American Council of the Blind
Budget Committee Report to the Board
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Steve Speicher, first vice president, Thursday, January 16, 2003 at 7:07pm Central Standard Time via conference call.
In the absence of President Gray, Mr. Speicher presided.
Roll call was taken by Secretary Donna Seliger. In addition to the Board, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Hodge and Mr. Olsen were present. It was determined that Dr. Ed Bradley and Mr. Alan Beatty were absent. Mr. Paul Edwards joined the call later.
Mr. Brian Charlson explained the budget as sent to each member.
Mr. Hodge, as chair of the BOP, stated that a $9,000 item would need the Board’s action and that it was not reflected in the proposed budget. The recommendation from the BOP is to finish the contract with Jim and Marjorie Megivern to produce a final manuscript. Mr. Megivern paid an assistant $4,600 out of his own pocket. ACB now owes Mr. Megivern $3,000. The committee is recommending to pay the Megiverns an additional $3,000. In addition, the Megiverns agreed to continue working on the manuscript so that it could go to a second publisher. Mr. Hodge asked that a decision be made by February 17, 2003 on the issue.
Mr. Charlson asked Mr. Pomerantz to read each of the 18 items in part two of the proposed budget.
Budget Note 1: This pertains to an amount of $200 to be spent for long distance calls as funds allow.
Budget Note 2: Funding for the BOP to attend ACB National Convention.
Motion 1: Mr. Mitch Pomerantz moved to accept the recommendation of the budget committee regarding budget note 2003-2. The motion passed.
Motion 2: Mr. Charlson moved adoption of budget note 2003-14 pertaining to funding for the Legislative Seminar. This item pertains to two nights lodging for one room per affiliate and banquet. Mr. Crawford explained that it would be more expensive if ACB doesn’t fund the Legislative Seminar. On a roll call vote, the motion carried with nine yes, two no and one abstention. Those voting in the affirmative were: Mr. Annunzio, Ms. Bazyn, Mr. Charlson, Ms. Christensen, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Pomerantz, Ms. Schmitt, Ms. Seliger and Mr. Sheehan. Those voting against were: Mr. Miller and Ms. Ruschival. The one abstention was Ms. Keith.
Budget Note 15: Funding for one night’s lodging and one day’s meals at mid-year 2003.
Motion 3: Mr. Charlson moved adoption of budget note 2003-15. The motion carried.
Motion 4: Mr. Charlson moved to go into executive session – 9:05 Central Standard Time.
The executive session ended at 9:27pm Central Standard Time and the Board meeting resumed.
Mr. Speicher stated that after some discussion during the executive session, the Board decided to give the budget committee and Executive Director time to look into budget notes pertaining to personnel.
Motion 5: Mr. Edwards moved to add budget note 2003-19 which would be similar in content to budget note 2003-18, but refers to Mr. Jim Olsen and would reflect 50 percent of the recommendation. The motion carried.
The Board agreed to meet on January 31, 2003 at 8:00pm Eastern Standard Time provided it is agreeable with the president.
The meeting ended at 9:40pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Donna Seliger, Secretary