American Council of the Blind Board of Directors Meeting Minutes February 23, 2019

Call to Order, Roll Call, Review and Approval of Agenda, and Adoption of Minutes

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) Board of Directors met on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at the Crowne Plaza Old Town Alexandria Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia.  President Kim Charlson called the meeting to order at 9:11 a.m.  At the call of the roll, the following board members were present:  Kim Charlson, Dan Spoone, John McCann, Ray Campbell, David Trott, Jeff Bishop, Denise Colley, Sara Conrad, Dan Dillon, Katie Frederick, Jim Kracht, Doug Powell, Pat Sheehan, Michael Tally and Jeff Thom.  Mitch Pomerantz join the meeting by phone shortly after roll call.  Board of Publications Member Deb Cook Lewis was present representing that body.  Staff present:  Eric Bridges, ACB Executive Director, Kelly Gasque, ACB Executive Assistant and Media Design Specialist, Clark Rachfal, ACB Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, Claire Stanley, ACB Advocacy and Outreach specialist, Tom Tobin, ACB Director of Development, Jo Lynn Bailey-Page, ACB Grant Writer and Nancy Marks-Becker, ACB Chief Financial Officer.  Following roll call, several guests introduced themselves.

President Charlson reviewed the agenda.  Powell moved and Bishop seconded adoption of the agenda as presented, the motion carried.  McCann moved and Colley seconded ratification of the email vote approving the November 27 and December 3, 2018 meeting minutes, the motion carried.

President’s Report

ACB President Kim Charlson presented her report.  Highlights included:

• Several members of the ACB Board of Directors met with AIRA Chief Executive Officer Suman Kanuganti on Friday, February 22.  Those present indicated they had a wide-ranging discussion of several issues from specials for ACB members to plans for the future, to ideas on how to spread the word about AIRA and make it work for more people.  It was mentioned by attendees at the meeting that Suman was taking very good notes, and how fortunate we were to get as much time to meet with him as we did.
• Kim brought forward a request from the World Blind Union for contributions to help support the 2020 WBU General Assembly to be held in Madrid, Spain.  Pomerantz moved and Kracht seconded that ACB amend our 2019 budget and make a $500 contribution to this effort, the motion carried.
• ACB Auction Committee Chair Leslie Spoone asked that each member of the ACB Board of Directors contribute an item worth at least $50 to the ACB Conference and Convention auction.  By consensus, the board agreed that these contributions would be made.
• Kim reviewed the proposed ACB Code of Conduct policy which had been disseminated to all board members prior to the meeting.  After much discussion, Pomerantz moved and Sheehan seconded that the Code of Conduct policy as presented to the board be approved as an interim policy, and a committee composed of experts in current law and the Chair of ACB’s Constitution and Bylaws Committee be established to draft the Code of Conduct Policy in final form, and put in place recommendations to implement the policy including proposing appropriate changes to ACB’s Governing Documents to be presented to the ACB Board of Directors by June 1, 2019, the motion carried.  The interim Code of Conduct policy is attached to these minutes.

Dan Spoone and Claire Stanley acknowledged the JP Morgan Fellows in attendance at the DC Leadership meetings, and thanked JP Morgan Chase for making 10 scholarships available to allow these individuals to attend.  The winners were:  Daisy Siobhan Russell, Massachusetts; Brooke Jostad, Colorado; Nicholas McNeill, Florida; Greg Lindberg, Florida; Minh Ha, Massachusetts; Maria Kristic, New York; Lisa Cushman, California; Cory Kadlik, Massachusetts; Amanda Selm, Kentucky; and Matt Selm, Kentucky.

Campbell moved and McCann seconded acceptance of the President’s report, the motion carried.

Staff Reports

ACB Executive Director Eric Bridges began presentation of the staff reports.  Highlights included:

• ACB has $140,000 in sponsorships pledged for the 2019 Conference and Convention.  We have received $23,500 in sponsorships for the DC Leadership Meetings.
• ACB has received an anonymous donation to assist with interior design modifications and technology and other upgrades in our Alexandria office.
• Eric indicated that, unfortunately, starting in 2020 ACB will need to find a different hotel in which to hold our DC Leadership meetings.  By consensus, the board agreed that a resolution of thanks and appreciation to the Crowne Plaza Alexandria Old Town hotel should be prepared and communicated to hotel management.
• In December, 2018, Eric keynoted the employee awards event for the Association of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (AVRE) in New York.  He also met with several individuals at AIRA headquarters in California to gain a better understanding of their business and challenges and ways ACB and AIRA can work more closely together.  He also met with the San Francisco Lighthouse and Uber to discuss various issues and opportunities.
• Eric again attended the Cavalino Classic in Florida from which ACB receives an annual contribution.  He has eight meetings already scheduled with various companies during the CSUN conference in March, 2019.  He will also be traveling to Houston to meet with representatives of AT&T discussing healthcare related items.
• Eric and Nancy Marks-Becker have been working with Cisco to bring the enterprise accessibility solution for their phones to Ring Central.  There should be a joint announcement from Cisco and ACB within the next month or so regarding this.
• ACB Braille Forum Editor Sharon Lovering and ACB Executive Assistant and Media Design Specialist Kelly Gasque were recognized by the board for the time and hard work they have put into preparing for the DC Leadership meetings.

ACB Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs Clark Rachfal introduced himself to the board.  ACB Advocacy and Outreach Specialist Claire Stanley discussed several advocacy issues that ACB has been working on.  She mentioned the weekly advocacy podcast where various advocacy projects the staff is working on are highlighted.  We are continuing our relationship with the Washington Lawyers Committee; they are helping us with some Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services (CMS) and diabetes issues.  We will be engaging in work with them on issues surrounding absentee ballots.  Claire has a working group of individuals with diabetes taking a deep dive into access to devices to manage this condition.  We are exploring several routes including legislation, litigation and regulation to get this achieved.

Claire indicated we are working with America Walks on issues around safe sidewalks.  We also continue working with the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities on a variety of issues.  Claire reminded us to tell members to continue calling into the national office and letting us know about issues.  Finally, Clark discussed the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act which over time eliminates Section 14C certificates from the Fair Labor Standards Act and makes grants available either to states or individuals to help certificate holders transition to competitive, integrated employment as defined under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.  Clark feels that the bill as written fits with ACB’s 2013 resolution on 14C, as it phases in the elimination of 14C over time.

ACB Executive Assistant and Media Design Specialist Kelly Gasque presented her report.  Highlights included:

• ACB Website, www.acb.org.  She, along with Larry Turnbull and Nancy Marks-Becker meet weekly with the Louisville Web Group.  They are running through the website and reporting broken links so they can be changed.  Kelly will be sharing with the affiliate leadership what we need to get from affiliates to beef up the affiliate pages on our site.
• Social media:  we are up to 4,044 likes on Facebook, and up to 2,619 followers on Twitter.

Jeff Bishop reported on ACB Radio and ACB Link.  He reported that ACB Radio is moving along with no issues, but he didn’t have listener counts available.  Regarding ACB Link, Development is underway of several ACB Link skills for the Amazon Echo platform.  The idea is these skills can be used to disseminate information about ACB and not just for audio content.

Campbell moved and McCann seconded that the board go into Executive Session for discussion of legal, personnel and financial issues, the motion carried, and the board went into Executive Session at 12:17 p.m.  The board returned to open session at 2:34 p.m.  President Charlson indicated that the board heard updates during Executive Session, and that no motions were adopted.

ACB Director of Development Tom Tobin presented the ACB Development report.  Prior to making his presentation, he asked Jo Lynn to share the news that ACB has been funded at $10,000 by the Delta Gamma foundation.  She said this represents great stewardship and working closely with them through the past year in a variety of ways.

Tom shared a video with the board shot during the Annual Giving Society reception held during the 2018 Conference and Convention.  Following that, after asking for questions on his written report which had been previously shared with the board, he discussed several items.

• Direct mail, year-end appeal:  2,488 packets were sent out, from which we received $6,660 from 199 gifts, average gift of $34.26 and an 8% response rate.  Expenses: $2,904, giving ACB net revenue of $3,914.
• We mailed 7,786 packets to lapsed donors.  From 33 gifts, we raised $1,145.  Expenses were higher, so we showed a net loss, but recovered 33 donors.
• We’ve dropped a planned giving appeal that went out to just over 3,000 people.
• Our spring appeal, featuring Donna Brown will drop on March 18, along with a small re-acquisition appeal.
• Development action team:  has developed advisory board white papers and compiled them into a packet that can be disseminated to current or potential board members.  They continue working with the revenue generating committees in ACB to check in and see how they can help them.

ACB Grant Writer Jo Lynn Bailey-Page presented the grants report.  Highlights included:

• She’s working to grow the grant pipeline to 50 submissions per year, just over 4 per month.  Along with the family foundations, we’re adding more corporate as well.
• We have $700,000 in requests in the pipeline, $200,000 from one large submission which we were requested to make.

ACB Chief Financial Officer Nancy Marks-Becker presented the Minneapolis area office report.  Highlights included:

• Affiliate Member Management System (AMMS) we are working through the annual membership update and certification process.  A chapter tab has been added to AMMS for use by affiliates.
• Our fixed assets have been transferred from older software to Dynamic GP, and our depreciation numbers are up to date.
• The office is preparing for the audit which will take place from March 25-28, 2019.
• ACB’s investment policy has been updated to allow our investment advisor to make adjustments as necessary to achieve better rates of return while following the asset allocation limits set forth in the policy.  We’ve changed from a rate of return objective to a profile model.  We can better define percentages in cash, fixed income and equity.

Trott moved and Campbell seconded that the revised investment policy be approved, the motion carried.  The revised policy is attached to these minutes.  Campbell moved and Frederick seconded acceptance of the staff reports, the motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report

ACB Treasurer David Trott presented the Treasurer’s report.  He reviewed the year-end financial statements which had been distributed to the board.  Total revenue for 2018: $1,392,711, total expenses: $1,430,533.  Sheehan moved and McCann seconded acceptance of the Treasurer’s report, the motion carried.

ACB Resource Development Committee Co-chairs Dan Dillon and Dan Spoone presented the RDC report.  The ACB Walk Committee has set a $100K fundraising goal for 2019.  While he didn’t have an exact count, Dan Dillon indicated there could be several ACB Angels honored in 2019.  Regarding Monthly Monetary Support (MMS), we have around 260 members participating in this program and are shooting for 321 members participating.  The ACB Holiday Auction raised over $14,000, and the mini mall had its best year ever.  Finally, we need to greatly increase our members in the legacy giving society.  Campbell moved and Powell seconded acceptance of the RDC report, the motion carried.

ACB Conference and Convention Coordinator Janet Dickelman presented her report.  Highlights included:

• 2019 conference and convention, July 5-12, Rochester, NY:  deadline for submission of registration materials, no character limit, is March 31.  The no character limit is due to changing the paper registration form to show a listing of events and programs, with those wanting to register able to do so either online or by telephone.  Program information is due by April 14.  Registration will open May 22 for ACB members, and May 27 for anyone else, closing on June 23.  Pre-registration and registration will be handled as it has been in recent years.  The fall board meeting in 2019 will take place in Schaumburg, Illinois the weekend of October 18-20.
• 2020 conference and convention, July 3-10, 2020, Schaumburg, IL.
• 2021 conference and convention, July 23-30, 2021, Phoenix, AZ.
• Still working on 2022 conference and convention.
• AS part of ACB Marketplace in 2019, Independent Visually Impaired Entrepreneurs (IVIE) will have an IVIE day at marketplace on Saturday, July 6.

Campbell moved and Powell seconded acceptance of the Conference and Convention report, the motion carried.

ACB Board of Publications member Deb Cook Lewis presented the BOP report.  The BOP has had a very good reception to offering themed issues of the ACB EForum.  The April issue will feature a health theme.  The BOP has been working to update and modernize the BOP Editorial Policy manual and will be bringing some constitution and bylaws amendments forward.  The BOP is trying to make the policy manual reflect how the BOP works now.  The BOP is working to improve both the large print and online versions of the Conference and Convention program.  The BOP will be doing both the Candidates’ forum on ACB Radio and the Candidates’ town hall at the conference and convention.  Campbell moved and Conrad seconded acceptance of the BOP report, the motion carried.

Strategic Plan Action Team Reports

The Strategic Plan action teams presented their reports:

• Affiliates and membership:  Chair Rebecca Bridges reported that the action team will be beginning to dialog with affiliate leaders during the DC Leadership meetings regarding membership growth and retention and will share the results of these discussions.  They are also planning to launch a campaign around using social media as a platform to increase membership and promote affiliates.
• Marketing and Communications:  Chair Katie Frederick reported that the team is working through development of a communications plan, looking at what ACB is communicating and who are we communicating with.  We’ve recently acquired access to Constant Contact and the team wants to see how we can use that platform to enhance our communications.
• Conventions and Meetings:  Chair Janet Dickelman reported the committee is working on setting up registrations for both our DKM winners and scholarship winners.  This will get them registered for the core things we want them to attend, and they can add other things if they wish.  The team has worked through the issues we had in 2018 registering people for Continuing Education credits, as they expect a higher response for those in 2019.
• Advocacy, Legislation and Policy:  the team has not met recently, but with Clark in place, they should be meeting soon.

Campbell moved and Powell seconded acceptance of the Strategic Plan Action team reports, the motion carried.

Officer and Board Liaison Reports

ACB First Vice President Dan Spoone reported that the Audio Description Project (ADP) is doing describer training institute, led by ADP Director Joel Snyder, during the DC Leadership weekend.  Also, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has re-constituted their Disability Advisory Committee.  Tony Stephens is representing ACB on this committee, with Claire Stanley as ACB’s alternate.  Two members from the ADP, Director Joel Snyder and Carl Richardson from the Media Subcommittee are on the advisory committee, along with Sam Joehl, representing industry who is President of ACB of Virginia.  Finally, the ADP is working with ACVREP on a certification of audio describers.  The Subject Matter Expert (SME) committee has been established as part of developing this certification.  The International Relations Committee will be featured in the December EForum themed, “Blindness around the world.”

Advocacy Committee Chair Jeff Thom reported that the Advocacy Committee is planning to hold an open conference call both to update folks on our national advocacy efforts, and to hear what issues and concerns our members have in terms of advocacy.  He also mentioned an effort to “clarify” the Ability One program, stating we need to be vigilant and make sure it’s not “clarified” in a way we do not like.

Pat Sheehan reported that ACB Government Employees is focusing on employment with the Employment Committee, helping people with resume writing and other tasks to help them find employment.  ACB Membership Committee Chair Ardis Bazyn reported that the next Membership Focus Call scheduled for Monday, April 29 is going to be on social media.

There being no further business, Campbell moved and Powell seconded that the meeting be adjourned.  The motion carried, and the meeting adjourned at 5:03 p.m.

Ray Campbell, Secretary

Date submitted: 4/15/2019

Date approved: 5/07/19

Attachments:  Interim Code of Conduct Policy, revised investment policy

ACB Draft Code of Conduct Policy

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is committed to creating a welcoming, safe, and productive environment that is free from harassment and discrimination for all who participate in its sponsored meetings, conferences, social activities, and other events. All persons will conduct themselves in ways that reflect favorably on ACB and on the community we represent, while contributing to a culture of respect.

This Code of Conduct Policy applies to anyone who attends or participates in any manner with ACB events, including, but not limited to, members, attendees, staff members, guests, volunteers, presenters, vendors, exhibitors, contractors, and sponsors. By attending any ACB event, you agree voluntarily to abide by this Code of Conduct Policy.

Prohibited Conduct

For purposes of this Code of Conduct Policy, prohibited conduct includes any form of harassment, discrimination, intimidation, or retaliation, regardless of whether it is verbal, physical, and/or online.

Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to, sexual harassment, offensive or physically threatening bodily contact, written or verbal abuse, threatening or stalking, and intimidation or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, physical characteristics, political beliefs, and/or other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Reports and Confidentiality

Any person who believes that he or she is a victim of conduct that violates the Code of Conduct Policy or who in good faith believes that he or she has witnessed such behavior, is strongly encouraged to report such behavior to the ACB Executive Director either onsite at the event or as soon as possible afterwards.

All reports will be investigated promptly and ACB will take every reasonable effort to safeguard requests for confidentiality from witnesses and others with information.

Investigation

Investigations may be conducted by ACB, an independent party, or by a combination of both. If appropriate, ACB will involve event venue security or local law enforcement. False statements made during an investigation may result in a separate ACB investigation and/or disciplinary action.

A person who interferes in any manner with an investigation, directly or indirectly through others, including by retaliating or threatening to retaliate against a victim or witness, may face separate disciplinary action under this Code of Conduct Policy.

Disciplinary Action

In accordance with ACB standards, all violations of this Code of Conduct Policy will result in appropriate disciplinary action. At ACB’s discretion, violations may result in removal from or denial of access to any ACB-sponsored future meetings, events, and activities. Any ACB member who is found in violation of this Code of Conduct Policy may also be subject to additional actions from ACB, including suspension or expulsion from the organization.

Revised 9/11/2018

American Council of the Blind Inc

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