[IL-Talk] Chicago Chapter Minutes, June 8, 2024, with Corrections

[Deborah Kent Stein]

Chicago CHAPTER MEETING MINUTES

August 10, 2024

TGIFridays, 153 E. Erie St., Chicago

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

Chicago Chapter President Denise Avant called the meeting to order at 1 PM.
Denise began by thanking TGIFridays for letting us use their space and
thanking Graciela, our server, for her gracious service. Present on Zoom
were Melissa Fuller, Bob Widman, Bob Lee, Mayokunle Efunbote, Maryann
Lustgraff, Greg Rosenberg, Rachel Ng, Gene Kim, Alicia Green, Linda Hendle,
Ed Birmingham, Bob Hansen, and Gary Jones. In person were Eileen Truschke,
Mary Grunwald, Ken Schad, David Meyer, Pam Gillmore, Brian Bishop, Bob
Kraft, Charlene Kraft, Michelle Ault, Kira O'Bradovitch, Marilyn Green,
Jemal Powell, Ken Borst, Patti Chang, Francisco Chang, Debbie Stein, Dustin
Cather, and Jean Johnson. 

 

PROGRAM

 

Dustin Cather presented the program, which was based on an article in the
July issue of the Braille Monitor. The article, entitled "Building the
Movement: Achieving Our Dreams through Strategic Investments," was based on
a panel at the 2023 national convention including Tricia Kulkarni, Lisamaria
Martinez, Denise Avant, Sanho Steele-Louchart, and Denise Brown. The NFB
national board developed its last strategic plan in 2018. The plan is a
guide for our work, though it is not written in stone. The plan does not
change our philosophy, our advocacy, or the role of our convention. It
focuses on moving the organization forward within the framework of our time
and resources. Our commitments involve innovation, inclusion, collaboration,
and dedication.  

 

PRESIDENTIAL RELEASE

 

The chapter listened to a recording of the Presidential Release delivered by
NFB President Mark Riccobono on August 1, 2024. President Riccobono noted
the anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We
still need to work on getting web accessibility regulations for Title III of
the ADA. Matel has introduced a blind Barbie. The Federation has not taken a
position on the company's choices, and members are encouraged to discuss the
pros and cons. 

 

ON June 28 Rep. Pete Sessions of Texas introduced the Blind Americans Return
to Work Act, HR 8878, in the House of Representatives. It would eliminate
the SSI earnings cliff by instituting a two for one phase-out for any income
earned above substantial gainful activity. 

 

The House and Senate are talking about an increased appropriation for the
American Printing House for the Blind (APH) which would include $10 million
for distribution of the Monarch. The increase has been approved by the
Senate, but we still need to work on getting it approved in the House. 

 

October is Blind Equality Achievement Month. Chapters work to educate the
public about the capabilities of blind people and the things that need to be
done. Chapters are encouraged to come up with ideas by visiting
nfb.org/blind-month. Chapters also are encouraged to put together voter
registration drives. NFB will continue to collect information on the voting
experiences of blind people throughout the country, as we have done since
2008. On July 19 Nfb submitted comments on The Election Assistance
Commission's national universal voting form. There were some issues with the
form, which needs improvement. 

 

The NABS Mid-Atlantic Student Seminar will be held August 16-18 at NFB
headquarters. The next Where the Blind Work webinar will be held virtually
on August 22 at 8 pm. It will focus on blind professionals who have found
work via remote employment. Registration details will be at nfb.org. The
2024 Dare to Be Remarkable Conference will take place November 11-13 at the
Jernigan Institute. For information contact Anil Lewis at alewis at nfb.org
<mailto:alewis at nfb.org> .

 

Braille calendars for 2025 are now available through the American Action
Fund free of charge. Email calendars at actionfund.org
<mailto:calendars at actionfund.org>  to order up to three calendars for 2025.

 

Several new chapters and divisions have joined the PAC Plan, including the
NFB of Illinois At Large Chapter. It's never too late for individuals to get
on the PAC Plan! Go to nfb.org/pac. 

 

The NFB is building an AI tool based purely on the experience of blind
people. You can interact with Mark AI by visiting riccobono.personal.ai or
text 833-564-2271. You can add your own answers to build the knowledge base.

 

STATE REPORT

 

Face to Face Board Meeting: NFBI President Marilyn Green announced that our
next board meeting will take place Saturday, August 17, at the Chicago
Naperville Marriott.  

A Zoom link will be available for those who can't attend in person. We will
do a lot of planning for the NFBI Convention 2024.

 

NFBI Scholarships: NFBI  Scholarship Committee co-chair Kira O'Bradovitch
announced that two finalists have been confirmed. They are Mayokunle
Efunbote and Nancy Obi.

 

Federal Legislation: Dustin Cather updated information about federal
legislation. The Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (HR.1328),
introduced by Jan Schakowski, has eighty-five cosponsors. Illinois reps are
Mike Quigley, Sean Casten, Jesús García, Danny Davis, Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Jonathan Jackson, and Robin Kelly. Altogether seventy-eight Democrats and
six Republicans have signed on. The Senate version is S.3621, with one
cosponsor, a Republican.

 

The Website and Software Accessibility Act (S.2984), introduced by Sen.
Tammy Duckworth, has six cosponsors, all of them Democrats. The companion
bill in the House, HR.5813, has thirty-six cosponsors. Those from Illinois
are Mike Quigley, Jan Schakowsky, Jesús García, Jonathan Jackson, and Sean
Casten. Thirty-five Democrats and four Republicans have signed on. 

 

HR.3702, the Access Technology Affordability Act, has ninety-five
cosponsors. Mike Bost, Mike Quigley, Brad Schneider, Jan Schakowski, Raja
Krishnamoorthi, and Darrin LaHood are cosponsors from Illinois. Sixty
Democrats and thirty-five Republicans have signed on. There are eighteen
cosponsors in the Senate, eleven Democrats and seven Republicans.

 

HR.1263, the Transformation to Competitive and Integrated Employment Act,
has thirty-three cosponsors, including Robin Kelly and Mike Quigley from
Illinois. Thirty-one Democrats and two Republicans have signed on. The
Senate bill, S.533, has three cosponsors, two Republicans and one Democrat. 

 

The Autonomous Vehicle Accessibility Act, HR.7126, currently has four
cosponsors, all of them Democrats. The FAA Regulations Act passed a few
months ago.

 

Denise urged us all to get to work and encourage our representatives to sign
onto our bills. 

 

NFBI BELL Academies: Debbie Stein reported that Chicago BELL and Springfield
BELL are over, and we're already thinking about next year. Only three
children took part in Springfield BELL, but they had a great time. Nine
children signed up for Chicago BELL, and eight took part. Bridget Hickey was
our BELL teacher, with Carson Cross as her assistant. Carson had a lot of
experience with children, but never worked with blind kids before. He loved
the program, and by the end thought he might like to train as an O&M
instructor. Field trips were visits to the supermarket, the Lincoln Park
Zoo, Maggie Daley Park (with fun times playing in the fountains), and the
Museum of Science and Industry. Participants ranged in age from four to
twelve. Sara Luna volunteered every day, and Debbie Stein and Esli Ramos
were there on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Lighthouse already has reached out
to us to reserve space for next year. 

 

STATE CONVENTION 2024: President Green is still looking for an idea for a
theme. Convention will take place October 18-20 at the Chicago Naperville
Marriott Hotel. Make reservations at 630-505-4900. We'll start with Braille
Is Beautiful as we did last year and then have a panel discussion. John Paré
will be our national representative. The Illinois Association of Blind
Merchants (IABM) will be with us this year. We will have a breakfast on
Sunday, merged with our Scholarship Breakfast. 

 

If you find at the last minute that you can't attend convention, do not
cancel your room! Let Marilyn know that it's available in case someone else
can use it. Financial assistance for attending convention may be available
if you apply to the Chappell-Dennis Fund, which you can find at
nfbofillinois.org. 

 

SECRETARY'S MINUTES

 

The minutes for the June 8 meeting were posted on IL-Talk and NFB Newsline®.
Jemal moved and Kira seconded acceptance of the minutes. The minutes were
approved.

 

TREASURER'S REPORT 

 

Treasurer Kira O'Bradovitch reported that we began the quarter with
$2,698.91 in our account. Income totaled $762, and expenses amounted to
$1150. We received $345 in donations: $36 plus $89 in May and $127 in June,
for a total of $252. We held two chapter auctions. The one in May brought in
$55, and the one in June brought in $50. Eight new members paid dues.
Expenses include $1000 to national funds: $300 each for Jernigan, tenBroek,
and White Cane, and $100 for SUN. We closed out the quarter with $3,121.91.
Deducting our expenses, our current balance is $2,421.91. Jemal moved and
Denise seconded approval. The treasurer's Second Quarter Report was
approved.

 

NEW MEMBERS

 

With great enthusiasm Maryann Lustgraf, Rachel Ng, Jean Johnson, Brian
Bishop, Robert Kraft, and Charlene Kraft were voted in as new members of the
Chicago Chapter. Jemal moved and Dave seconded voting them in, and the
motion was unanimously approved.

 

FUNDRAISING EVENTS

 

Fundraising Committee chairman Dave Meyer said we have had to cut down on
our donations to the national office and the affiliate treasury due to
diminished funds. We are planning several fundraisers to restore the health
of the treasury. A bowling event will take place at Fireside Bowl on August
24, and we'll host a Games Day at Exchequer Pub on September 7. We will hold
our annual Read-a-thon virtually in October. We will have our annual holiday
auction on December 14 at Exchequer. 

 

We're looking into a November fundraiser at the Comedy Clubhouse at 1462
North Ashland. The event could happen on a Sunday through Thursday evening
or on a Saturday afternoon. The club would charge us eight dollars per
ticket for forty-eight tickets, and we can sell them for the price we want.
The menu is through bar codes, but they will try to send it out early so we
have time to access it. We also have the option to stream the event for no
extra cost. Patti moved and Jemal seconded that we hold a comedy club event.
Eleven people said they would like to go on a Thursday evening. It will only
work as a fundraiser if we bring in outside people to attend! The motion
passed.

 

ADVOCACY COMMITTEE

 

Advocacy Committee Chair Kira O'Bradovitch thanked Dustin and Michelle for
all the work they have done with CTA. Several chapter members attended the
CTA board meeting in July. The next committee meeting will be Wednesday,
August 28. We want to have a presence at every CTA meeting from here on out.
Kira will attend the meeting on September 11, and anyone is welcome to join
her. Michelle reported that she, Steve Hastalis, and Ken Borst attended the
board meeting on July 25. Nancy Schultz from ICRE was also in attendance.
Our group was able to present, and Steve's presentation lasted six minutes
instead of the three minutes that were allocated. Steve reported to us that
at the end of the meeting with CTA someone from marketing approached him.
Steve will follow up with her and show her some signs we would find
satisfactory. Marilyn said that CTA will be at the Chicago Vision Expo on
October 29, so that will be an opportunity for us to engage with them.

 

OLD BUSINESS 

 

The Blind Service Chicago Vision Expo will take place on October 29 at 838
W. Kinzie in the West Loop. The event runs from nine to three. Steve
Hastalis, Glenn Moore, Jemal Powell, Michelle Ault, and Jean Johnson have
volunteered to staff our table. Denise has submitted our application.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Dave announced that the next meeting of the Fundraising Committee will take
place at 7:30 on August 13 over Zoom. Patti suggested that we adopt a
scent-free policy for our chapter meetings, in keeping with our national
policy. Scents really do present a health hazard for some people.

 

Last year the Chicago Chapter won the competition at IABS Idol, and we now
have the privilege of suggesting a theme for this year's contest. Suggested
themes were songs about collective action, protest songs, or songs about
dreams. Dreams got it! We'll post the theme on IL-Talk so other chapters can
choose their songs.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Marilyn moved and Jemal seconded adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 3:18
PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Debbie Stein, Secretary 

 



-- 
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
www.avast.com