Board Minutes

March 2024

National Federation of the Blind of Utah

March 2024

Board Meeting

 

 

National Federation of the blind of Utah

www.nfbutah.org

801-631-8108

 

“You can live the life you want; blindness does not hold you back!”

 

March 13, 2024

7:30 – 8:38 PM. MST.

 

One motion was made to offer $400 per person and $1200 per family of 3 or more people to attend the national convention with proof of purchase of a banquet ticket and convention registration. It passed unanimously.

 

  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:   Present

Laura Vincent:            Present

Ken Duke:       Present

Ned Lindholm:            Present

 

The general public was invited to join the meeting.

  1. Welcome and Introductions: see above.
  2. National Office:
  1. Presidential release was held last week.
  2. Karl has an article in the Braille Monitor, check it out!

 

  1. State news:
    1.  Vern Jensen passed away recently, we mourned his passing and gave him a moment of silence.

 

  1. Treasurer’s report by Mark.
    1. We need$10,000 in our checking account to get through state and national conventions. We will pull it from our money markets.
    2. We have about the same amount in the accounts as we had in 2017. We rose in 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic because funds grew and very few funds were spent. Our funds have decreased lately so Mark proposed a motion to cap national convention stipend funds to $400 per person for national convention. The motion was seconded and discussion was had. Allegiant Air was mentioned as an economical way to travel to Florida along with Jet Blue. Willie added an addendum to the motion to have a cap for families of 3 or more at $12,00 per person. The motion passed unanimously. Jerry reminded everyone that proof of purchase of banquet tickets and registration would be required to receive the stipend.
  2. State convention.
    1. Agendas will be out soon.
    2. Lindsey Yasa Lino will be presenting at USDB on 3300 South on Wednesday to present to the children. It is an open meeting and Everette said anyone interested could attend.
    3. Willie suggested that DSBVI’s BEP quarterly meeting could be at the state convention on Thursday afternoon. Some BEP members will be coming and staying at convention.
    4. Thursday at 6 will be a sponsorship dinner. It will be a tour of Italy themed meal. Our guests from around the country will be presented. After that will be a resolutions meeting.
    5. Friday will be opening ceremonies, Guests, sponsors and public relations friends and members will be speaking throughout the day. Board meeting for lunch. Afternoon general session will be about teachers and educational opportunities. Mid afternoon is the vender fare. Ice cream social NFB of Utah’s got talent will round out the evening.
    6. Saturday morning will consist of breakout sessions. Lunch auction. Afternoon business meeting, motivational and  speeches and resolutions. Evening will be the banquet.
    7. Barbie asked for DSBVI to have time between vender fare and ice cream social for a meet and greet.
    8. Laura asked for the agenda to be sent to her for translation.
    9. Karl asked for resolutions to be submitted to him early and for someone to prepare to defend each resolution at the resolutions committee meeting.
    10. Laura says that the Spanish division will hold a seminar in early May and they are working on the agenda for that event.
    11. The link to the beez game is still coming, most likely in mid-March.

 

  1. Chapter and divisions.
    1.  Salt Lake, March 27th at DSBVI pop into spring.
    2. Utah Valley, Laura asked if they could hold a fund raiser for their chapter at the state convention “guess how many kisses”. Everette suggested that convention is a time for state affiliate fund raising and chapters all of the rest of the year. They have a Cinco de Mayo meeting, and a picnic barbecue in August. Helen Eckman has joined the Utah Valley chapter now.
    3. Weber-Davis, Willie says the next meeting will be at Willie’s house and they will hold elections.
    4. Red Rocks, Jessie was elected president. April 20th car show food eating competition. They are hoping to involve more younger members. Their next meeting will be on April 22nd.
    5.  Parents, Sarah says nothing new to report for parents. She was recently elected to the advisory board for the office of education.
    6. Students, Zachary reminds everyone that scholarship deadline is coming up soon. He is inviting everyone to the student meeting. Send students to their upcoming spring seminar at convention.
    7. Spanish division is having their seminar on May 3-5.
    8. Guide dog users have a meeting on March 27th to talk about convention.
    9. At large has no new news to report.
    10. BELL Academy is taking applications. Tara presented at the Braille challenge on March 1st.
    11. Science Without Sight is on July 20th at DSBVI. This is for students K-12.

 

7.  Other business.

        A. Willie wants to know if scholarships have been decided. They will be announced for board approval after the committee meets.

B. Jerry asked everyone to please register. Don’t wait until the last minute! Register soon! He apologized for the bad links and said that the links on the website are valid.

C. Karl says the Taylorsville LDS temple has a tactile tour on April 20th at 7:30 A.M. they are hoping for an 8:30 P.M. tour afterwords as well. It will depend on interest and participation. Anyone wishing to see the inside of the temple is welcome to come to the open house tactile tour for the blind.