NDAB Board Minutes
March 31, 2019
The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by Zelda. Present were Zelda, Mary, Gretchen, Rebecca, Robert, Allan, Trampes, Shereen and Mark. Our guests were Michelle Zentz, Janelle Olson, Mickey Teubner, Paula Anundson and Tracy Wicken.
Allan made a motion to approve the agenda. Mary 2nd, MSC.
President’s Report
Zelda has filled out the events forms for insurance purposes with Starion. The events consisted of camp at Camp Grassick, Walk for Vision and the state convention. A request was received to update the affiliate page on the ACB website. All information was sent in to update the page. AIRA will be enabled at the state convention for participants to use. This service is only for the iPhone.
A workshop is being planned for April 5th, the day after Dining in the Dark. Trampes will first give participants an update from the Sports and Recreation Committee. After a short break the group will be divided into three groups. One group will discuss the process to get the Philmore Voicemail started. A second group will review our stationery, such as thank you cards, letterheads and sympathy cards. The third group will look at the budget and the investments that we currently have.
Our state convention will also be a “Cane-Vention.” Participants are encouraged to bring used folded canes and parts to the convention. The canes will be refurbished and sent to individuals around the world who are blind or visually impaired and do not have access to proper equipment.
The Just Talking topic for March was “All about Membership.” The April Just Talking will be April 16th with the topic of “What’s New with Alexa and Echo Dot.” Trampes will host this meeting.
Dining In the Dark
Janelle gave a report about Dining in the Dark. The event will be at Elevation on Thursday, April 4th in Minot. There will be 15 table hosts. Participants will be staying at the Staybridge Suites and the rooms are reserved. There will be a meeting at 4:30 p.m. at the hotel to discuss tips and other information for the night. We should be dressed and ready to go when attending the meeting as we will be leaving for the restaurant right away. We will have a table with brochures, What Can I Do To Help? Sheets, pens and selling raffle tickets.
Secretary’s Report
Sympathy cards were sent to:
Lora Bendickson –death of her sister
Betty Fedorchak-death of her sister
The family of Diane Smith
Keith Iten-death of his dog
Dennis Nez-death of his son
The family of Corey Hall
E-mail decisions made since the last meeting:
Approval new member John Streese 2-21
Approval of February minutes 3-28
Treasurer’s Report
The treasurer’s report was presented to the board. Robert made a motion to approve, Allan seconded MSC.
Development Director Report
There was $18,045 raised on Giving Hearts Day with our match which is nearly the same total as raised in 2018. Even though last year we had received $2,500 from Gate City Bank. We had also received incentive awards and won some drawings. All these things combined resulted in approximately $4,000 we did not receive this year. There is always room for growth. Giving Hearts Day kickoff will be around Halloween or Thanksgiving.
Walk for Vision will be on Saturday, October 12th which is White Cane Day. Tracy said that they will be having a fundraising night at Texas Roadhouse called “Dine to Donate” in Grand Forks April 30th from 4-10 p.m. Ten percent of the parties bill go to NDAB.
Scholarship Committee
Tracy reported that there was only one application for scholarships this year. Ethin Probst will receive the $2,000 scholarship. Ethin is currently attending Lake Region majoring in Information Technology. He will be transferring to Minot State this fall.
Committee Reports
Awards
Mark is now on the awards committee. Board was presented with awards recipients.
Camp
Camp will be August 4-11. Theme is Mardi Gras. Class ideas should be turned in to Loris or Rick.
Constitution and By-Laws
Amendments were proposed to the board. Allan made a motion for do pass. Rebecca seconded. MSC.
Convention 2019
The theme for the convention is Envision the Possibilities. Dates for convention are June 7-9 at the Sleep Inn in Minot. Speaker is booked, as well as his hotel room and flight. Trampes is going to try to get some corporate sponsorships.
Legislative
Allan, Zelda and Carol had a great leadership meeting. Good information was shared such as providing low vision aids, having a larger Medicare package and interstate travel. On the state side Allan has been to Bismarck to talk to appropriations committee in both the Senate and the House.
Membership
Applications were presented for the following:
Andrea Beaver, Rugby, ND
Liz Braun, Madison, WI
Brenda Morelli, Minot, ND
Lois Orwick, Michigan, ND
Todd Ringoen, Minot, ND
Currently there are 229 members with 2 deaths.
A committee met and developed the following guidelines for lifetime membership.
- Should have been a member for 40 years or more.
- Should be at least 55 years old
- Should have at least 10 years of combined service on NDAB Committee(s) and/or Board of Directors
- Should exhibit a cooperative and willing spirit
- The above criteria could be waived in a circumstance where a member, who has been very active, is facing a terminal illness.
Allan made a motion to approve. Shereen 2nd. MSC. Discussion was held. Recommendations were made to the board for 3 members who should be awarded a lifetime membership. Allan made a motion and Mary 2nd for Shereen Faber, MSC. Mark made a motion and Allan 2nd for Rick Feldman, MSC. Robert made a motion and Gretchen 2nd for Helen Baumgartner. MSC.
Nominating
The nominating committee presented to the board the slate of candidates.
- Secretary 2-year term: Gretchen Campbell
- Development Director 2-year term: Allan Peterson
- Treasurer 1 year of a 2-year term: Rebecca Anderson
- Board Director 3-year term: Dawn Freemont, Mickey Teubner
- Editor 1-year term: Lexee Steffan
- 2020 ACB delegate to Schaumburg, Illinois: Gretchen Campbell, Milissa Miller
- First Runner up for ACB Delegate will serve as our alternate.
Public Relations
Gretchen and Mickey reported about the table at Kirkwood Mall in Bismarck. Several people stopped by the table. About 2 books of tickets were sold and several applications were given out.
Sports and Recreation
Trampes reported that the committee is working through things. Allan helped get in contact with Bob Moore who can help NDAB get beep baseballs.
Web Director
A two-day boost was done on Facebook for the Giving Hearts Day post for $30. Usually the NDAB Facebook page gets 40-60 views. With the boost over the two days it was view over 3,500 times.
Unfinished Business
Statewide Raffle
An article has appeared in the Promoter. Also e-mails were sent out and letters were sent to those who do not have e-mail.
Video displays-tabled
Volunteer hours-Gretchen will check into more. Tabled.
Philmore voicemail table until Thursday.
Rebecca and Gretchen have both purchased equipment for backing up files.
New Business
American Century Investments
Mark got info on how to get things switched over. Mark Kueffler, board member; Allan Peterson, Development Director; and Rebecca Anderson, Treasurer; names will be on the account. Mary made a motion to approve, Shereen 2nd. MSC.
2020 NDAB Convention
Due to the unavailability and cost of hotels in Grand Forks the second week of June, the committee asked if the dates could be changed to the first week. Shereen made a motion to approve, Mary 2nd the motion, MSC.
Editor Manual
Allan made a motion to approve the revised editor manual. Mary 2nd the motion. MSC.
The board then went into executive session.
Next meetings: April 28th at 6:30 p.m.
May 19th at 6:30 p.m. (preconvention)
Allan made a motion to adjourn, Robert 2nd. MSC.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gretchen Campbell, Secretary
Approved 4-10-19