected from the Ray Price concert will be donated to the educational program at the library. They hope that the administration will match that amount. There annual meeting will be held in April in Muskogee on the second weekend.

TCB: Joe stated that their attendance is increasing. They are trying to have a good mix of social, education and advocacy activities. They meet at the First Baptist church at North Mingo first Tuesday of the month.

HCB: They meet the first Saturday of every month at the Oklahoma Library for the Blind. The are having programs every month and on May 15 are sponsoring a workshop for individuals that are experiencing a recent loss of vision. Will have information on emotional issues, have an IL display. Vicky stated that she has sent out 176 letters to Ophthalmologist and Optometrist. She is now getting info out to support groups as well.

Muskogee: They are having trouble getting new members. There last meeting was at Christmas and their next meeting will be their picnic on May 1. All are invited just let them know ahead of time. They will also be meeting in August and December.

Marilyn informed the group about the DRS ABLE program. ABLE, stands for Adult Blind Learning Experience. This program is for individuals who do not want to attend an out-of-state center for personal adjustment training. There will be four weeks, with each session lasting for one week at a time. This will begin the second week of July. Referrals can be made to Marilyn, Elaine or any DRS rehabilitation teacher.

Next meeting will be held on June 5, at the Oklahoma Library for the Blind.

Meeting adjourned at 11:40.

Elaine Boykin

Secretary