The meeting was brought to order at 1:01 PM and presided over by President David Anspach. Chuck Huber led everyone in the flag salute. Role call was taken; 16 members and a guest were present.
The Secretary and Treasurer’s report was given by Kim Smith and Paul Prescott, respectively. Minute corrections: 1. The address of the Cracker Barrel should have been 54th Avenue and the Interstate. 2. Early in the Minutes, there was a reference to the March minutes, which should have actually said the April Minutes.
Current Treasury balance is: $2,423.53.
Janice Snow reported that she still has not received a response from Emergency Management. If she doesn’t receive a response, she will contact the fire department and then Bay News 9 or various other television stations.
The Sunshine Committee reported that though a sympathy card was not sent, Janice attended Marriel Watson’s funeral and she contacted the Pinellas Lighthouse and gave her condolences. The Committee also reported the passing away of John Carson’s guide dog, Majesty and Janice called him to see how he was doing. A motion that the Chapter makes a $100 donation to the Pinellas Lighthouse in honor of Marriel Watson was made and seconded by Janice Snow and Linda Saunders, respectively. During discussion, it was suggested that the gift be designated to a particular area such as working with people who are visually impaired who need to obtain skills to get a job. The prior motion was amended stating that the money that’s sent go towards providing rehabilitation or training for procuring a job for one of their clients. This was made and seconded by Mike Lamb and John Carson, respectively. Both the amended motion and Janice’s original motion carried.
John Carson gave the Web Committee report. The donation page contains the new PO Box, which is: NFB of Florida, Pinellas Chapter PO Box 55934 Saint Petersburg, FL 33732 The mailbox rent is approximately $50 a year but they only rent 6 months at a time. One six month period cost $25 and the purchase of two keys was a dollar a piece; the Carson’s have the receipt to turn in to the Treasurer. In March, there were over 600 hits on the page, the “upcoming events and meetings” section has been updated with the dates of all the upcoming meetings, the date of the State convention was posted, there is also a links of interest and John would like to have another Web Committee meeting prior to the State Convention. There was some brief debate as to whether it is permissible to put a link on the Chapter’s webpage referring to political friends of Pinellas County. For example, a bio about Leslie Waters or if she has a website, pointing a link to it. It was suggested that if Leslie Waters has a website, perhaps she might put a link to our website off of hers instead. A member stated that this would prevent the Chapter from violating the 501C3 status with regards to being nonpartisan.
Janice Snow reported on her trip to Tallahassee. She was able to meet with most of the representatives that had been previously scheduled by Mike Lamb. Some things being worked on or trying to pass: Keeping the DBS (Department of Blind Services) a separate agency and Bill 169 that concerns making My Florida.com accessible. She also reported having gotten the opportunity to meet with Gus Bilirakis.
The topic of State convention was discussed. The 15 passenger van rental cost is $388.00 before gas. The state is sending a grant for $300.00, which will go towards most of the transportation rental cost. Those who are riding in the van are being asked to contribute $15 a person to help cover the gas cost. There was discussion about how to collect everyone’s money and whether 15 dollars per person would be too much. A motion that each person riding in the van brings a check or cash amount for 15 dollars to the next Chapter meeting to defray the gas cost was made and seconded by Mike Lamb and Janice Snow, respectively. Motion carried. Paul spoke with Tom Hartig and Paul can write one check for all of the registrations and one check for everyone’s banquet cost but he needs names. Those who were in attendance called out there names. A motion that anyone who commits to going to the convention and does not attend is responsible for reimbursing the Chapter the 40 dollars was made and seconded by Mike Lamb and John Carson, respectively. Motion carried. John announced that Charlie Madsen respectfully declined the invitation to the banquet but that Jennifer Madsen’s parents who live in the county may be interested in attending. A motion that since Charlie Madsen declined the Chapter’s offer to attend the banquet and the one night stay at the hotel, the Chapter extends this offer to Jennifer Madsen’s parents was made and seconded by John Carson and Jim Ellsworth, respectively. Motion carried.
Bonnie read aloud a brochure about the summer camp for visually impaired children, which is presented by Division of Blind Services. Paul reported that there was a budget cut and Debbie Heitala is helping with the food for the camp. After some discussion, a motion that the Chapter send 200 dollars to help feed the children for the summer camp, noting vehemently to DBS that the money came from NFB; and, that a letter be included with the donation and the letter should be posted on the website was made and seconded by Mike Lamb and John Carson, respectively. Motion carried.
The Fundraising Committee gave their report. The event in the park and the White Cane Safety Awareness will both take place on October 14, 2006, the park is reserved at 8:00 AM, must be there by 9:00, it will be held for an hour, one and-a-half pavilions have been reserved and are right at the beginning of the trail, there are no electrical outlets there, the Heitalas are planning on getting about 30 puppy raisers to help out and many of them have vans. During the Committee meeting, Debbie said that she would furnish whatever the Chapter wants such as hamburgers and hotdogs and whatever the Chapter doesn’t sell, she will take back and sell it in her cafeteria. Both Dan Mann from the Pinellas Lighthouse and Marilyn Stevenson with the library have been contacted and they are both going to setup tables at the event; Marilyn will post the event in their web letter and Dan has agreed to make the clients aware of the event. An explanation of the event needs to be written and sent to Dan and Marilyn so they can distribute the information to their patrons and clients. Getting lots of media coverage was suggested such as getting the event advertised in the Seminole Beacon, the Largo Leader and other neighborhood papers. Debbie is going to ask Marion Gwizdala if he would be available to provide some entertainment during the event.
Prior to the secondary reading of the Constitution, Jim Ellsworth went over the corrections and modifications that have been made so far. Biannual (every two year elections) has been changed to one-year (annually). In Article X Section 2, the word us has been changed to Chapter. Also, National Federation of the Blind of Florida and National Federation of the Blind after the first use have been noted that in the rest of the document, their abbreviated names will be used. Jim will contact Kathy Davis to see what State has the Chapter reported as with regards to the name Pinellas County Chapter or Pinellas Chapter. The reading commenced at this time and in conclusion, a member pointed out that in Article IV Section 3, there is an “or” where it should have said “nor”. Also, Pinellas Chapter was referred to in a couple of places where it ought to have read Pinellas County Chapter in order for consistency.
A motion that the July 15 Chapter meeting and party take place at Mike Lamb’s home was made and seconded by Mike Lamb and Janice Snow, respectively. Motion carried. Mike will meet with the Applebees manager who takes care of reserving the meeting room and have the Chaptered booked from August through December. The next Chapter meeting will be held on May 21, 2006 at Applebees. Meeting adjourned at 3:00 PM.
Written and Submitted by:
Kim Smith
Pinellas Chapter Secretary