Serving the blind and low vision population of South Central Kentucky
A chapter of the Kentucky Council of the Blind

SCKCB Minutes of February 15, 2006

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Alive Center, 1818 31W Bypass in Bowling Green, KY. There were eleven members present and four guests (potential new members). Members present were Ron and Palma Milliman, Max and Sue Robinson, Mitchell and Leslie Plumlee, Kristen Wilson, Michael Parsley, Mitchell Reed, Ronda and Vicki Pennycuff, and our guests: Ted Norris, Cody Norris, Natasha Davis, and Nancy Imran. President Milliman asked everyone to introduce themselves for the benefit of the four guests.

Secretary, Palma Milliman, read the minutes of our previous meeting. They were approved as read. Max Robinson gave the treasurer's report. We have a balance of $4,109.39 in our bank account. This report was also approved as read. President Milliman stated that he talked to a representative of our bank about setting up our online banking account to help facilitate access to our bank account information for our Treasurer.

Old business: President Milliman told everyone about his address to the Lions Club last month. He reported that he discussed ACB, its purpose, activities, and accomplishments, and how it is organized into state affiliates and chapters. He pointed out that the SCKCB was one of the ACB chapters. He proposed that the Lions Club and the SCKCB work more closely together, including possibly exchanging liaisons and even to expand our White Cane Safety Day activities with the help of the Lions Club by setting up tables in front of both Wal Marts and the new Sam's store.

Then, president Milliman gave a short explanation of the ACB's Monthly Monetary Support (MMS) Program for the sake of our guests and potential new members. He explained how the chapters can help support the national ACB organization, as well as our own affiliate with a single monthly contribution.

New business: President Milliman informed the group that he received an invitation from the City of Bowling Green to submit a letter of intent describing any projects we felt were worthy of receiving grant monies for this year. The City of Bowling Green was re-opening its grant-funding program for deserving non-profits. He mentioned that the City Council is using our SCKCB web site as a good example of monies well spent! Max made a motion to have Ron write and submit a letter to the City for expanding the computerized "Talking Newspaper" telephone access system, currently being used in Louisville, into Bowling Green. The motion was defeated by a vote of five to two.

There was a short discussion about a field trip to Louisville, but it was decided that we table it for now.

Featured Program: Michael Parsley presented a very interesting program featuring all types of accessible technology and devices designed and produced to make everyday living easier and more convenient for blind people. He talked about an array of products such as screen readers, tape players bar code scanners note takers, liquid level indicators, color identifiers, talking scales, talking books, and talking GPS Systems, among others.

Next Meeting Date: President Milliman announced that our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 15th. The meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Palma Milliman, Secretary