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Present: Joe Shaw, Ashley Bennet, Tim Anderson, Ruth Hollingsworth, Warren and Sharon Bragg, Sheri Grigsby, Roxie and Jody Chamberlain and Tony Garcia.
1. Call to order. Apologies from:
Heather field – speaking at the NFB CO State Convention.
Sharon Paris and Mary Baker who were out of town. As the secretary was delayed, Tony Garcia agreed to take the minutes until he arrived.
2. Minutes – Due to the secretary's absence he was not available to read the minutes. A motion was made to table the minutes and the motion was passed.
3. The treasurer was unable to attend the meeting so no treasurer's report was given. A motion was made to table the treasurer's report and it was passed.
4. Presidential Release. The secretary was to bring the tape player and presidential release on cassette. As he was delayed, a motion was made to table the presidential release and the motion was passed.
5. Business Arising out of minutes
5.1 Picnic.
Members reported on the state picnic. Joe Shaw declaired it a great success. Others said that they'd really enjoyed the fellowship and meeting folks from all over the state. A number of new people attended the picnic specifically due to the efforts of members of our chapter who invited them and assisted with their transportation. These included Richard Stansbury from Lawrenceburg, Jess Miller and Donna Manuel from Loretto and Robert Christie from Knoxville. The Tennessee Association Of Blind Merchants were selling candles as a fund-raiser at the picnic and can still be purchased from Mary Baker. Warren Bragg asked about how the money from the candle sales would be spent and Joe Shaw said that it was the Tennessee Association Of Blind Merchants' funds for local expenditures. Joe Shaw asked if anybody from this chapter had used the bus that brought the Memphis people to the picnic. Nobody knew of anyone from our chapter who had used the bus.
Discussion ensued about whether the chapter should contribute $50 toward the cost of the bus. The board had previously decided to pay $50 if anyone from our area used the bus. However, Joe Shaw said that he considered it was important to support the state board who had made the bus available. Roxy made a motion to give them $50. Motion passed. Discussion followed about whether our chapter would be using the bus which the state board would be hiring to take members to the state convention in Chattanooga next year. They have offered use of this bus. Members agreed that it would depend on how many people from our area decided to attend and would need to be decided closer to the convention.
5.2 Meet the Blind Month.
A summary of some of the activities planned was given. Joe Shaw reported that Heather Field had told him that she would be speaking at some Williamson County schools, and he said that he would be speaking to his daughter McKinley’s school in Nashville.
The secretary then arrived and took over taking the minutes.
White Cane Coffee Day: It was reported that TABM had met their fund-raising goal for money to be given to the National division as part of their National fund-raising efforts. Any funds above the $1,360 goal amount would remain in the state division account. TABM members told the chapter examples of how the NABM used this money. It would be used to get speakers for BLAST and to cover legal assistance to blind merchants such as in the situation where, last year, money was spent by the National Association of Blind Merchants (NABM) to help a lady in Indiana who almost lost her vending facility.
5.3 Sponsored Walk.
Members discussed the sponsored walk to be held on Saturday October 21st at the Shelby Avenue Pedestrian Bridge. To make up the 5K distance walkers would be Crossing the bridge 6 times (down and back 3 times). The start time would be 10am and parking would be available. Walkers would meet at the Stadium side of Shelby Avenue Pedestrian Bridge and the walk would finish there. Members discussed where to have lunch after the walk and it was agreed to go to Shony's for lunch because it was within walking distance. Members discussed various suggestions concerning the walk and the following was decided. Record Cards: The honor system was preferred and no cards would be used to record laps and no monitors would be required to record walker progress. Inviting the public: Members agreed to invite anyone whom they thought would like to come and walk with us but no official advertizing to invite participants would be done. T-shirts: Roxie Chamberlain volunteered to make t-shirts for walkers to wear on the walk. It was agreed that the t-shirts would feature the NFB "whosit", and would say "5K Walk, Meet the Blind Month 2006. I walked 5K for the NFB of Middle Tennessee today. Oct 21, 2006." Roxie would call everyone and see what size people take. Financial goal: Discussion was held regarding setting a financial goal for the sponsored walk. Warren Bragg moved that the fund-raising goal of the sponsored walk be set at $500, Ruth Hollingsworth seconded and the motion was passed.
5.4 Christmas Party.
It was confirmed that Mary and Steve Baker had again graciously offered their home as the venue for the Chapter's annual Christmas party. Discussion of the date, time and food arrangements was held. Roxie Chamberlain moved that the annual chapter Christmas party be held at 7PM on Friday, December 1st, and that members would share bringing the food. Ruth Hollingsworth seconded and the motion was passed. It was suggested that the chapter should cover the cost of the meat. Joe Shaw said that he would check with Tyrone to see if he can provide and cook the meat. It was moved and seconded that the chapter pay for the meat. Decorations: Tony Garcia and Warren Bragg volunteered to help with the outdoor decorating of the Baker's house. Gifts: It was decided that the chapter would continue the tradition of a gift exchange and each guest should bring a gift valued at no more than $10. Invitations: Members discussed the importance of using the annual Christmas party as an opportunity to invite members of the community that we have worked with during the year or would like to work with in the future. Correspondence secretary, Warren Brag, agreed to send out the invitations and it was agreed to RSVP to Mary Baker. Members made the following list of people to invite:
(Needs to be a proper list with full names and titles). Mr. Terry Smith, TBE staff - Nancy --- Everett Woods, Andrea Cooper - Asst Commissioner (correct title required) Bob Balser - head MTA person; Mayor; Governor; James Oldham - Tennessee School For The Blind Administrator; Mila Truan - TBE; Charla Kelly - Principal TBE; State Senators; Brenda & Dan Dillon - ACB; John Harris - MTSU head of student services; Vaughn Johnson and wife - subcontractor for MTA; Michael Seay - NFB State President; Kim Williams - NFB TN Assoc. of Blind Merchants President; and Richard Patton - rehab.
6.0 New Business
6.1 Cost increase for Murfreesboro folks coming to meetings.
It was agreed that more information was needed to discuss this item. Roxie Chamberlain moved that this item be tabled until the next meeting, Ruth seconded and the motion passed.
6.2 October Social Event
It was agreed that the sponsored walk and lunch afterwards would be the chapter social event for October. It was suggested that the November event might be going to look at the props for the musical "The Lion King" which was something that some ACB folks had already planned to do. The chairman of the social committee said he would look into the details and give more information at the next meeting.
6.3 Lunch Discussion.
Roxie noted that the meeting reminder/invitation emails that are sent out each month by our chapter president say that we go to lunch after meetings without mentioning the location. She noted that some people need to make travel arrangements ahead of time and that those people need to know where lunch is to be held to do this. It was agreed to request that the president include the name and address of the chosen lunch venue in all future reminder e-mails.
6.4 A Board meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, October 10 at 7pm. Secretary, Tim Anderson, agreed to inform the absent board members of the date and time of this meeting.
6.5 Next meeting Saturday, November 4, 2006 10:30AM at Shaw Vending, 830 Fesslers Parkway, Suite 116, Nashville, TN 37210. Phone: 255-7972.
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted by Tim Anderson, recording secretary.