Oklahoma Council of the Blind

P. O. Box 1476

Oklahoma City, OK 73101

1 877 578-6212

President’s Message

Busy, busy, busy… That is what I’m hearing from many areas of OCB and I think that is great. From serious issues such as funding for the Older Blind program to social activities such as a tour of the Gilcrease museum in Tulsa to attending dinner theater in Oklahoma City, we have a wide range of activities taking place at the local and state level of our organization. Though it may seem stressful for those organizing these activities, it is good news for the organization as a whole. I want to tell those who are currently leading these efforts; your work is more than appreciated by all of us. In the past, the state organization has been involved with advocacy activities and the chapters have been primarily involved with social activities. We’re beginning to see these activities blend more closely together and that will be good for our continued progress into the future.

I am glad to see more of our new/younger members becoming more active in both local and state organizations. Over recent months several of our older (more experienced) members have suffered a variety of illnesses, which has put a strain on our ability to keep moving in some areas. However, we have new/younger members who are asking to help and I’m pleased to see that their interest is being acknowledged. It is often too easy to adopt the position “well, I’ve done this for ever and I’ll just do it myself because I can do it quicker”. My question is what is going to happen when the experienced person can no longer perform in

that area? Is it right to put the organization in a position where it can be brought to its knees because we may not want to take the time to teach someone new? It is good that we’re giving these new people a chance to continue our traditions and improve the lives of blind and visually impaired Oklahomans.

Keep up the great work and let’s hear it for OCB.

--Randy Howard, President

Calendar of Events

Date	Event	Location
May 9	Strawberry Day	Oklahoma School for the Blind, Muskogee, OK
May 14	Coping with a Recent Loss of Vision	Heartland Council of the Blind, Oklahoma City, OK
May 20-22	Oklahoma School for the Blind Alumni Meeting	Muskogee, OK
June 4	OCB Board Meeting	Tulsa, OK
July 2-9	American Council of the Blind Convention	Las Vegas, NV

Convention Corner

The Oklahoma Council of the Blind 2005 Convention will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel 2945 N W Expressway, Oklahoma

City, OK September 9, 10 and 11, 2005. The sleeping room rate will be $66 per night plus tax for up to four people per room and all the meeting rooms will be provided free of charge. This year’s theme is SOS Safety, Opportunity, Security. Some of the sessions have

not yet been finalized, but all in all, this year’s convention is shaping up nicely and promises to keep everyone on his/her toes.

Melanie Brunson, Executive Director of the American Council of the Blind, will “wow” everyone with her dynamic personality and expertise on anything and everything. Activities will also include an ongoing mystery game that encourages participants to become acquainted with new friends, a breakout session on how blind/visually impaired people can tastefully apply makeup and another presented by Guiding Eyes for individuals interested in learning more about guide dogs. An attorney has agreed to discuss wills, trusts and other legal issues as they relate to people who are blind or visually impaired. There will be special musical entertainment, sighted guides provided by Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts and much, much more.

The registration fee for the entire Convention is $75, which includes four meals, two breakfasts, lunch and a banquet dinner. Registration for Saturday only is $30 and includes lunch. Extra banquet tickets are available for $25.

Anyone wishing to advertise in the Convention Program can contact Judy Hansen (405) 858-8735. There will be three levels of advertising: full page, $100; half page, $75; and Business Card size, $25.

There is also an opportunity for those wishing to sponsor OCB to do so at three different levels: silver, $5; gold, $10, and platinum, $20. Judy Hansen is also the contact for sponsors.

At this writing, exhibits will include a voting machine using a regular ballot, a computer vendor, a home and garden booth, and many, many more.

Come join the fun, prepared to learn, laugh and light a torch for YOUR OCB.

--Teresa Kruta, 2005 Convention Chair

Sustaining Sponsorship Committee Report

Jeanne Meyer, Chairman

Have you wondered how the Oklahoma Council of the Blind meets its expenses every year when prices continue to sky-rocket out of sight? Well, sometimes it is difficult to meet our obligations without cutting valuable services and programs. We don’t want to do this and we need your help. Besides, when we give, we feel a greater ownership of the Council’s programs and mission to “Improve Tomorrow Today”.

The Oklahoma Council of the Blind Board of Directors has approved the sustaining sponsorship program. This is designed to allow voluntary contributions by individuals/corporations to offset expenses.

Levels and Dollar Amounts

I Care $10 - $49

Bronze $50 - $99

Silver $100 - $199

Gold $200 - $499

Platinum/Corporate $500 and above

Length of Sustaining Sponsorships Sustaining Sponsorship donations will be accepted at anytime during the calendar year as a donation during that year. Thank you/Donation receipts will be mailed by January 31 of the following year. Sustaining sponsorships are renewed by donating in the next calendar year.

Publicizing the Program The program will be publicized through the Newsletter and affiliate meetings, making sure members know this is a voluntary program which doesn’t affect actual membership in ACB/OCB.

Recognition of Sustaining Sponsorship Donations Incentives for the program include knowing the organization is being financially supported, being recognized and receiving a tax receipt. Sustaining Sponsorship Donors will be listed in newsletters, on the web site and in the convention program.

How Can I become a Sustaining Sponsor of OCB? Send your contribution payable to OCB to OCB Sustaining Sponsorship Program, c/o Jeanne Meyer, 814 North F Street, Muskogee OK 74403.

Your OCB Board Members

Randy Howard, President

Joe Fallin, 1st Vice-President

Julie Brantley, 2^nd Vice-President

Paul Miller, Treasurer

Elaine Boykin, Secretary

Vicky Golightly, Public Information Officer

Members At Large

Jeri Cooper, Jeanne Meyer, and Judy Pool-Hansen

Current OCB Fund Raising Activity

The ad below currently is seen in the Sunday Oklahoman.

DONATE THAT CAR!!!! Running or not, FREE pick up, tax deduction (fair market value per IRS) We do all paper work. Will accept real estate, lots, boats, RV’s and more!

Call 1 (800) 565-0626

Affiliates of OCB

OCB has three active local affiliates in Tulsa, Muskogee, and Oklahoma City. Since its formation in 1919, the OCB has had other chapters chartered by the membership. However, problems common to blind people (mostly transportation and communication) caused the chapters to disband.

The Tulsa Council of the Blind (TCB) meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM at the Airport Freewill Baptist Church. Besides providing social and educational programs, TCB remains involved with public transportation and city council activities under the keen leadership of its president, Attorney Joe Fallin. Two city councilmen are scheduled to speak to TCB members. Members recently enjoyed a special hands-on tour at the Gilcrease museum. Plans for the summer include going to the play "Oklahoma" and to a Tulsa baseball game. Interested persons should contact Secretary Jeri Cooper: (918) 832-7035 or by e-mail at jericooper@sbcglobal.net.

The Muskogee Council of the Blind (MCB) meets quarterly at 6:30 PM on a week night at the downtown public library. The President is Charlene Picket. A main event of MCB, well attended by blind people from across the state, is the annual spring picnic, always held at the Civitan Park. This event serves as MCB's annual business meeting, which includes the election of officers. President Picket welcomes all inquiries about MCB. Call her at (918) 687-5895. People in northeastern Oklahoma are encouraged to join MCB and help promote its activities.

The Heartland Council of the Blind (HCB) is OCB's chapter for central Oklahoma. Meetings are the first Saturday of each month at 2:00 PM at the Oklahoma Library for the Blind (OLBPH). Besides conducting HCB business, meetings feature speakers from the public, updates on other groups of and for the blind, and various social events at major holidays. A program on Coping with a recent loss of vision will be conducted by HCB on May 14th, at the OLBPH. This all day meeting includes speakers regarding blindness, packets of information, exhibits, and lunch--all for $15! For information about HCB, call President Judy Hansen (405) 858-8735 or PR Director Vicky Golightly at (405) 524-6227.

Donations Appreciated

Tax deductible contributions are vital to the financial support of the Oklahoma Council of the Blind (OCB) and may be sent to Paul Miller, Treasurer, P.O. Box 1476, Oklahoma City, OK 73101. You may wish to make this contribution in memory of a loved one, to honor a living relative or friend, or by designating the OCB as a recipient in your last will and testament.

Address Changes Requested

Please keep us current on your address especially if you plan to move. Contact us by phone or in writing or e-mail Elaine Boykin, secretary at elaine18@cox.net if you have changes or would like to receive this newsletter by e-mail.

Join the OCB List Serve

You can become an active OCB member by joining our list serve and hearing the news and information hot off the press. To join just go to www.okcb.org and click on the “sign up for the OCB List Serve” link. This is a great spot to share ideas, find people that you have lost contact with and hear the News Notes from Washington, put out weekly by the American Council of the Blind.

Newsletter Editor: Vicky Golightly. Contributing Editors: Judy Hansen, Teresa Kruta, Jeanne Meyer and Elaine Boykin

Oklahoma Council of the Blind is an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind.

Oklahoma Council of the Blind

P. O. Box 1476

Oklahoma City, OK 73101

The Oklahoma Council of the Blind (OCB) encourages interested individuals, blind, visually impaired, or sighted to join the organization. Membership applications are available upon request or on our web site www.okcb.org. There are NO membership fees. Board meetings, which are open to the public, will be held on a quarterly basis on the following dates. This will finish our 2005-year:

June 4, 2005 Tulsa

August 27, 2005 (Via conference call)

September 9-11, 2005 OCB 2005 Convention,

Oklahoma City

Recorded Details of this Newsletter

Recorded sections of this newsletter can be accessed by calling The Older Blind Information Line 1 800 829-3255.

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