by Mike Duke
The ACB board of directors met via telephone conference call on April 1 and April 22, 2004.
On April 1, President Chris Gray called the meeting to order at 9:40 p.m. Eastern time. Jerry Annunzio was absent. In the absence of Mike Duke, Charlie Hodge served as the board of publications representative.
At 9:45 p.m. the board went into executive session with Leonard DuBoff. The open meeting resumed at 11:27 p.m.
President Gray reported that during the executive session, the use of the domain name www.braille-free-press.org was discussed. The board considered a variety of possibilities for ensuring that this domain name remains the property of the American Council of the Blind, and adopted a motion expressing a hope of being able to settle the domain name issue amicably and in a timely manner.
Chief Financial Officer Jim Olsen reported that a time-share in Cancun has been donated to ACB for its use one week a year. The only requirement is that ACB pay the annual maintenance fee of $550. The motion to accept the donation of the time-share and pay the annual fee carried on a voice vote.
The motion to place the subject of registration of names on the next board agenda carried on a voice vote.
A motion to hold at least two more telephone conference calls before the convention carried on a voice vote. The next meeting was scheduled for April 22 at 9 p.m. Eastern.
The meeting adjourned at 12:15 a.m. Eastern time on April 2.
April 22 Meeting
President Gray called the meeting to order at 9:37 p.m. Eastern time on April 22, 2004. All board members were present except Alan Beatty and David Trott.
Gray reported that the name “Braille Free Press” should soon be in the possession of ACB.
An ad hoc committee will be formed in the near future to work on cell phone access. The committee will include Bonnie O’Day and others.
Cynthia Towers reported that she and Gray sent a letter to the Birmingham Sheraton expressing their unhappiness with services received during the mid-year meeting. She also noted that each day of the convention will have a specific theme or topic.
Melanie Brunson reported that the Red Cross wants to work with disability groups, especially through their local chapters. A motion that ACB sign the statement of understanding with the American Red Cross carried on a voice vote.
Terry Pacheco joined the call to discuss the vehicle donation program. A coalition of organizations called CARS is working to combat a Senate bill, which will, if passed, virtually end the effectiveness of this donation program.
Paul Edwards moved that this board give the president authority, after consultation with Jeff Thom and John Learned, to join CARS at the supporting level of $200 a month should he deem it appropriate. He was also encouraged to solicit presentations from affiliates benefitting from the vehicle donation program. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Gray stated that the fund-raising work of Laura Oftedahl might soon bear fruit. Although her contract will conclude at the end of April, she is willing to work through April at a 50 percent decrease in salary and at that same rate through May. He also reported that ACB has been able to acquire three grants to offset convention expenses.
The motion to adjourn carried and the meeting ended at 11:16 p.m. Eastern time.