November 2024
Board Meeting
National Federation of the blind of Utah www.nfbutah.org<http://www.nfbutah.org>
801-631-8108
"You can live the life you want; blindness does not hold you back!"
November 13, 2024
7:30 - 8:45 PM. MST.
No Motions were made
1. Roll Call:
NFB of Utah Board of Directors:
president - Everette Bacon: Present
1st Vice President - Cheralyn Johnson: Present
2nd Vice President - Karl Smith: Present
Treasurer - Mark Turley: Present
Secretary - Barbie Elliott: Present
Board Members:
Willie Black: late
Laura Vincent: Present
Ken Duke: Present
Ned Lindholm: Present
Jesse Kramer: Present
The general public was invited, 20 participants attended including board members.
1. Welcome and Introductions (see above)
1. National News:
1. Access On podcast by Jonathan Mosen dropped today.
2. NFB Voting survey is available. Please complete and share the survey.
Voting Survey (In-Person)<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=36375&qid=10542029>
Voting Survey (Absentee or Mail)<https://nfb.org/civicrm/m<ting%20Survey%20(Absentee%20or%20Mail)%3chttps:/nfb.org/civicrm/m>ailing/url?u=36376&qid=10542029>
Spanish Survey: Encuesta de votantes ciegos en español<htt<anish%20Survey:%20Encuesta%20de%20votantes%20ciegos%20en%20español%3chtt>ps://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=36374&qid=10542029>
1. writers' division contest is available to enter and <1.%20 writers'%20division%20contest%20is%20available%20to%20enter%20and%20> participate in, if you need the email, it is available from Everette and Jerry. We want to get the national contests available on the affiliate website as well.
2. Washington Seminar applications have been submitted and 9 applications were received. Everette is planning to take 12 people and would like the names finalized by Friday. Mark wanted to know about room reservations.
3. Next Presidential release will probably be on December 5th
1. Local updates:
1. Resolutions update: No new information on the pharmacy access resolution, Karl is working with his representative on property tax information resolution and the DSBVI trust fund resolution. We did receive grant money from DSBVI to fund other seminars and are hoping for more seminars from parents, students, stem, Spanish division, and mini bell in Southern Utah. We have been estimated for $100,000 for 5 years.
2. Mark would like to start work on a resolution for getting audio description available at the Orem hale Theater. Everette said to include Laura and the Utah Valley chapter, and use the positive resolution from a couple of years ago applauding the Salt Lake Hale Theater.
3. Park City panel for film Blink: A film about a family who have 2 children with RP about taking them to as many world wonders and sites before the children lose their vision. There is a panel on Saturday night in Park City along with a showing of the film this Saturday evening to watch the film and represent us. Everette cannot go, Kenn has already been contacted and is planning to attend and represent us. Kenn has invited Mark and Torri West. Mark would like to go, Kenn is still waiting to hear from Torri.
4. in person Board meeting: We would like to hold our in-person meeting in January.
5. Natural History and Fine Arts Museums several people came, it was a bit unorganized, but it was a good start and many people were able to participate from several different groups of people at both museums.
6. quarterly newsletter; Casey Reyes will be editing and putting it out quarterly Thank You Casey!
7. state convention planning:
* . Everette thought a hospitality Suite would be a good idea, Karl says it was stopped because hotels don't like us handing out food that isn't catered through the hotel, Laura offered the Utah Valley to host the suite if we can do it.
* A pledge to eat spicy chicken wings fund raiser at state convention was discussed. Ned and Laura were excited with good ideas.
* Hotel reservations are available for May 1, 2, and 3.
* Mark gave an update on the checking account and says we will need a significant transfer to cover planned expenses for Washington Seminar and Convention.
1. Public comment
* Milt says that the voting survey lets you fix your mistakes before submitting. He also shared that there is a low-income property tax abatement. He also said that the Hale Theater in Utah County is already doing things for the hearing impaired so asking for help with audio descriptive may go over well with them, he does not have any contacts at the theater.
* Sarah says that she is starting a Utah Blind History website to share ideas and experiences with education with parents.
1. Reports:
1. Red Rocks, Jessie says that they have meetings planned for the next 3 months. Unfortunately, Kester's driver who has been a big help for them was recently injured.
2. Utah County: Laura told us that they had a small meeting on Saturday with good information. Christmas party on Saturday December 14th. Registration is due by November 30 for any interested participants.
3. Salt Lake, Kenn reports that October's BEAM event was a marathon event and a booth at the library. Their next meeting will be on November 23 talking about cornel books and gratitude. December 21st is their holiday event that will be catered with fun games and a good time at DSBVI. Jerry reminded people that Norm's NFB cards are available with the cornel books, Tina also shared that they are easily found online at the NFB website.
4. Weber-Davis: Jerry offered a report stating that they will have a game night with fun food and friends at Brynli Cherry's home in Ogden this Friday. Christmas party on December 7th at the Pizza Pie Café.
5. Parents: Sarah shared that services for smaller districts and charter schools who were getting funding from USDB but because they are not getting supported equally and would like support for advocating that funding follows specific children with IEP in place rather than being spread by schools and percentages. She wants to find ways to empower families and parents. Everette thought it would be good to get information for people to learn about who their school board members are. Sarah says it is difficult to access it and that it would be a great place to get things started.
6. Student divisions: Zachary responded that they have had a lot of new members. They had a meeting about advocacy and a social game night on Saturday thanks to Kacey Reyes and Sean Fletcher. They are starting to get ready for the state convention and their student seminar. They will have an in person social at City Creek on December 13th, and a social movie night on zoom watching how the grinch Stoll Christmas on zoom. National is having an auction at Washington Seminar in February, if you have anything to donate contact Zachary.
7. Spanish Division: Laura shared that they have a meeting planned for some time around the 26th.
8. Guide Dog Users: Tina had to leave early; she will also be involved in social media. James has the log in info to pass on to Tina, he said he will give it to her to have her available to share it.
9.
Aira: Everette said that starting on Saturday, all Walmart's will be free Aira zones for both in store shopping and Walmart online shopping experiences
Aira also met with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to visit church history sites and temple square, they will be working on that.
1. Other Business and adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 P.M.