by Winifred Downing
At the conference call on March 17, several decisions were made and actions taken.
The Alaska Independent Blind (AIB) has identified a location for a talking ATM machine in a recreational area where considerable traffic occurs. The ACB will purchase the machine, and the AIB will service it, not taking any part of the profit for the affiliate but contributing all of it to reimburse the reserve fund for the $6,000 purchase. Because Sandy Sanderson, AIB president, has another location under discussion, the board moved the acceptance of the proposal for two such machines. AIB has four machines in use now and earns about $1,200 a month from this source. The original machines cost $4,000, but it is important for the ones ACB sponsors to be talking ATMs, thus increasing the cost.
The report of the Resource Development Committee omitted mention of the Monthly Monetary Support program for which many members signed up at the mid-year meeting and which, it is hoped, will constitute major financial assistance to the organization.
A new and more advantageous contract has been submitted by the organization which is promoting Internet radios. Jim Olsen has located an attorney skilled in matters concerning non-profit entities, and Christopher Gray has found a legal concern to comment on the dot.com relationship.
An encouraging report was brought back by Carla Ruschival and Cynthia Towers when they returned from Pittsburgh. Plans for the 2003 convention seem to be proceeding in a satisfactory manner.
After considerable discussion, it was decided that Chris Gray and Charlie Crawford will prepare a letter to be sent to Frank Kurt Cylke requesting assurance that every application for Newsline will contain the promise that NFB will not use any individual's name in any way other than as a Newsline reader. ACB would also like to see some control so that every call to Newsline does not provide advertising for NFB unless an opportunity for similar advertising is provided for other organizations serving people who are blind.