KCB Board Meeting – May, 2014
The monthly meeting of the Kentucky Council of the Blind Board of Directors was held via conference call on Monday, May 19, 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, Patti Cox, Debbie Deatherage, Natalie Beyers, “Cisco” Slusher, Elaine Weisbard, Adam Ruschival, Gerry Slusher and Bill Wright. Members Donnie Parrett and Vurah Berry were absent.
President Deb Lewis called for reading of the minutes from the April 21 meeting. Since a copy had been e-mailed to board members prior to the meeting, she asked if anyone needed the minutes read. Gerry Slusher asked that the minutes be corrected to reflect that the Northern Kentucky Council’s grant proposal did not include the Memorial Day Parade but is to cover the cost for two members to attend the ACB National Convention in Las Vegas. Gerry Slusher then made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes and for their approval as amended. Joey Couch seconded the motion which was unanimously approved.
Secretary Rick Boggess requested additional input from the board on the two draft board meeting summaries which had been shared earlier via email. After some discussion, the board determined the summary should contain additional detail including names of those attending meetings, more detailed chapter reports and more specifics on motions (name of person making the motion and the final vote.) Rick agreed to make the necessary changes and post another sample in coming days.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Carla Ruschival presented her report for April. Joey Couch made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded by Bill Deatherage and unanimously approved.
Treasurer Carla Ruschival advised the board that she received a call from the broker at Ameriprise on May 5 advising her that KCB’s Aigon preferred stock would be called at $25 a share in June. This is the same price we originally paid for the stock which pays a 7.5% yield annually. A $.45 dividend will be paid to those holding the stock on the May 28 x-dividend date. The advisor informed Carla of an opportunity to immediately sell the shares at $25.41 per share and purchase a Pemco fund whose x-dividend date was May 8 meaning that KCB would collect the dividend from the Pemco fund for the entire quarter which would more than offset the $.04 difference ($25+.45 dividend versus $25.41 selling price + dividend from Pemco Fund). Carla stated that she advised President Deb Lewis of this opportunity but there was not enough time to call the board together to consider the transaction. Carla asked the board to approve the transaction after the fact. Gerry Slusher made a motion to approve the sale of the Aigon Preferred stock and the purchase of the Pemco fund. The motion was seconded by Elaine Weisbard and unanimously approved.
Chapter Reports
Eastern Kentucky Christian Council – Joey Couch reported the chapter held a meeting on May 10. They heard an update on the eye research medical clinic at the new medical center in Pikeville. They also talked about the fact that the ACB Braille Forum and ACB E-forum are now available by phone and finalized plans for their June 21 summer picnic which will be held from 4-7 PM at Perry County Park in Hazard.
Northern Kentucky Council – Gerry Slusher reported the chapter has received a $2000 Community grant through the Great Neighborhoods Association. The bulk of this money will be used to help offset the cost of Trail Day, White Cane Day and to help send two people to the ACB national convention in Las Vegas. A small amount will be used to cover the cost of an awards ceremony in late June. About 41 people, including several local politicians, attended the Trail Day on May 17. During this event, the chapter signed up five new members. Gerry also reported that their Second Vice President, Kathleen Lord, has resigned and has been replaced by Sue Wesley. Gerry Slusher will be emailing information on the new members to Carla Ruschival.
Greater Louisville Council – Deb Deatherage reported that GLCB has been very busy. About 28 people attended the Derby Party on May 3 while about 37 people participated in bingo and free guide dog eye exams on May 9. On May 17 10-12 people signed up for the low tech games workshop. Those wishing to learn more about Lyft, a new public transportation option now available in the Louisville, Cincinnati and Lexington areas, should plan to participate in a conference call on the conference line at 8 PM on May 20. At that time a representative from the Lyft home office will discuss this newly available transportation option.
Tri-state Library Users Group – Adam Ruschival reported that about 10 people attended the chapter’s in person meeting on May 6 at Denny’s. The group enjoyed a good meal and talked about fundraising, dues, and membership. Several of the attendees used Lyft with no problems. Those planning to participate in the June 3 conference call should be prepared to share history-type books (fiction and nonfiction) which they have read.
Guide Dog Users of Kentucky – Deb Lewis updated the board on chapter activities. Fifteen guide dogs received free eye exams on May 9. In addition, the chapter’s bake sale at the GLCB quarterly meeting on April 26 raised about $100. The chapter’s next meeting will be on May 27 at 8 PM on the conference line.
Other
Owensboro Support Group Update – Rick Boggess reported that 12 people attended their May 13 meeting. During the meeting, the group members shared information and discussed the proposed constitution. The group is working toward becoming a KCB chapter and has chosen the name Support Alliance of the Visually Impaired (SAVI.) Work will continue on the constitution later this week. The next meeting will be a lunch meeting from 12-2:30 at Wing Avenue Baptist Church on June 10.
Committees
PR/Membership – Rick Boggess provided an update on the May 7 PR/Membership Committee conference call meeting. The committee decided that the next newsletter will be sent out in June. Carla Ruschival and Rick Boggess are using Dropbox to work on the newsletter. This allows real time editing and eliminates the need to email copies back and forth as changes are made. Everyone is encouraged to submit information to the newsletter. Committee members continue to work on contacting disability offices on each of the KY Community Technical College System’s campuses. We hope to send both email and hard copies of our newsletter to the campuses; it is also important that we come up with a way to allow people and organizations to opt out of our newsletter and email. The next meeting will be at 8 Pm on June 4 on the conference line.
Old Business
President Deb Lewis indicated that the name “Kentucky Striders” agreed upon at our last meeting for the KCB walk-a-thon team at the ACB convention had not been registered since some people really did not like the name. After considerable discussion Joey Couch made a motion that the KCB team name be changed to the “Racers”. The motion was seconded by Carla Ruschival and unanimously approved.
New Business
President Deb Lewis asked the board to consider whether or not to make a donation for the ACB Auction which will be held at the national convention in July. After considerable discussion, Gerry Slusher made a motion that KCB donate Michael Cleveland cd’s. The motion was seconded by Joey Couch. During the related discussion, it was suggested that having Michael sign the CD cover and include a note would increase their potential value. Carla Ruschival indicated she would contact Michael and see what she could do. The motion was then unanimously approved.
President Deb Lewis reminded the board that ACB will split (50-50) with the affiliates any money raised during the walk-a-thon. It was agreed that placing the individual’s name after the team name when registering will make it possible to track funds raised by chapters. Carla Ruschival reported that the amount raised through the June 30 deadline will be reflected in the totals reported at the convention. However, money raised by teams after that date will still be split with the affiliates. Carla Ruschival made a motion that KCB contribute $500 for the Racers walk team. The motion was seconded by Patti Cox and unanimously approved.
Carla Ruschival made a motion that KCB designate 25% of any money pledged to the Racers (provided a chapter or chapter member is designated on the registration form for the walk-a-thon) be shared with those designated KCB chapters. Bill Wright seconded the motion which was unanimously approved after considerable discussion.
Carla Ruschival reminded board members that KCB has purchased raffle tickets to support the ACB Braille Forum and ACB E-Forum in the past. Last year, Library Users of America purchased the $5000 winning ticket. Carla Ruschival made a motion that KCB purchase four $50 tickets to support the ACB Braille Forum and ACB E-Forum. Bill Wright seconded the motion which was unanimously approved.
President Deb Lewis stated there is a possibility that those attending the KCB convention may not be able to stay in the dorms at KSB this coming year. Therefore, she suggested that the board might want to begin investigating other options. When asked by Gerry Slusher why KSB might not be an option, Carla Ruschival stated that since the campus only has one dorm right now, KSB and KCB both are faced with some challenges when sharing the space. Gerry Slusher made a motion that Patti Cox and Carla Ruschival investigate hotel options for the KCB state convention which will be held in November. Elaine Weisbard seconded the motion which was unanimously approved.
Patti Cox stated that several younger people (under 40) are interested in the possibility of forming a group. Since KCB has provided funding for startup groups in the past, Patti Cox stated that she would be interested in hosting such a get together providing that the KCB board would provide the necessary financial support. Based on contacts she has had, Patti stated that there may be up to 30 people interested. Gerry Slusher made a Motion that KCB provide up to $200 to support Patti Cox to host a gathering to share information about KCB and ACB. Carla Ruschival seconded the motion. During the follow-up discussion, Patti Cox stated she is looking at the last Saturday in June to host the gathering. Once final plans have been completed, it will be publicized on the KCB calendar, Sound Prints, newsletter and social media. The motion was then unanimously approved.
Announcements and Adjournment
Since there was no further business, Carla Ruschival moved that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was seconded by Patti Cox and the board unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:34 PM.
Submitted by Rick Boggess, KCB Secretary
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