President David Anspach brought the meeting to order at 1:05 PM. Chuck Huber led everyone in the flag salute. Role call was taken; 18 members were present. Kim Smith gave the Secretary's report. The only correction is the date of the following meeting which ought to have read May 20 instead of June. A motion to accept the Minutes was made and seconded by John Carson and Grant Downey, respectively. Motion carried. She also gave the Treasurer's report since Paul Prescott was unable to attend. The current balance is $2,621.15. A motion to accept the Treasurer's report was made and seconded by Scott Carlisle and John Carson, respectively.
Next, the Committees gave their reports. Due to a busy schedule, Janice was not able to make much progress on getting a speaker for hurricane preparedness. Bay News 9 is a possibility as well as the fire department and possibly other TV stations. Also, suggestions for future speakers included Dennis Norris with Southeastern Guide Dogs and Ross Silvers with Tampa mayor’s Alliance for Work Force. The Web Committee was unable to meet prior to the State Convention as had been mentioned during the prior meeting. However, March's Minutes were promptly posted on the page, Chuck Hietala furnished John the write up of the changes and revisions of the Dog Guide Access Law and this is in the process of being posted, an online Chapter membership form is in the process of being made. A question was posed as to what officers receive the membership information and it was proposed that the information go to the Treasurer and the Treasurer would then notify the Secretary so as to keep the membership records updated. John also received some pictures from Jennifer Madsen’s parents and a memorial page with regards to the scholarship for the webpage is being planned. Jim has written a small article about Jennifer Madsen, Charlie Madsen approved it and this article will be read aloud during the meeting. If the Chapter approves, this can be posted on the webpage as well and sent on to Kathy Davis. Debbie Hietala gave a report from the Dog Guide User's Committee. A puppy raiser was denied access by a condo association and thus arose a chance to use the new access law. Chuck Hietala called them, stated the access law that it applies to puppy raisers and the Board refused to listen. Dennis Norris was then notified, he wrote a letter, it was presented to the Board and they are going to take it to their lawyers. Also, during the report, a member had a question regarding Guide Dogs being denied in churches. This led to some brief discussion on the subject and Debbie suggested that the person who is being denied get in contact with her. Debbie also announced that for those who have any retired guide dogs or their own guide dogs and need housing for it during a hurricane, they have a lot of puppy raisers who are more then willing to assist in helping the owner get the dog taken care of during that time.
The topic regarding transportation to the State Convention was discussed. Kim Smith collected money from those who were attending and will turn it in to the Treasurer. A hand count was taken of how many would be traveling in the van; ten plus one other person who was not in attendance. Other matters which were discussed relating to this topic was: getting the credit card information over to the van rental place, where the designated pickup place would be, times for departure and return, the cost to cover gas, the cost of the van rental and how it would be covered. A motion that the Chapter pays for the van was made and seconded by Scott Carlisle and Jill Carson, respectively. Motion carried. The Chapter agreed to submit cash door prizes in various amounts of money, which would total up to a hundred dollars for the State convention.
The fundraising Committee gave their report. Kim read aloud the brief article about Jennifer Madsen that was written by Jim Ellsworth and will be submitted to Kathy Davis so she can read it at the time the Jennifer Madsen scholarship is presented during the banquet. In regards to the scholarship presentation and the banquet, John reported that Charlie Madsen respectfully declined the Chapter's invitation to attend. Also, Jennifer's parents are divorced and remarried but the Chapter Board felt that it was prudent to invite both sets of parents. The Chapter will cover their registration and banquet fees plus a night's stay in the hotel. With regards to the White cane/Meet the Blind event in the park, David and Mike had discussed the fact that something needs to be written up to give to the Pinellas Lighthouse and the library so that the event can be announced in their newsletter. John also wants to post it on the Chapter’s webpage. As soon as Paul and Bonnie return from their trip, the form that is required by the park will be filled out and submitted to the appropriate place. Mike has promised the library that he will get them a press release by July 1 so they will have it in time to put in their quarterly newsletter. Mike has also been in touch with the representative of the park and was given some advice on how to answer the questions on the form. Other topics that were discussed were different ways of publicizing the event, writing up an official press release, contacting restaurants and businesses for donations, giving the cassette players as a token of thanks to the walk-a-thon participants and the folks who volunteer to help at the event, planning a committee meeting at someone’s house to work on the press release and whether assistance is being needed from the church youth groups or not. The third and final reading of the Chapter Constitution took place. There had previously been a question regarding the official name of the Chapter, i.e. the Pinellas County Chapter or the Pinellas Chapter. According to Kathy Davis, she thought that it is the latter but it can be called whatever the Chapter wants as long as it is written into the Constitution and submitted to the State and approved. A motion that the Constitution be adopted as read with the exception that the Chapter be referred to as the Pinellas Chapter as opposed to the Pinellas County Chapter was made and seconded by Mike Lamb and several others, respectively. Motion carried. Jim and David will work together and getting it properly formatted and Jim will change the date on it to June. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made and seconded by Kim Smith and John Carson, respectively. Motion carried. The next Chapter meeting will be held on Saturday, June 17 2006.
Written and Submitted by:
Kim Ellsworth
Pinellas Chapter Secretary
06/17/2006