American Council of the Blind
Board of Directors Conference Call
November 6, 2006
The meeting was convened at 8:15pm Central Standard Time by President Chris Gray. All board members answered roll call except Ms. Soule who was off with her guide dog who is ill. Mr. Mike Duke was also on the call.
President Gray reviewed the agenda and amended it.
Motion 1: Mr. Campbell moved to accept the agenda as amended. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Next, each member introduced him/herself to Mr. Lane Waters, ACB's new comptroller.
Motion 2: Mr. Pomerantz moved to approve the minutes from the fall board meeting. On a voice vote, the motion carried.
Mr. Duke reviewed the criteria recommended by the Board of Publications for an award for newsletter publications. Mr. Hodge stated the award would be named after Hollis K. Liggett.
Motion 3: Mr. Miller moved that we recommend strongly to the BOP that they take this matter back for further study and especially to gather meaningful, quantitative, factual information about publications throughout ACB so a more realistic discussion can be conducted about such things as length, format, number of authors, number of writers, numbers of copies distributed, etc. On a roll call vote, all members voted in the affirmative with one absent.
Motion 4: Mr. Edwards moved that the Board of Publications be asked to seriously consider whether or not recognizing an editor might be a more peaceable way of making this award happen. The motion carried on a voice vote, but not unanimously.
Mr. Godino, the newly elected Budget Committee Chair, updated the Board on the financials of ACB.
Motion 5: Mr. Godino moved the ACB Board of Directors get together to send a fund raising letter to the membership as soon as possible. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Ms. Brunson discussed the National Council of State Agencies Serving the Blind. Apparently NCSAB can no longer afford to lobby for the Randolph-Sheppard Program. On a conference call, Ms. Brunson stated Mr. Terry Smith of NCSAB asked for an organization to take the lead in financing the lobbyist. Mr. Jim Gashel of the NFB stated that organization would contribute $40,000.
President Gray asked Dr. Bradley to chair the Vehicle Donation Committee that was formed at the fall board meeting.
Motion 6: Ms. Ruschival moved to recess the meeting of the ACB Board and convene the ACBES membership meeting. The motion carried on a voice vote.
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Motion 1: Mr. Thom moved to defer the ACBES elections to a date before the end of 2006. On a voice vote, the motion carried.
Motion 2: Mr. Edwards moved to adjourn the ACBES meeting and return to the ACB Board of Directors meeting. The motion carried on a voice vote.
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Ms. Keith has not had the opportunity to put her committee to work on the Rehab Task Force issue.
The Board discussed the Direct Mail Campaign. The 'thank you' letter has not gone out, but will be a priority item.
President Gray adjourned the meeting at 10:21pm CST.
Respectfully Submitted,
Donna Seliger, Secretary