Mid-Atlantic Regional Group
Blinded Veterans Association
Regional Group Meeting Minutes
Spring Meeting: October 22, 2011
McGuire Veterans Medical Center
1201 Broad Rock Blvd
Richmond, Va.23249
President Forrest Black called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. Hardy Alexander led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance, after which Dr. Jackson did the invocation.
Members present were Herb Patterson, James W. Jackson, Clyde Jackson, Mike Doyle, George Burmmel, Thomas Zampaeri, Peter Davis, Claudia Perry, Floyd Lawrence, Gregory Bennett, Thomas Miller, Michael White, Clyde Compton, Sterling Page, Lilly Washington, Hardy Alexander, Forrest L. Black, Robert Hennigan and Lawrence Toler. Volunteers present: Rosemary Duda, James Graham, Sheila Gunn, Tommy Bowman, Samuel Callis and Evelyn Heatwall, spouses, family members and friends.
Mr. Charles Sepich, Director McGuire V. A. Medical Center gave our group the welcome. Mr. Sepich said he was proud to work with the Richmond area BVA group and pledge to continue a high level of service to our veterans.
Vendors Allen Bareford of Enhanced Vision, Pat Zowasky with Integration Technologies Group and Jerry Marrindin with Freedom Scientific demonstrated their latest devices to help blinded veterans function more independently. All vendors were kind enough to donate door prizes which were given to the group.
Vice President George Burrmell spoke about the Blind Children Project. He said blind children need equipment that will help them in school and at home such as lap tops and CCTV’s he also said that the project has given some devices to several children and we are in the process of gathering more equipment for distribution to blind children in need. Several other organizations are partnering with us to help in this effort.
Dr. Tom Zampieri gave us the legislative up-date. He spoke about some of the many challenges associated with maintaining and securing Veterans benefit especially blinded veterans benefits. He said Congress has passed a bill increasing the automobile grant from $12,000.00 to $18,000.00. Also HISA grant was increased from $4,000.00 to $6,000.00. Also the House of Representatives has passed a cost of living increase of 3.6%. Three new blind centers have opened bringing the total to 13 centers across the country serving our nations veterans. Our next National Convention will be held in Galveston, Texas August 2012.
The executive Director Tom Miller was introduced by President Black. He spoke about the National convention in Las Vegas of 2011 and many changes that took place during the convention. The group was saddened when Tom announced his upcoming retirement at the end of 2011. He also announced the BVA received a bequeath of $1,000,000.00 from a donor. Also MARG will be receiving appromixly $3,000.00 from the national membership. President Black thanked Tom Miller for his unwavering support of the BVA down thru the years as Executive Director. We wish him well during his retirement.
Pete Davis was introduced to speak to the group as our delegate to the National Convention. He said there were several by-laws changes made at the convention. Some resolutions were also passed in support of the BVA. He said it was a good convention.
Clyde Compton gave the web-site report. He said there was a new goal set of 1,000,000 hits on our web-site by the end of the year 2011. Goals are set each year to improve the web-site. An average of 1,000 new users per month has been achieved. The highest number of hits in one day in 2011 was 2036.
President Black reported that we finally have been awarded our 501-C3 from the IRS. Also we will have to file a tax return beginning 2011. Also the president reported that our very own Chaplin, Dr. Jackson was appointed to the National BVA Board of Directors as Chaplin. The MARG is very proud of Dr.Jackson.
Rosemary Duda the VISOR Director spoke. She reported that the VISOR Program has expanded its services to include home visits and is continuing to meet the needs of the Veterans. She also promised to continue the high quality of service for our Veterans.
Herb Patterson Richmond Chapter president said thank you to his people who worked so hard to make our meeting a success. Businesses which made donations were Costco, Sam’s Club, Allstate Insurance Company, and VA. Beer Wholesalers Association just to name a few.
The morning session concluded after President Black thanked all of the Richmond Chapter members and volunteers who contributed their time and talents.
After lunch the afternoon session was called to order. Minutes from the last meeting were read. The minutes were approved pending a correction in the Treasures report of the ending balance from the spring meeting in Roanoke April 2011.
The treasures report was given by Hardy Alexander. Beginning balance was $4,389.92 with and ending balance $5,831.06 after expenses. The treasures report was approved as read subject to audit.
The floor was opened for old business. It was moved that transportation of BVA members to regional group meeting be subsidized by the regional treasures at the rate of $25.00per member when traveling in a van. The measure was approved by the members. The floor was opened to new business. It was approved that up to $500.00 be given to the chapters. It was also approved that $250.00 be given to the auxiliary for their scholarship fund. It was moved and seconded that Tom Miller be the delegate to the National Convention in 2012. The motion was passed.
The president suggested that the remaining door prizes be given out after which a special thank you was given to the catering staff “Dine like a prince” for preparing our delicious lunch. Also another thank you was given to those businesses that donated gifts and to the volunteers.
The spring meeting will be held in Hampton, Virginia, meeting date to be announced. A motion was made to adjourn by Tom Miller and seconded by George Burmell. Dr. Jackson led us in a prayer before adjourning.
Respectfully submitted:
Forrest L. Black, President