KCB Board Meeting – February, 2015
The monthly meeting of the Kentucky Council of the Blind Board of Directors was held via conference call on Monday, February 16, 2015. President Deb Lewis called the meeting to order at 8:07 PM eastern time. Members present were Deb Lewis, Joey Couch, Rick Boggess, Carla Ruschival, Bill Deatherage, Debbie Deatherage, Gerry Slusher, Natalie Beyers, Patti Cox, Elaine Weisbard, Adam Ruschival, Bill Wright, Matt Selm, Deb Trevino, “Cisco” Slusher and Bill Roberts. Members Vurah Berry and Donnie Parrett were absent.
President Deb Lewis called for reading the January 19 board meeting minutes and summary. Since a copy had been e-mailed to board members prior to the meeting, she asked if anyone needed the minutes or summary read. Joey Couch made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and summary and for their approval. The motion was seconded by “Cisco” Slusher and unanimously approved.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Carla Ruschival presented her report for January. Elaine Weisbard made a motion to aprove the treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded by Deb Trevino and unanimously approved.
Chapter Reports
Eastern Kentucky Christian Council – Joey Couch reported the chapter hopes to have a March meeting. However, the date and program details have not yet been finalized.
Northern Kentucky Council – Gerry Slusher reported the chapter is working on another grant through the Center for Great Neighborhoods. The grant, for up to $2000, must be used to commemorate Covington’s 200th birthday. They hope to use the money to purchase items for an activity at a local senior citizens’ center, participate in the local Trail Days event, have another White Cane Safety Day, and participate in a Christmas show. Members now have t-shirts and officers have business cards which they can pass out. All members will soon have business cards and pamphlets to distribute.
Greater Louisville Council – Bill Wright reported that about 40 people attended GLCB’s advocacy training, spaghetti dinner and quarterly meeting on February 7. The chapter has combined its Tuesday and Friday night activities into one joint Friday night activity at United Crescent Hill Ministries. The meeting includes an education activity from 3:30 to 6, a meal from 6:15 to 7 and games/crafts from 7-10. Twenty-seven people attended the February 13 activity.
Tri-State Library Users Group – Adam Ruschival reported the chapter held a joint conference call meeting with Guide Dog Users on February 8 to discuss favorite dog books. The session was not well attended. The next meeting will be an in person dinner meeting at United Crescent Hill Ministries in March. The topic has not yet been determined. Adam also reminded the board that annual $12 dues are due for Tri-State Library Users and Library Users of America.
Guide Dog Users of Kentucky – Deb Lewis reported that Deb Trevino recently attended Top Dog, a guide dog users get together that occurs every two years. In addition to its join conference call meeting with Tri-State Library Users on February 8, the chapter had its monthly conference call meeting on January 26. The chapter continues to sell folding scissors (two pair for $5.) All sales from this point on will be profit for the chapter.
Support Alliance of the Visually Impaired – Bill Roberts reported that about 30 people attended a presentation about Braille on January 31 at the Daviess County Public Library. Mike Hudson from APH and SAVI President Rick Boggess talked about Louis Braille’s life and about the history of braille. About 20 people attended SAVI’s February 10 meeting which featured a presentation by Sara Wilson from River Valley Behavioral Health on anxiety and depression. The chapter signed up two new members at that meeting.
KCB Next Generation – Matt Selm reported the chapter raffled off its basket at the GLCB spaghetti dinner on February 7. Carla Ruschival won the basket which brought in over $175. The chapter is planning a travel seminar at United Crescent Hill Ministries on March 7.
Committees
PR/Membership – Rick Boggess reported that the committee met on February 4. He updated the committee on the KCB webpage, calendar and newsletter. The committee also briefly discussed ideas for contacting the disability offices at Kentucky’s four year colleges. This will be discussed in more detail in March. Rick also briefed the committee on two recent conference calls by the ACB PR/Membership Committee. The next meeting will be on March 4.
KCB Convention – Joey Couch reported that the committee met briefly on January 22 to evaluate the 2014 convention and share ideas for the 2015 convention.
SRC – President Deb Lewis reported on the January 23 SRC meeting. The KY Office for the Blind will be holding a second boot camp session during the first three weeks in March. They are looking for speakers and will be making some program adjustments which will include a more thorough orientation to computer stations on the first day of class. OFB is also planning a boot camp for college students this summer. The McDowell Center served 80 clients during 2014. The Office for the Blind is still looking for SRC applicants to fill four slots. The business Enterprise Program is now offering some classroom training through Hadley and apparently will be paying NFB $3500 per person for hands-on training. There are some concerns about this $3500 cost. According to Adam Ruschival, there are additional concerns about the Business Enterprise Program since the program is under staffed and without a director since Jack Kennedy’s December resignation. Matt Selm inquired as to whether or not the Office for the Blind had ever conducted a cost benefit analysis of changing the training model. Carla suggested this might be something the SRC might request be done if it has not been done. It was pointed out the people are being encouraged to contact legislators to share good news about the Office for the Blind with the hope that this will lead to increased state funding which will result in more federal funding. However, these efforts will probably be more effective if they are done in months preceding budget sessions which occur in even numbered years.
Old Business
None.
New Business
Carla Ruschival reported that the KCB Newsletter distribution list has shown significant growth. Since some people only want the newsletter, there is a need for a separate newsletter distribution list. She pointed out there is considerable overlap on the Kentucky-acb and Kentucky-news lists. After considerable discussion and questions, Carla Ruschival made a motion that KCB merge Kentucky-acb and Kentucky-news into one list and that the Kentucky-news list be used to distribute the KCB Newsletter. The motion was seconded by Patti Cox and unanimously approved.
Announcements and Adjournment
Carla Ruschival pointed out that President Deb Lewis will be attending the ACB Midyear Meeting and Legislative Seminar which will be held February 21-24 in Arlington, Virginia. There are three legislative imperatives this year: H.B. 729 dealing with Medicare coverage for low vision devices, sponsorship and reintroduction of the Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act and senate ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty which deals with international copyright. President Deb Lewis and Bluegrass Council Director Theresa Thomas hope to meet with Kentucky’s representatives and Senators to discuss these initiatives.
Carla Ruschival reminded the board that the deadline for ACB scholarship applications is March 1 and encouraged members to let students know about these scholarships. All materials are online.
Carla Ruschival pointed out the deadline for First Timers to submit packets is April 1. Applicants must submit a letter outlining their reasons for wanting to attend the convention accompanied by a letter from their affiliate president. First Timers are expected to attend the convention from July 4-11. They receive airfare, hotel (double occupancy), food stipend, registration and a couple of tickets.
Patti Cox made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was seconded by Natalie Beyers and unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 PM.
Submitted By Rick Boggess, KCB Secretary
Download Summary: KCBBoardMeetingFebruary2015
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