American Council of the Blind 62nd Annual Conference and Convention
6/19/2023 8:00 PM

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This file was created in real time by a Human Realtime Captioner for the purpose of communication access. It is not a certified legal transcript and may not be entirely verbatim. It is intended for use by the consumer only as notes of the proceedings. A consumer should check with the presenter for any clarification of the presentation.

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>> Captioner is standing by... >> Deb Cook Lewis: Welcome ACB, welcome to our 62nd annual section. Tonight, we'll be opening the meeting. This is an odd thing when we are doing this hybrid and virtual thing. We have to have the convention officially open before we can call the nominating committee into session. The real high-point of this evening will be the nominating committee coming up in a while. Meanwhile, we are here to set the stage for that by adopting our standing rules hearing the first iteration of our credentials report. After that, I am going to give you a few announcements, then we'll be done for this evening. We'll get right into it. I want to let you know all is here with me. We have Larry Gassman, and we have Chanel who's helping us. And broadcasting in clubhouse. Also, on media one in English and media 8 in Spanish. So, we are thankful for all of that. Now, I want to get us rolling. We also have Denise Irminger and we have our election officer and she will be counting the votes. We have Denise Colley who'll be speaking on every issue. I think we have everybody here. It will change a little bit during the night. It is the cast of character as we work through our ACB business portion of the meeting. So, now I would like to move us along to adopting the standing rules for the convention. These standing rules, a lot of things went on the March's meeting. They are also available in English and Spanish, both in writing and as electronic files and - I am hearing a big popping sound. We made it available for you for your review. Now, I would like to entertain a motion to adopt the standing rule. >> Pat Sheehan: I move. >> Deb Cook Lewis: If there are any questions, you will raise your hand. I will ask Nancy if there are any hands raised. I don't hear Nancy. >> Nancy: I hear two hands raised. >> Deb Cook Lewis: We'll call on the first two hands. >> Nancy: First is Debbie Green. >> Deb Cook Lewis: -- >> Am I allowing them to talk? Debbie Green. You should be able to unmute. >> Debbie Green: I did not mean to have my hand raised. I am sorry. >> Deb Cook Lewis: That's okay. That's easy to do. Okay, who's next? Carla is up next. >> Carla: Okay, I just have a question because I have not seen the standing rules. How much time is allowed for debate on the topic? Is it still the old 20 minutes? >> Deb Cook Lewis: Yes. >> Carla: Can we move to amend? >> Deb Cook Lewis: Yes. Jeff? >> Jeff Thom: There will be a five-minute period to vote questions about the resolution and the motion to be brought before the body. That may make a difference on what you decide to do with respect to the amendment. >> Carla: Well, actually, I - I think an increase at 25 minutes would be appropriate just because of the slower pace of the discussion and Zoom as opposed to in-person on the floor. With the time that's needed for people to be muted and unmuted and so on, that's why I think 25 is more appropriate but I just like to submit that for consideration. Do we need a motion on that? >> Deb Cook Lewis: I would move to amend. And then I would need a second. >> I see Mary's hands up? >> Deb Cook Lewis: We'll call on Mary. >> Mary: Yes, I raise my hand to second. >> Deb Cook Lewis: Carla has moved and Mary seconded that we extend the debate or change or modify the debate, period, to 25 minutes to 20 minutes. I want to remind you at any time the convention can of course go to extend the debate period anyway. It can be extended but they are proposing that the initial debate period would be 25 minutes instead of 20 minutes. All right, is there any discussion of the debate -- I am sorry, of the motion. >> Carla: May I make a statement? While it is true that we can move to extend at any time if I need to. Um f- if we extend the 25 to start with, it would recognize the need for a little more time and actual debate and in my opinion, it would actually move things along quicker than having to wait to move to extend and all of that kinds of things. >> Deb Cook Lewis: I will mention when I have presided and how I handle this, I know it is 20. If we only got one person left or if there is a difficulty of Zoom or whatever, I try to be sensitive of that because I recognize it and it is a little problematic. Is anyone who wish to speak for or against the motion? >> Nairo, you are muted. We also have Doug Powell. >> Deb Cook Lewis: Let's go with Doug. >> Doug Powell: I speaking of 20 minutes is not enough. We are lining up the people who we are going against. Therefore, I think those two things in place, I think the 20 minutes is sufficient. >> Deb Cook Lewis: Thank you, Doug. Is there anyone else who wishes to speak? >> I see no other hand. >> Deb Cook Lewis: Okay, first we need to vote on our parliament. I am counting on Jeff on this if I miss it. First, we'll vote on the amendment and then the amendment is to increase the time for debate from 20 to 25 minutes. All in favor of so doing, please raise your Zoom hand. Do not touch them and Nancy will tell us when the hands are settled and counted them and she will lower them. Chanel can do it. >> Chanel: I can count it. >> It is still moving a little bit so I am holding here a minute. >> Deb Cook Lewis: Sure. >> Okay, Denise, I have the count. I need everybody to once their hands are lower to hold until Denise called again. Can you lower the hands again? >> Yes, I keep on pressing the button. >> Deb Cook Lewis: Yeah, guys, don't raise your hands in advance of something. We'll do it. It is important that we do it. We know you know how but we have to do it to be official. >> Okay, can everybody just hold it and don't touch your screens at all right now. Deb, all hands are lowered. >> Deb Cook Lewis: All who opposed to the amendment to raise the count from 20 to 25 minutes. >> I am just waiting. >> Deb Lewis: Yeah, Zoom does this sometimes. >> Yeah, it goes really fast and a little later. >> Deb Lewis: Take your hands away from your devices. It looks pretty good. >> Okay. >> Deb Lewis: All right, we'll lower hands. And Zoom does that a little slower, too. Nancy and Denise will confirm the count on the amendment. >> I got to get a hold of Denise here. I have not done this for years. Sorry. >> Deb Lewis: That's okay, that's why we have tonight. It is the practice session. >> It is, it is. There she is. Okay. Just to confirm, is this a majority vote on this one, you guys? >> Deb Lewis: Yes, this is correct, right? Because it is just the standing rules? >> The amendment. >> Deb Lewis: Yes, the amendment. >> Okay, Denise, I just sent you the text. Denise, did you get my text? Okay, we do have a confirm. >> Deb Lewis: All right. >> Do you want count on this? >> Deb Lewis: Yes, please. The number in favor was 56. Opposed was 13 and 208 people on Zoom. So the amendment failed. Are there any questions regarding the standing rules before we vote? Patty Cox has her hand raised. Patty? >> Patty Cox: I did not receive the standing rules. Were they sent out? >> Deb Lewis: They were not mailed out. Let's see - I can't remember if they are mailed out. They're part of the program. They have been available - yes, they were information for where they were located online was sent out. I believe they were sent out in e-mail. They have been announced on ACB Media. They have been available in a variety of formats and places. >> Okay. >> Deb Lewis: It has been a challenge because there is been a lot of materials and a lot of stuff. Yes, they have been readily available to people and for some time. As I said at the out set, they were recommended a due pass at the last board meeting. They have been around for a while. Any other questions, comments? >> I do have one -- I have a hand up for Betsy G. >> Deb Lewis: Okay. >> Betsy G.: I have not seen the program. I have not received one thing about the program. >> Deb Lewis: Okay, thank you for your comment. Anything else? >> Pam Coffey: I will tell you this that I have not seen the standing rules. The problem I have had and I am sure I am not alone. For whatever reasons about two-thirds of the ACB convention e-mail has gone to my junk folder. Some of them I did not find until just very recently because I rarely go into that junk. >> Deb Lewis: Pam, I am going to call this out of order because it is not pertaining to the discussion. Anyone else has a specific comment relating to the standing rules? >> I have Todd Freitas. >> Todd Freitas: I didn't receive anything. If you are going to do senate rule in the future, it would be easy if the subject line says standing rules so we knew what they were. >> Okay, very good. >> Deb Lewis: I am going to call discussion on this unless someone has something specific about the standing rules. >> I have a brief comment and also just - I did not either and I did receive most of the convention e-mails. My name is Debbie Watson and I am a member. >> Deb Lewis: Okay, thank you very much. All right. >> Deb, there are still eight people with their hands up. I am unsure if this has to pertain to the e-mails we are receiving or this is something else pertaining to the standing rules. >> Deb Lewis: If you have a specific question about the content of the standing rules, I will take that. I am actually not going to be able to resolve a survey of whether people got the e-mail or not. So, there were other ways to get them. They have been on the agenda so if you did not have them and you needed them, you have been telling us of other things that you have not had that you needed. I have not seen anyone ask for the standing rules. They did go out. If you miss them, I am totally sympathetic to that. But, I can't solve it right now. I need you to put your hands down if you are wanting to report that you did not receive the standing rules. I absolutely understand that some people did not. If there is a question on the standing rules as proposed, I will take it. Otherwise, we are going to vote. >> I have Matt with his hand up. >> Deb Lewis: Okay, Matt. >> Matt Selm: Madame chair, standing rules of this year is the statement last year. The only addition is the five-minute time frame for points of information. >> Deb Lewis: Yes, that's correct. Thank you for that, Matt. That's very helpful. >> Ray Campbell has his hand up. >> Ray Campbell: We spent a lot of time who received or didn't -- we would just read them. I think that would be a good idea. Let's just read through them real quick. >> Deb Lewis: Just a moment. >> Do you want me to read it? >> Yes. 1A at the out set of debate on any issues. >> Deb Lewis: Excuse me, someone needs to debate. >> At the debate, there should be five-minute period to voted of exclusion of questions and other points of clarifications of issues being debated. Speaker is limited to one minute and asking about their point of clarification and shall not discuss the merits of the issue. Debate should begin at the conclusion of the five-minute period of point of clarification. Each debatable issue before convention limited to 20 minutes with a two-minute time limit first speaker, alternating between affirmative and opposing speakers unless the majority of the members agree to extend debate for additional period of time. Speakers shall not be recognized for purposes of seeking clarifications. Each member is respectfully urged to speak to the issue before the assembly and avoid unnecessary or time consuming dialogue. No members will be recognized the second time to debate until all who wish to debate have been recognized. Motion to close the debate will not be recognized by the chair by the first debate period. After the first debate period, properly move the motion such as I call for the question or I move the previous question will be handled by the chair and voted by the assembly. When there has been no more speaker on one side of the issue then the other side, and no speaker on the side of the issue with the lesser number of speaker seeks the floor. 1C. The chair shall define for the body what constitutes a point of order or other parliamentary in query and signifies how a member be recognized for making a parliamentary inquiry. The parliamentarian will act as a time keeper. Four, changes to the published convention program maybe proposed by the membership as deemed necessary. After this explanation, the 25 or more members, if 25 or more members object to the oppose change by raising their hand or standing, the change will require debate and a majority vote to modify the convention program. Five, nominating and seconding speech shall be limited to five minutes per candidate with the speaking time allocated according to the candidate punishes. A person nominated for an office more than once shall be limited to one-minute. Six-when no candidates of the office receive a majority of the vote, the election between the top two candidates. 'Affiliate both will be reported in whole or half number. The chair may declare the candidate elected by acclamation. 7A, once a voice vote has been taken on a resolution or amendment, there too, accordance of Article 3 and the chair announced the results of that vote. The chair shall ask anyone voting object to the vote, except that, if less than 25 members voted in the minority. The chair may immediately determine no record vote is recorded. >> If 25 members voting in the minority using their raised hand features, the record vote on the resolution shall be required. 8B, if a record vote is required, no further amendments may be proposed. That's you will. >> Deb Lewis: Thank you very much. The only change we had last year was the change in the establishing a period of time for questions and points of order that would be outside of the debate and would be clearly defined so that we can not have that credited against it so we can try to hear those things before we actually begin the debate and don't have to go back and forth and have people down far. It is difficult in Zoom to do this. This was the change that was proposed and accepted by the board. We have not adopted them. We don't exactly have in place of all the limitations of how we'll structure the debate. I want to bring this to a vote soon. Now, are there any additional questions that need to be raised before we can vote? >> I have two individuals. First one is Melody Holloway. >> Deb Lewis: All right, Melody. >> Melody Holloway: Thank you for taking the time for me. E-mails for each of the resolution and the standing rules the convention call to order tonight and tomorrow. The 21st and 22nd of by laws, they were clearly defined in the ACB podcast yesterday. It is not that difficult and if we are not going to be proactive, I don't know what we can do. >> Deb Lewis: All right, thank you. There were one more hand. >> Terry Pacheco: One question, back on 1C, you do say the rules for calling a question, parliamentary question -- can you go back? >> 1C? >> Terry Pacheco: The person announced at the beginning of the 20 minutes. Should it be at the beginning of the five minutes? Did it make sense? I am not saying it right, I know I am not. >> At the beginning of the first 20-minute debate period, the chair should define what constitute point of order. Any time -- >> Terry: That's my point. Should that be done during the first five minutes part when it is for the points of order and not when we already stopped it. >> Madame president, do you want me to clarify? >> Deb Lewis: Yes, please. >> Jeff Thom: We have some points that could be raised during the debate. >> Deb Lewis: So, you don't have a point of order before people begun to debate. Usually, points of order come when people are concerned about what we allow to happen during the debate or what was taken place. So, for the questions etcetera, will happen in the first five minutes and of course we'll introduce that. We don't need to tell you what a question is so you will know that. When we do the debate, we'll point out that if you have a point of order, we have some particular ways for you to let us know that we don't want be totally inclusive but help us identify so we can skip over that. As pointed out by someone earlier, what we will be doing to also help this is what we have done recently is to identify in advance of the people who'll speak. We are not required to do it that way but I think it is much easier to identify those who wish to speak for the item and those to speak again. There are up to five of each of those and they each get two minutes. That'll be 20. If it turns out to be 22, that's okay with me. I don't mean because they went over but because we had a challenge with the system. If others are speaking if a person has a point of order, they have to be able to get into that cue. We can't tell in Zoom really what you want to do in that cue. You can enter the debate. I think the way it is written is correct. Are there any hands? >> We have Todd. >> Deb Lewis: Anisio. I believe we have talked about this a lot. I thank you for your patience on this. Now, we need all hands lowered. >> All hands are lowered. >> Deb Lewis: Now, I will ask for those in favor of adopting the standing rules as presented, please raise your hands and leave them that way. I should have that little music while we do this. Do-do-do -- >> Jeff Thom: "Jeopardy." >> Deb Lewis: I could not think of what it is for. Looks pretty steady. Okay, Denise. Lower the hands, please. We'll get ready for the recs. Don't raise your hands yet. Please we'll lower the hands down. Come on Zoom. >> Should we lower hands once again? >> Deb Lewis: Because they have not coming down. >> I have been doing it several times. >> Deb Lewis: Okay, I am sure you are. Please, do not put up your hand - >> Okay, we are going to lower all hands. Please take your hands away from any kinds of screen you have. >> Deb Lewis: We need to do it because the problem is you may not realize that whether yours is up or not and when it is down because we did that and you press it, it comes backup. >> Okay, Denise, sorry, Deb -- sorry, I am getting people mixed up. >> Deb Lewis: Those who oppose to adopting the standing rules now please raise your hands and leave them up there. >> I just need to confirm with Denise. >> Deb Lewis: Uh-huh. >> Denise, did receive my e-mails? >> I am trying to open your E and G. >> It is much easier when Denise and I were sitting next to each other. >> Deb Lewis: Yes, I understand. >> What's happening is Denise could not see the count. >> Deb Lewis: We node to make Denise a co-host then. >> That's why I am copying and sending it to her like a snip. >> Deb Lewis:that's why there is a P & G file. We'll fix it tomorrow. We'll fix this for tomorrow. This is the only item we'll be voting on this evening. There was a few who'll need to go to the nominating committee. You are still fine. >> Okay, yes, we have our count. >> Deb Lewis: Let's hear our total. >> Adopting was 100 and 64. There were 225 people in Zoom. >> Deb Lewis: Thank you very much for that. They won't close the nominating room without Nancy. She's still here with us. You are perfectly safe but you will want to go over there. The next item on the agenda is the credentials report. It is the reading of the credentials report. We'll adopt the credentials report on Saturday night. But, now I would like to turn the meeting over to Ralph, the chair of our credentials committee. >> Ralph Smitherman: Thank you, madame chair. We want to thank all the states and special interest affiliates for sending in their information. We also want to encourage all those affiliates to use a credit card when possible to a due that that'll expedite matter for the ACB staff. Continue to use the AMS program, it seems to work well for us. All things are in order at the present. Once again I want to thank the ACB staff, and all the affiliates, and a special thank you to the credentials committee whose members are as follows. James Carona, Denise Colley, George holiday and Patrick Sheehan. It is a pleasure to work with this committee. They have inside and tennacity. I will give the final report on Saturday. Thank you very much. >> Deb Lewis: Thank you very much. We'll be looking forward to that. I want to give you a quick overview of how the rest of this week will work. This evening we'll be having the nominating committee meeting and it will be starting in just a few minutes. Those of you - it is appropriate to have that information, have that information now. Then, tomorrow Wednesday and Thursday, we'll be considering resolutions. There is a set of resolutions identified for each night. E-mails went out containing those resolutions. They are up on ACB Media. They are online. They are everywhere you want -- they're crawling all over the place. The three nights of resolutions. So, during those meetings, we'll consider only the resolutions set uch for those nights. So, if those resolutions go quickly, a meeting will be short. If the resolutions take a while, they'll be, you know, ever however accordingly. If we finish the resolution for the night, we'll stop so that those who are interested in the particular resolution will hear them on the night they expect them to be. That's how we'll keep ourselves moving. We have five is the first of the night, the first two nights and four on the third night Thursday. That's that. We'll be considering two by-law amendments. We'll have the reading of those tomorrow night on Tuesday. There will be no action taken. It is be reading. On Friday, we'll debate those constitution end by-law amendments. Then, that'll conclude the business session of the convention until we'll be in recess basically until we resume on July 1st in hybrid session. So, those are the plans for this week. And, you should have access to all of the items that we'll be discussing, and everything should be ready to go. So, we'll plan to begin promptly tomorrow evening. We'll read the by-law amendment first. We'll continue on with the other items. So, the last thing I have for this evening is a couple of announcements that have been sent to me to read. I shall do that. These are from the RDC, the Resource Development Committee, the first is the monthly monetary MMS group. Please join the MMS program for as little as 10 dollars a month. Your monthly donation can be split 50% between ACB or your designated state or special interest affiliate. You can increase your pledge by as little as 5 dollars a month to be entered for one of several drawings for Amazon gift cards. One for $300 and another for $350. Please contact the MMS team, you can call them at 888-999-3190. You can e-mail them @askacbmms@gmail.com or stop by booth number three in the exhibit hall where I think Dan Dylan is working all week looking at their schedule. Drop by and say hi to Dan. They're at booth 3. Leave your name and number and e-mail address and they'll be in touch with you when they get home from the convention to take your donation and set up up for the MMS. It is not too late to register for the Memorial walk. There is still time to register. You can find the link by going to ACB.org and arrowing down to the quick link tabs. Check on this link and follow the website prompts. You can also call the ACB office at 612-332-4232 if you need assistance. You can win $5, 000, by purchasing a braille ticket. The tickets are $50 each and can be split up to 5 individuals. The tickets are going very fast. You can contact the office at 612-332-3242 or stop by the mini mall. Those are the announcements. All right, I am ready to call us into recess until tomorrow night. Looks like there may be a couple of hands. I will take a couple of hands now. >> We have -- does Nancy need to acknowledge? >> Okay, first step is Roberta M. And followed by Hazel Fields. >> Deb Lewis: All right, we'll take those. Roberta. >> There we go, sorry, Roberta. Go ahead. >> Roberta: Thank you. I am not sure if it is a point of order but my understanding regarding to call to question is does not mean we automatically go to a vote on a motion. It means it is a request and debate. Therefore -- >> Deb Lewis: We have been debating for a long time. >> Roberta: I am not saying we were but because the request is to end debate, we vote whether or not to end the debate and not on the motion. >> Deb Lewis: Thank you. >> Sorry about that. >> Hazel Fields followed by Dan Boone. Hazel, you may unmute. All right, let's go to Dan Spoon. >> Deb Lewis: All right. >> Dan Spoon: Hi, everybody, great opening session. Congratulations. I want to remind everybody that the voting task force will be hosting a mock election tomorrow from 2:00 to 4 p.m. central, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. eastern. If you have concerns of your vote and how you go about voting or if you want to practice voting on the phone or electronically, please participate in the mock election tomorrow. It is a wonderful session. We'll also have a community call at the same time where we'll have both Pat and Tommy Sims from the voting booth and ready to answer your questions and any concerns of how to use vote now when we get to the in-person individual elections, this is really a great opportunity to listen and learn. >> Deb Lewis: Thank you, Dan. People had been asking me about what's happening with that session and I actually realized that I didn't have much information. Thank you very, very much. There is a community call and then there will be a ballot announced a the call for the practice, is that correct? >> Sorry -- >> Patrick will know it. >> Deb Lewis: Oh, Patrick is gone. >> Here we go. >> Dan Spoon: Yes, there should be -- everybody should receive a mock ballot tomorrow for the mock vote. Be on the look out for that. And you will need your voter code and go find it and be prepared. >> Deb Lewis: All right, great, great, thank you for clarification. We needed that. I believe we have everything covered. I am going to call this meeting in recess, and we'll continue tomorrow evening at 7 p.m. central time, I had to figure it out for a second. I thank you very much, we'll convene tomorrow night. >> [ Human Realtime Captioning by HRI CART ]