KCB Board Meeting – March, 2016
The monthly meeting of the Kentucky Council of the Blind Board of Directors was held via conference call on Monday, March 21, 2016. President Deb Lewis called the meeting to order at 8:07 PM eastern time. She informed the board that Bill Wright will be replacing Adam Ruschival as the representative for Tri-State Library Users. Answering the roll call were Deb Lewis, Joey Couch, Deb Trevino, Rick Boggess, Carla Ruschival, Elaine Weisbard, “Cisco” Slusher, Natalie Beyers, Amanda Selm, Shirley Stivers, Bill Wright, Gerry Slusher and Bill Roberts. Checking in late were Bill Deatherage, Debbie Deatherage and Lisa McKeown. Frank Campbell and Michelle Haycraft were absent. Guest Adam Ruschival was also present.
President Deb Lewis called for reading the February 15 board meeting minutes and summary. Since copies were distributed in advance, Gerry Slusher made a motion to dispense with their reading and for their approval with the suggested date corrections. The motion was seconded by Amanda Selm and unanimously approved.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Carla Ruschival presented her report for February. Rick Boggess made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded by Elaine Weisbard and unanimously approved.
Chapter Reports
Eastern Kentucky Christian Council: Rick Boggess presented a report from Frank Campbell. Chapter members met at the Breathitt County Public Library and went to Dairy Queen on March 5. Although a date and time have not been set, they are planning a May meeting to begin organizing their picnic.
Northern Kentucky Council: Gerry Slusher reported the chapter did not have a March meeting. They plan to make pretzels at Wunderbar on March 28. She also reported that House Bill 85, directing the KY Office for the Blind to draft white cane safety language for inclusion in the KY Driver Manual, has passed out of the house.
Greater Louisville Council: Since Debbie Deatherage had not yet arrived, Carla Ruschival reported on chapter activities. Recent GLCB Roundabout sessions have included presentations on the Civil War in Jefferson County and diabetes. They attended the APH Reader’s Theater production of “The Mousetrap.” The March 25 meeting will include an Avon party fundraiser and music. The April 15 quarterly meeting will include an “Ask the Lawyer” session. GLCB was also among KCB chapters involved in raising money for the Louis Braille book at APH.
Tri-State Library Users Group: The chapter met on March 15 at Logan’s Roadhouse and listened to a presentation about the services at the Louisville public Library. The next meeting will be a phone conference call on April 19.
Guide Dog Users of Kentucky: Bill Deatherage reported they will not be doing guide dog eye exams and that attempts to get a groomer to present have been unsuccessful. Deb Trevino will offer a resolution dealing with puppy raisers and proper house behavior at the next meeting.
Support Alliance of the Visually Impaired: Bill Roberts reported that 11 members and 3 visitors attended the March 8 meeting. Several regulars were ill or had schedule conflicts. The chapter collected dues and signed up one new member bringing total group membership to 25 including eight lifetime members. A representative from GRITS, the local paratransit agency, presented information about GRITS services and shared a plan for offering rides to and from SAVI meetings beginning in April. Board members continue to examine information on group insurance and 501c(3) shared with them by President Rick Boggess.
KCB Next Generation: Lisa McKeown reported that the chapter had a dine out at Texas Roadhouse on February 28 and joined GLCB at the APH Reader’s Theater production of “The Mousetrap” on March 18. They held their conference call on March 13 and are planning a picnic on May 14. The next conference call meeting will be on April 10. They plan to begin a mentoring program to teach technology and other skills to chapter members.
Committees
PR/Membership: Rick Boggess provided an update on the committee’s March 2 meeting. Committee members shared ideas for the April newsletter and discussed efforts to contact the disability offices at the four year colleges. Updates continue to the calendar and web page. There are plans to begin training people interested in helping to maintain the webpage. Hopefully, one to two people a month will be trained. Those interested should contact Carla or Rick. Board summaries for 2013 should be posted to the web page by our April meeting. The next meeting will be on April 6.
Old Business
SRC Update: President Deb Lewis reported that she and Carla attended the SRC meeting on February 19. There are continued concerns about the impact of budget cuts on OFB. Efforts continue to seek increased state funding so the agency can secure additional federal funding.
There was considerable discussion about the current status of House Bill 85 which requires OFB to draft white cane safety language for inclusion in the KY Driver Manual. The legislation has passed the House by a 95-0 vote but has apparently not been received in the senate.
Carla Ruschival called attention to a recent press release about the Second Annual Visionary Day sponsored by KSB and the Western KY Education Cooperative. There is concern that neither KCB nor the KSB Alumni Association were approached about being part of this event. It was agreed that KCB should express concern about not being invited to participate and emphasize that we expect to the included in the future. Carla forwarded the press release to the KCB Board list.
ACB Midyear Meetings: Shirley Stivers reported that her experience at the ACB Midyear Meetings in Washington was amazing. She and Patti Cox visited the offices of Kentucky’s representatives and senators and met with office staff and had a personal meeting with Congressman John Yarmouth. They were well received in each office and answered lots of questions about the ACB legislative imperatives. Carla Ruschival reported that Israel has become the sixteenth nation to ratify the Marrakesh treaty. ACB is working toward getting senate ratification of the treaty which requires approval by 20 nations.
New Business
Carla Ruschival made a motion that KCB once again support the 2016 ACB Brenda Dillon Memorial Walk by signing up the KY eRacers with KCB returning 25% of the money raised by any participating chapter to that chapter. The motion was seconded by Lisa McKeown and unanimously approved. Carla reminded the board that the real intent of the walk is to reach outside the organization to bring in new dollars.
President Deb Lewis reminded the board the the deadline for people to apply for the ACB DKM First Timers and Leadership Awards is April 1. Those interested in applying need to write a letter and obtain a supporting letter from the chapter or affiliate president. Carla offered to assist interested applicants with their letter.
Carla Ruschival made a motion that KCB provide a $200 stipend to those attending the ACB national convention in Minneapolis provided they are a member in good standing by June 1 and that they attend two sessions (Sunday night plus one morning session, or the Friday session plus one morning session.) The motion was seconded by Joey Couch and unanimously approved.
Announcements and Adjournment
Elaine Weisbard announced that Kenny Jones, a long time teacher at KSB, was among those receiving Breaking Barriers Spotlight Awards from the Metro Disability Coalition earlier in the evening.
Elaine Weisbard made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 9:26 PM.
Submitted by Rick Boggess, KCB Secretary
Download Summary: KCBBoardMeetingMarch2016
Connect with Us! Social Media - Phone - Email
