by Judy Wilkinson CCB Secretary
[Editor's Note: As promised in the Fall issue, here are the final set of minutes from my term as secretary. In the spring issue, once they are approved,
we'll present Ardis Bazyn's minutes.]
President Jeff Thom called the executive session to order at 6:32 PM.
Absent: Treasurer Peter Pardini, Directors Ardis Bazyn and Robert Wendt.
Contract matters were discussed. No actions were taken.
General Meeting
President Jeff Thom called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.
Absent: directors Ardis Bazyn and Robert Wendt.
Other Attendees: Steve Aminof, Annette Carter, Steve Fort, Gabe Griffith, Debby and Phill Obregon, Pam Polagi, Pete Romero, Anthony Signorello, Vivian
Younger
The agenda was read: no additions.
Gene Lozano moved and Leena Bandy seconded the motion to approve the minutes from the board meeting of May 28, 2015. One abstention.
AMC charter
President Jeff Thom cited the relevant section of the CCB constitution governing chapter suspension (See Appendix 1, Article VIII, sec. 8.3).
The Association of Multicultural Concerns affiliate has submitted no relevant documents including officer sheets and appropriate rosters for at least 2015,
and 2014. Rosters are incomplete. The same names for both officers and members are submitted year after year going back as far as Jeff's previous presidency.
Since 2012 attempts have been made in writing and by phone to get the affiliate to provide proper documentation. Jeff reiterated this is a charter issue.
We can't have affiliates flaunting the CCB Constitution.
Discussion
Former President Donna Pomerantz reported the affiliate had been non responsive for years to attempts to reach out. The officer sheet included the president
but incomplete information for officers. Deceased persons were included in the roster and people who hadn't paid dues in years and did not consider themselves
members of the affiliate.
Frank Welte moved and Gene Lozano seconded a motion to suspend the charter for the Association of Multicultural Concerns.
Further Discussion
Pam Polagi stated that she was listed as a dues paying member as recently as last year; she hadn't paid dues in years and no longer considered herself
an affiliate member.
Jeff stated the affiliate could reorganize.
The vote was unanimous.
2015 Convention Update
Gene Lozano reported that on June 25, the site committee visited the Hilton Woodland Hills hotel. They met with the director of sales and marketing Scot
McLatche to discuss the status of renovations. Gene reminded us of upcoming deadlines.
2016 Convention Update
Gene reported the site committee visited the Viejas Casino And Resort, 36 miles outside downtown San Diego near Alpine. The resort covers 100 acres and
has been in existence 20 years. They are building a second tower with more guest rooms and conference facilities, slated for opening in October. Our committee
was unable to have a walkthrough of this area though a representative from Conference Direct confirmed it should meet our needs. The majority of our rooms
and events will be in this new tower with spill-over in the existing facility. We do not have to go through the gaming area to access our events.
Specific details: a shuttle roundtrip for all transportation sites (train, bus, airport) will cost $50 (normally 116). Paratransit serves the casino. There
is a fixed-route bus from San Diego.
The casino has confirmed the dates of April 6-10 for $99 per room all inclusive; food and beverage: $15,000 all-inclusive. To have no meeting room charges,
we must book 228 nights and meet the FB minimum. Gene gave numbers to gain various upgrades. A dog relief area exists and another will be constructed.
They are appreciative of the GDUC guidelines provided by Margie Donovan. They will make menus available in braille and large print for their seven restaurants.
They will help with the buffet. The restaurants have a price range from $6-$58 in the steakhouse. This could impact our plated meal count. Gene is concerned
that attendees may get disoriented going to restaurants through the large 400-slot gaming area; we will work on having volunteers in that area.
Others from the site committee added comments: Jeff added the food is great; they are responsive to our ADA requests. We will include a clause in our
contract so we can visit once again and cancel if necessary. The casino is near a mall with lots of stores.
Peter added they have a health club facility. They could provide us a spa package; he was impressed with the staff. They have 1,800 employees.
Donna added the signage is good and the rooms are very nice. We would probably need to opt out of our contract by the end of November. They seemed comfortable
working with blind people since one of our affiliates goes there regularly.
A 20% attrition rate was raised, but in response to a question from Judy it was affirmed we need to meet the 228 nights and $15,000 FB minimums.
Judy moved and Vince seconded a motion to enter contract negotiations with the Viejas Casino with the understanding that if site conditions are unsatisfactory
we can dissolve the contract.
Vince asked if there could be some kind of group discount for the $50 transportation fee: answer was we'll check but probably not.
In regards to Vince's question concerning transferring from one company to another on paratransit, Jeff said they would get clarification but the casino
assured us paratransit would work.
Steve Fort expressed concern over transportation costs, but was reassured that we really couldn't get a better deal given the relatively low room rates
and reasonably priced meals. Gene reminded us the minimum we'd been quoted for room rates elsewhere was $129.
Gene reminded us of the challenge we face beginning in 2018 finding an affordable venue.
Pam Polagi thanked the committee and reiterated the reality that this is the best deal we could expect. She reminded us that paratransit users could get
visitor status.
Vivian Younger asked about the workout facility and pool. Yes to both.
Vita asked that as we get closer to the event, all transportation options be clearly spelled out in the Connection.
The motion passed with one abstention.
Gene reminded us that once we have a full board, it must be a high priority to address the issue of future conference/conventions. Costs will rise. The
Board must use creative thinking. Even the room rate of $129 had an associated FB minimum of $20,000. Hotels aren't as interested in small groups.
Position of Secretary
Jeff announced that given Judy's decision not to run again for the position of secretary, he has appointed Ardis Bazyn to serve until elections in the
fall.
Provider to Record The Blind Californian
Linda Porelle, Chair of the Publications Committee reported that when it became clear that Learning Ally could no longer record the BC, Mike Keithley arranged
for Mickey and Sandy Quinnzer to record for us: (they also record the Silicon Valley newsletter). They charge $150 per issue; their costs were covered
for the first two issues of the year by Publications Committee members Mike Keithley and Susan Glass.
Linda moved and Judy seconded a motion to allocate $600 to cover the entire cost of recording the 4 2015 issues of The Blind Californian, reimbursing our
two hardworking publication committee members.
This would represent $100 over the $500 amount budgeted for this year.
Donna asked what the format would be: the format Mike Keithley needs to create the cassette masters.
Discussion arose as to how to designate the $300 donated by Mike and Susan. Judy and Linda reiterated that though the money technically had been donated,
it was the unanimous decision of the Publications Committee to have the money reimbursed.
Vita said that if it was a donation, we should respect that.
Linda added that we would explore other recording options but needed an immediate solution so decided to go "with the bird in the hand" and use this reasonably
priced alternative for the time being.
Discussion arose as to whether we need a formal contract. Gene felt we need a contract with deliverables for the auditors. We need to check to see what
kind of contract we have with Annette Carter who produces the large print version. Judy hoped we would leave things as they are with our current contractors.
Jeff stated we would take the issue under advisement and check to see what the auditors need.
Vita asked if the $600 would apply to next year's budget. Donna stated that having served on the Budget Committee for many years, we look at the previous
year's budget to determine the costs for the following year so that the amount would most likely be budgeted.
The motion passed with one no vote.
Departing Board Members
Jeff stated his goal for the next three months is to deal with things that must be dealt with not acting on things which can be postponed until we have
a full board, but if necessary, board meetings would be called.
Jeff publicly thanked the departing members. Roger Petersen who always works with total aplomb. Judy Wilkinson: it's not easy to draft minutes for this
wild bunch; and for your questions. Linda Porelle: an excellent board member who served in so many different ways. Vita Zavoli for all the things you have
done in a number of capacities and all her excellent questions. He noted that John Ross and Robert Wendt would also be leaving the board.
Further Updates
The new phone system is in. There are still glitches. The first Connection is up. The president's mailbox is up. More material will be added to the Governmental
Affairs mailbox.
We're gearing up for the Mutt Strut. He reminded us we can phone Ed at the office for assistance in setting up fundraising pages.
Donna spoke of the sweepstakes: thanks to a generous donor of $500 we will be able to offer a first prize of $1,000. Other prizes are being sought. Tickets
are $2 each; the drawing will be December 4.
Public Comment
Steve Fort commented on a suggestion made at last night's presidents' call to have a survey of what activities people would like to see at conventions.
He added he would definitely be at the 2016 convention despite the issue he raised earlier which was satisfactorily answered.
Pam Polagi wished everyone a safe ACB convention and Happy Fourth. She thanked the Board for its good job.
Appendix 1
Section 8.3 A chapter's privileges and duties as an affiliate of the California Council of the Blind shall be as set forth in this Constitution and the
Council Bylaws. Any chapter not retaining at least ten members for two consecutive years shall be deemed inactive and shall lose its privilege to vote
at the Council Convention. At this time, the Board of Directors may consider the withdrawal of the chapter's charter. All members of such a chapter shall
retain their privileges of membership in the Council and shall become Members-at-large in the case of withdrawal of charter.
