Minutes
Oklahoma Council of the Blind
Annual Membership Meeting
September 22, 2001
President Sanders called the Annual Meeting of the Oklahoma
Council of the Blind to order at 3:45 P.M. at the Hilton Garden Inn, Oklahoma
City.
Minutes of the previous meeting were filed as
corrected. The corrections were: “Paul Miller” instead of “Paul Edwards” and
Councilman Watts” instead of Councilman Watt”.
The Treasurer’s report, read by Teresa Kruta, as of September
14, 2001, reflected: Beginning Balance
of $25,479.41; income for the quarter of $15,401.15 and for the year of
$44,781.60; and expenses for the same periods of $16,784.64 and $45,629.60; and
income/expenses, -$1,383.49 and -$848.
Total Ending Balance was $24,311.45, with net worth of $20,952.48. A report including figures to September 30th
will be compiled and available to the membership.
On behalf of the Constitution and By-Laws Committee,
Chairman Randy Howard reported the following changes.
Article 1, Section 3.
“The purpose of this Council shall be to promote the general welfare of
visually handicapped…” Change “visually
handicapped” to “visually impaired”.
Article 2, Section 3. “The Board shall be charged with the
responsibility of preparing forms in alternative formats for such requests.
Article 3, Section 3.
“Written notices shall be given to each member in good standing not less
than 30 days prior to the convention” and Section 4 “Written notices of time and
place of each special convention will be given by mail to each member in good
standing not less than 15…” Corrections Section 3 : “Notices in large print, Braille or electronic medium shall be
given” and Section 4 “Notice of the time and place of special convention shall
be sent in large print, Braille and electronic mail to each member in good
standing not less than 15 days…”.
Last year language regarding
withdrawing one’s name from membership stated “Any member wishing to withdraw
his application”. The language “his”
was changed to “his/her”.
Paul Miller, Resolutions Committee Chairman, said that
resolutions presented still needed some refining. They included:
Resolution 01-1: additional funding for the Older Blind
Program. The resolution passed.
Resolution 01-02:
The right to vote. The Board
would contact appropriate election officials and strongly encourage them to
purchase and install voting equipment that is accessible to blind and visually
impaired Oklahomans so that they are able to vote independently. The resolution passed.
Resolution 01-3: How textbooks are made available in Oklahoma
and seeking language to be added to the law so that the law can be enforced and
is strong and specific. The intent of
the Resolution Committee is to put together a committee to study and research
this issue. The resolution will be
refined and presented to the Board. Joe
Fallin moved that this issue be referred to the Board for appropriate action to
strengthen access to textbooks by blind and visually impaired children. Ray Jones seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Ray Jones urged the Council to express appreciation to
Visual Services Administrator Ray Hopkins for encouraging his staff to support
consumer organizations.
The President said we had 729 people on our membership
list. We need to update and clean up
this list. About 85 addresses on this
list are invalid. The list will be sent
to chapter representatives for their assistance in this project.
President Sanders said the vehicle auction fundraiser thus
far netted us around $2,800.
We had 55 people registered at the convention.
The website is a work in progress. The Constitution and By-Laws and Resolutions passed at the 2000
Convention have been revised or posted.
Jerry Litterell expressed concern about board meetings being
conducted via computer. He felt that
meeting by computer prevents all members from accessing our meetings.
Elections were held and the results were: President, Marilyn Sanders; First
Vice-President, Joe Fallin; Second Vice-President, Tommy Robertson; Secretary,
Vicky Golightly; Treasurer, Dale Lamar; Public Information Director, Judy
Hansen; Board Members At Large, Paul Miller, Randy Howard and Donna Finch; and
Alternate ACB Delegate, Elaine Boykin.
Judy Hansen reported that the Central Oklahoma Council of
the Blind has been dissolved and the Heartland Council of the Blind wishes to
become a chartered affiliate of the Oklahoma Council of the Blind. The newly formed Heartland Council of the
Blind was accepted and President Hansen accepted the charter.
The President thanked Kim Charlson, our Convention Keynote
and panel moderator, for her participation in our Convention.
In light of the September 11th tragedy in New
York and Washington, DC, the President asked the membership if it would be in
order to contact the New York and DC affiliates to determine if they could use
financial assistance. We currently have
money in our emergency assistance fund which might be utilized for this
purpose. Donna Finch moved, with second
by Dan Garrett, that the President of OCB contact the New York and Washington,
DC affiliates to determine if they need financial assistance. The motion carried.
Ray Jones moved, with second by Vicky Golightly, that the
Board determine the time and location of the OCB 2002 Convention. The motion carried.
President Sanders thanked everyone for attending the
Convention. She said she looked forward
to the involvement of everyone here.
She also needs volunteers to chair committees.
Vicky Golightly was the lucky recipient of the $100 door
prize.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at
5:15 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lynn (Vicky) Golightly,
Secretary