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1093 South Broadway |
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1093 South Broadway |
September 2006 UpdateYour regular quarterly newsletter will be back on track with the Oct., Nov., Dec. edition. Greetings!! On June 1, 2006, I, Paula Wiese, assumed the position of Executive Director. BGCB has experienced a succession of hard working, dedicated Directors/Interim Directors and with every vacancy, bigger shoes were left to fill! I am the wife of past Interim Director Paul Wiese, mother of seven children and grandmother to nine. My previous position was American Sign Language interpreter for the Deaf/ HH/ Deaf-Blind with Fayette County Schools. I am excited to be involved with BGCB. The field of referral and advocacy has always been very dear to me. I am sighted and my husband Paulis legally blind. I will be depending on your input and guidance related to issues and concerns of the blind/visually impaired community. My goal is to personally contact each of you during this year. The BGCB office remains at the same location:
1093 South Broadway with office hours from 10:00-2:00. Visitors are always welcome! We can put also put you to work! Through a grant obtained by Judy Potter and Patsy Rose, BGCB was able to purchase 2 refurbished Dell computers. Mike Pence did the research and ordering. Robert Bowman wired the office for networking the computers. Morry LaTour negotiated with QX to obtain a DSL line at a reduced cost. Networking, by Carol Porter, with the Urban Services League led to hiring Jim Weber for the position of BGCB Office Assistant.Jim continues expanding our computer set-up by networking the computers and creating shared folders, e-mail and a data base for referrals, mailing labels, membership lists and other documentation pertinent for grant applications. Many of you have spoken with Jim and can attest to his dedication to serving the Council. I am fortunate to have such a reliable assistant. This enables me to work outside the office and stay connected.
ACB ConferenceThe National Conference of the American Council of the Blind was held in Jacksonville, Florida on July 8-15. I attended the opening session representing BGCB in the roll call.There were many highlights of the opening session. Michael Hingson spoke about being a survivor of 911. His theme was "partnerships". He compared the partnerships within ACB to the partnership with his guide dog Roselle. Roselle led Michael down 78 floors of tower #1. It was tearful to hear his account of meeting the firemen entering the building as occupants were evacuating and the last unconditional act of love those firemen experienced was petting Roselle. The exhibitors' hall was full of the newest technology for the blind/vi. I collected information from many vendors and watched demonstrations of scanners, GPS systems, Script Talk and computer software. This information will become part of BGCB resources. Thanks to Adam Ruschival for taking me under his wing!I had a better understanding of the conference procedures. Congratulations to Carla Ruschival on her election to the ACB Board.
BGCB Yard $aleJudy Potter knows how to throw out a garage sale! She would like to thank everyone who helped with the sale. Thank you/donation letters will be coming out to all who donated items. BGCB earned $404 from the June sale!
Stephan Lawrence, LTD.BGCB now has an account with this consignment shop. New and gently used clothing items were donated by several of our members. BGCB has earned about $30 from the sale of these items. If you have gently used, stylish clothing to donate, contact the office. We will see your garments are cleaned/pressed and taken to the store.
ADA CelebrationThank you to the members of BGCB who attended the 16th anniversary celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act in Frankfort on July 26th.
Woodland Art FairBGCB had a booth in the nonprofit area of the Woodland Art Fair. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate! That didn't deter some of our members. Jim Weber, Marlene Thompson, Carol Porter, Kathy Carpenter, Paul Wiese and I still enjoyed the festival and manned the booth.
UK FUSION (UK For Unity and Service In Our Neighbors)BGCB participated with UK, Aug. 21, for a one day service event which gives UK students an opportunity to start their school year in a "helpful" way. Working in pairs, 10 students cleaned, organized (rewound all tapes) the audio library, cleaned out the equipment room and did clerical work here at BGCB.They were delightful and the office looks great!
VIP Support GroupThe VIP Support Group continues on the fourth Wednesday of every month from 12-2 p.m. Your Board voted to would provide a light lunch for the monthly meetings. The August meeting was attended by 25 people with a demonstration from "our own" Harold White on the I.D. Mate and Script Talk. Pamela and John Glisson, from Independence Place, demonstrated the Kurzweil NFB reader. Come and join the group - you'll be glad you did!
EquipmentJim has checked out the BGCB inventory of equipment and set each device up for use or demonstration. Gary Knack instructed Linda Stewart, Paul Wiese and I on the use/operation of the VERA reader he donated to BGCB.
Involvement of MembersBy now, you've noticed BGCB is thriving through the efforts of you the members! Please stay involved and keep up the good work!
Calendar of Events
Sept. 9
Sept. 15
Sept. 16
Sept. 27 |
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