The Promoter

February 2011

 

Contents

Michelle’s Meanderings

Handbook 2011

Gebhard Greetings

Donations and Memorials

For Ernie Yuzicapi

                            Hilma Loken Streich

                            ACB 2010 Convention Report

                                      Diamondbacks Baseball Game

                              Seeking Scholarship Applicants

                              8th Annual AT Expo

  Fishing Opportunity

  2011 NDAB Conference/Convention

                              It’s Time to Start Thinking Camp!

                              Candy’s Corner

                             This Year, Change Your Mind

                             2010 NDAB Convention

                             Board Meeting Minutes, 10-9-1021                               NDAB Family News

                              Legislative Report, winter 2011

                                 ACB Commends President

                                 NDDAC Report

                             2011 Black Hills Ski for Light

 

 

 

Michelle’s Meanderings

 

Happy New Year to all NDAB members;

It doesn’t seem possible that another year has run its course. But, here it is again, time for a new issue of the Promoter and to pack for the annual Black Hills Regional Ski for Light!

 

This year BHSFL will begin with registration on Sunday, January 23rd and a return date of Friday, January 28th. Word is out that there will be a few new faces seen at this year’s event. One and all will have the opportunity to try at least one of the activities offered such as downhill skiing, cross country skiing, or snowshoeing with trophies awarded at Thursday evening's banquet.

 

David McCloud is anxious to serve as a guide this year and help a participant win a trophy. How wonderful it is that the cataract surgeries have restored so much vision that he no longer qualifies as a participant! The event could not be such a success without the assistance of volunteers like David from across both the states of North and South Dakota or the support of the North Dakota School for the Blind Foundation, the Fargo Gateway Lions Club, Judy’s Leisure Tours, in cooperation with Schuck Bus Company, and employees of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind. Thanks for all you do!

 

The next Adult week at NDVSSB will begin on Monday, March 21st   through noon of Friday, March 25th.  Make sure not to miss this opportunity to build your skills and have fun learning. Call toll free at

1-800-421-1181 and ask to speak with Ken Dockter for more information or ask Zelda or myself about our experiences last year.

 

Allan and Zelda will be busy gathering information and making contacts with the North Dakota legislative delegation in Washington, D. C. during the ACB Legislative Forum Sunday, February 27 through Tuesday, March 1, 2011.

 

The North Dakota Legislature is already in session where the resolutions passed at the 2010 NDAB Convention will be brought forth.  Their plans also include having the NDAB display case set up during Disability Awareness Day at the state capital on March 30th. See the Legislative report for more details.

 

April 30th, is the date set for this year’s walk-a-thon. Contact Allan Peterson for more information or consider making a donation online at www.ndab.org. This annual event is the major fundraiser of NDAB and its success ensures NDAB has the finances to provide programs such as Summer Camp, the Family Adjustment Seminar, and the annual NDAB Convention. Your contributions to the organization are much appreciated.   

 

Connie Springsted gave the 2011 Convention Planning Report during the board meeting held January 9th, 2011. It sounds like the Minot crew has been busy arranging a fun time for all at the Holiday Inn in Minot Friday, June 10th through the 12th.

 

Mark Kueffler and Olga Neal are seeking nominees to fill the positions of board member, editor, and both the delegate and alternate delegate to the 2012 ACB Convention to be held the second week in July at Louisville, KY. Make sure to contact them if you are interested in volunteering for any of the positions. In addition; Carol Schmitt, as the new Edwin Christensen Award Chairperson, is requesting members to contact her with recommendations for the committee to consider for the 2011 award recipient. It should be a great time so come help celebrate NDAB’s silver anniversary!

 

Coincidentally, ACB will be celebrating their golden anniversary July 8th through the 16th in Reno, NV. Please, note that ACB is no longer automatically sending out call to convention letters to everyone. A paper registration form can be obtained by request from the main ACB office. The ACB website will have online registration available at www.acb.org.  A telephone number will be published in an upcoming issue of the Braille Forum to assist members with the registration process. NDAB has 10 available stipends for members of $300 to help defray travel costs associated with this event. Submit your request to Helen Baumgartner before June 10 for the NDAB board’s consideration.

 

Our next board meeting is scheduled via teleconference Sunday, April 3 at 7 pm. Please, contact one of the board members or myself if you have an issue for the board to consider or if you would prefer to present the topic personally.

 

Well, that is about enough of my meanderings for now. I will close with the submission of the 2011 Personal Handbook. I found the advice too good not to share with all of you.

 

Have a spectacular year!

Michelle 

 

 

HANDBOOK 2011

 

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.

2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy

5. Make time to pray

6. Play more games

7. Read more books than you did in 2010

8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day

9. Sleep for 7 hours.

10. Take a 30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile!

 

Personality:

11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

12. Eliminate negative thoughts and things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive and in the present moment.

13. Don't overdo. Know your limits.

14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

16. Dream more while you are awake!

17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are part of the curriculum; they appear and fade away but the lessons you learn last a lifetime.

23. Smile and laugh more.

24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

 

Society:

25. Call your family often.

26. Each day do something good for others.

27. Forgive everyone for everything.

28. For a learning experience spend some time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 8.

29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

30. What other people think of you is none of your business.

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

 

Life:

32. Do the right thing!

33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.

34. GOD heals everything.

35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.

37. The best is yet to come.

38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.

39. BE HAPPY EACH DAY!

40. Consider sharing this 2011 Handbook with everyone you care about as I just did.

 

 

Gebhard Greetings

 

Thank you, Michelle, for the “Handbook for 2011”.  There is enough good advice in it to guarantee a great year if only we are willing to try the things suggested.  Just as each morning is a ‘new chance’ to make wiser choices, be more content, live in peace, love those around us, appreciate what we can do; the new year is filled with hope and promise.

 

Please be sure to read the Legislative Report. As usual, Allan has written a very thorough article. We, ACB and NDAB, were very successful in helping to get two life-changing legislative bills passed in 2010 and I am anxiously waiting for them to be implemented. Each step of the process takes time and requires patience.

 

I am looking forward to attending the ACB Legislative Seminar in Washington D.C. again this year.  We will meet with other ACB members and go over legislation that affects those of us who are blind and visually impaired.  We will also have an opportunity to make our first visit to Senator Hoeven’s and Representative Berg’s offices and get acquainted with their staff as well as a visit to Senator Conrad’s office.  I feel much more comfortable and less overwhelmed but still in awe at how the whole legislative process works. Even in the light of our current national challenges, we are truly blessed to be living in this great democracy.  

 

This could be the last Promoter you receive.  That is, if you have forgotten to pay your NDAB dues for 2011. Do you want to remain a member but have lost your renewal envelope? Please send a check for $15.00 to Helen Baumgartner at 402 12th Ave NW, Mandan, ND  58544.

 

Keep smiling, spring is just ahead.

 

Zelda Gebhard, editor

 

 

Donations and Memorials

 

Since the convention, NDAB has received the following donations and memorials.

 

Memorials:

From Olga Neal in memory of LeRoy Westermeier, from Mavis Anderson in memory of LeRoy Westermeier, from Joan Smith in memory of Barbara Ringbloom, from Paula Anundson in memory of Rudy Giegerson, from Jack and Colette Nybakken in memory of Ernie Yuzicapi, from Ruth and Robert Geske in memory of Courtney Cihak, from Rom and Leon Thielman in memory of A. Hoeppner, from Allan and Judy Peterson in memory of Thomas Harr, from Janice Baker in memory of Leslie Baker, from Melissa Miller in memory of Hilma Streich, and anonymous donor in memory of Don Neal.

 

Donations:

Becky Monroe, Susan Jorgenson, Carol Scallon, Carol Schmitt, Richard Jangula, Cliff and Pat Phelps, Paula Anundson, and Cassel Everson

 

Thank you for remembering NDAB with your gifts totaling $1090.00.

 

Note:  NDAB is a nonprofit organization which promotes the interest of blind and visually impaired ND residents.  As a nonprofit organization we welcome donations to help in advancing this cause.

 

Helen Baumgartner, NDAB Treasurer

 

 

In Memory

 

For Ernie Yuzicapi (1943-2010)

 

To some, he was “Blind Ernie”,

Now, he is blind no more.

For he has seen his Savior,

Crossed over Jordan’s shore.

A cancer took his body,

it couldn’t take his soul.

His suffering has ended;

For God has made him whole.

We who are left to mourn him

Though saddened by his loss,

Recall his joyous spirit,

And how he bore his cross.

He was full of jokes, and music

And sang with his guitar.

He was once a traveling singer,

who hitchhiked near and far.

He’s also with his Opal,

Who really was his pearl.

Eight years he was without her,

So long was she his girl.

They worked for years together.

The Gospel was their life,

And many souls impacted

By Ernie and his wife.

Until we meet again one day,

Let’s run life’s race with zest,

Let’s thank God for “Blind Ernie”

And lay him now to rest.

 

Written by Doug Stip and read by Doug at Ernie’s funeral.

 

Hilma Loken Streich

Hilma Streich age 84 passed away on Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.

Hilma Loken Streich was born on January 4, 1926 in Dahlin, ND the daughter of Martin and Ingeborg (Dahl) Loken. Hilma was raised in Walsh County, ND and graduated from Dahlin High School. Hilma married Reuben Gilbertson in Fordville, ND. She attended Mayville State College and received a Bachelor of Science Degree. She taught 16 ½ years in rural North Dakota Schools including Lakota and Dahlin. She also taught school in Thief River Falls, MN before moving to East Grand Forks, MN in 1960. She married Glenn Streich on November 14, 1970 in East Grand Forks, MN. Hilma taught one year at Wilder Elementary and 26 years at Lake Agassiz in Grand Forks, ND before retiring in 1990. Besides her career in teaching, Hilma was a gifted musician entertaining at the piano, drums and accordion for years. Hilma played with the "Gay Lites Band" for 25 years and also "The Royal Pace Setters Band" and was the drummer of the all girl "Ranchos Band" in Mesa, AZ. Hilma was active in the East Grand Forks Eagles Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary where she served as Unit President from 1986 to 1989 and District President in 1995, the VFW Auxiliary where she served as President from 1981 to 1983. Hilma was a volunteer at the Grand Forks Senior Center and played the piano at the East Grand Forks Senior Center along with being a member of the Heritage Center in East Grand Forks, MN and being active in Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Hilma resided in East Grand Forks, MN and spent 10 winters in Mesa, AZ.

Hilma is survived by her 2 children, Delray Gilbertson of Rochester, MN and Delayne (Dave) Schneider-Paloma of Phoenix, AZ, grandchildren, Adam, Zachariah, Haley, Tanner and Ryan, great-grandchildren, Alexis and Cage.

Hilma is preceded in death by her parents and husband Glenn Streich on July 5, 1998, 2 brothers, Merlin and one in infancy, 1 sister Elverna and step-son Clarence.

“Every person you meet knows something you don’t.

Learn from them.”    H. Jackson Brown

 

 

ACB 2010 Convention Report

 

I would like to thank the NDAB for sponsoring me as a delegate and paying my expenses to go to Phoenix, Arizona.  It was truly an enlightening and learning experience. 

 

I attended all the morning meetings.  Some of the highlights were meeting people from all over the country, helping people, getting to know them and going to the Head Museum which was Native American. 

 

I also toured the agency that employs people with low vision and blindness.  They make many things for the military. 

 

Eunice Ketterling, Evelyn Hildebrand and I attended meetings with Allan Peterson and helped him get to where he needed to go.  We went to Becky Monroe’s condo and had a very nice evening.

 

It was truly an enjoyable trip.

 

Thanks again,

 Donna Hepper

 

 

Diamondbacks Baseball Game in Phoenix

By Melissa and Dean Petersen

 

The baseball game sure was a lot of fun. We went to the second floor suite to have lunch at Friday’s before the game. We had salads, brats, cheeseburgers, and fries. They were very good.  The service was very good, also.

 

We even had good seats behind left field. The sound system had lights. We bought a Diamondbacks baseball and can covers for a really good price so we had souvenirs to take home. The ACB radio announced that the ACB convention tour group was seated behind left field. Did you happen to hear it being announced?

 

The roof was retractable and closed for that day. There was a section of the roof that was open. The Diamondbacks played the Florida Marlins. It was a pitcher’s duel at the end and the Backs lost 2-0.

 

On another tour we toured the entire Diamondbacks Stadium. They have a swimming pool inside the stadium!!!! It can be used for special events such as birthdays, work events or any special parties. There was a private deck with tables that could be used by the guests. We went upstairs to one of the major suites. They have food delivered there and they can sit inside or outside to watch the games.  It was wheelchair accessible.

 

We got to see the visitor’s locker room. We could not go into the local locker room as all their personal uniforms and personal belongings were in there.  Down passed the locker room, they had a holding cell for anyone that gets out of control. Do you think that would happen at a ball game?

 

We went through the dugout and tunnel to the field to meet one of the players. It was Louis Gonzales!!! What an honor for all of us and even the tour guides to meet him. When we went to leave the arena, Louis had locked the door so we couldn’t get out. We needed to walk all around the ball park to get back to the bus. How many people can say they’ve been locked in a ball park? We were so late getting back for the bus, they had to have the boss come and pick us up.

 

They do not have their own heating and cooling system. The playing areas are across the street from each other. The heating-cooling system is in between and whichever team is playing turns on the system for their field.

 

We had a lot of fun and would do it again if we could. The paratransit system was great about picking us up to go to the airport.  It only cost $3.50 which we felt was quite a bargain. On Thursday night we were so late they sent the boss to pick us up.

 

We save for our trip to the annual ACB convention during the year. We have started our account for the NDAB convention in Minot and for the 2011 ACB convention in Reno. Have you started one so you can go, too?

 

 

Seeking Scholarship Applicants

 

There is still time to submit applications for all four North Dakota Association of the Blind college scholarships!

 

One $1,000 and two $500 scholarships are awarded annually.

·       Applicants should be a full-time student with a GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4 point scale. 

·       An applicant must have a visual impairment that cannot be corrected with prescription glasses.

·       Applicants must be a resident of North Dakota.

 

The Emma Skogen Scholarship Fund is a $1000 scholarship for students who are visually impaired, at least 18 years of age and planning to attend a vocational or trade school.

 

If you know of a student who may qualify, please encourage them to submit an application before March 15, 2011.

 

Download applications from www.ndab.org or contact Tammy Winn, Scholarship Chairperson at 701-340-7254.

 

 

8th ANNUAL ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY EXPO

 

Do you or does someone you know have difficulty hearing, seeing, speaking, learning, working, remembering, and/or performing everyday tasks? Assistive technology (AT) can help and the 8th Annual Assistive Technology Expo is the place to learn about it.

 

Make plans to attend on April 28, 2011, at the Ramada Plaza Suites in Fargo, North Dakota. The day includes a morning of presentations by AT providers and vendors. There is a registration fee of $30 for these sessions and lunch. Scholarships are available to individuals with disabilities on a first-come, first serve basis.

 

The AT Expo runs 11:00am-6:00pm and is free and open to the public. Over 60 vendors and service organizations are expected and NDAB is just one of them!

 

April 27, 2011 – Pre-Conference Workshops

•       Diana Straube of Neighborhood Legal Services – focus on the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program and what types of resources are available

•       Ann Hoffman of The ALS Association – comparison of mounting devices for power and manual wheelchairs

•       There is a fee to attend these sessions and CEUs will be offered

 

More information on presentations, vendors, and how to register for this event can be found at www.atexpo.org or by contacting Jenny Davis at 1-877-760-2939 (701-526-3454) or email jenny@atexpo.org.

 

 

Fishing Opportunity

Plan to go fishing on the Missouri river on Saturday, June 4 from 8 am until noon.  This is a Sporting Chance event. If you are interested, please call Ray at 226-3080 by May 15th. 

 

 

2011 NDAB Conference/Convention


The 2011 NDAB 75th Jubilee Convention/Conference will be in Minot on June 10, 11, and 12 at the Holiday Inn located on East Burdick Expressway.  Their telephone is 1-800-468-9968.  The rates are:  $66.00 for 1 to 2 persons and $72.00 for up to 4 people.  These rates will hold until June 3, 2011.  With the oil industry in full swing, rooms may be hard to get after that date. 

 

Chris Gray, past president of ACB will be the keynote speaker at the banquet.  The theme is “Bloom Where You Are Planted.”

 

Hope to see you in Minot. 

 

 

It’s Time to Start Thinking “Camp”!

 

The thoughts of warm sunshine and gentle breezes blowing off of Lake Isabel are really inviting while we deal with the chill of winter. Start thinking “camp” now and reserve the week of August 7-14 for attending the NDAB 2011 Summer Camp. Janelle Olson will be planning the banquet this year with the theme being “Easter Time.” More details will be in the next issue of the Promoter. If you have any suggestions for new classes please contact one of the camp directors. Until then, keep warm and think “camp!”

Loris van Berkom & Rick Feldman, Co-Camp Directors

 

 

Candy’s Corner

 

During these cold, snowy winter months, what better way to pass the time than by listening to a digital talking book? Recently I have come across two books on the topic of blindness that I think you might enjoy. “Blind Courage” by Bill Irwin is the first person account of a recently-blinded man who decides to walk the entire 2,000-mileAppalachian Trail, from Georgia to Maine, accompanied by his dog guide, Orient. During his adventure, Bill learns just how much courage, resourcefulness, and endurance he really possesses.

 

 “Homer’s Odyssey,” by Gwen Cooper, is the tale of a blind cat, which Gwen named Homer after the blind poet of ancient Greece. Homer’s endearing characteristics of spunk, bravery, and affectionate nature will charm even people who are not cat lovers. You will not believe what this little (and I do mean little, since he is an under-sized cat) feline is capable of, including saving his mistress’s life!

 

Two “cozy mystery” series I recommend: “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,” by Alexander McCall Smith; and the Hannah Swenson mysteries by Joanne Fluke. The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series features a plucky sleuth named Precious Ramotswe who solves crimes in Botswana. Hannah Swenson owns a cookie shop in a fictional small town in Minnesota, and has the annoying habit of coming across dead bodies! The Hanna Swenson books also contain delicious-sounding recipes.

 

A new service from non-profit organization Horizons for the Blind called “Directions for Me” is a free online database that lets you look up package instructions and other information using your computer. “Directions for Me” features more than 300,000 products in food, health and beauty and general merchandise categories. It provides preparation directions, nutrition facts, ingredients, allergy and drug interaction warnings and more.  The web address is: www.directionsforme.com

 

 

This Year, Change Your Mind

By Oliver Sacks, adapted for publication in the Promoter

 

New Year’s resolutions often have to do with eating more healthfully, going to the gym more, giving up sweets, losing weight — all admirable goals aimed at improving one’s physical health. Most people, though, do not realize that they can strengthen their brains in a similar way.

 

While some areas of the brain are hard-wired from birth or early childhood, other areas — especially in the cerebral cortex, which is central to higher cognitive powers like language and thought, as well as sensory and motor functions — can be, to a remarkable extent, rewired as we grow older. In fact, the brain has an astonishing ability to rebound from damage. As a physician who treats patients with neurological conditions, I see this happen all the time. For example, one patient of mine who had been deafened by scarlet fever at the age of 9 was so adept at lip-reading that it was easy to forget she was deaf. Once, without thinking, I turned away from her as I was speaking. “I can no longer hear you,” she said sharply.  “You mean you can no longer see me,” I said.  “You may call it seeing,” she answered, “but I experience it as hearing.”

 

Lip-reading, seeing mouth movements, was immediately transformed for this patient into “hearing” the sounds of speech in her mind. Her brain was converting one mode of sensation into another.

 

In a similar way, blind people often find ways of “seeing.” Some areas of the brain, if not stimulated, will atrophy and die. (“Use it or lose it,” neurologists often say.) But the visual areas of the brain, even in someone born blind, do not entirely disappear; instead, they are redeployed for other senses.

 

We have all heard of blind people with unusually acute hearing, but other senses may be heightened, too. For example, Geerat Vermeij, a biologist at the University of California-Davis who has been blind since the age of 3, has identified many new species of mollusks based on tiny variations in the contours of their shells. He uses a sort of spatial or tactile giftedness that is beyond what any sighted person is likely to have.

 

The writer Ved Mehta, also blind since early childhood, navigates in large part by using “facial vision” — the ability to sense objects by the way they reflect sounds, or subtly shift the air currents that reach his face. Ben Underwood, a remarkable boy who lost his sight at 3 and died at 16 in 2009, developed an effective, dolphin-like strategy of emitting regular clicks with his mouth and reading the resulting echoes from nearby objects. He was so skilled at this that he could ride a bike and play sports and even video games.

 

People like Ben Underwood and Ved Mehta, who had some early visual experience but then lost their sight, seem to instantly convert the information they receive from touch or sound into a visual image — “seeing” the dots, for instance, as they read Braille with a finger. Researchers using functional brain imagery have confirmed that in such situations the blind person activates not only the parts of the cortex devoted to touch, but parts of the visual cortex as well.

 

One does not have to be blind or deaf to tap into the brain’s mysterious and extraordinary power to learn, adapt and grow. I have seen hundreds of patients with various deficits — strokes, Parkinson’s and even dementia — learn to do things in new ways, whether consciously or unconsciously, to work around those deficits.

 

That the brain is capable of such radical adaptation raises deep questions. To what extent are we shaped by, and to what degree do we shape, our own brains? And can the brain’s ability to change be harnessed to give us greater cognitive powers? The experiences of many people suggest that it can.

This growth can even happen within a matter of days. Researchers at Harvard found, for example, that blindfolding sighted adults for as few as five days could produce a shift in the way their brains functioned: their subjects became markedly better at complex tactile tasks like learning Braille.

 

Neuroplasticity — the brain’s capacity to create new pathways — is a crucial part of recovery for anyone who loses a sense or a cognitive or motor ability. But it can also be part of everyday life for all of us. While it is often true that learning is easier in childhood, neuroscientists now know that the brain does not stop growing, even in our later years. Every time we practice an old skill or learn a new one, existing neural connections are strengthened and, over time, neurons create more connections to other neurons. Even new nerve cells can be generated.

 

I have had many reports from ordinary people who take up a new sport or a musical instrument in their 50s or 60s, and not only become quite proficient, but derive great joy from doing so.

 

Whether it is by learning a new language, traveling to a new place, developing a passion for beekeeping or simply thinking about an old problem in a new way, all of us can find ways to stimulate our brains to grow, in the coming year and those to follow.

 

 

2010 NDAB CONVENTION

June 11th -13th

Registration began at 4pm on June 11th at the Airport International Inn.  Kathy Larson and Karlyn Frantsen assisted with registration.   Carol Scallon was in charge of selling braille bracelets and the t-shirts that were left over from previous sales.  Terrance Nelson from the Low Vision Store had a vendor exhibit.  Terry was available before and after supper to demonstrate the products available in the Store.

The theme of the annual convention was TRUE VISION GOES BEYOND SIGHT.

 

The Williston and Korner Lions Clubs sponsored a supper for the Convention registrants at 6pm.  It was held at Our Redeemer's Lutheran church instead of at the park which had been the plan, as the weather didn't cooperate.

 

Registration continued at 8 a.m. on Saturday June 12th.  Loris Van Berkom, Convention Chairperson, welcomed everyone to the convention.  This was followed by the Presentation of the Colors by the VFW Honor Guard after which Pastor Muriel Lippert gave the Invocation.  Mayor Ward Koeser congratulated NDAB members on their vision and for the part they play in their communities and he thanked everyone for coming.  President Zentz responded to his welcome.   

 

 President Michelle Zentz called to order at 8:35 a.m. the 74thannual NDAB convention held in Williston, N.D.  She named Rick Feldman as mike runner and Marie Topp as Parliamentarian and thanked them for performing these duties.  Roll call indicated that there were 38 members and 2 guests present.

 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & SECRETARY'S REPORT

The first order of business was the reading of the Executive Committee Report-the April 11th Board Meeting Minutes.  (These minutes were approved at the June 11th meeting.)  Karlyn Frantsen, Secretary, also read the minutes from the June 11th Board meeting.  The $ amount for insurance read as $1021. should have been $1071.  Al Peterson moved to accept the minutes as amended.  The motion was seconded and carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Renae Huseby, Treasurer, read the financial statement report year ending May 31, 2010, which also included the letter written by Trisha M. Stromsodt, CPA.  Cash and cash equivalents on hand May 31st is $58,993.  The report was placed on file.

 

FINANCIAL CHAIRPERSON REPORT

Kathy Larson's report was read by Renae and Kathy commented on it.  The walk-a-thons this year were the best we've ever done financially.  Total proceeds for fundraising was $30,304.86.  Kathy stressed that any ideas for fundraising first need to be approved by the Board.  After 25 years as the Fundraising Chairperson, Kathy announced that she is resigning her position.    Her report was filed with the Secretary.

 

PRESENTATION BY DR. MARK E. MORIN, MD

Loris VanBerkom introduced our guest speaker at 9:25 a.m.  His presentation focused on new things which are happening in the medical field and with the new technologies.

 

From 10 to 10:30 there was a coffee break (sponsored by Trinity Regional Eyecare) followed by some door prize drawings, which also occurred throughout the convention.

 

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

Missy Miller reported there are 179 members, with 16 being new members, and there were 16 who did not renew their memberships.  There were 3 members who died during the last year.  Of the members, 18 are blind, 104 are visually impaired, and 57 are sighted.  Her report was filed with the Secretary.

 

EDITOR'S REPORT

Zelda Gebhard reported that the quarterly editions of the Promoter were sent out in four different formats- 4 Braille, 41 cassette tape, 52 e-mail and 83 large print for a total of 180.  Zelda is using the “new to us” dubbing machine, which was given to us for a $100 donation from the Wesley United Methodist Church of Edgeley.  Deadlines for contributing news and articles are the 10th of January, April, July and October.  Zelda noted that a new tape recorder is needed that would hopefully reduce the noise when taping the original one.  Her report was also filed with the Secretary.

 

 COMMITTEE REPORTS

1.    SUMMER CAMP- Loris VanBerkom reported on the 2010 camp and read the names of the new classes which will be taught. The banquet theme was also noted.  Olga Neal has donated a digital video camera in memory of her husband Don, to be used to record camp activities.  Thanks were extended to Olga.  A 2009 Camp report was filed with the Secretary.

2.    FAMILY ADJUSTMENT SEMINAR- Janelle Olson reported that there were eight family units participating in the 2009 seminar held in Minot.  This year's event will be held in Bismarck October 8th at the Comfort Inn.

3.    LEGISLATIVE- Al Peterson stated that what is done here benefits NDAB and all the people who are blind/visually impaired in the community. He reported on the three day Capitol Hill event and the issues that were addressed.  Al encouraged everyone to vote!  Zelda Gebhard thanked the organization for sending both her and Al to the Legislative Forum in Washington, DC.

4.    NOMINATING COMMITTEE- Olga Neal gave the Nominating Committee report as follows:  President- Michelle Zentz; Vice President-Milissa Miller; Secretary-Susan Jorgenson; Treasurer-Helen Baumgartner; Board Member-Lola Huwe; Editor-Zelda Gebhard; and Delegate to the ACB Convention-Janelle Olson.  Karlyn read the letter from Helen Baumgartner which explained her absence at the convention, and her willingness to serve as Treasurer if elected.

5.    PUBLIC RELATIONS- Karlyn Frantsen read the report submitted from Connie Springsted.  It was placed on file. 

6.    STATE FAIR PARADE- Evelyn Hildebrand reported on the parade entry that will be part of the State Fair parade on July 24th.  Those riding on the float will get free admission to the fair that day.  A local implement company donates the equipment and the Key Club has made posters for the float and will be walking with the float.  She also gave information about the ACB monthly teleconference calls which anyone can join in on.  This info will be printed in the Promoter.

7.    SCHOLARSHIP- Tammy Winn stated that she was thrilled to be awarding all the scholarships this year.  (The names of the winners are noted later in these minutes.)

8.    SPORTS AND RECREATION- Dave Sundeen was not present to give a report.  See his article in the May Promoter.

 

SPECIAL REPORTS 

1.  ACB DELEGATE- Shereen Faber's complete report was published in the Promoter.  She stated that her first time experience was interesting and a great one.  She thanked the members for sending her.

2.  CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS- Al Peterson stated that Lester Ketterling did a lot of work on these.  He explained how the revised Constitution and By-Laws would be read and acted on.  A two-thirds vote is required for the acceptance of these documents.

3.  STRATEGIC PLANNING- Mavis Anderson explained the purpose of this task force group of 7 who were present.  They identified eight areas that could be worked on and prioritized membership as their goal to focus on.

 

OLD BUSINESS

There was none.

 

NEW BUSINESS

     1.  Renae read the proposed budget for 2010-2011 with the amount of

     $40,550.00.  (Summer Camp accounts for $18,250.00 of this amount.)

 

PRESENTATION BY TERRANCE NELSON

Loris VanBerkom introduced Terrance at 11:25 and he talked about some of the products that are available from the Low Vision Store in Minneapolis.  This is his 26th year that he's been doing this kind of work.

 

There was a lunch break from 11:55 a.m. to 1:15pm.  Convention guests were on their own for where they chose to eat.

 

PRESENTATION BY WAYNE BIBORDORF

Kathy Larson introduced Wayne who is an engineer and Principal of WB Consulting LLC.  He spoke to the vision of the community and the oil activity which is occurring in the area in the Bakken formation.  There are 122 drilling rigs currently in North Dakota.  He explained the preparation and drilling process.

 

NEW BUSINESS RESUMED at 1:45pm

     2. The five resolutions were read by Evelyn Hildebrand.

     3.  Michelle explained how the Constitution would be read and acted on.

     Evelyn read the Constitution, and Al Peterson answered any questions.

    The friendly amendments that were made are as follows:

            1.  Article IV Officers- Section 6- F

                 Annual Audit changed to read Annual review

                 (Rationale- Audits are much more expensive than reviews.)

            2.  Article IV Officers- Section 7 (the second one)

                  Should be Section 8 (mis-numbered)

            3.  Article VI Conventions- Section 3

                  The convention shall fix the time and place of the next

                   convention.  Changed to “The convention shall fix the time

                   and place of the next or succeeding conventions.”

                   (Rationale- We set the Convention 2 years ahead of time.)

 

        Shereen Faber moved to accept the Constitution as read and

        amended.  The motion was seconded and carried.  Discussion followed.

        Al called for the vote.  The motion carried.  (There were some nays.)

 

There was a coffee break from 2:45 to 3:15 p.m.

 

     4.  The reading of the revised By-laws was begun by Evelyn

      Hildebrand with questions being answered by Al Peterson.

 

At 4:30pm Rick Feldman moved to adjourn the meeting for the day and recess in the morning as scheduled.  The motion was seconded and carried.

 

A social hour preceded the Banquet which began at 6:30 p.m.  Scholarships were awarded to the following three students who were present at the banquet:  Alexandra Engraf $1000, Candace Rivinius $500, and Jordan Harildstad $1000 Emma Skogen Scholarship.  Not present, but also a scholarship recipient is Joseph Engel $500.  Loris VanBerkom accepted the Ed Christensen Award for Sheryl Gerhardt who was unable to attend.  (This award will be presented to Sheryl at summer camp.)  Ruthie Wagner of Williston was presented the Robert John LePage Service Award.  Following the banquet, music was provided for dancing and listening pleasure by S & K Melodies.

Sunday activities started at 8:30 a.m. with the Memorial Service held to memorialize the three deceased members- Peter Nielsen, Don Neal and Lester Ketterling.  Rolls and coffee followed.

 

The Business meeting reconvened at 9:30 a.m.  President Michelle thanked Loris and the Convention Committee for the work done with the planning and the implementation of this year's convention.

 

     5.  The reading of the revised By-Laws continued.  The friendly

     amendments that were made are as follows:

            1.  Article III Officers- Section 5- Page 12

                The Secretary shall issue notices of Conventions and other

                 meetings as instructed... changed to “The secretary shall issue

                 notices of special meetings as instructed....

                 (Rationale-The Convention committee sends out the notices for

                 the convention.)

            2.  Article III Officers- Section 6- Page 13

                 The Treasurer shall prepare an annual financial report that

                 is subject to audit- change to review (as changed in Constitution.)

            3.  Article IV Committees- Section 1- Page 20

                  Summer Camp for Adults changed to Adults with vision loss.

                  (Rationale- to clarify, as camp is only for adults with vision loss.)

      

          Maria Vazquez moved that the By-Laws be accepted as read and

          amended.  The motion was seconded.

 

          Roll call was taken with 37 members present.  Janelle Olson called

         for a ballot vote.  Roy Winn was appointed as Sargent at Arms and

         Ballot tellers were Char Feldman, Loris VanBerkom and Larry

         Anderson.

         The motion passed with 25 voting YES and 11 voting NO.

 

     6.  The five resolutions were read by Evelyn Hildebrand, omitting

     reading the “Whereas” statements as recommended by President

     Michelle.  Shereen moved to accept Resolution 2010-01 “In Appreciation for Sponsorship of S 3304” as written.  The motion was seconded and carried.

     Janelle moved to accept Resolution 2010-02 “In Support of Public

     Transportation Systems” as written.  The motion was seconded and

     carried.

     Eunice Ketterling moved to accept Resolution 2010-03 “State

     Appropriation for North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind” as

     written.  The motion was seconded and carried.

     Maria Vazquez moved to accept Resolution 2010-04 “In Appreciation

     Sponsorship of the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act” as written.

     The motion was seconded and carried.

     Maria Vazquez moved to accept Resolution 2010-05 “The Right to

                                                                                                                     Safe

     Travel on Sidewalks and Intersections” as written.  The motion was

      seconded and carried.

      Copies of these Resolutions are on file with the Secretary and are

      attached to the minutes.

 

     7.  Tammy Winn moved to restore the Emma Skogen Scholarship to

     $1000 as voted on in 2007.  The motion was seconded.  Discussion

     followed.  A ballot vote was called for.  The motion carried with 31 YES

     votes and 6 NO votes.

 

     8.  Al Peterson moved to have a way for making donations and dues

     available on line.  The motion was seconded.  Discussion followed.                                                                                                                       ballot

     vote was called for.  The motion carried with 21 YES votes and 16 NO

     votes.

 

9.    Michelle brought greetings from Connie Springsted.  The

convention in 2011 will be the 75th Jubilee, June 10th, 11th, & 12th at the Holiday Inn in Minot- rooms are $66 for double occupancy, and $72 for 3-4.  The theme is BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED.

 

    10.  Mavis Anderson reported that the Strategic Planning task force had

     met again last evening and she shared what they had discussed.

 

    11.  Janelle requested that the Board look into the process of voting

     yesterday on the Constitution.  Discussion followed.  Al Peterson moved to reconsider the passage of the Constitution as written, read, and

amended during Saturday's voting.  The motion was seconded.  President Michelle called it.  A ballot vote was taken with the results being 20YES votes and 17 NO votes.  The motion failed for a lack of a two thirds vote. Further discussion followed as what action needed to be taken at this point.  Mary Stip moved that we table the revised Constitution and

By-Laws until the 2011 Convention, and to use the old documents until

next year.  The motion was seconded and carried.  

 

     12.  Renae read the proposed Budget for 2010-2011.  Loris Van Berkom moved to accept the budget as proposed.  The motion was seconded and carried.

 

     13.  Convention site-  Mavis Anderson invited us to hold the 2012Convention in Bismarck.  Rick moved to accept her invitation.  The motion was seconded and carried.

 

     14.  Election of Officers-

           President- Michelle Zentz was the name given by the Nominating

           Committee. There were no nominations from the floor.  Al Peterson

           moved that nominations cease and that the Secretary cast a

           unanimous ballot.  The motion was seconded and carried. The

           Secretary cast a unanimous ballot for Michelle Zentz for President.

   Vice-President- Milissa Miller was the name given by the Nominating Committee.  There were no nominations from the floor.  Shereen Faber moved that nominations cease and that the Secretary cast a unanimous ballot.  The motion was seconded and carried.  The Secretary cast a unanimous ballot for Milissa Miller for Vice-President.

         Secretary- Susan Jorgenson was the name given by the Nominating

           Committee.  There were no nominations from the floor.  Mavis

           Anderson moved that nominations cease and that the Secretary

   cast a unanimous ballot.  The motion was seconded and carried.  The Secretary cast a unanimous ballot for Susan Jorgenson for

           Secretary.

          Treasurer- Helen Baumgartner was the name given by The Nominating Committee.  There were no nominations from the floor.  Milissa Miller moved that nominations cease and that the Secretary

cast a unanimous ballot.  The motion was seconded and carried.  The Secretary cast a unanimous ballot for Helen Baumgartner for Treasurer.

           Board Director-  Lola Huwe was the name given by the Nominating

           Committee.  There were no nominations from the floor.  Mavis

           Anderson moved that nominations cease and that the Secretary

           cast a unanimous ballot.  The motion was seconded and                  carried. The Secretary cast a unanimous ballot for Lola Huwe for Board Director.

           EDITOR- Zelda Gebhard was the name given by the Nominating

           Committee.  There were no nominations from the floor.  Maria

           Vazquez moved that nominations cease and that the Secretary cast a unanimous ballot.  The motion was seconded and carried.  The

           Secretary cast a unanimous ballot for Zelda Gebhard for Editor.

           2011 ACB DELEGATE- Janelle Olson was the name given by the

           Nominating Committee.  Shereen Faber nominated Mary Stip.  Karlyn Frantsen moved that nominations cease.  The motion was seconded and carried.  A ballot vote made Janelle Olson the delegate and Mary Stip the alternate.

 

     15.  Thanks was extended to the outgoing officers for their years of

    of service, to the Williston Convention Committee, and to the              newly elected officers.  The new officers were also welcomed to the NDAB Board by President Michelle.

    

The 74th NDAB Convention  adjourned at 11:50 a.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Karlyn Frantsen, Secretary

 

NDAB Board Minutes,10-9-10

                                                                        

NDAB Board Meeting 10-9-10

Comfort Inn, Bismarck

 

Present: Helen Baumgartner, Shereen Faber, Richard Feldman, Mark Kueffler, Susan Jorgenson, Milissa Miller, Allan Peterson, and Michelle Zentz. Guest:  Janelle Olson

 

Call to order: 7:35pm

Consent Agenda: Minutes of August 14, 2010, Camp directors' report, and Financial chairperson report.  Motion by Allan, seconded and passed unanimously.

 

Membership Report:

NDAB Membership as of September 24, 2010; we have 187 members. One renewal came in and we gained 3 new members: Linn Zander of Bismarck 8/24/10, Kevin Vannett of Mandan 9/10/10, and Richard Jangula of Mandan 9/21/10.

 

Board Meeting Agenda:  Mark moved to accept the agenda with the addition of a report on the North Dakota Disabilities Advocacy Consortium. Seconded and passed.

 

Treasurer's Report:  Helen reported a balance of $65,247.15 which includes a CD from Bremer Bank in Grand Forks.  Following discussion, Allan made a motion to purchase a 25,000 dollar CD. Seconded and passed by all.  Motion by Shereen, seconded, and carried that Donna Hepper be the listed co-signer for NDAB accounts. Helen is the registered agent with the Secretary of State.

 

Committee Reports:

Family Adjustment Seminar:  There were seven family units attending.  A power point video may need to replace the video of the 1950's. The possibility of Fargo as the site of the next seminar, October 2011 will be checked out by Rick and Shereen.

 

Strategic Planning:  A letter dated October 1, 2010 from Mavis Anderson was read; she is resigning to follow Drs. order to cut back on activities.  Following discussion, the board agreed unanimously to disband this committee with thanks for the meetings and discussions that were held.

 

Business:

1. January 9th, 2011, Board teleconference meeting 7pm, Sunday evening.

2. Health Fair, Bismarck, September 14th, display case used, no charge.

3. Impact Giveback status: Missy working on completion, (April 2010 minutes)

4. Membership cards: a larger font and the NDAB logo will be used on new cards when reordered.

5. Walk-a-thon will be Saturday, April 30th, 2011.  MSC by Missy.

6. Traveling microphone:  Rick will check on renting one for convention in Minot.

7. ACB Board member, Allan Peterson, stated his flight cost to November board meeting in Reno, Nevada of $437.  Allan left the room for the

 discussion. MSC by Shereen for NDAB to cover travel expenses. Written vote was 5 to 2 in favor of the motion.  Allan returned to the meeting.

8. Minot convention committee requests that Karlyn Frantzen be reimbursed for film and developing of photographs.  MSC by Susan that Karlyn be paid by treasurer.

9. The Editor's manual is to reflect change to allow the selection of local reporters instead of being listed as the president's duty.

10. White Cane Safety Day is October 15, 2010.  Michelle sent letters to mayors; signed by Fargo, Bismarck, Minot, and Williston mayors as of Oct. 1st.  Janelle will do a radio spot in Williston.

11. Board meetings will no longer be held after FAS, MSC by Mark to have a teleconference meeting instead.

12. NDDA Consortium is an organization working toward a common goal for workers with disabilities. MSC by Rick for board to receive reports semi-annually.

 

Announcements: 

Appointments of NDAB members to Video Magnifier Program Selection Committee: 8-23-10 Eunice Ketterling, Allan Peterson, and Donna Hepper as alternate.

 

Chris Gray extends his gratitude and expressed his willingness to speak at our 2011 convention.

 

Meeting adjourned: 9:25pm

 Submitted by, Susan Jorgenson

 

 

NDAB Family News

 

Bismarck Area News

By Mavis Anderson

 

I really should have written this news on 1-1-11.  It will have missed the deadline if I wait until 1-11-11 and of course I’ll really miss the November deadline if I want to write the news on 11-1-11 and Zelda will be wringing her hands if I wait until 11-11-11!  It’s the little things that humor us older folk during these cold winter months…and I’m afraid it would be at this point my son would remind me “this may be only funny in YOUR mind, Mom.”

 

I called Lola Huwe yesterday and she was doing pretty well.  She asked me to tell everyone Happy New Year from both her and her husband Clare.

 

Bob Westermeyer and I are very apt to be on the same transit when he is going to the Aquatic Center to do his swimming and bike riding and I’m going to the Women’s Health Center to do my twice weekly routine.  He told me the Christmas party for the Meetin and Eatin’ group had to be postponed for a few days but they did have it at the Golden Corral on the 23rd. 

 

Meanwhile over on Third Street at the Vandal house they are getting ready to have a sausage making party.  I don’t know if this is an annual affair or not but it sounds interesting.  The sausage will be made from venison and pork and they will be making the regular sausage, summer sausage, venison bacon and who knows what else. 
Whoever wants to come over and help is welcome to do so.  Do you put a penny in the mixture and mix it until someone finds the penny, Bob?  For more information, call Bob at 400-0109.

 

The Low Vision Group which usually met at the Senior Center is no longer meeting.  For some the demographics of the senior population have changed and many are living in Assisted Living facilities.  Mike Beck told me he visited the new Good Samaritan and they were interested in starting a support group and that seems to be the norm.  Since I moved down here ten years ago, there have been five new facilities built and some of them are HUGE.  And so it goes. 

 

Happy New Year from Bismarck where the legislators are already knee deep in lawmaking.

 

Fargo Area News

By Shereen Faber

 

Greetings to all members.  Those of us in North Dakota are in the deep freeze once again.  It is an annual event.  Sounds like flooding will be an issue in Fargo again this year. 

The first piece of news on my agenda is that Elton and I are grandparents again.  Chelsa had another little girl.  She arrived December 23, 2010 and was quite a precious little Christmas package.  She weighed 8 lbs. 1 oz. and was 20-¼ inches long.  They named her Addison Kay.  I am proud to say that Kay is my middle name so I am tickled pink. 

 

Elton and I and my parents went to New Orleans November 12-19.  The weather was wonderful, in the 70’s every day and sunny.  We went on a swamp tour in the bayou, a New Orleans city tour, and went through the Katrina district and went to the cemetery where none of the people are buried below ground. All are buried above ground in tombs and very interesting places. 

 

We also went on a battlefield tour.  We went up the Mississippi on a big paddlewheel boat and went to where the battle of New Orleans was fought.  We rode the trolley car most every day.  We also went to mass in St. Louis Cathedral and walked over to Café Du Monde and had big Bignet’s (Ben yeh).  Also went to Gator Me Crazy and had real alligator meat.  Let’s just say we had a lot of good food.  I could go on and on for another two pages worth but it was a wonderful trip and I feel so fortunate to be able to go with both of my parents. 

 

We had our support group Christmas party on December 11th.  We had a gift exchange and lots of good food with 15 attending.  By the time everyone gets this Promoter, Ski for Light will already have taken place.  Hope everyone had fun and that we brought back many trophies. 

 

In conclusion, everyone stay safe and warm and take care until the next Promoter. 

 

Grand Forks Area News

By Ruth Phalen

 

It seems like January is already passing too rapidly.  I went to Virginia (D.C. area) in December and have also been to Sioux Falls so that may explain why the quiet time  that usually comes after the holidays hasn’t hit me yet.  I hope all of you had a joyful Christmas with family and friends and are not falling too far behind on those New Year’s resolutions!

 

Our NDAB members and guests met for our annual Christmas party on December 3rd at the Speedway.  Most of our members were able to be there but bad weather kept a few away.  It was so good to see people I usually see only once or twice a year.  Some who were able to be there were Donna Izler and Duane Preabt, Gary and Renee Huseby, Rom and Lee Thielman, Donovan and Rosella Sibenaler, Janice and Joe

Sowokinos, Angie Marciniak and her father, David McCloud and his brother Andrew, David Sundeen, Shawn Gunderson and his daughter, Olga Neal, Krista Doubek, Jesse Shirek and me (I’m sure I’m forgetting someone – please forgive me). I found out how many good and enthusiastic singers we had when we played a game – it was a quiz about Christmas songs and the answered could be given with a song – and sing we did!  Andrew McCloud accompanied us on guitar while we sang a few carols and then we had a gift exchange – all in all it was a good evening.

       

Our Support group met in November for Turkey bingo.  Our leader, Tracy Wicken, had four turkeys and several other items we could serve at a Thanksgiving dinner.  We get a larger than usual attendance for this meeting and enjoy a lot of friendly banter as we play bingo. 

       

Our December meeting is a gift exchange and is also a well attended meeting.   We play a dice game and in round one each roller of doubles gets to claim a gift.  Then the gifts are opened and displayed by those who have them at the time.  In round two those who shake doubles get to choose the gift of their choice and obviously there is a lot of “stealing” of favorite items.   There is a large array of goodies to choose from for a nice lunch – can there be too much food!!

       

In January our meeting at the Senior Center was again led by Tracy Wicken who passed along some information she had found on the internet about vitamins and dietary supplements.  Many of us have tried some of these things and there is always some good information to be gained.

       

Now, we can watch the snow pile up – those banks are really getting high - and hope the walks and streets/roads are cleaned.  Again I wish all of you a Happy New Year and hope you have a pleasant (warm) winter.

 

Minot Area News

By Connie Springsted

 

Many in Minot are working on Conference/Convention tasks.  We so hope that all of you can come and help us celebrate the 75th Jubilee of NDAB. 

 

There are about four individuals planning to attend Ski for Light.  We will anxiously await their reports.

 

I haven’t talked to my friend, “Lori” lately.  With all of the continuous snowfall, Lori and her husband, Gene are always outside removing snow after their workday is over. 

 

Marilyn Nelson returned from Disney World and a Disney cruise that that she took with her son, Todd. 

 

Dawn Fremont and Doug Stip are now working from their own homes for Choice Hotel Corporation.  So, now they can go to work in their pj’s if they wish. 

 

Dianne Giessinger is still busy doing therapy on the thumb of her right hand.  She had surgery on December 6th at the Bone and Joint Clinic in Bismarck for arthritis. 

 

On December 23, Amy Brunner became the bride of Brian Osvold here in Minot.  Congratulations to Amy and Brian!

 

You know we have experienced some sunny days in Minot this winter, but they are very deceiving because it is still below zero many days even if the sun is shining. 

 

Take care and hope to see you in Minot for the annual NDAB Convention on June 10, 11, and 12. 

 

 

Legislative Report, winter, 2011

By: Allan Peterson

 

The beginning of another New Year once again gives us pause as we reflect on the year that has past and then to consider what the New Year might have in store for us. When I had sight I remember the symbolism of the past year and new year, the past depicted by “Father Time” as a very old man with a stooped posture and a long grey beard whereas the new year was depicted by a infant baby in a diaper. Symbolism aside, I think that this is a good time to both celebrate the beginning of the New Year and also to take stock of and celebrate our achievements that were realized during this past year.

 

As we reflect on the past year, we as members of ACB and NDAB can well acknowledge a couple of achievements that are very worthy for us to take pride in because they were so monumental in scope! The first of these is the passage of legislation that is known as the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act by the 111th session of Congress that completed its work shortly before Christmas. It wouldn’t be too farfetched to say that this legislation is similar in scope to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), because it extends the rights of persons with disabilities so that they would be given the means to access all forms of present and future electronic communications.

 

Now that we’ve achieved the milestone of actually passing this Act, the next step in implementing this new law is for the federal government to write the rules and regulations that will actually make it work in the governing process. To help this process along, working Committees to advise the federal government on the rules and regulations that should implement provisions of this Act have recently been selected. I’m pleased to report that ACB will be well represented on these advisory committees; they include two ACB staff members plus a few individual ACB members that have expertise in the area of electronic communications and are very knowledgeable about the barriers that people who are visually impaired have experienced while working to access these forms of communication.

 

I’m also so very pleased to be able to report to you, that toward the end of this past session of Congress, both the US House and Senate passed the legislation known as the “Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act” that we’ve advocated for over the past few years. It is legislation that asks manufacturers of motor vehicles to include a standard safety feature in their “quiet cars” that will audibly alert pedestrians to the presence of a “quiet car” in their path of travel. “Quiet” vehicles pose a particular hazard to pedestrians who lack sight because we rely so much on traffic noise as our primary source of information about a safe path of travel. President Obama did sign this Act into federal law on January 4th. It is also worth noting that The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act was supported by both ACB and the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), as well as, other organizations that advocate on behalf of safety of pedestrians.

 

On the State political level, the 62nd session of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly began its work during the first week in January. Governor Dalrymple gave his “The State of the State” message on January 3rd. The Governor’s budget was submitted to the Legislature in early December and as always it will be interesting to see what the Legislature will do to change or modify it. I will be monitoring the discourse on the budget and other legislation as it affects people with disabilities during the session. I of course, will be particularly mindful of the budget and legislation as it affects and impacts people who are blind and visually impaired.

 

I would be negligent if I didn’t acknowledge and thank two public servants who have listened to us as we’ve visited with them and their staffs over these past many years while they’ve represented our state in the U.S. Congress, I’m speaking of course of former Congressman Earl Pomeroy and former US Senator Byron Dorgan. (I also include current Senator Conrad in this acknowledgement, who still holds his position in the US Senate) I can say that I’ve gotten to know these men and want to acknowledge them, not only for the work that they’ve done on our behalf, but also for the work they’ve done for the State of North Dakota as a whole! I know that they would say that they couldn’t have done their jobs without the help of their staff people, many of whom I’ve gotten to know and appreciate over these past many years of doing my advocacy work on behalf of NDAB. I know that it is easy to criticize public figures like these men, but what many people don’t know or appreciate is just how much work is involved and the sacrifice of personal time goes into performing these jobs.

 

This year’s edition of the American Council of the Blind Legislative Seminar is scheduled to be held from Sunday, February 27th through Tuesday, March 1st; on March 1st we are scheduled to make our visits to Capitol Hill to meet with our elected officials in Congress. It will be a definite change to now be making those visits with two different elected officials from North Dakota, namely, newly elected Congressman Rick Berg and US Senator John Hoeven. I do very much look forward to this opportunity because blindness and sight loss is no respecter of political party or affiliation.

 

American Council of the Blind Commends the President

for Signing Pedestrian Safety Legislation

 

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2011 – Late yesterday, President Obama signed S. 841, The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act. This new law will provide blind, visually impaired, and other pedestrians greater security when traveling in close proximity to hybrid or electric vehicles.   

 

"As new vehicle technologies become more prevalent in the years to come, The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act will insure that people who are blind will still be able to travel safely," said Mitch Pomerantz, President of the American Council of the Blind (ACB).

 

The legislation will require the U.S. Department of Transportation to begin writing standards that would set requirements for an alert sound that allows blind and other pedestrians to reasonably detect a nearby electric or hybrid vehicle.  It also requires that those rules be finalized within three years.

 

Eric Bridges

Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs

American Council of the Blind

 

 

North Dakota Disability Advocacy Consortium (NDDAC) Report

By: Allan Peterson

 

The primary purpose for the establishment of the North Dakota Disability Advocacy Consortium (NDDAC) was to advocate for passage of state and federal legislation that improves the lives of people with disabilities, particularly those who are North Dakota residents. Among other Consortium goals are to improve networking among disability organizations within the State and to increase public awareness and appreciation for the needs and capabilities of all North Dakotans that have a disability. In this report, I will use the acronym NDDAC and the term Consortium synonymously whenever reference is made to this North Dakota coalition of individual disability organizations that share a common interest and have chosen to join together under the banner of the NDDAC.

 

Each of the NDDAC member organizations in some manner, help to represent some segment of the population of people with disabilities in North Dakota. With the intent to represent the interests of those that have sight loss in this cause, NDAB joined the Consortium as a charter member when this coalition of organizations was first established as an entity in the fall of 2000.

 

Perhaps, the greatest advocacy benefit of the Consortium is that it can demonstrate that there is unity among people with disabilities on issues that are of common concern to all people that are defined to be members of this community. Because the Consortium has the ability to speak with a united voice, it demonstrates to legislators that there is broad support within the disability community on those issues that are of common concern including, for example, transportation, affordable accessible housing, increasing opportunities for employment, providing greater access to health care and increasing the ability to access modes of electronic communication.

 

So, if you were to ask, “During its ten plus year tenure, what are some of the advocacy successes that the Consortium can rightfully take some credit for?” Perhaps, among the greatest of these legislative achievements, was the passage of legislation known as the Workers with Disabilities Act by the 2003 North Dakota Legislative Assembly. The Workers with Disabilities Act allows qualified workers with disabilities to “buy into” Medicaid by having 5 percent of their wage earnings deducted for their health care coverage. The Act addressed the most imposing barrier that people with disabilities face when they choose to go to work; this barrier is that the income they earn can cause them to lose their health care coverage from Medicaid and then, because of their preexisting disability condition, no insurer is willing to offer them health care coverage. Today, there are over 500 workers with disabilities in North Dakota that have taken advantage of this plan, which means they are productive workers and are in turn paying their share of income taxes.

 

Other state legislative initiatives that the Consortium supported and can count among its advocacy successes during its tenure, include, (1) increasing the amount of income that people with disabilities on Medicaid can retain for their costs of living that aren’t deducted to cover ongoing medical expenses, this deduction is referred to as recipient liability, (2) changing state human service policy with regard to payment of Medicaid funds so that more of these resources can be directed to home and community based care rather than institutional long term care, and (3) increasing the amount of state funding for transit services in the rural and urban areas of the state.

 

Another achievement that the Consortium can point to with a sense of satisfaction is an event it hosts while the Legislature is in session called the “Disability Awareness Day” held at the State Capitol in Bismarck. This is an event that the Consortium has hosted during the two most recent State Legislative Sessions held in 2007 and 2009. Events of the day include a program in which the legislators are invited to participate, booths that the Consortium’s member organizations can use to promote their work, a light lunch for those who attend and an opportunity for individuals with disabilities to meet one on one with their legislators that represent them from their home districts. Because of the positive publicity it has received from the media, the event has had great value in helping to draw attention to those legislative issues that directly affect the community of people who live with a disability in North Dakota.

 

While this current Session of the North Dakota Legislature is in session the Consortium plans to again host the “Disability Awareness Day” event at the State Capitol on March 30th. Events scheduled for the day include booths that member organizations, like NDAB, will be invited to have on display in the Capitol’s Great Hall. Our participation in this event is done in part to help increase the awareness among legislators about the good work that NDAB does on behalf of all people who have sight loss here in North Dakota!

 

For the first ten years of its existence, the Consortium employed an Executive Director and part time support staff through federal funding that it received from a grant that was provided by the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD). For eight of the past years, the position of the NDDAC Executive Director was held by Jim Moench of Bismarck, whose responsibilities included monitoring disability related legislation on behalf of the Consortium. In the fall of 2009, the SCDD Board made the decision to reduce the amount of funding it awarded to the Consortium and indicated at the time that this would be a terminal grant award from them.

 

After being apprised of The SCDD Board’s decision the Consortium intensified its efforts to find alternative grant sources so that it would have the ability to continue its work with the benefit of salaried employees. Aside from some smaller successes, none of the grant applications from other potential funding sources were successful and, as a consequence, the Consortium wasn’t able to replace the amount it needed to retain its salaried staff and they were laid off as of October 1st of 2010. The challenge that the NDDAC faces in securing grants, is that many of the granting sources are reluctant to support advocacy endeavors because some who are most critical of this work consider it to be lobbying.

 

To continue its advocacy work, the Consortium has recently entered into a contractual agreement with the North Dakota Consensus Council to provide some of the administrative support that it needs to, at least, get through this Legislative Session. Although there now isn’t an identified individual that represents the NDDAC in the halls and meeting rooms at the State Capitol, a mechanism has been put in place so that the name of the Consortium will be noted as a supporter wherever there is agreement on those issues of common concern among the membership of the NDDAC.

 

In addition to my work with the Consortium, during the State Legislative session, I plan to attend and be a part of the Legislative Working Group that meets on Fridays in Fargo to monitor and track legislation that affects people with disabilities in North Dakota. These are weekly sessions conducted under the tutelage of the North Dakota Protection and Advocacy Program; the sessions are a great means by which to keep up to date on legislation. Of course, it can be argued, that all of the 900 odd some bills before the Legislature affect us in some way, but our focus is directed toward those specific issues that directly affect the population of people that have a disability.

 

Quote:

“Everyone has talent.

What is rare is the courage to follow that talent…where it leads.”

                                                                                Erica Jong

 

 

2011 Black Hills Regional Ski for Light

By Dave Sundeen and Jesse Shirek

 

Ski for Light is an annual event that takes place in South Dakota's beautiful Black Hills where people who are blind, visually impaired and physically impaired have the opportunity to take part in cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and snowshoeing. The participants who are blind and visually impaired team up with experienced guides who describe the changing terrain, which enables the participant to experience true freedom on the slopes and trails.

 

The event takes place at the Terry Peak Ski Resort for downhill skiers and Wharf Resources Area for cross-country skiers and those who snowshoe.

 

The dates for this year’s event were January 24th through the 28th. The bus departed from Fargo bright and early on the morning of Sunday January 23rd at 7 a.m. The conditions were not ideal for travel with snow fog between Fargo and Bismarck, icy roads between Bismarck and Dickinson, and roads covered in snow for most of the remaining trip. The weather conditions did not affect the enthusiasm of the participants. There were lots of laughs and sharing of stories from years past, until we arrived right on schedule at The Mineral Palace for hotel check-in.

 

The weather this year was ideal for skiing. Temperatures were predominantly between 30° and 45° all week. The region was blessed with a healthy snowpack again this year. The mild temperatures and perfect snow produced ideal conditions for skiing, which only improve throughout the week.

 

The participants and volunteers were obviously spoiled by the excellent skiing conditions, but our hosts also were more than generous with the meals and entertainment that they made available to everyone. Cross-country skiers were fed at the Warf Resources site. With meals consisting of barbecued pork sandwiches, turkey sandwiches, wild rice soup, beef stew and buffalo chili. Just in case somebody was to get hungry throughout the day there was also a large sampling of fried foods including egg rolls fried broccoli and French fries.

 

The evenings were filled with a flurry of activities starting with an all-you-can-eat meatball buffet, on Monday night at Saloon #10, with a band and dancing after the meal. Tuesday night was spent at the Mineral Palace for a Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament with live musical entertainment at The Saloon #10. On Wednesday afternoon there was a bonfire at the Warf resources area for all guides, participants and volunteers. That evening’s entertainment included a slot tournament at the Mineral Palace followed by karaoke in the basement of the Bullock Hotel. The highlight of the night was an enthusiastic rendition of We Are The Champions by Queen performed by Donnie Frasier with backup vocals from the North Dakota group and some friends from across the country.

 

Thursday brought race day for all skiers and those who snowshoe culminating in an awards banquet at the Golden Hills Resort. Congratulations to the North Dakota winners: Men's Downhill Visually Impaired - 2nd Place - Mike Heppner, Female Downhill Bi-Ski - 2nd Place - Erica Gilbert, 5K Women's Under 35 Partially Sighted - 1st Place - Ali Engraff, 5K Women's 35 & Over Partially Sighted - 2nd Place - Tammy Winn, 5K Men's 35 & Over Partially Sighted - 1st Place - Lyle Bruins, 5K Men's 35 & Over Totally Blind - 1st Place - Dave Sundeen, 1K Women's Under 35 Partially Sighted - 1st Place - Krista Doubek and 1K Men's Under 35 Partially Sighted - 1st Place - Brian Burlingame.

 

This year the North Dakota group was given the incredible opportunity to honor one of our own participants, guides or volunteers. The person who was honored this year is a Ski for Light legend! He has been attending Ski for Light in the Black Hills for more years than our youngest participant has been alive. Legend has it that this person has been attending Ski for Light for 28 years! In that time he has influenced, supported, encouraged and inspired many individuals to get involved with Ski for Light. Of course we could only be talking about one individual and most of you reading this have already figured out by now that Dave Sundeen was honored with the first annual Dave Sundeen Golden Hose Award, which will be presented annually to a participant, guide or volunteer who’s personal contribution has made a lasting impact on the North Dakota residents who take part in the Black Hills Regional Ski for Light event.

 

On Friday morning January 28th the bus began its departure at 8:00 a.m. back to North Dakota; all participants, guides and volunteers happily tired and ready to go home to share their stories of new found friendship and fun with family and friends back home.

 

The participants, guides, and volunteers would like to extend a special “thank-you” to North Dakota Association of the Blind (NDAB), Judy Iten of Judy’s Leisure Tours of Fargo, Schuck Bus Company of Moorhead, the North Dakota School for the Blind Foundation, Gateway Lions Club of Fargo, Red River Lions Club of Grand Forks and North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind for all their help in planning and organizing the trip from North Dakota to Deadwood, South Dakota.

 

Make sure to mark your calendars for the 33rd Black Hills Regional Ski for Light event, which is tentatively scheduled for January 23rd-27th, 2012.

 

 

The Future

 

When you come to the edge of all the light you know

and are about to step into the darkness of the unknown,

faith is knowing that one of two things will happen. 

There will be solid ground to stand on

or you will be taught to fly.

 

Author Unknown