Michigan Blind Athletic Association

Board of Directors’ meeting minutes

September 12, 2007

Directors present: John Boes, Sue Fluri, Tom Vance, Mike Branch, Mary Lou Brooks, Tom Coyne, Richard Hodges and Sherry Gordon

Boes called the meeting to order. Minutes from the June 2007 meeting were approved as distributed.

Treasurer’s report. Hodges reported we did receive the Ann Arbor track club grant—in the amount of $6875.83! That came to us in August. Gordon contributed $100 for memorial contributions. There were also some expenditures from the Sports Ed Camp. Total at the end of August was $15002.68. Hodges had put the money from the track club into this year’s income. Hope is that the track club will consider the MBAA in the future as a beneficiary of money they raise. Treasurer’s report was approved unanimously.

Boes brought up the subject of adding a couple of new Board members. Gordon indicated that she would contact John Hulsebus who works for Jim Gilchrist at WMU. Hulsebus has been a goalball volunteer and coach for the past 5-6 years and has a great deal of computer expertise. Coyne has a call in to Debbie B. (spelling??); Coyne thought that either Debbie might be interested or might know of someone who would be interested. Debbie is the out-going chair of the Health Physical Education Integration Department. Coyne also mentioned Jean Freedl as a possible Board member. Jean was a long time active coach and manager of the track program for the SEC. Boes asked Coyne to speak with Jean and asked Sherry to speak with John. Boes also commented that it would be great to also have someone on our Board who is an attorney. Boes commented that it would also be helpful to bring on a Board member who is familiar with grant writing. Coyne suggested Ruth Ann Myers from WMU as a possible person for this. Once Jean and John are contacted and have expressed interest, Boes will call them to invite them to our next meeting. Board approval is needed for anyone to become a Board member.

Gordon noted that for both Brooks and Coyne, their term has expired. Both Brooks and Coyne expressed interest in continuing their positions on the MBAA Board when they were asked by Boes.

Gordon presented a funding request for reimbursement for last year’s goalball practices and gym tape expenses. Cost should be no more than $250. This reimbursement was approved unanimously.

Gordon presented a funding request for the youth national goalball tournament, coming up September 27-30 in St. Augustine, Florida. Attending will be 5 boys and 4 girls and 3 coaches. Funding request is for $3640.76, where athletes are contributing $200 per person. This year, the athlete contribution is approximately 30 percent of the total cost. Brooks noted our policy is that athletes contribute a minimum of 20 percent of the total cost of an event. This funding request was approved unanimously.

Vance reported the MBAA annual report got to Wolf in a timely manner. Since that time, Vance has made a few additions and updates. The annual report is a total of 12 pages. Vance noted that he will bring hard copies to the October meeting for distribution.

Secretary’s note: At this point, there was a taping problem. If there was something else which occurred during this meeting, please let me know.

Meeting was adjourned.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 10 at 4:00 p.m. at the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center.

Respectfully submitted,

Sherry Gordon, MBAA Secretary