KCB Board Meeting – June, 2017
President Debbie Deatherage called the monthly meeting of the KCB Board of Directors to order via conference call at 7:38 PM (Eastern) on Monday, June 19, 2017. Answering the roll call were Debbie Deatherage, Joey Couch, Gerry Slusher, Rick Boggess, Carla Ruschival, Amanda Selm, Natalie Couch, Shirley Stivers, Elaine Weisbard, Matt Selm, Bill Roberts, Dennis Runyan, Josh Gentry, David Smith and Winter Renfrow. Bill Wright checked in late. Deb Lewis, “Cisco” Slusher and Frank Campbell were absent. Guest Adam Ruschival was also present.
President Debbie Deatherage called for reading the May 15 board meeting minutes and summary which were distributed in advance. Gerry Slusher made a motion, seconded by Joey Couch, to dispense with their reading and for approval. The motion was approved.
Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Carla Ruschival reported May 31 balances. Elaine Weisbard made a motion to approve the treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded by Natalie Couch and approved.
Old Business
Carla Ruschival and Shirley Stivers reported the steering committee (which also includes Cathy Jackson and Theresa Thomas) met with Education and Workforce Cabinet Secretary Hal Heiner, Becky Cabbe and Beth Kuhn in Frankfort on June 14. Cora McNabb was unable to attend. Hal Heiner is pushing to reopen service categories. The administrative functions of OVR and OFB will likely be combined with services remaining separate. This will require a public hearing. They discussed unique services such as case management, O&M, independent living and serving the older blind. There is no plan to close the McDowell Center. The next meeting will be on July 19 in Lexington.
Carla talked about a new Texas law requiring evaluation of the service needs of the state’s underserved older visually impaired. She shared this with Becky Cabbe, Beth Kuhn and Cora McNabb.
President Deatherage inquired about donations to support the e-Racers in the Brenda Dillon Memorial Walk. Carla reported donations are picking up. Rick Boggess and Gerry Slusher have donations which are not reflected in the totals. Carla will post updated totals with the link.
New Business
President Deatherage inquired about naming a convention delegate, alternate delegate and representative to the nominating committee. The small number attending the convention, combined with an ACB rule prohibiting a delegate from one affiliate serving as an alternate for another, poses challenges. Carla cannot serve on the nominating committee since ACB officers are prohibited from doing so. Rick Boggess made a motion that Patti Cox represent KCB on the nominating committee. The motion was seconded by Elaine Weisbard and approved. Delegate and alternate delegate will be determined later depending on number of people attending and availability.
Chapter and Committee Reports
Eastern Kentucky Christian Council: No report was available.
Northern Kentucky Council: Dennis Runyan reported members had an enjoyable picnic on May 27. At least $40 has been pledged to support the e-Racers. They are working with three Covington restaurants to help make their outdoor seating more accessible.
Greater Louisville Council: David Smith reported Roundabouts continue to be popular. On June 16 Joe Hodge demonstrated the low-cost Orbit Reader and Todd Stevens talked about NFB Newsline. Roundabouts, which have been cancelled on June 30 and July 7, will resume on July 14.
Tri-State Library Users Group: Bill Wright reported the chapter will have a conference call program at 8 PM on July 20. They will discuss using the Kindle app.
Guide Dog Users of Kentuckiana: Josh Gentry reported that six dogs had eye exams at the June 9 Roundabout. There will be a presentation on first aid for pets during the July 21 Roundabout and a guide dog walk on August 19 from 12-2 PM at Oxmoor Mall.
Support Alliance of the Visually Impaired: Bill Roberts reported the chapter met on June 13. Rick Boggess showed off and discussed the Echo Dot. Members decided to have Texas Roadhouse and Kroger fundraisers. They are also planning a September 13 picnic. Members also discussed possible field trips. The July meeting will feature a physical therapist who will speak at the Owensboro Health Park. Members shared stories about their visual impairment.
KCB Next Generation: Matt Selm reported that 21 people attended the May 27 cruise on the Belle of Louisville. Fifteen people attended the June 10 picnic at Brown Park. The next meeting will be a conference call at 8 PM on July 9.
KCCLV: Winter Renfrow reported the chapter had its conference call meeting on June 6. They discussed the reduced rate to join Amazon Prime for individuals on government assistance. The July 4 conference call has been cancelled. They will share information from the KCB convention during their August call. Carla reported the in-person meetings from 1:30-3:30 PM on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at UCHM are being well received. Elaine Weisbard will demonstrate ScripTalk at the June 22 meeting.
In response to a question from Dennis Runyan, members discussed various options for identifying medications and ways to share information about the program with local pharmacists.
PR/Membership: Rick Boggess reported the committee met on June 7. Email issues have been reduced or resolved. The May newsletter has been mailed. The next newsletter will be in July or early August. Webpage and calendar updates continue while new pages have been added for KCCLV and their constitution. President Deatherage continues work to add committee members. Beginning on July 12, future committee meetings will occur on the second Wednesday of the month at 8 PM (EST).
KCB Convention Planning: Joey Couch reported the committee met on June 15. The committee recommends the annual KCB Convention be held November 17-18 at the Ramada Inn on Zorn Avenue. The committee also recommends inviting Dan Spoon from Florida as the national representative with David Trott from Alabama as second choice. The next meeting will be at 7:30 PM on July 20 on the conference line. President Deatherage reported she had checked with Carla and the hotel is available.
Carla Ruschival made a motion that KCB hold its annual convention November 17-18 at the Ramada Inn in Louisville. Winter Renfrow seconded the motion which was approved.
Carla Ruschival made a motion to invite Dan Spoon to be the national speaker at the KCB Convention and to extend the invitation to David Trott if Dan cannot accept the invitation. The motion was seconded by Bill Wright and approved.
Carla Ruschival made a motion to invite our officer liaison, Dan Dillon, who resides in Nashville and who is very active with the Tennessee Council of the Blind. Tennessee recently passed a law requiring contrasting striping on stairs as part of renovations and new construction of state buildings. The motion was seconded by Elaine Weisbard and approved.
Rick Boggess made a motion to accept committee reports. The motion was seconded by Elaine Weisbard and approved.
Announcements and Adjournment
Gerry Slusher announced she will be traveling to Washington next week to receive the NIB employee of the year.
NIB has filed a lawsuit seeking clarification on plans to give priority to veteran owned businesses when awarding some contracts. This could negatively impact some workshops due to possible conflicts with the Wagner-O’Day Act.
Carla pointed out that the Bluegrass Council is seeking an Administrative Assistant to work 35 hours a week in Lexington.
Rick Boggess made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Winter Renfrow and unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:51 PM.
Submitted by Rick Boggess, KCB Secretary
Download Summary: KCBBoardMeetingJune2017
Connect with Us! Social Media - Phone - Email
