KCB Board Meeting – December, 2014

The monthly meeting of the Kentucky Council of the Blind Board of Directors was held via conference call on Monday, December 15, 2014. President Deb Lewis called the meeting to order at 8:06 PM eastern time. Members present were Deb Lewis, Deb Trevino, Joey Couch, Rick Boggess, Carla Ruschival, Bill Deatherage, Debbie Deatherage, Gerry Slusher, Natalie Beyers, “Cisco” Slusher, Patti Cox, Elaine Weisbard, Adam Ruschival and Bill Wright. Members Vurah Berry and Donnie Parrett were absent. Visitor Dave Trevino was also present.

President Deb Lewis called for reading the November 17 board meeting minutes and summary. Since a copy had been e-mailed to board members prior to the meeting, she asked if anyone needed the minutes or summary read. Gerry Slusher made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and summary and for their approval provided the minutes and summary be amended to show that the northern KY chapter has 50 Kentucky and 50 Cincinnati discount cards, not 150. Bill Deatherage seconded the motion which was unanimously approved.

Treasurer’s Report

In order to provide a clearer financial picture, Treasurer Carla Ruschival reported balances as of November 30 and October 31, 2014.

Carla reported that she is working to resolve an issue with a $136 September check from SAVI which shows up on her check log but not in the bank statement.

Carla also stated that a few credit card transactions from the convention still need to be run. There have been a few issues with the Flint Account setup. Therefore, she is checking each card as it is run to insure it is posted correctly.

Carla also reported she has received a $400 check to cover the cost of the 80 discount cards sold by SAVI.

Deb Deatherage made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded by Bill Deatherage and unanimously approved.

Chapter Reports

Eastern Kentucky Christian Council – Joey Couch reported the chapter’s December 13 Christmas dinner was well attended. The next chapter meeting will probably not occur until March or April.

Northern Kentucky Council – Gerry Slusher reported the chapter has received a $100 donation from Michelle Williams. They continue to sell the discount cards; about seventeen Cincinnati and 25 Kentucky cards remain. The Christmas party will be from 2-5 on December 20 at Rima’s Diner located at 635 Madison in Covington.

Greater Louisville Council – Deb Deatherage reported that about 70 people enjoyed lots of great food and a visit from Santa at the chapter’s Christmas party on December 6. The chapter will be unveiling lots of new activities (including game nights and classes) beginning in January.

Tri-state Library Users Group – Adam Ruschival stated that the chapter discussed various literary works about Christmas during its phone conference call on December 2. The chapter’s next meeting will be an in person meeting and meal at UCHM on January 6. Since this will be the first meeting of the new year, there will probably be a business meeting with elections.

Guide Dog Users of Kentucky – Deb Trevino reported that the convention program on dog massage was well received. The chapter held a brief business meeting to elect a director following the presentation. The chapter also held its phone conference call on November 25. They evaluated the conference presentation and agreed to decide whether or not to have the mixer at next year’s convention. There will not be a conference call in December due to the Christmas holiday.

Support Alliance of the Visually Impaired – Rick Boggess reported that 19 people and the church secretary attended the chapter’s Christmas lunch on December 9. Following lunch members visited with one another and shared information about SAVI with a reporter and photographer from the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer. The resulting article which appeared in the December 12 edition of the paper was pretty well done and has resulted in four phone inquiries. The next meeting will be on January 13 and will feature a speaker to talk about the local Smart911 system. SAVI is also working with the Daviess County Public Library to have a Louis Braille birthday celebration from 10-12 on December 31. Details have not been finalized.

KCB Next Generation – Joey Couch reported that the chapter’s Christmas party, originally scheduled on December 13, has been rescheduled for 7-9 PM on December 20. Natalie Beyers also indicated that the chapter hopes to set times for conference calls in the near future.

Committees

PR/Membership – Rick Boggess indicated that the committee met on December 3. KCB calendar and web pages continue to be updated. Contact has been established with the disability offices on most of the Kentucky Community Technical College campuses and copies of the last newsletter were sent to those contacts. In coming months, the committee will likely attempt to establish contact on many campuses of Kentucky’s four year colleges. Rick Boggess shared a list of Kentucky’s four year colleges with committee members. Members will begin sorting through that information in the coming months. A List of suggested kit contents has been developed and will be shared with the board. A draft of a paragraph about Sound Prints was sent to the board and Rick asked for input on the draft. It is hoped this information can be sent to the Kentucky Talking Book Library for inclusion in their newsletter. The next committee meeting will be on January 7.

KCB Convention – Joey Couch indicated he will have a committee meeting early in January to evaluate the 2014 convention. Adam Ruschival suggested that moving the convention to an October date might allow us to hear from some of the candidates seeking office In November. Patti Cox indicated that October is a pretty busy convention month but will check to determine availability of rooms at the hotel in October.

Old Business

President Deb Lewis reminded the board that all chapters need board representatives and encouraged chapters to select reps and notify her.

At the request of President Deb Lewis, Carla Ruschival provided an update on LCI. She reported that Dave Lawson is now the acting plant manager since a new manager has not been hired. Limited feedback suggests that he has been very open to suggestions. There also appears to be a hiring freeze.

New Business

President Deb Lewis reported that ACB has a limited number of stipends available for affiliates to send representatives to the February legislative seminar and president’s meeting. After considerable discussion, Gerry Slusher made a motion that President Deb Lewis apply for the legislative seminar stipend and that the board submit a letter supporting her application. Deb Trevino seconded the motion and indicated she would be willing to draft the letter. The motion was unanimously approved. Board members seemed inclined to examine the possibility of trying to cover expenses not covered by the stipend providing one is awarded.

President Deb Lewis encouraged board members to begin thinking about stipends to the national convention in Dallas. After considerable discussion, Joey Couch made a motion that KCB provide a $150 stipend to those attending the national convention in Dallas. During the subsequent discussion, Bill Wright suggested the motion be amended to required that stipend applicants be KCB members by June 1 and that applicants be required to attend two sessions (Sunday night plus one morning session, or the Friday session plus one morning session.) The motion was seconded by Natalie Beyers and unanimously approved.

President Deb Lewis reminded the board about the Durward McDaniel first Timers award which covers convention expenses for two people (one east of the Mississippi and one west of the Mississippi). Applicants must write a letter detailing their involvement with their state and local organization and how they think being a first timer might help them. Carla pointed out it is also good to have supporting letters from the state affiliate president and/or the chapter president. Applications are due by April 1.

Carla Ruschival reported that the scholarship application information is now posted on the ACB web page. In response to a question from Gerry Slusher, Carla reported that applicants (except for high school seniors) must show they have been accepted into a school.

President Deb Lewis also encouraged board members to begin thinking about the Walk-A-Thon which proved to be an excellent fundraiser for ACB and KCB in 2014. President Lewis indicated that deciding to have a team early allows more opportunities to publicize the team and raise money. Carla Ruschival made a motion that the Kentucky Council of the Blind register a team called the Kentucky eRacers when registration is opened up. Adam Ruschival seconded the motion which was unanimously approved by the board.

President Deb Lewis then asked for discussion of possible dates for the Crossroads Leadership Conference. She pointed out there could be a potential problem with the second weekend in March since some people may be involved with the APH play that weekend. After considerable discussion, Rick Boggess made a motion that the Crossroads Leadership Conference be held the second weekend in March (March 13-14) at the Ramada Inn on Zorn Avenue in Louisville. Deb Trevino seconded the motion which was unanimously approved.

Announcements and Adjournment

Joey Couch made a motion that the meeting adjourn. The motion was seconded by Natalie Beyers and the meeting adjourned at 9:27 PM.

Submitted By Rick Boggess, KCB Secretary

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