Michigan Blind Athletic Association

Board of Directors’ meeting minutes

April 8, 2009

Directors present: John Boes, Sherry Gordon, John Hulsebus, Sue Fluri, Mike Branch, Rob Wall Emerson, Richard Long, Mary Lou Brooks and Tom Coyne

Guests present: Sue Kemper, Portage Lions Club

Meeting was called to order by Chair Boes. Minutes from the February 2009 Board meeting were approved as distributed.

Boes informed the Board that Richard Hodges needed to resign his position as the MBAA treasurer. Hodges has some medical challenges and is seeking medical treatment at this time. Boes had asked Hulsebus if he was interested in being the MBAA’s treasurer. Hulsebus indicated interest in taking over this position. Hulsebus asked what the guidelines were, in terms of when his term on the MBAA Board would expire; would he assume the term of the position or would his term end as it was scheduled before he became treasurer? Coyne referenced our MBAA by-laws which indicate that an officer may resign from office by putting this request in writing. Boes noted that Hodges had already done this. Then, the Directors have the power to fill a vacancy. The person voted in to be treasurer would then assume the remaining term of Hodges and could be re-elected, if both the incumbent and Board desire.

Coyne made a motion, seconded by Branch, that Hulsebus become the MBAA treasurer. Clarification was made, in that Hulsebus would be elected to fill the remaining term of Hodges. Noted was that Hodges’ term expires in 2009. Hulsebus noted he is not a CPA and he would need assistance with things like tax laws and matching grants. The MBAA Board members indicated they would provide any assistance possible; in addition, former MBAA treasurer Bill Welke had indicated he would “coach” the new MBAA treasurer in learning that position. The Board voted unanimously to have Hulsebus as our new treasurer. Congratulations and thanks, John Hulsebus! Boes and Hulsebus will get together to have Hulsebus’ name put on the bank accounts as our treasurer.

Gordon presented a funding request for the New Jersey goalball tournament, coming up April 18-19. There will be one men’s team and one women’s team, plus 2 coaches attending this year. Funding request is for $1425. A motion was made and seconded to support this request. Coyne noted to all Board members that we really do need to make sure that any obligations we make do have funds available to support that request. At this time, we do have sufficient funds to support this request. Gordon noted that following the Kalamazoo goalball tournament, the goalball budget utilized was a little over fifty percent of what goalball had been allotted this fiscal year. This funding request was approved unanimously.

Gordon brought up the $75 fee which is needed by the tandem club for annual liability insurance coverage. This was one of the expenses which was approved as a budgeted annual expense which does not require the MBAA’s approval to be paid. Gordon will complete the application form and will get that form to Hulsebus. Hulsebus will include a check from the MBAA and will forward that envelope to the League of American Bicyclists. (Note—the actual amount of the liability insurance coverage was $45)

Gordon announced that the e-mail vote for the funding request for an elite youth athlete, which was for “up to $300” for this athlete’s airline ticket to get him to a goalball training camp—was not needed. This athlete was very appreciative that the MBAA was willing to assist with this funding. However, this athlete had decided that he could not afford to fund his way to the actual competition in Colorado Springs in July. Therefore, he decided to not attend this training camp. The athlete thanks the MBAA for their consideration of his request.

Gordon noted to Hulsebus that she had not been reimbursed for 6 goalballs which were purchased. Three of these goalballs were needed for the goalball tournament; the other three are needed for practices. Boes noted there had not been a check issued for $600. Hulsebus will check further into this.

Gordon indicated that the tandem bikes had not been used a lot last season. One of the bikes does need to be serviced at Breakaway Bikes this year. These bikes are utilized at the Sports Education Camp. Request for servicing of this bike is for up to $100. This motion was approved unanimously.

Branch presented a funding request for the State bowling tournament, being held in Farmington Hills, MI on May 1-3. Total funding request is for $620. Discussion was held since in the past, the bowling league has not been held accountable for producing receipts for their utilization of funds requested. Branch indicated that if money was not given to the bowlers up front, this would cause a hardship. Long suggested giving the $620 to the bowlers and then they would need to produce receipts for the hotel, registration expenses and fuel for the 2 vehicles they are taking. If the receipts total less than the $620—the bowling league would owe the MBAA that excess money. Motion was made, seconded and approved unanimously to support this request.

Brooks reported at the Kalamazoo goalball tournament, food costs were $557.82; income generated was $185. Brooks’ question to Hodges a couple of months ago had been—can we utilize the $185 as a contribution so that the $185 may be utilized as match? Brooks has not yet received an answer to her question. Following discussion it was decided that if the $185 was donated back to the MBAA by someone who had never given money to the MBAA before, this would be a donation which could be utilized as matching funds. Brooks will make such arrangements.

Boes inquired as to whether the NFB social gathering, which was to be funded by the MBAA—had taken place. Gordon indicated it had taken place. However, apparently no one from NFB had requested reimbursement for the cost of the pizza and pop. Gordon will speak with Tyler Merren and will let Hulsebus know what is found out.

Brooks indicated she has been in contact with Tyler—a gentleman at the Michigan Braille Transcriber’s Fund—who took Francillia Wonder’s place. Brooks had received a faxed application for the MBTF, which she will share with Frank Wolf. In addition, Brooks indicated Tyler continues to look for “emergency funds” for the Sports Education Camp (SEC). Also, Tyler is attempting to get some of the staff at MBTF to come to the SEC to volunteer.

Brooks distributed schedules for the SEC, indicating there were still many more volunteers needed. Volunteers are also needed for transportation to drive the vans which transport the kiddos to different events. Interested persons should e-mail: sec@wmich.edu

Sue Kemper from the Portage Lions Club reported that she had been in contact with Paul Ponchillia regarding volunteer opportunities for the Portage Lions Club members. The Lions Club is having a meeting this Saturday; the volunteer application will be shared with members at that time, hoping to obtain numerous volunteers. Brooks handed Kemper a pile of SEC schedules which Kemper will share with her fellow members. Kemper also reported the Portage Lions have a project where they are trying to get Braille menus at as many restaurants in Portage as possible. She reported that project is going well.

Coyne asked about the pizza party which was held the Saturday night of the Kalamazoo goalball tournament. This pizza party was sponsored by the NFB and originally had been estimated to cost up to $300. (see January 2009 Board minutes)It was noted that at our February 2009 Board meeting, Merren had indicated the pizza party was going to take place; however, due to budget limitations from the NFB—this amount would not be as much as originally planned. At this point, no correspondence has been heard from the NFB, regarding this event, reimbursement for the costs or a donation to the MBAA. Boes indicated he would contact Merren regarding this issue.

Coyne asked if Brooks and Paul Ponchillia had pursued the possibility of funding from the Michigan Braille Transcriber’s Fund. Brooks indicated that she and Ponchillia are working on that and that Tyler (from MBTF) is very interested in pursuing the possibility of providing the SEC with funding. Both Ponchillia and Frank Wolf have been in contact with Tyler. Tyler would like to have the MBTF Board come and visit the SEC, do some volunteering and hopefully this would assist in “selling” the SEC to the MBRF Board. So, this possible funding source is still being pursued.

Gordon indicated that at this point, a total of $765 had been raised for the sale of the 2009 Kalamazoo goalball tournament t-shirts. This money will be utilized to off-set the cost of the Kalamazoo tournament. There are still around 15 t-shirts which have not yet been sold.

Boes suggested that we should have MBAA Board meetings in both May and June 2009. Therefore our next MBAA Board meeting will be on Wednesday, May 13 at 4:00 pm at the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center.

Respectfully submitted,

Sherry Gordon, MBAA Secretary