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Florida Council of the Blind
Executive Committee Meeting Minutes February 4, 2025

President Mikey Wiseman called the meeting to order at 07:00 PM.
Present were President Mikey Wiseman; 2nd Vice President, Shelley Sawyer; Recording Secretary, Elizabeth Bowden; Treasurer, Mark Lear; Membership Secretary, Sally Benjamin; and Immediate Past President, Sheila Young.  1st Vice President, Cassandra Jessie joined the meeting during our time with Jeanine Lea.  Administrative Assistant Kati Lear joined the meeting as a guest.    

Secretary's Report: Sheila Young motioned approval of minutes from January 24 meeting.  The motion was seconded by Shelley Sawyer with no opposition or corrections.

Kati Lear reported that we have phone account proposals from AT&T and another carrier.  Kati would like Mikey to review the proposals which will be sent by email to the committee.  This will take place after Kati returns to her home.

During this meeting, three new chapter Presidents were introduced and welcomed.  The results are as follows.  
Jeanine Lea joined our meeting as a new chapter President.  Jeanine was satisfied with her officer liaison, Mikey Wiseman.  Jeanine stated that the membership is considering a name change.  Mikey reminded Jeanine that she will represent FCB in any transactions or interchanges she is involved with.  

Grant Downey joined us as president of the Pinellas chapter.  Grant did not have any questions at this time.  The officer liaison for Pinellas is Sheila Young.   

Nancy Folsom joined us and was welcomed by Mikey.  Sheila Young is the officer Liaison for Tallahassee.  

We have received excellent feedback from Barbara Salisbury, winner of the placemats and runners donated to the ACB Holiday Auction last year by FCB.  

The letter from Handley Farah & Anderson PLLC was approved by the executive committee and was sent out to Seaworld last week.  

We have been sent a resolution by FRCB regarding making DBS part of agency for persons with disabilities.  Action will be taken in the form of an emergency meeting should the item be added to the proposed legislation.    

Sheila Young and Debbie Grubb will be attending Tallahassee day.  Cassandra Jessie motioned, and Shelley Sawyer seconded that FCB pay Sheila’s travel to and from Tallahassee.  The motion passed unanimously.  

The hotel for Tallahassee day has changed.  We will make arrangements as soon as possible.  

DC. Leadership:  Information about DC. Leadership is on a specialized list.  Our group of Florida participants is finalized.  Registration for participants is $104.00.  Cost for virtual registration is $26.00.  We can obtain a tax-exempt certificate for the state of Virginia.  Cassandra Jessie motioned that registration be paid for all DC. participants.  Shelley Sawyer seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.  Should we obtain tax exemption, FCB will pay room costs and provide the remaining funds to participants.   

Email addresses for President@acb.org, Sheila Young's email, and floridacouncil@comcast.net have been added to the ACB leadership email list.  Cassandra Jessie would like to be added to the list if this can be done.  

Mark Lear has begun investigating PayPal options as well as Walmart.  We have a meeting with Chase bank on Friday to open a savings account, and to review portfolio.  Mark was asked to form an ad hoc committee.  The committee is as follows, Paul Edwards, Mikey Wiseman, Dan Spoone and Doug Hall.  

Mark has contacted Pam to determine the accounting fees and 990n processing information.  He has not heard from her and will contact her again.  

Mikey sent us a recording of a recent ACB Presidents call and believes the meeting is the beginning of resolution resolving many affiliate concerns.  

Sheila Young reported that visits have been made to two hotels for FCB convention sites.  Sheila will present findings to the Convention committee during their next meeting.  

The White Cane Bulletin was printed at the UPS store.  The cost was approximately $300.00.  Kati Lear reported that this may need to be done once more before her return home.

There was no further business.  Motion to adjourn was made by Cassandra Jessie, seconded by Sally Benjamin
The meeting ended at 08:52 PM.

Respectfully Submitted by,
Elizabeth Bowden
Recording Secretary
Florida Council of the Blind