BOARD OF PUBLICATIONS
Meeting Minutes
August 4, 2008
The ACB Board of Publications met via teleconference August 1 at approximately 9:30pm (EDT). Members present were: Paul Edwards, Jenine Stanley, Ken Stewart, Judy Jackson. Marcia Dresser was absent. Ex Oficio Members present were: Ron Milliman; Absent, Barry Levine. ACB personnel attending were: Sharon Lovering, Melanie Brunson and Earlene Hughes.
The BOP entered executive session at 9:34pm. The regular session resumed at 9:47pm.
Executive Session Report:
Paul reported that the executive session was called to discuss policy for handling personnel goals. A process will be set in place for each of the effected individuals during which they will define three to four goals and submit them to Paul and Melanie Brunson. Each person will then meet with Paul and Melanie to discuss these goals and any additions and agree on a document for structuring quarterly reports and benchmarks to evaluate work.
The BOP agreed by consensus to adopt the outlined process as our policy approach and encouraged Paul and Melanie to continue work with the two remaining personnel covered under the Board’s authority.
Copyright Language:
Though Melanie has some sample language, it is not yet suitable for the Braille forum. She noted that such a statement should include a clarification of an author’s ownership of material with ACB’s first right of publication. This means that once the article has appeared in the Braille Forum or other ACB publications, it reverts back to the author who may choose to publish it elsewhere.
It was noted that there should also be language covering instances when ownership and copyright remains with ACB and not the author. Examples might include programs and manuals.
Jenine moved that Paul develop language for the Braille forum and boilerplate for Sharon to give to authors regarding copyrights. The motion was seconded and approved.
Approval of Minutes:
Ken moved to approve the corrected July minutes as sent via email. The motion was seconded and approved.
Representative to the ACB Board:
Paul reported that his summary of the post-convention board meeting was complete and awaiting publication.
Resolutions:
Sharon Lovering reported that all 2008 resolutions are in to her.
Website Task Force:
Paul noted that the task force had not met but hoped to have a teleconference and email communication prior to the September meeting.
Committee Appointments:
Paul reported that he had talked with Mitch Pomerantz about the ACB Internet Oversight Committee and had recommended that Barry Levine continue as its chair. Ken moved that the Board encourage Barry’s reappointment and representation of that committee to this body. The motion was seconded and approved.
Paul reappointed Ken to represent the BOP on the Internet Oversight Committee. He also appointed Judy Jackson to represent the BOP on the ACB Public Relations Committee.
Regarding the PR Committee’s teleconference sessions, Paul recommended after some discussion, that Judy take a proposal to the committee to have sessions next year feature issues for special interest affiliates. This year the sessions are focused exclusively on state affiliates.
PR Committee Report:
Ron Milliman reported that the ACB convention received good local television and newspaper coverage. The PR manual was also very well received. Copies are available in the ACB National Office in large print, braille and CD. He also noted that there was a great deal of interest in a similar publication covering public service announcements.
Paul commended the PR Committee for compiling and distributing several press releases in a short time span prior to convention.
Advertising:
Judy brought forth a question from Pam Shaw about developing another publication specifically for advertising during the national convention. Paul moved to invite Pam and Carla Ruschival to discuss this issue at the November meeting as part of the review of the BOP Policy Manual. The motion was seconded and approved.
Contracts:
Sharon reported that braille production contracts would be up for bid this fall with the current contract ending January 14, 2009. Paul noted that this will be a major agenda item for the September meeting. Sharon will send out the last. contract bid letter for review prior to the meeting.
Labels & IRMA:
Ken noted that the upcoming ACB relocation will necessitate changes to the letterhead and other materials. Ken then moved that in order to facilitate recognition by low vision recipients, the ACB shall include its logo whenever feasible on all mass-produced printed materials showing its mailing address for use by the organization. These materials should include but not be limited to all letterhead, stationery envelopes and mailers. Whenever possible, the needs of low vision members should be taken into consideration. Any exceptions to this requirement must be approved by the Acb Executive director. The motion was seconded and carried.
Ken then moved that in order to facilitate recognition by blind recipients, the ACB shall include a tactile representation of its logo or readily identifiable tactile content whenever feasible on all mass-produced printed materials showing its mailing address for use by the organization. These materials should include but not be limited to all letterhead, stationery envelopes and mailers. Whenever possible, the needs of blind members should be taken into consideration. Any exceptions to this requirement must be approved by the Acb Executive director.
The motion was tabled with a recommendation for more specific content. Paul asked Ken, Sharon and Judy to report on the tactile issue at the October meeting.
XM/Sirius Merger and ACB Radio:
Ron noted that in the merger of XM and Sirius satellite radio, there is an agreement to set aside a certain amount of space for minority broadcasting and that this would be a good opportunity for ACB Radio. Paul noted that Chrissy Cochran is also in favor of looking into such a proposal. He said he would contact Mitch Pomerantz before the September meeting.
Ron moved that the BOP strongly recommend that the chair discuss with Acb leadership the possibility of taking Acb Radio to the satellite radio market through this merger agreement. The motion was seconded and approved.
Next Meeting:
The next meeting of the Board of Publications will take place on Monday, September 1, 2008.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 11:00pm (EDT)
Respectfully submitted,
Jenine Stanley,
Recording Secretary