KCB Board Meeting – May, 2015

The monthly meeting of the Kentucky Council of the Blind Board of Directors was held via conference call on Monday, May 18, 2015.

President Deb Lewis called the meeting to order at 8:04 PM eastern time. Members present were Deb Lewis, Joey Couch, Rick Boggess, Carla Ruschival, Bill Deatherage, Debbie Deatherage, Gerry Slusher, Natalie Beyers, Elaine Weisbard, Adam Ruschival, Bill Wright, Deb Trevino, “Cisco” Slusher, Matt Selm, Bill Roberts and Frank Campbell. Members Patti Cox and Vurah Berry were absent. President Deb Lewis indicated that Vurah Berry has resigned from the board.

President Deb Lewis called for reading the April 20 board meeting minutes and summary. Since a copy had been given to board members in advance, she asked if anyone needed the minutes or summary read. Debbie Deatherage made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and summary and for their approval with correction. The motion was seconded by Elaine Weisbard. Joey Couch pointed out that Rick Boggess changed the first draft to show that the Eastern Kentucky Christian Council’s picnic is at Perry County Park and not Breathitt County Park. The corrected minutes and summary were unanimously approved.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Carla Ruschival presented her report for April. Carla pointed out that the designated funds reflect the March 31 total since she did not have final figures when completing her April report. Elaine Weisbard made a motion to accept the Treasuher’s report. The motion was seconded by Natalie Beyers and unanimously approved.

Chapter Reports

Eastern Kentucky Christian Council – Frank Campbell reported the chapter will have its picnic from 4:00 go 7:00 PM on May 30 at Perry County Park.

Northern Kentucky Council – Cisco Slusher reported for Gerry Slusher who was unable to speak due to a sore throat. The chapter did not have a May meeting. Instead, they participated in the Greenway Trail Day from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on Saturday, May 16.

Greater Louisville Council – Bill Wright reported that 33 people attended the Derby party on May 2. A guest speaker discussed exercise and diet at GLCB Friday night on May 15. At its April 25 quarterly meeting GLCB elected the following officers: Debbie Deatherage, president; Bill Wright, first vice president; Libby Koch, second vice president; Natalie Beyers, secretary; and Deanna Scoggins, treasurer. The May 22 activity will include guide dog eye exams and bingo.

Tri-State Library Users – Adam Ruschival reported the chapter has no report this month.

Guide Dog Users of Kentucky – Deb Trevino indicated that five dog users and some guests walked across the pedestrian bridge on May 17. Some chapter members participated in the Cave Hill Cemetery tour on May 9. Dr. Tolar will conduct free guide dog eye exams from 3:00 to 5:00 PM on May 22 at United Crescent Hill Ministries. Dog owners should bring their registration papers. Adam Ruschival indicated that a recording of the Cave Hill tour is included in Sound Prints for May 10.

Support Alliance of the Visually Impaired – Bill Roberts reported that 22 people (including three guests) attended the May 12 meeting. One new member joined. Members agreed on a strategy to distribute flyers and business cards and voted to ask local Lions Clubs to join them in a White Cane Day activity later in the year. One member, who recently returned from the Hines Center, shared his experiences. Three members shared information at the Munday Senior Center health fair on May 14. The chapter hopes to have a mobility specialist at its June 9 meeting. Rick Boggess will be the SAVI captain for the ACB walk.

KCB Next Generation – Matt Selm reported that 11 people participated in the travel seminar on May 16. Beginning on June 12, the chapter will hold monthly meetings on the second Friday of the month at 7:30 PM at United Crescent Hill Ministries. Amanda Selm has agreed to be the team captain for the ACB walk.

Committees

PR/Membership – Rick Boggess reported the committee met on May 6. The webpage and calendar are being updated regularly. The committee discussed the upcoming webpage move and the status of the kits project. Since the meeting Natalie Beyers, Dave Trevino and Rick Boggess met to refine the kit list and that information will be shared at the next committee meeting. Amanda Selm and Joey Couch will be assisting with Facebook page updates.
Carla Ruschival reported that Larry Turnbull has gotten a little behind on the web page due to his father’s death. She hopes to get with him to learn how to post pages shortly. She then hopes to post many of the static pages.

SRC – President Deb Lewis reported on the April 24 SRC meeting. The Office for the Blind has concluded its spring bootcamp training and is gearing up for a summer program for youth ages 14-21. The committee reviewed new membership applications which will be submitted to the governor. The committee selected George Stokes as chairman and Dennis Franklin as vice chairman for next year. This was made necessary due to the retirement of the incoming chairman, Gerry Gordon-Brown, head of the Client Assistance Program. They also heard an update from the new assistant director of Kentucky Business Enterprises, Scott Fricano. Deb Lewis pointed out that everyone enjoyed the doughnuts provided by KCB. Matt Selm asked if OFB is continuing to use the Hadley School for the Blind video training program developed by NFB and whether or not there is additional information about its cost effectiveness. Adam Ruschival stated that the course is still being offered but that it was never brought up at a SRC meeting.

Old Business

President Deb Lewis reminded members about the $150 KCB stipend for those planning to attend the ACB convention in Dallas. Individuals must be KCB members by June 1 and meet convention attendance requirements.

New Business

President Deb Lewis informed the board that KCB has received a $1500 grant from the Louisville Downtown Lions Club in support of Crossroads. She floated the idea of using the money for a one-day Crossroads conference (possibly August 15, September 19 or October 3). Adam Ruschival stated that this could be a hands-on training and raised the possibility of providing Skype access for those unable to attend. Adam also suggested some of the money could be used to prepare conference materials in alternate formats. Rick Boggess suggested that information on insurance and officer responsibilities presented at the ACB Midyear Meeting and Legislative Seminar be considered. Adam Ruschival made a motion that KCB offer a one-day Crossroads Leadership Workshop (preferably in August) and that the workshop’s focus be to attract mainly Kentuckians. Rick Boggess seconded the motion. Natalie Beyers asked if the August date conflicts with the GLCB quarterly meeting. Deb Lewis responded that it does but that it should be possible to resolve the conflict. The August 15 date is preferred since October would place the conference too close to the state convention. The motion was unanimously approved.

President Deb Lewis reminded members to begin recruiting sponsors for the KCB e-Racers for the ACB walk-a-thon. The new website is http://acb.donorpages.com/acbmemorialwalk2015/eracers. Fifty percent of the money raised by the team comes back to support KCB and its chapters. Carla Ruschival has heard from Next Generation and SAVI and needs to hear from the designated person for any chapter wishing to participate. GDUKY and GLCB also want to participate but no one has been designated by those chapters. The Louisville Downtown Lions Club has pledged $500 for the e-Racers.

Adam Ruschival indicated he received a phone call from Ty Thompson informing him that Paul and Paula Wiese’s grandson passed away this past weekend. There will be a service at 3 PM in Lexington on May 20 at Southland Christian Church on Harrodsburg Road. Adam made a motion that KCB donate $50 to the Bluegrass Council in their grandson’s memory. The motion was seconded by Elaine Weisbard and unanimously approved.

Announcements and Adjournment

Elaine Weisbard made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was seconded by Natalie Beyers and unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 9:12 PM.

Submitted by Rick Boggess, KCB Secretary