Michigan Blind Athletic Association

Board of Directors’ meeting minutes

September 10, 2008

 

Directors present:  John Boes, Richard Hodges, Robert Wall Emerson, Tom Vance and Tom Coyne

 

Boes called the meeting to order.  It was noted that Mary Lou Brooks let Boes know that she has a class at this time during the fall semester; therefore she will probably not be here until January’s meeting.  Also noted was the fact that there is not a quorum present today. 

 

Correction was noted in the June 2008 Board meeting minutes.  Vance’s name had been omitted from the list of Directors present; this was corrected on the June 2008 minutes by Gordon.

 

Treasurer’s report.  Hodges reported the savings account has just under $4500 in it.  Hodges noted he “shifted” some funds from savings to checking.  Total as of the end of August in both accounts is $8161.   

 

Hodges noted that Frank Wolf and Boes had handed in the grant requests to the appropriate authorities.  Over the summer, the MBAA also received a check from Gilmore for $1175.  This is not the full match amount requested.  Hodges indicated he had requested the full amount and received the $1175.  Hodges noted he had received $866.35 from donations from the Ann Arbor Track Club, made specifically to the MBAA.  In addition, we are expecting our “share” of the proceeds from the Track Club.  Last year, our share was approximately $4000.   

 

Boes asked Vance if he was interested in continuing to serve on the MBAA Board; Vance’s term expires in 2008.  Vance replied that he would love to stay on the Board!  Boes indicated he would contact Mike Branch and Sherry Gordon to see if they are interested in continuing on the Board since their terms also expire in 2008.

 

Hodges noted that the budget submitted to the grantees was unbalanced by $1800.  Also noted was the SEC budget in the grant requests of $18,000.  Hodges noted that we really do need to hold the SEC budget to what it is stated in the funding request.  Goalball budget was $15,000 and bowling budget $4000.  Administrative costs remain the same as last year.  Hodges noted coming up this month, we will need to pay $20 to the State of Michigan for that annual fee to remain recognized by the State.

 

Vance reported he will be speaking with the Portage Lions Club this coming Saturday morning.  He plans to give them copies of our Annual Report, give them the history of the MBAA, as well as highlights of what we do.  He will also answer questions. 

 

Vance reported the Annual Report is done!!  Thanks very much, Tom, for all your hard work!!  Vance asked about having copies of the Annual Report in alternative formats, such as Braille or audio recordings.  Boes indicated having the Annual Report available on our web site provides accessibility for folks who need it.  Coyne asked if the Annual Report has been sent to the USABA.  Vance indicated he had not done that.  Coyne suggested he send it to the USABA—since they get a lot of publicity.  Vance will e-mail a copy to the P.R. person at the USABA. 

 

Vance noted he had visited his eye doctor and had mentioned the MBAA to his doctor.  The doctor had not heard of the MBAA and was very intrigued to learn more.  Vance brought up the idea of sending a copy of our Annual Report to local eye doctors to assist in publicizing our organization, along with a note to say we are sending you this Annual Report so you may share this information with your patients.  This would not be a request for money from the doctors.  Vance indicated he would work on sending out this information over the next couple of months.  Boes noted that postage can be paid by the MBAA for mailing these documents. 

 

Train the Trainers session.  Boes reported the session went very well.  He did this in August and there were 40 students in attendance.  Boes discussed the MBAA, eye diseases and how to explain to the visually impaired student how to move from place to place.  Boes brought up a student and demonstrated how to guide a person who is blind if they need that assistance.  Boes indicated he was there about 40 minutes; there were few questions from the group. 

 

Wall Emerson asked if the MBAA had previously sent copies of the Annual Report to teacher consultants of local schools to let them know about the MBAA.  Vance indicated he will send some copies of our Annual Report to KRESA to the Special Ed Department. 

       

The next MBAA Board meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 8 at 4:00 p.m. at the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sherry Gordon, MBAA Secretary