THE FCB ANNUAL CONVENTION MEMBERSHIP MEETING


SUNDAY, JUNE 6th, 2004
TAMPA, FL


TABLE OF CONTENTS
CALL TO ORDER AND FIRST BUSINSESS
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE & PRESIDENT'S REPORTS
COMMITTEE REPORTS
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
ADJOURNMENT


CALL TO ORDER AND FIRST BUSINESS

President Robert Miller called the meeting to order at 8:33 AM. The usual opening ceremonies of invocation and flag salute were observed. Membership Secretary Linda Jacobson called the roll and a quorum was established. The minutes of last year's convention were read and approved with one correction. Treasurer Patti Land read her report. Paul Edwards made a motion to approve this report. The motion was seconded by Jesus Garcia and carried.


NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE & PRESIDENT'S REPORTS

The next order of business was a report by Doug Hall, Chairman of the Nominations Committee for this year. Doug read the slate of officers as established in his committee meeting. As of this reading, Dan Spoone, who had been named to the position of 2nd Vice President, declined the nomination. The elected officers for the next two years are as follows:

President - Paul Edwards of Miami
1st Vice President - Debbie Grubb of Sarasota
2nd Vice President - Jim Warth of Clearwater
Secretary - Sharon Youngs of Palm Harbor
Treasurer - Patti Land of Orlando
Membership Secretary - Linda Jacobson of Clay

After the election, Robert Miller gave his last President's report. He said that while all of FCB's difficulties had not been resolved, much headway had taken place in some areas. He pointed out that the Web page is now more accessible and more up-to-date. FCB has been a leader in the area of voting for blind people. The transportation issue is an ongoing situation. FCB is one of the strongest affiliates of ACB. Robert then turned the gavel over to Paul Edwards. Robert asked Paul to take good care of FCB because Robert felt FCB was his child and he was giving his child over to Paul for safe keeping.

Newly elected President, Paul thanked Robert and assured him that he would look after FCB. Paul then outlined his plans for FCB. Paul plans to set up task forces each task force would have a definite job to do and would report no only to him but to the entire Board. He outlined his hopes for FCB as it relates to ACB also.


COMMITTEE REPORTS

We moved right to committee reports. The first committee called upon was the Constitution and By-Laws Committee.

CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS COMMITTEE - Jim Kracht
Jim reported that the committee withdrew the proposed constitutional change because that proposed change needed some work.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE - Linda Jacobson
Linda reported that most of the chapters did get their information in to her within the dates set aside for that purpose. She explained her duties toward the chapters, the state and ACB. She reminded all of us that the chapter assessments were to be sent to her also. These assessments are due to her by January 31st of each year.

RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE - Jesus Garcia
Jesus had four resolutions for our ratification.

Resolution Conv 2004 - 01 talked about the need for more funding in the area of a statewide paratransit system. It proposed a 15 percent increase of allocated funds to be earmarked for this purpose. Although committee member Paul Edwards read this resolution, it was moved for adoption by Jesus Garcia. Seconded by Robert Jones, the motion carried.

Resolution Conv 2004 - 02 protested the closure of the Talking Book Library in Orange County. Again, Jesus moved for adoption of this resolution and again, Robert Jones seconded the motion and it carried.

The next two resolutions were the usual resolutions thanking the hotel and the chapter for the convention. Jesus moved for adoption of both of these resolutions and both were duly seconded and carried.

AWARDS COMMITTEE - Diane BobrowskI
In Diane's absence, Sharon Youngs reported the recipients of this year's awards. The William Alfred Outzs Award was presented to Bill Ferrell. The R. Henry P. Johnson Award was presented to Rosanna Lippen. The Dolly Gamble Awards was presented to Dorothy Ferrell. The Cooke Chapter President Award was presented to Corinne Kendrick. It was also reported that Robert Miller had presented special President Achievement awards to both Carl McCoy and Jay Bader.

Several chapters presented chapter achievement awards also. This report continued with the names of the winners of the raffle prizes. Richard Williams, a member of the Metro Miami chapter, won the $1,000 prize. The $500 winner was Tom Collette. Joan Cox won the $400 prize. The $300 winner was Angel Areas. The $200 winner was A. Keithan and the $100 winner was Kim Wolfe.

CONVENTION COMMITTEE - Debbie Grubb
Debbie reported about this year's convention. She said that, although she didn't have an exact count, she thought there were about 175 paid registrations for this convention. She also reported about next year's convention. It will be held at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport Sheraton. The dates are scheduled for May 12th - 15th. She then talked about the location for the fall Board meeting. Reginald Howard made a motion to, once again, hold this meeting at the Sheraton Safari in Orlando. The tentative dates for this meeting are November 12th - 14th.

ACCESS COMMITTEE - Doug Hall
Doug encouraged us to get involved and to make the effort to go to the polls in person to vote.

EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE - Nancy Folsom
Nancy said that there were no winners of this year's scholarships. She then announced that the Pinellas chapter had awarded a $500 to a graduating senior from St. Petersburg.

WHITE CANE BULLETIN - Bobbie Probst
Bobbie said that more articles are needed for publication. She reminded us that the deadline for submitting articles for the next issue is the 25th day of the previous month.

FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE - Carl McCoy
Carl said that his committee needs more members. And the members who are in place need more input and ideas from the FCB membership. Carl said that a letter has been written and this letter will accompany the new Project Insight Brochures. These will be sent to doctors throughout the state and will be the basis for a direct mail campaign. The committee is also looking into the possibility of a telemarketing project too.


UNFINISHED BUSINESS

We moved on to Unfinished Business. A question arose about the raffle tickets. Many people expressed that they were not happy with the design of them. Morry LaTour made a motion to completely redesign the tickets. The motion was seconded by Barbara Grill and carried. President Paul asked Jim Warth to see to this redesign. There was also some discussion about the need for volunteers at conventions. It was pointed out that volunteers were available on both Friday and Saturday of this convention.


NEW BUSINESS

New Business was the next order of the day. Dan O'Connor from Jacksonville told us about the lawsuit with the county. He said that although the county had been found to be in violation of the ADA, the county was appealing that decision.

Jesus Garcia stated that employer has volunteered to pay for the production of a new FCB brochure.

Elizabeth Bowden talked about the assistive listening devices. She made a motion that FCB purchase 5 of these devices. The motion was seconded by Nancy Burgess-Hall and carried.

Carl McCoy made a motion that FCB contribute $200 toward sending a first-timer to the ACB convention. The motion was seconded by Jim Warth and carried.


ADJOURNMENT

Because there was no further business to come before the membership, the meeting was adjourned at 11:50 AM.


Respectfully Submitted,
Sharon K. Youngs, Secretary


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