President's Message - Winter 2005
Jim Olsen, A friend to the American Council of the Blind of Minnesota
ACBM 2005 State Convention
In Memory of David Morris
SSB, the Minnesota Legislature and Congress
ACBM Scholarship Information
Generation To Generation- It Works Both Ways!
Communication Center Year In Review
Dues for 2005
ACBM 2005 Elections
ACB-M Board of Directors

President's Message - Winter 2005

I'd like to first wish each of you a very happy new year! With 2004 quickly fading into a distant memory, I have no doubt that 2005 will bring a multitude of new opportunities for each of us individually, as well as for the collective us, also known as ACBM.

One such new opportunity for ACBM came at the January quarterly membership meeting as the membership granted the Boards recommendation of a yearly budget. The budget, approved unanimously, was another outcome of ACBM's Leadership Training and Retreat, held last June by the board of directors. With the creation, completion and the approval of the 2005 working budget, it marks another "first" for ACBM. It is the first time we, as a membership organization, has a formal financial tool to be able to use as the framework for good fiscal financial management. It is also the first time the membership has had the opportunity to see for themselves the individual expenses involved, and income needed, to fiscally manage ACBM for an entire year. For many members, actually looking at what it takes to manage ACBM a year at a time is vastly different than listening to financial statements on a quarterly basis. Realizing there are significantly more expenses during the year than there is income generated, it should now be easy for members to realize why it continues to be important to conduct various fundraising activities throughout the year. Additionally, being able to work with a yearly budget, adds one more indispensable tool at the disposal of the Board as we continue to seek various grant opportunities to be able to develop additional programs and services for our members.

It is also of worthy note that the membership of ACBM recently approved, at the Boards recommendation, the creation of a Scholarship Endowment Account. With the establishment of this endowment account, we place tangible evidence supporting our long-standing belief and commitment to the academic efforts for individuals with a visual impairment. The Endowment Account is very different from other savings accounts because when donations to the endowment account are made they create a "principal" amount which is never touched. Since the endowment principal amount is always left untouched, it continues to grow, eventually getting to the point where the interest earned on the principal is enough to sustain awards on a perpetual basis. The endowment process, many years down the road, will eventually also provide more funds to be available for scholarship awards. In addition to the establishment of the Scholarship Endowment, plans are currently being finalized to award later this year, two individuals with $750 scholarship awards. Details will be announced widely in the near future for students attending academic programs beginning in Fall 2005.

I know April is a bit off yet, but Coming up in April is elections of officers and directors of ACBM. In this cycle, of elections, we will be electing for the office of President and Treasurer, and 3 Director positions. April marks the end of my first term as your President and the end of the second term of Bob Lockwood as Treasurer. In accordance with our By Laws, there is a two consecutive term limit for all elected positions. Therefore, we will need to be electing a brand new Treasurer. Although I will be running for another term as your President, I strongly encourage everyone to consider running if you feel you would like the opportunity to lead ACBM! I believe the membership should be able to select the person they believe would lead them most effectively and having a selection choice is always better than having no choice!

The Director positions that will be up for election are Linda Oliva, Marilynn Highland and Jane Lund. Each is eligible to run again if they choose. With 3 Director positions coming open, there exists a great opportunity if you would like to be involved with the leadership of ACBM. I urge everyone to please give the idea to run for an elected position some serious consideration.

There will also be a Leadership Retreat and Training for all elected and current Board members of ACBM that will be held in early June. The Leadership Retreat and Training is designed to continue the strategic planning process begun last year and to acquaint new members of the Board of their roles and responsibilities.

Additionally, in accordance with our By Laws, I will be naming a Nominating Committee in the next month. If you would like to serve on the Nominating Committee, please let me know by leaving a message on "ACBM Info Express" 651-642-5003 as soon as possible. The nominating committee is basically responsible for collecting the names of members interested in running for an open position, ensuring their a member in good standing and presenting the slate to the membership prior to elections.

Lastly, I'd like to share a dream with you... My dream is not a wild or far-fetched dream, but thoroughly sensible, logical and completely attainable in the very near future. Before I share the specific dream, let me first ask you a couple of questions. Does ACBM exist? Where then, does ACBM exist? "What a silly question" you must be asking yourself, of course, ACBM exists! I don't believe any of you could think otherwise. But, the answer to the "Where does ACBM exist?" question would undoubtedly get very different responses. Besides existing in many of our hearts, the real "property" of ACBM exists, right now, in boxes, drawers, cabinets, closets and garages all over the Twin Cities, in various members and officers homes! I believe it is long overdue that ACBM deserves its own home! A physical place, an office, a building, a single-family home, or some other physical space that can be the place where ACBM lives!

I also believe we need a place to be the "community center" specifically designed for the visually impaired community. A place where blind and visually impaired people can feel comfortable dropping in, anytime of the day, drink a cup of coffee or even play an impromptu card game. A place that might have several accessible computers for use and fun, or where one can even learn how to use computers in the first place, take a self improvement class, have a place to hold small meetings, house a free lending library and a place that can literally hold the heartbeat of the blind and visually impaired community! It can be the home to build upon but it would be designed, inside and out, for us!

There are senior community centers, community centers for kids, and community centers for every type of disability but no such drop in center for the visually impaired community. Since the time has come for ACBM to have its own home, and its time for our community to have a drop in "Community Center," for the blind and visually impaired community, doesn't it make sense we create that perfect place, exactly how we want it, exactly where we want it? The time is now, to begin to make the dream a very real place - the future home of ACBM! We cannot expect anyone else to get it done for us so we must do it ourselves. If you share in this dream and want to help make this dream a reality, contact me by leaving your name and phone number on "ACBM Info Express" 651-642-5003 (comment line, option 5 from the main menu) and tell me you would like to be a part of this history in the making!

May 2005 bring you a year filled with much learning, continued personal growth and a sense of renewed commitment to the greater success of ACBM!

Jim Olsen, A friend to the American Council of the Blind of Minnesota

By: Bert Morlock

The first time I met Jim was in the late 1970s. He was a very personable man and I was mightily impressed when I was told he was an accountant. After our first meeting, wherever and whenever I met up with him, he took the time to say a few words. Jim was a man that could be serious and stayed with the task that needed to be done. He also had a humorous side, too. In the 1980s, Jim's offices were in the Flour Exchange building on the edge of downtown Minneapolis. That particular building, also, housed a Business Enterprise vendor. As I would come down the hall toward the location and Jim was there with the vendor, you could be sure there would be a lot of laughter and poking fun at one another, as well as drawing other customers and creating additional business.

Many times I would speak with Jim via the telephone for clarification about some issue concerning ACB or the Minneapolis community. If he did not know the information and it was possible to find it, he would call back and relay it to me. According to one of our charter member's, Frank Johnson, Jim was also a charter member in the early 1970's in forming Gopher State Blind of Minnesota, later changed to the American Council of the Blind of Minnesota.

When it is all said and done, this is what I best remember Jim and his family for. I can not count how many of The American Council of The Blind of Minnesota's picnics have been held at Jim and Anna's home. Jim and Anna were gracious host and hostess. With fifty to seventy visually impaired persons milling around in their immaculate yard year after year, I could never believe we would all be invited back. They would landscape again and bring us all back for another run at their yard. Having the ACBM picnics in Jim and Anna's back yard so many times made us all kind of one big family. We all got to see Jim's daughters, Martha and Sarah, grow up and then a little later Martha and Sarah showed up with husbands. This last summer, grand children made their presence known. Additionally, we got to meet a couple of their dogs along the way. Jim was a family man and his family was involved in his life.

I am pleased that Jim Olsen crossed my life path. I admire Jim for his values. The value of family, the value of honesty, the value of a good work ethic, and the value that I never heard him put anybody down or intentionally hurt them. If we could all hope carry on his life values, the world would be a much better place to live.

ACBM 2005 State Convention

By Janet Dickelman

The 2005 ACBM state convention will be held October 14th through the 16th at the Doubletree Park Place hotel in Minneapolis. Come join us to meet new people, visit with long-time friends, and discuss not only important issues but also gather fun and interesting information.

The program will cover a wide array of topics including
a round table discussion with state legislatures, the latest on Social Security and a review ACBM bylaws.
We will also have speakers about personal safety, healing touch for animals and a food critic discussing local restaurants.

On Friday evening we will kick off the event with a walk for safety in commemoration of White Cane day. Saturday evening will be our banquet and keynote speaker. Prior to the banquet you'll have time to see what the vendors have available. Vendors include Mike Hoverston and the accessible voting machine, Freedom Scientific with the latest products, Liz with the wonderful Party Light candles and Bob Green with books on tape.

Information will be coming out later regarding the many attendance package options for the convention. Rooms should be Booked as soon as possible By calling the Doubletree 952-582-5300 rates are $99.00 per night plus tax. Specify that you will be attending the ACBM convention.If you'd like additional information contact Janet Dickelman (651) 698-5059 or leave your question on the comment line at Information Express (651) 642-5003 and someone will contact you.

The other members of the committee are Marilynn Highland, Bob and Peggy Lockwood, Juliette Silvers, Mike and Elaine Vining.With your participation this will be a great convention and a wonderful opportunity to showcase ACBM.

In Memory of David Morris

By Janet Dickelman

David Morris a longtime member of ACBM died last spring after battling cancer. David hadn't been active in our chapter for a number of years. He was busy attending hockey games in which his daughter and son participated, spending time sailing and building a business. He was the owner operator of a company that customized stands to hold reading material for people with vision problems.

David lost most of his sight as a child. While his father was in the service the family lived with his grandparents where David developed a love for woodworking. His grandpa helped him make a wooden rocking horse that David expected was to be his. His grandfather had other plans telling him if he wanted his own horse he had to make it himself.

David and his wife Gail met while both working and volunteering at the Communications Center and David encouraged Gail to pursue a career in teaching blind children.

I never had the opportunity to meet David in person, but he was on my calling committee list and I always saved his call for last so we had time to chat. He was a caring and interesting man who truly loved his family and people in general.

SSB, the Minnesota Legislature and Congress

By Chuk Hamilton, Director, SSB

Now that the holidays are over my thoughts are turning to the next sessions of the state Legislature and Congress. Both will be important to the operation of State Services for the Blind.

The business of the 2005 Minnesota Legislature is primarily about state budgets. Certainly capital bonding and stadiums will also be debated. Governor Pawlenty will provide a broad picture of the future during his "State of the State" address set for Tuesday, January 18th. He will follow that up with delivery of his proposed 2006-07 Biennial Budget to the Legislature on January 25th. It will be at that time we get our first glimpse at his proposed plan for SSB's general fund appropriation. That appropriation is used to match federal dollars for vocational rehabilitation (and a few other match requirements), and fund state programs like the Communication Center, Senior Services, and services to children.

We all know there is currently a state budget shortfall and SSB has experienced reductions in the past (as well as budget restorations thanks to consumers) in similar situations. But, I remain optimistic for the future. State Services for the Blind provides quality, essential services to blind and visually impaired Minnesotans so that they may reach their independent living and employment goals. We do that in partnership with our State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind, consumer groups, community rehabilitation programs, individuals, businesses and other private and public organizations.

Other matters of interest to SSB are also likely to come up! On a national level, the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), of which the Rehabilitation Act is now a part, will also take center stage. Congress was considering reauthorization this past session, but did not complete it's work. Sound familiar? There are a number of issues within WIA that we will be interested in and they include the method of assessment for Workforce Center infrastructure costs, expanded (under funded?) transition services to youth, and the position of the Rehabilitation Services Administration Commissioner.

Your President, Ken Rodgers, and I have started a process of meeting regularly and I will keep him informed on these matters as the sessions progress. Thank you for this opportunity to address the members of the American Council of the Blind of Minnesota!

ACBM Scholarship Information

By Michael Malver

The American Council of the Blind of Minnesota (ACBM) is proud to offer two educational scholarships of $750 each for the academic year 2005-2006. One educational scholarship will be awarded for college freshmen educational programs (first year, post secondary); and one will be awarded for second year or above, post secondary educational programs (graduate or undergraduate). These educational scholarships can be applied to any full-time post secondary educational programs.

We need your assistance in dispersing this scholarship announcement letter to all blind and visually impaired students planning to attend post secondary educational programs. Students must reside in Minnesota to apply for these educational scholarships. All required materials necessary to complete an application are noted on the application form attached to this announcement letter. Note that the deadline for submitting scholarship applications is 31 May 2005. The scholarship winners will be asked to attend an ACB-M general membership meting to discuss how the scholarship will help them in meeting their educational goals. We are only accepting Braille and print applications.

ACB-M is an organization that strives to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people in Minnesota. For applications and more information, please contact Michael Malver at 612-673-0664.

Generation To Generation- It Works Both Ways!

By Geroge Failes

When your board of directors voted to accept the Minnesota Seniors Federation's invitation to join as a supporting group member, ACBM became partners in efforts to improve social justice for all ages. The Minnesota Seniors Federation (MSF), like ACBM, is a statewide democratic, non-partisan grassroots organization of about 25000 members that elect their board and officers with terms limits similar to ACBM's. The mission of MSF is to empower seniors, and those with low income or disability to meet their own community needs and concerns by building strong broad-based organizations of people to promote our values of dignity, unity, quality and satisfaction of life by working together on issues and programs. MSF acts on issues that are defined and decided upon by the members, recognizing the important balance between personal interest and broader community interest based on appropriate research and data gathering.

Among the national and state issues that affect both ACBM and MSF members regardless of age differences are transportation, affordable housing, property tax reform, prescription drugs costs and potential changes in Medicare and Social Security. Thanks to your efforts in meeting some of the unmet needs for transportation or SSB services to the visually impaired, many MSF members are benefiting from Metro Mobility, the new same day ride request or SSB's services. For the ACBM members who may be on SSI, medical assistance or Minnesota Care, public housing assistance or home owners etc., the young and seniors, 50 or older, will be facing mutual needs during the critical upcoming state/federal budget constraints debates.

While the group membership provides the monthly Senior News paper, bi-monthly notices of delegate assembly meetings and significant developments to the board only, the general membership may join as individual members with dues at $19.95 per year. This provides audio-tape of the newspaper, reduced rates for state and world travel, new or used car purchased by family of members, limited free lawyer and financial consultants time, Senior Partners Care medical services for qualified low income members and pending new bundled telecommunications program for phone and computer users.

Current computers users can pull up the MSF's website at www.mnseniors.org for a more complete review of what it has to offer ACBM and you. To summarize, Robert Putnam wrote of the greater need at these times for like-minded organizations to work together in his book recently read on the radio talking book. The title says it well "TOGETHER IS BETTER!"

Communication Center Year In Review

By: Chuck Hamilton

This has been a busy year for the Communication Center, our customers and our supporters. In fiscal year 2004, we provided 15,500 blind, visually impaired, physically disabled and learning disabled Minnesotans with 686,838 pages of Braille, 8,761 hours of Minnesota Radio Talking Book (RTB) programming, 18,633 audio cassettes of custom recorded materials and RTB programming In addition, we had 52,875 calls to our Dial-In News and NFB Newsline services and had over 22,000 pieces of audio equipment in circulation.

It's clear the word is getting out. Last year, under Development Director Angela Bodensteiner's charge, the number of donors increased by more than 50 percent, and we raised a total of $200,203 in support of the Communication Center, an increase of 40 percent. In addition, we received an annual grant of $66,500 from the Hamm Family Fund of The Saint Paul Foundation, and a $30,000 challenge grant from the F.R. Bigelow Foundation in support of our new senior outreach program. In the year ahead, we'll be working hard to raise $60,000 in matching funds so that we can launch this important new program. We also attracted new support in the form of Radio Talking Book sponsors. AARP Minnesota was first on board, sponsoring our "Take 20 for Fitness" show.

I want to acknowledge all of you who have been part of our success this year, including our 2,291 contributors; our 628 volunteers, who contribute the equivalent of $1.3 million in hours each year; and of course, our 37 staff members, who are dedicated to providing our customers the highest level of service. Thank you so much for your support.

Dues for 2005

It's that time again to think about ACBM dues for 2005. Dues can be sent to the PO box, given to any board member, or paid at any Quarterly Membership Meeting. Dues are $10.00 per person.

ACBM 2005 Elections

By Janet Dickelman

At the April Quarterly Membership meeting, which will be held on April 23rd, ACBM will be holding elections. There will be openings for 3 board member positions, treasurer, and president. Unfortunately Bob Lockwood is not eligible to run for treasurer. Also Marilynn Highland, Jane Lund and Linda Oliva will not be running for a second term on the board due to prior commitments. Ken Rodgers will be running for a second term as president.

If anyone is interested in running for president, treasurer, or board member please contact Janet Dickelman (651) 698-5059 or leave your information on the comment line at information express (651) 642-5003.

ACB-M Board of Directors

Ken Rodgers, President
3941 12th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55407 Ph: (612) 825-0248 E-mail: kgr@isd.net

Stephanie Hall, Vice-President
433 7TH ST S #2227
Minneapolis, MN 55415 Ph: (612) 332-7837 E-mail: stephanieh@vlrw.org

Janet Dickelman, Secretary
2086 Highland Parkway,
St. Paul, MN. 55116 Ph: (651) 698-5059, E-mail: janet.dickelman@comcast.net

Bob Lockwood, Treasurer
3625 Cardinal Rd
Minnetonka, MN 55345 Ph: (952) 932-7269 E-mail: peggy_bob@msn.com

Juliette Silvers, Director
3244 Colfax Ave. South,
Minneapolis, MN. 55408 Ph: (612) 824-2131, E-mail: jsilvers@mn.rr.com

Jane Lund, Director
8848 Nicollet Avenue South #206
Bloomington, MN 55420 Ph: (952) 888-4397 E-mail: jane.v.lund@healthpartners.com

Marilynn Highland, Director
3532 Bryant Avenue South #316
Minneapolis, MN 55408 Ph: (612) 824-9492 E-mail: mari@mninter.net

Linda Oliva, Director
4001 Blasedell Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55409 Ph: (612) 827-1033 E-mail:Linda.Oliva@allina.com

Michael Malver, Director
1225 LaSalle Ave. #302
Minneapolis, MN 55403 Ph: (612) 673-0664 E-mail: mmalver@visi.com