Regional Group meeting minutes:
MINUTES
Mid-Atlantic Regional Group
Blinded Veterans Association
Fall Meeting, October 27, 2007
Holiday Inn Tanglewood, Roanoke, Virginia
The meeting was called to order at 9:05 a.m. by President Pete Davis with 39 members and guests present. After his welcoming remarks, Chaplain Jackson led us in prayer and Vice President Hicks led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Our morning speakers were led off by Dr. Maureen McCarthy, Interim Chief of Staff of the VAMC Salem, Virginia, who welcomed us to southwest Virginia and pledged the continuing support of BVA and each and every blind veteran served by her facility. She then introduced Dr. Ali Iranmanesh, Director of the Diabetes Institute and Director of Diabetes Education at the Salem Hospital. He discussed blindness, and patient care at the local hospital as well as shared tips on how patients could better cope with diabetes. Following his presentation, Mrs. Jan Therian and a team of diabetes educators discussed patient care, the rights and responsibilities of patients and the need for the patient to be a major player in their own care. After a short break, the entire team from Salem VAMC fielded questions regarding their individual specialties. The regional group and the hospital presenters agreed that the stocking of such items as talking glucometers, blood pressure machines, and scales should be a priority at the VA hospitals in the future. The discussion evolved around the two to four-week delay after the decision that a patient needs such a device, is educated on it, and then has to wait for its issue. VAMC staff agreed that items of this nature should be issued upon completion of instruction while the training is fresh. The regional group will be submitting a resolution to the National Convention in 2008 regarding the encouraging of this practice.
Following the VAMC presentations we had vendor presentations by R. F. B. & D., I. T. G., and Freedom Scientific discussing their programs and products. I.T.G. has offered to host a future regional group meeting at its training facility in Falls Church, Virginia. (Possibly the fall 2008 meeting.) Following their presentations we recessed for our lunch/vendor break. Throughout this meeting we were ably assisted by Sea Cadets from the Roanoke area.
The meeting resumed at 1:30 with President Davis’ remarks. The minutes for the spring meeting were not read due to the Acting Secretary’s absence due to health reasons. They were accepted, subject to review. The Treasurer’s report was present by Skip Sharp in which he reviewed our financial filing with National BVA, our expenses and current financial position. He reported that our regional group was in “good standing” and that we had received our money from National. He further reported that this was one of the best years when it comes to the proceeds from the Life Membership Fund (over $6,000). Motion was made to accept his report subject to audit. Motion approved.
President Davis reviewed correspondence from the BVAA asking regional group support of the BVAA Scholarship Fund. After reviewing the history of our group’s support of this activity, President Davis relinquished the chair for final discussion and vote on this item as he is also a National Officer of the BVAA. Vice President Hicks called for the vote to give the BVAA Scholarship Fund $250 at this time. Motion approved.
After resuming the chair, President Davis recommended that the regional group allow up to $500 be spent from the treasury by each chapter on activities directly in support of blind veterans. Such items as holiday parties, assistance with travel expenses to the winter sports program, and Ski for Life were given as examples. It was made clear that this money be spent or committed prior to the spring meeting. Any money not expended by a chapter at that time will not carry over as “committed” to chapter money. Motion and seconded. Motion approved.
Correspondence from National was reviewed regarding the chartable gifts status of regional groups (501c3). After discussion and awaiting further guidance from National BVA, a motion was made to allow President Davis to expend up to $500 on legal costs in pursuit of this filing. Motion approved.
Informational items, from the President included:
Digital Talking Books: members were encouraged to contact their servicing library to insure that their records indicate that they are a veteran as new machines will be distributed to veterans and centenarians first.
2010 National Convention: The Mid-Atlantic Regional Group has placed a tentative bid for the 2010 National Convention to be held in the Baltimore-Washington area. Further information will be provided as it develops.
Possible by-laws change: President Davis will present to the regional group at its spring meeting a proposed by-laws change regarding the length of term of office of regional officers. His recommendation will be to make the term of office two years instead of the current one-year. Chapters are encouraged to discuss this in preparation for the spring meeting.
After thanking the Salem Chapter and especially Clyde and Hazel Compton for the Friday night reception and there being no further business to come before this meeting, it was adjourned at 3:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lottie Davis
Acting Secretary
(from tape of meeting)
End of Document