President David Anspach brought the meeting to order at approximately 1:03 PM. Chuck Huber led everyone in the flag salute. Debbie Hietala introduced Judy Bordignon who was a guest at the meeting. She is a puppy raiser for Southeastern Guide Dogs. Role call was taken; 14 members and a guest were present.
Kim Ellsworth read aloud September’s meeting Minutes. A motion to accept the Minutes was made and seconded by John Carson and Grant Downey, respectively. Motion carried. Paul Prescott gave the Treasurer’s report. September’s statement balance is $1,664.59. A check from Tom Hartig, State Treasurer, was received for the tickets that the Chapter sold for the State raffle and has not been deposited yet. The check amount is $34.80, which will be deposited for next month’s statement. There are currently two outstanding checks, which were written for John Carson for $50.00 for the mailbox reimbursement and one to Kim Ellsworth for the gift basket. A motion to accept the Treasurer’s report was made and seconded by Vice-president Mike Lamb and Jim Ellsworth, respectively. Motion carried.
Debbie Hietala reported that NFB is no longer following the case regarding the gentleman whose guide dog was attacked by the Maltese. He decided to retire his dog and NFB no longer wishes to be involved since there is currently no guide dog issue. Also, it seems that the guide dog user was not being cooperative with the media and was not exhibiting appropriate NFB behavior. Tammy Anspach reported that it had been brought to her attention that a supposed ADA specialist has been into Yellow Cab and this specialist has told the Yellow Cab drivers that rats, snakes, ferrets and these types of animals are service animals. Upon hearing this, Tammy educated the cab driver on what the ADA’s actual definition of a service animal is. This is basically an animal that is trained to mitigate a disability. David also added that this topic has been in the news and the people who have the above mentioned animals claim they are for emotional support. Chuck Huber reported that he took a copy of the Dog Guide Access Law to United Cabs and they made a photo copy of it.
Dan Mann who is the President and CEO of the lighthouse of Pinellas is scheduled to speak at November’s meeting. Mike Lamb said he would verify with the speaker that this is still the plan. It was suggested that David Jolly, who is the right-hand man of Congressman Bill Young, would be a great future speaker. Mike Lamb volunteered to try and contact him during the week to see if he can speak at January’s meeting.
Next, discussion took place regarding how the Chapter fared after the “Meet the Blind” picnic and White Cane Safety Awareness event, which took place at Seminole Park. It was felt by the Chapter that overall, everything was a success. Debbie asked our guest member what her thoughts were regarding the event. Judy said it was “very dynamic”, “very active” and “quite informative”. Debbie received a lot of positive feedback from the puppy raisers. Near the closing of the event, a photo was taken of Congressman Bill Young going on a guide dog walk while under blindfold. The cookout generated 396 dollars. However, it cost 108 dollars for the food; 72 hotdogs and 80 hamburgers were sold. The Chapter started with enough food to feed 300 people; Debbie reported that 150 people were served. The Chapter paid 102 dollars for food, Debbie donated 6 dollars, Paul went through six cases of soda and two cases of water; and, of course the charcoal, fluid and bags of ice. Around 64 dollars was spent on drinks and the food total came to around 197 dollars. After contributors have been reimbursed, the Chapter receives $157.45. The cost of the banner was paid for, via the Chapter’s debit card. Debbie will e-mail Kim a report of the actual break down of how much of what items were sold and Kim will include this in the Minutes as a reference for next year. Mike had a thousand labels printed up that contain the name of the organization and Chapter, the Chapter’s PO Box address and the Chapter’s website. These labels were placed on all of the brochures and there remain around 500 labels left. Paul reported that 48 dollars was collected in donations. John talked briefly about the hard work and planning that went into making the event a success and how pleased he was with the participation from the whole Chapter and also that of the FCB Chapter. Plans are already being made to hold this event again next year with hopes of getting a location in the park that is closer to the entrance for better public visibility. Letters of appreciation need to be sent to all the guests who took time out of their day to attend the event. This includes the three politicians, Southeastern Guide Dogs puppy raisers, the Lighthouse of Pinellas, the talking book library and the FCB for their participation. The next Fundraising Committee meeting will take place on Saturday, November 4, from 2 to 4 PM in the Hietalas’ home.
Next, the Chapter Christmas party was discussed. President Anspach polled the Chapter Board regarding the location to hold the party, i.e. The Wine Cellar or the Hietalas’ home. The cost of the meal at the wine cellar would be $16.00 a person. This includes the entrée, a starch and two vegetables depending upon what the Chapter decides salad, bread and a dessert of our choice. Gratuity may also be included. Janice, who wasn’t able to be present at the meeting, needs to have an answer right away and President Anspach said he’d give her an answer next week. Discussion took place regarding the pros and cons of having the party at a restaurant versus someone’s home. A motion that the party be held at the Hietalas’ house was made and seconded by Mike Lamb and John Carson, respectively. Motion carried. There will be steak and chicken, which the Chapter will cover the cost of. Tammy Anspach and Jill Carson volunteered to be the party coordinators. David encouraged everyone to participate in the white elephant gift exchange. It should be no more than a $10 unisex gift and to keep in mind that this is a family event. It will take place on December 16 from 4 PM to 8 PM.
Next, much discussion commenced on the topics of educating businesses, cab companies, law enforcement, etc about the White Cane law, the dog guide access law and defining what is a service animal. Some ways of doing this is via the various signs with catchy sayings on them, which are attached to the guide dogs; bringing public awareness by holding events such as the “meet the blind” picnic in the park event; through John’s idea about corporate sponsorships; the Speakers Bureau where we speak to other organizations and schools, etc.
Some discussion took place with regards to the scholarship sponsoring program. Mike Lamb made a motion that since the Chapter is able to support a $750 scholarship, he moves that the Jennifer Madsen fund be continued this year. Debbie Hietala seconded it. Motion carried. Sample Braille ballots were distributed to those who wanted them. If anyone has any questions or needs assistance with the layout of the ballots, contact Martin Munro at 464-6108. Meeting was adjourned
Written and Submitted by:
Kim Ellsworth
Pinellas Chapter Secretary