FCB Executive Committee Meeting January 21, 2021 A meeting of the Executive Committee was held on Thursday, January 21. The meeting began at 7:20 PM. Those in attendance were: Sheila Young, President; Mikey Wiseman, 1st Vice-President, Cassandra Jessie, 2nd Vice-President; Mark Lear, Treasurer; Sally Benjamin, Membership Secretary; Jim Kracht, Immediate Past President; and guest, Kati Lear. Mary Tyson, Recording Secretary, arrived late and thus truly appreciates the Zoom recording so that the minutes could be complete. Minutes of the previous meeting were not available and will be brought for vote at the next meeting. Unfinished Business: Sheila asked Mark what the $1,000 check to ACB National was for that said ACB membership. He said that it was for the retainer for Mathew Dietz. There was some confusion on this point and Mark will investigate it and report back at the next meeting. Mikey gave a report on Paul Edwards who has been ill. He is moving into an apartment in Jacksonville to be near his family while undergoing treatment. Sheila has reached out to Doug Hall to ask if he would temporarily preside over the Resolutions Committee until Paul is able to return. He said that he would preside over the Committee but only if he had assistance in the writing and presenting of the resolutions. Jim Kracht offered to assist in this capacity. Sheila asked for an update on the Code of Conduct. Jim advised that it was on the agenda for the Constitution and Bylaws Committee meeting scheduled for tomorrow evening, January 22. Sheila asked Mark and Kati for An update on the printer. Kati said that it was working well. The cost was $600 for the printer and one additional cartridge. A second cartridge has been approved but has not been purchased at this time. Sheila asked Mikey for an update on the revision of the job description for the administrative assistant position. He has not begun to work on it yet but will get together with Cassandra in the next few days. At this point in the meeting, Mary put in an appearance. Chapter Reports: Clay Council has disbanded, and their information will be removed from the website. Sally reported that they do have some documentation that they are reviewing to determine if it should be sent to Archives Committee. We had advised them that we needed copies of their charter and the minutes of the meeting where they voted to dissolve their chapter. South Sarasota County Council of the Blind chapter has been dissolved but will remain on the website until documentation is received. RSVF - Jim has spoken with them about their concerns on the verbiage used with the IRS. He will speak with Andrea Dillon after which he will get back to them. Kati advised that she had given them Mary and Sally’s home and email addresses so that they can submit their documentation. Jim suggested that she provide them with Mark’s contact information as they owe us money for assessment and membership. Kati advised that she had instructed Woody to send the check to Sally. New Jacksonville Chapter – They have submitted their Constitution and bylaws for review. Jim will advise them that the Executive Committee has determined that until they have met with representatives of the new chapter, that it is not appropriate to send the documents to the Constitution and Bylaws Committee. We need to make sure that they understand how the process is supposed to work. Mikey suggested that Jim structure the outreach and when they respond, we select one or two individuals to guide them through the process. Mikey has offered to be one of those. And it was suggested that Sally Benjamin also be on the panel. Tampa Chapter – Cassandra asked that a letter be sent to them stressing the importance of providing documentation and dues in a timely manner. Jim stated that since we had their information as provided at Midyear that there is really nothing that can be done at this point. Cassandra is frustrated that it is so difficult to get their information every year and Sally suggested that someone, talk with Jim Warth to try to impress upon him the necessity of getting this information in a timely manner. Sally further recommended that a new chapter be formed in that area. Mikey said that he would contact Jim Warth and ask when they were meeting as he would like to attend. New Business: ACB is adding two columns to the membership roster form to include gender identity and ethnicity. Providing this information is strictly voluntary. Having these questions on the form will make it easier to obtain certain grants. Jim Kracht gave an update on the Voting Task Force. He has accepted an appointment to the Accessible Vote by Mail Task Force for the state of Florida. It will be chaired by Brian Corley, Supervisor of Elections for Pasco County. He has been contacted regarding the Orange County Supervisor of Elections, Bill Cowels, having been left off of the Task Force. He was advised that Mr. Cowels input will be valued and utilized however, Mr. Cowels wanted other people to become involved in this program. A deputy Supervisor from Miami Dade and Lisa Lewis from Volusia County are on the Task Force, otherwise no other participants in the pilot program are included. They plan on three virtual meetings and having a presentation ready for the state supervisor of elections conference in June. Mark reported that FCB had reimbursed ACB $6,000 that they had provided for legal fees and that the $1,000 check designated for membership, mentioned earlier in these notes had been inadvertently sent to them and should be returned to FCB. Sheila asked Mark to call Erica in the office and explain the situation. Project Insight – Sheila advised that Paul Lewis is no longer the chair of this committee. Nancy Folsom will be taking over as of March 1. Sheila was asked if all committee meetings should be open to all members. Sally felt that it is difficult to get work done if you are having to take all attendees comments into consideration. Mikey suggested that committee meetings at convention were a good time to get members input and that this can be utilized throughout the subsequent year. Jim said that that was how ACB handled member input opportunities. It was agreed that we would proceed accordingly. Sheila will advise the committee chairs that their meetings will be committee members only in future. BRL - The Braille Revival League needs someone who can print their Braille Memorandum. Elizabeth Bowden has been asked to do it and they will pay for the requisite supplies. She contacted Sheila because the embosser is owned by FCB. Jim Kracht moved that we approve the use of the embosser for this purpose. Motion was seconded by Cassandra Jessie and it was unanimously approved. Kati asked how many copies would be done. Sheila said that there were 120 copies twice a year but was not sure about the number of pages in each issue. Sheila will let Elizabeth know that it has been approved by the Executive Committee. There was a question as to whether FCB should sponsor First Timers who are members at large. Mikey made a motion that this not be considered until, if orwhen, it became an issue. Motion was seconded by Sally and unanimously approved. Jim Kracht made a motion that we purchase one case of antibacterial spray for convention. Motion was seconded by Cassandra. Jim Kracht suggested that email addresses for Sally Benjamin, Leslie Spoone and Wanda Stockley be provided to Terri Suarez who advised she has some suggestions for convention for the exhibit hall and the possibility of obtaining volunteers. Mikey suggested an emergency Executive Committee meeting should take place to discuss how to reach out to state and local health agencies regarding COVID vaccines for the visually impaired community. Mikey will contact NFB and see if they will work with us on this project. Motion to adjourn was made by Cassandra and seconded by Sally. Meeting was adjourned at 8:20 PM. Respectfully submitted by, Mary Tyson, FCB Recording Secretary