KCB State Convention Summary – November, 2013
The 40th annual conference of the Kentucky Council of the Blind was held at the Kentucky School for the Blind from November 22-24, 2013.
President Deb Lewis called the business meeting to order at 11:40 AM on Saturday November 23.
President Lewis called for reading of last year’s meeting minutes which were read by Secretary Rick Boggess. Carla Ruschival requested that the minutes be amended to reflect the exact figures (including CD and reserves) from last year’s treasurer’s report. Bill Wright made a motion that the amended minutes be accepted. The motion was seconded by Elaine Weisbard and unanimously approved.
Treasurer Carla Ruschival presented the treasurer’s report which showed balances as of October 31, 2013. She pointed out that the figures do not reflect any deposits for the convention or recent donations.
Carla Ruschival also reported that the Downtown Louisville Lions Club has pledged $4000 to support Sound Prints, but the check has not yet been received. In addition, the Downtown Louisville Lions Club has also donated $2000 to support the upcoming Crossroads Leadership Conference. Neither of these is reflected in the October 31 totals.
Elaine Weisbard made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded by Libby Koch and unanimously approved.
Sound Prints Update
President Deb Lewis asked Carla Ruschival to provide an update on Sound Prints. Carla reported that the live broadcast on WKJK was discontinued in May. Although broadcast over most of the Internet outlets has continued, there was some initial concern about how the change would impact listenership. There has been a steady increase in the number of copies sent by snail mail; 60 were mailed this past week. There has also been a significant increase in the number of show downloads from the website. The show is also broadcast three times weekly on CKRE and continues each Sunday night and Monday on ACB Radio. It appears the program will be on NFB Newsline very soon. Since there is less advertising, the show contains one to two additional features each week. Carla asked Lucy Stone from CKRE to express KCB’s appreciation to Amy hatter for allowing Sound Prints to air on CKRE. Items to be included in the calendar of events must be submitted at least two weeks in advance. Anyone wishing to be added to the mailing list to receive the CD copy which plays on any standard CD player should contact Carla.
Crossroads Conference Update
President Deb Lewis reported that planning has begun for the second Crossroads Leadership Conference which will be held in Louisville on March 21-23, 2014. The conference format will be the same with different topics being presented. Room rates and the registration fee are expected to be similar to last year.
Constitution and Bylaws Committee
Adam Ruschival, chairman of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, outlined the proposed Constitutional amendments which were mailed with conference preregistration materials earlier in the month. He thanked committee members Deb Trevino and Byron Sykes. According to Adam, the underlying reasons for the proposed amendments were to assist with the anticipated change from an individual to a group tax exemption, to expand opportunities to assist chapters and to allow for expanded partnerships. The committee recommended a “do pass” for all the proposed amendments.
After the break, Carla Ruschival read each of the proposed constitutional amendments. (See proposed amendments at the end of this document.).)
Amendment 1, changing the wording in Article II (sections E. and G.), was seconded and passed unanimously with no discussion.
Amendment 2, changing the wording in article IV (section D.), was seconded by Rick Boggess and passed unanimously with no discussion.
Amendment 3, adding a new section (E.) to Article IV allowing KCB to provide bookkeeping and other support to chapters, was seconded by Elaine Weisbard and passed unanimously with no discussion.
Amendment 4, changing the name of Article IV to “chapters and Partners” and adding a new section (F.) relating to partnerships, was seconded and passed unanimously with no discussion.
Amendment 5, changing Article VIII to combine the “Membership” and “Information and publicity” committees to form the “PR/Membership Committee”, was seconded by Elaine Weisbard and passed unanimously with no discussion.
Amendment 6, amending Article VI (section B.1) to change the quorum required to conduct business at the annual meeting from one-fourth to one-third of the membership registered for the convention, was seconded by Betty Boggess. Carla Ruschival, Bill Wright, Ronald Bird and Libby Koch spoke in opposition to the amendment with no one speaking in favor. The proposed amendment was subsequently defeated via a voice vote.
Amendment 7, amending Article IX (section A.1) to change the quorum required to amend the constitution from one-half to one-third of the membership registered for the convention, was seconded by Rick Boggess. Libby Koch, Michael McCarty and Wendy Stepro spoke in opposition to the amendment while Deb Trevino spoke in its favor. The proposed amendment was subsequently defeated via a voice vote.
Nominating Committee
Bill Wright presented the nominating committee’s slate of candidates for two year terms as directors on the KCB board. He also thanked committee members Gerry Slusher and Leonard Watkins for their assistance. The following slate was presented: Debbie Deatherage, Patti Cox, Elaine Weisbard, Natalie Beyers, and Birchell “cisco” Slusher. Deanna Scoggins seconded the motion to accept the nominating committee’s report. The motion was then unanimously approved by the membership.
Bill Wright then presented each candidates name and called for additional nominations from the floor. In each case, no additional nominations were heard. After no additional names were presented for consideration, motions that each candidate be elected by acclamation were made. Each motion was seconded and approved by the membership.
Old and New Business
President Deb Lewis asked if there was any additional old or new business. After none was proposed, Deb Trevino moved that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was seconded and the membership voted to adjourn at 1:02 P.M.
Respectfully submitted by Secretary Rick Boggess
Proposed KCB Constitutional Amendments
November 23, 2013
Amendment 1: Article II: Purpose. Delete the words “legislative, administrative and regulatory” from Section E. The new wording reads: “To represent the blind and visually impaired on issues affecting their interests.”
Change the word socialization to interaction and add “and facilitate understanding” in Section G. The new section reads: “To provide programs and activities designed to increase interaction and facilitate understanding between the visually impaired, their sighted peers and family members.”
Amendment 2: ARTICLE IV – Chapters: Change the word “designate” to “elect” in the first sentence of Section D., and strike “upon the designation of a new chapter representative, and” at the beginning of the second sentence. The new wording reads: “A chapter in good standing may elect one of its members to serve as a chapter representative on the KCB Board of Directors. Prior to the seating of the representative on the KCB Board, …”
Amendment 3: Article IV, Chapters: Add a new Section E., as follows: “The Kentucky Council of the Blind may, at the request of a chapter, provide bookkeeping services to assist the chapter in its day-to-day operation. KCB shall provide monthly reports to all such chapters reflecting all financial transactions of that chapter. Upon request KCB may also assist chapters with the creation of publicity materials and other services as approved by the KCB Board of Directors.”
Amendment 4: Article IV, Chapters. Change the article title to “Chapters and Partners” and add a new section F. as follows: “The Kentucky Council of the Blind may enter into partnerships and coalitions with new and existing groups and organizations for the purpose of working toward common goals of benefit to persons who are blind or visually impaired.”
Amendment 5: ARTICLE VIII: Committees: Combine the Membership Committee and the Information and Publicity Committee into one committee known as the PR/Membership Committee. The new wording follows: “PR/Membership: This committee shall consist of at least three members, plus one representative from each chapter. This committee shall conduct membership campaigns designed to attract new members, retain current members, encourage former members to renew their memberships, and assist in locating individuals who have moved and for whom no forwarding addresses are available. This committee will be responsible for the composition and distribution of newsletters, press releases, and other similar materials designed to publicize the work of the organization. It shall also coordinate radio, television and/or Internet projects conducted by the organization.”
Amendment 6: Article VI, Section B.1: Change the quorum required to conduct business at an annual convention from one-fourth to one-third of the membership registered for the convention.
Amendment 7: Article IX, Section A.1: Change the quorum required to amend this Constitution from one-half to one-third of the membership registered for the convention.
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