Chapter President David Anspach brought the meeting to order shortly after 1:10 pm, on Saturday, May 17, 2008, and immediately started by leading the pledge of allegiance, assisted by Chuck Huber.
Secretary’s Note: The pledge of allegiance was held with a new flag donated to the chapter by Theresa Huffman.
President Anspach then asked for a roll call of members present at meeting.
The following chapter officers were present:
President David Anspach, Vice-president Mike Lamb, Secretary John Carson, treasurer Eric Davis, along with board members Tammy Anspach, Janice snow, and Scott Carlisle.
The following chapter members were present:
Debbie Hietala, bonnie Prescott, Paul Prescott, Kim Ellsworth, Jim Ellsworth, Patti Ochi, chuck Huber, Linda Saunders, Chuck Hietala, Richard Breedlove, Judy Wood, Grace millhouse, Virginia Carlisle, and Vincent Mooring.
Secretary’s Note: 7 board members and 14 chapter members present at meeting, which is enough to hold a quorum. Also in attendance is 1 guest, Theresa Huffman.
President Anspach then called on Secretary John Carson for the meeting minutes for April 19, 2008. John Called for any corrections, comments or additions, none were made at this time. Mike Lamb made the motion that the meeting minutes be accepted as submitted, seconded by Eric Davis, motion carried.
President Anspach then called on Treasurer Eric Davis for the chapter treasurer’s report. Eric stated that the beginning balance of the general fund is $1,122.36 deposits into the general fund are as follows: $500.00 from the state affiliate for convention expense assistance, $87.00 for 50/50 from February and April, $750.00 was transferred from the memorial fund to general to cover scholarship sponsorship. The expenses for the general fund are as follows: $40.00 to Melissa Hammonds and her father for gas reimbursement, $247.00 for digital recorder Olympus DS50, $750.00 for the Jennifer Madsen Scholarship, $100.00 for convention door prizes. Current balance in the general fund is $1,221.36. The beginning balance of the Jill Carson Memorial Fund is $2,005.89. Deposits to the memorial fund are as follows: $50.00 from a check dated December 2007. Transfers from the memorial fund are as follows: $750.00 to cover the Jennifer Madsen Memorial Scholarship. Current balance in the memorial fund is $1,305.89. Scott Carlisle made the motion that the treasurer’s report be accepted as submitted, seconded by John Carson, motion carried.
President Anspach then called on Janice snow for the Sunshine/Expanding horizons committee reports. Janice reported that everyone must be healthy, because she has not sent out any cards. Janice then reported that she wanted to try and get Mike Gallagher’s wife to come and speak to the chapter for the august meeting. Janice also mentioned about having trouble getting someone from P. S. T. A. to come and speak because she did not have proper contact information. David then made the statement that if anyone has any ideas for future speakers, to please contact Janice and let her know, by either calling or emailing her at mojokitty57@gmail.com.
President Anspach then called on John Carson and Eric Davis for the fund raising committee report. John stated that there has not been much recently in the way of planning any fund raisers, however, he was going to talk to Louis Cantrell about seeing on setting up a casino cruise. Eric mentioned about having a fund raising committee meeting along with the board meeting which will be held at his home on Saturday, June 7, 2008.
President Anspach then called on John Carson for the web committee report. John had not had an opportunity to update the web site, due to PC issues which since have been resolved.
President Anspach then called on Mike Lamb for the outreach committee report. Mike reported that he has not had the meetings that he thought he would be having; however, this would need to be soon. Mike also mentioned that we need to have the press release to Marilyn Stevenson at the talking book library no later than July so that announcements can go out in their newsletter about the picnic in the park for meet the blind.
President Anspach then called on Debbie Hietala for the guide dog committee report. Debbie turned this over to Chuck Hietala which had 2 items to report, the first being eye examinations given free for all service animals by the veterinary services. Chuck also spoke about the Museum of Fine Arts, and how they would like to do a meet the blind event, which will be held in October and they would like our chapter to be represented there.
President Anspach then began to speak about the letter he is drafting to be sent to P. S. T. A. outlining the problems that DRT participants have been having, and he is going to try and form said letter in a positive light.
President Anspach then began to speak about the trip to the Hilton Carrollon and that the hotel is awesome. Several other chapter members joined David in touring the hotel. David also spoke about how open they were, because one of the first questions they asked was how they could get the menus for the restaurant brailed. Further discussion followed about the hotel and some of the other amenities they could provide. Also a discussion followed about the possibility of a multi-year contract with the hotel giving the chapter the opportunity to host several conventions in the up coming future. During this discussion John Carson made a motion to get chapter commitment on a multi-year hosting of the convention, to be solely hosted by the Pinellas chapter in 2009 and that any subsequent conventions are co-hosted with another chapter, seconded by Eric Davis, motion carried.
President Anspach then turned the floor over to Debbie Hietala, who began to talk about the Blues/blue grass Festival at the Lions beach Club to be held on Memorial Day Monday. Debbie and chuck Hietala invited everyone in the chapter not going to convention to come out and join the fun. The event will be held Monday, from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm at 9300 west Gulf Blvd. Sunset Beach, Treasure Island. Debbie then began to talk about Eric Wienmeyyer who is the blind gentlemen who summitted Mt. Everest, who is coming in November to speak for a fund raiser. This fund raiser will be held downtown at the Palladium, address to be announced at later meeting. Craig Kiser will be a speaker for the chapter for the June meeting. The cost of the tickets to attend this engagement is $100.00 per ticket, or $500.00 for a special meet and greet with Eric. Debbie also discussed that she would like to see the chapter purchase 2 of the tickets at the cost of $200.00 so that the chapter can raffle them off for $1.00 each. Scott Carlisle made such a motion, seconded by Eric Davis, motion carried.
President Anspach then began to speak about the classes held at the Lighthouse of Pinellas, and how it appeared to be positive.
President Anspach then entertained a motion to adjourn at approximately 3:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted
John Carson, secretary
Pinellas Chapter
NFB of Florida