KCB Board Meeting – February, 2018
President Debbie Deatherage called the monthly meeting of the KCB Board of Directors to order via conference call at 7:34 PM (Eastern) on Monday, February 19, 2018. Answering the roll call were Debbie Deatherage, Joey Couch, Gerry Slusher, Rick Boggess, Carla Ruschival, Amanda Selm, Josh Gentry, Bill Wright, Sheryl Lott, Jonathon McCarty, Matt Selm, Bill Roberts, David Smith and Adam Ruschival. Winter Renfrow checked in late. Deb Lewis, Frank Campbell and Dennis Runyan were absent.
President Debbie Deatherage called for reading the January 15 board meeting minutes and summary which were distributed in advance. Joey Couch made a motion, seconded by Sheryl Lott, to dispense with their reading and approval. The motion was approved.
Treasurer’s Report
Carla Ruschival reported January 31 balances. Gerry Slusher made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded by David Smith and approved.
Old Business
Amanda Selm provided an update on the April 6-7 Crossroads conference at United Crescent Hill Ministries with lodging at the Ramada Inn North on Zorn Avenue. The $50 registration fee will cover all materials and meals. A $75 stipend will be available for out-of-town KCB members. ACB Vice President Dan Spoone and wife Leslie will attend. Dan will speak at one of the meals and play a major role in other sessions. The next planning meeting will be February 22 at 7 PM on the conference line.
President Debbie Deatherage requested the board formally approve sending representatives to the ACB President’s Meeting and Legislative Seminar on February 24-27. Amanda Selm made a motion, seconded by Winter Renfrow, to send Patti Cox and Shirley Stivers to the ACB President’s Meeting and Legislative Seminar. The motion was approved. Preliminary approval was granted during an earlier email vote .
President Debbie Deatherage revisited the board’s decision to provide up to six night’s lodging (double occupancy) at the national convention in St. Louis and asked if there should be additional guidelines. Suggestions included requiring a hotel receipt and that those receiving awards such as First Timers or Leadership Fellow stipends not be eligible. Carla Ruschival made a motion that anyone in St. Louis on July 5 be required to attend the business meeting and sit with the KY delegation to qualify for the stipend. The motion was seconded by Gerry Slusher and approved. After additional discussion, carla Ruschival made a motion, seconded by Sheryl Lott, that those at the convention until Wednesday or earlier in the week be required to attend either the Sunday morning or Tuesday morning general session to qualify. The motion was approved.
New Business
President Debbie Deatherage asked Jonathon McCarty to help manage the KCB Twitter page. He agreed to assist and will check with Carla to get details.
Carla Ruschival pointed out the board has previously set aside money for Crossroads conferences and made a motion to spend up to $5000 for the April conference. Rick Boggess seconded the motion which was approved.
Chapter and Committee Reports
Eastern Kentucky Christian Council: Rick Boggess reported that Frank Campbell called and indicated they hope to have a March or April meeting.
Northern Kentucky Council: Gerry Slusher reported nine people attended the February meeting where they discussed H.R. 620 and a local sidewalk project. They recently learned that information about KRS 189-575, dealing whith yielding to people with white canes and guide dogs, has been added to page 14 in the KY Driver’s manual. Related fines are also addressed.
Greater Louisville Council: David Smith reported the chapter’s quarterly meeting on February 2 included dinner, a business meting and speakers on a variety of topics.There was Orbit Reader 20 training on February 9 and 16 and a Tupperware party on February 16. There are plans for a speaker on March 1 and to attend the Braille Readers Theater performance at APH on March 16.
Tri-State Library Users Group: Adam Ruschival reported they held Page Turners at the January 26 Roundabout and will host the activity at the February 23 and March 23 Roundabouts. Annual $12 membership dues, which includes membership in Library Users of America, are being collected.
Guide Dog Users of Kentuckiana: Josh Gentry reported someone considering getting a dog participated in their January conference call. Bill Deatherage also shared his recent experiences at Leader Dogs with District Lions. The next meeting will be at 7 PM on February 26 on the conference line.
Support Alliance of the Visually Impaired: Bill Roberts reported that 11 members and 11 guests attended the February 13 meeting with four new members joining. Elizabeth Downing and tina Wright talked about Time Savers which provides a variety of services on a private pay basis. Participants also selected items for their March ceramics projects, updated personal information sheets, paid dues and ordered shirts.
KCB Next Generation: Matt Selm reported the UBER and Lyft event has been cancelled due to lack of interest. They will visit the Frazier History Museum on March 24. The chapter’s regular conference call meeting is held at 8 PM on the conference line on the second Sunday of each month.
KCCLV: Carla Ruschival reported new people continue to attend
the twice monthly in person meetings at United Crescent Hill Ministries. The next meeting will be on February 22. Amanda Selm reported one conference call each quarter will be a board meeting wile other meetings will be devoted to speakers and specific topics. Carla reported annual dues are $10 and the chapter now has 21 members.
PR/Membership: Rick Boggess reported the committee met on February 14. Webpage and calendar updates continue. Shortly there will be a newsletter with information about membership renewal and the April Crossroads conference. Thank you gifts have been sent to KCB convention presenters. The recent trial meeting using Zoom was very successful. Rick Boggess made a motion that KCB spend up to $20 a month to subscribe to the Zoom service. The motion was seconded by Joey Couch and approved. Carla indicated this service should open up lots of possibilities for KCB and its chapters. It was suggested that instructions be posted on the website.
OFB Steering Committee: Carla Ruschival reported the Office for the Blind and Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Merger should be completed by October. On January 26 the SRC drafted a resolution (which has been signed by representatives from all major impacted visually impaired groups and delivered) encouraging the governor and all involved state agencies to continue to work with the steering committee to insure delivry of good services for the blind. A draft organizational chart (with four divisions under the direction of an executive director) was recently unveiled. A final organizational chart, addressing concerns related to assistive technology, O&M and bioptic driving, should be completed by next month. This will be followed by an executive order and public hearings around the state. The governor has recommended full funding which will benefit an agency which has seen significant staff reductions. Under the plan the two SRC’s will be merged but will include a committee charged with dealing with blindness issues.
Bill Wright made a motion to approve chapter and committee reports. The motion was seconded by Gerry Slusher and approved.
Announcements and Adjournment
President Debbie Deatherage suggested the board consider spending time discussing how ACB and NFB differ.
Adam Ruschival asked that we keep Elaine Weisbard in our thoughts as she recovers from back surgery.
Rick Boggess made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 9:12 PM.
Submitted by Rick Boggess, KCB Secretary
Download Summary: KCBBoardMeetingFebruary2018
