Serving the blind and low vision population of South Central Kentucky
A chapter of the Kentucky Council of the Blind
SCKCB Minutes of January 18, 2007 Meeting.
The meeting started at 7:15 p.m. at the Alive Center in Bowling Green, KY. Members present were Ron and Palma Milliman, Max and Sue Robinson, Kim and Michael Parsley, Sylvia Kersenbaum, Nancy Imran, Cody Norris, and Ronda and Vickie Pennycuff. Also, David Welch joined us via SKYPE.
Palma Milliman read the minutes of the previous meeting. There was one correction made to the minutes. The draft minutes indicated that Sue Robinson was present for our November meeting when, in fact, she was not. Sylvia Kersenbaum made the motion to accept the minutes as corrected and the motion was seconded by Kim Parsley and passed unanimously. Next, Max Robinson gave the Treasurer's report. We have a current balance of $5,248.59. The motion to accept the Treasurer's report as read was made by Michael Parsley and seconded by Sue Robinson and passed unanimously.
Technology Report.
Max demonstrated his Pocket Viewer, which is like a close circuit TV system. A few of our members tried it out. It was pointed out that the same, or similar devices are available from Maxi-Aids and Independent Living Aids for around $300 to $400.
Old business.
President Milliman announced that we had received a grant of $1,000 from the new Wal-Mart Store. It was suggested by Kim Parsley that we send a Thank You card to Wal-Mart for their support of SCKCB. Everyone agreed. Ron suggested that we consider creating a special "Honorary Membership" for Tommy O'Brien, Manager of the Walton Dr. Wal-Mart, and Becky Rigsby of the Morgantown Road Wal-Mart, as a token of appreciation for their support. Kimberly Parsley suggested that, alternatively, perhaps we should create a "Certificate of Appreciation" for them. That was followed by a report on the WKYU Sponsorship Program by Max Robinson. A few of our members mentioned that they had heard our announcement on the radio already. Cody Norris asked for a clarification of his duties as our Communications Officer. Ron gave him a brief description.
New Business.
One of our big goals over the next two years is to come up with an endowment of $10.00 to be able to offer grants for the procurement of everyday living aids, devices, and technology for our members. The objective is to be able to offer one or two such grants each year. A grant request form will be developed. No one member would be able to receive a grant two years consecutively, and there would not be an income test to be eligible. Specific details will be developed as the fund becomes closer to reality. Kim Parsley made a formal motion to establish such an endowment fund of $10,000 for assistive technology, living aids, etc. over the next two years. The motion was seconded by Palma and passed unanimously. As a more immediate goal, we are going to try to engage in more non-business, more entertainment kinds of activities. Toward that end, Max and Sue Robinson said that Brims Museum on Center St. was a good place to learn hands on. Ron said he would check it out and see what he could arrange if the group was interested; most everyone expressed interest. Then, Kim and Michael Parsley suggested possibly going to the Parthenon in Nashville. We are also launching a promotional campaign toward local area ophthalmologists and optometrists to let them know about our organization and to solicit their support for referring potential new members to the SCKCB. Cody Norris and Sue Robinson volunteered to work on developing the list of ophthalmologists and optometrists. Later, we plan to launch a similar campaign toward local teachers. Max made a motion to post all membership contact info to the SCKCB list, subject to each member being given the opportunity to not have their information published. Cody Norris seconded it, and the motion passed unanimously. Nancy Imran mentioned that she was not receiving the Braille Forum, and Kim Parsley said that she wasn't either. Ron said he would check on it with the Braille Forum's editor in an attempt to make sure everyone receive their issues each month. It was stated that we need to have as many members as possible receive the Braille Forum by e-mail to save printing and distribution costs for ACB. Sylvia Kersenbaum offered to put on a benefit concert for us next fall in order to help us meet our endowment goal! Everyone thought that was great!
David Welch gave a report on the January KCB Board meeting, and Ron mentioned that he and Palma would be traveling to Washington to participate in the ACB Affiliate Presidents' meeting. He also mentioned that our KCB affiliate would pay one half of the cost of the hotel and all of the airfare to attend for any members who might be interested in attending the Washington Legislative Session at the end of February.
The meeting was concluded with a discussion of the dates for our next several meetings. Since Sylvia was leaving on February 21 for several months in Argentina, it was decided to hold the February meeting on Thursday, February 15. However, to accommodate the most members, it was decided to switch the March, April, and May meetings from Thursdays to Wednesdays again. The dates for these meetings will be: March 21, April 18, and May 16, respectively.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Palma Milliman