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1093 South Broadway |
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1093 South Broadway |
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October, November, December 2008 NewsletterDirector's ReportDear Members, It is quite an honor for me to be serving as the Executive Director of the Blue Grass Council of the Blind as, on Sept. 7, 2008, we marked the 30th anniversary of the incorporation of this agency. This is quite a milestone by today’s standards! The Council rests on a strong foundation of dedicated volunteers and supporters. The list of Past Directors still involved with the Council is impressive. Interim Director Paul Wiese and Axel are active with the BGCB Outreach Program and my support at home; Interim Director Joyce McGuire and Glider are always available with information, support, historical data and stay active with VIP and Membership Meetings; Past Directors Carol Porter and Judy Potter are currently serving as Officers on the BGCB Board, as well as actively serving on BGCB committees. Carol was named 2008 UWBG volunteer of the year. Judy has remained dedicated to BGCB’s fundraising efforts with Oreck Home Parties and throwing open her garage to our annual yard sale. Several of us recently enjoyed lunch with Past Director Opal Spencer at her home. We had a great time talking to Opal about her memories as BGCB Executive Director. It is very obvious BGCB is very dear to Opal and her family. Past Director Harold White celebrated a milestone of his own this month with his 80th birthday. No one has informed Harold he entered a decade entitling him to sit back and enjoy some of the seeds he has sown! Harold will assume the Presidency of Lexington Blind Veterans and is active with Trinity Baptist’s Blind Buddies. He continues to keep BGCB updated on current legislation impacting the blind/visually-impaired and does a program here at BGCB we have labeled “Harold’s Gadget’s and Gizmos” where he demonstrates affordable devices and updates on equipment to enhance the lives of b/vi people. Lord only knows what else he’s into! We had a great Membership Meeting on Sept.21. Our meeting was held at Comedy Off Broadway where we recognized BGCB’s 30th Anniversary, shared lunch, conducted a business meeting, enjoyed the entertainment of David Hurt portraying legendary country music star Grandpa Jones and managed to devour all but a few pieces of an entire full sheet cake! You will be hearing more on the people and history of BGCB . We now have an Archivist who will be sorting through all the BGCB records. The records will be archived and accessible to blind/visually-impaired people. An ongoing historical perspective of BGCB will be created and excerpts from this data will become part of the newsletter. The Blue Grass Council of the Blind is thinking “outside the box” in an effort to anticipate and respond to the needs of the blind/visually-impaired community. Until the last few years, we’ve been like the Maytag repairman you saw on TV waiting for people to come to us for information and referral. We’re communicating and collaborating with other agencies to provide services, introducing BGCB to doctors and professionals in the field of blindness, publicly advocating for safe, reliable transportation, and serving on a commission for folks with disabilities…just to mention a few. The backbone of BGCB is the Board. The monthly board agenda is loaded with issues requiring these volunteers to make decisions on the direction BGCB will take to improve the lives of Lexington’s b/vi. I hope their dedication and sacrifice will be rewarded with the Council’s continued growth and involvement in the community. We have applied for funding through the Lexington Junior League and the Lexington Lions Club. No word yet on these requests. The remainder of the newsletter should give you an indication of how things are moving for BGCB. Please take a look at the upcoming activities and mark your calendar to attend! Paula
From The BoardPresident’s MessageOn September 21st Blue Grass Council of the Blind celebrated its 30th anniversary at Comedy Off Broadway. As the meeting went on we enjoyed a meal consisting of pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, chips, and baked beans. For desert, we munched down on some cookies, and brownies, followed by a piece of cake that was decorated with “Happy 30th Anniversary”. David Hurt from Kentucky Chautauqua (a part of Kentucky Humanities Council) did a presentation of Grandpa Jones as our entertainment. We held our quarterly elections, and the following members were elected to a two year term starting Jan., 2009:
Membership CommitteeOctober means the beginning of BGCB’s annual membership drive. Your annual dues as BGCB Members make such a difference in our ability to continue providing services to our community’s blind and visually impaired! We’ll be sending out membership renewal forms very soon. Thank you all for your continued support of and participation in the Council’s efforts to improve the lives of all the blind and visually impaired in the Bluegrass!
Ruth Ament
SecretaryAs the end of my term as secretary draws near, I wanted to thank all the members of the BGCB for allowing me to serve you as a Board Member and as Secretary. I have enjoyed meeting and knowing many of the members of the Council. Even though I will not be a board member or officer in the upcoming year, I intend to be present at some of the board meetings just to stay abreast of the great happenings at the BGCB. Also, I would like to thank Paula for her help and for chauffeuring me to various meetings in and out of town. Judy Potter
Member At Large Philip RoseI've enjoyed being on the Board, and am looking forward to White Cane Safety Day. Philip G. Rose
ACB National ConventionBGCB was part of the Host Committee for the American Council of the Blind National Convention held in Louisville from July 5-12. Thirteen members of BGCB attended the convention. What a good show! The convention soon took on a life of it’s own as things fell together. We collected items to stuff convention bags, helped stuff the bags, gathered door prizes, solicited auction items, and reported to the convention as volunteers. Carla has a way of pulling things out of you! I swallowed hard when she requested I find a speaker for the Sport Fanatics’ Banquet. I live in basketball country and wasn’t about to admit I was clueless about sports. I was lucky to recruit retired jockey Pat Day. He was very inspirational and entertaining. Pat donates all proceeds from his speaking engagements to Mom’s Closet. We arrived in Louisville, rolled up our shirtsleeves, and hit the deck! The BGCB group was involved in everything from registration to ACB Radio. The welcome party was well attended and lots of fun for everyone. The Convention was packed full of informative sessions and tours of local points of interest. ACB Convention attendees were treated to warm southern hospitality! We look forward to having the ACB Convention back on KY turf in 2012. Paula
BGCB Outreach ProgramThe Outreach Program is focused on identifying blind/visually impaired adults within the community who are struggling to cope the impact of blindness/vision loss; networking with other organizations/professionals in the field of blindness encouraging them to promote BGCB as a referral; staying in contact with BGCB Members to be sure their needs are being met; continuing to advocate for the blind/visually impaired on issues of health, transportation, independent living and other issues; remaining aware and vigilant of legislation impacting the needs of the blind/visually impaired. The “offshoots” of this program sprout on a daily basis. Susan Ament is a dedicated volunteer to the program. After sending letters of introduction to local Ophthalmologists, she set up a committee to call the office managers of these same contacts and ask for a time slot during a future staff meeting for BGCB to make a short presentation. The ACB Convention offered the opportunity for BGCB Outreach in every aspect of the program. Each convention attendee took advantage of the time to network with other conventioneers. Last week, Sept. 30, BGCB hosted a demonstration of HumanWare products by the company’s marketing rep, Mike Tendell and KY/IN distributor, Brian Goemmer. Twenty-two people attended with representation from seven agencies. Morry La Tour serves as Chairperson for The Mayor’s Commission for Citizens with Disabilities. The Commission, at this time, is focused on transportation and is working closely with LexTran on (among a few issues) a “request for proposal” to continue service, creating service accountability guidelines, on-time incentives, and recertification of Para-transit riders. Paul Wiese and Axel are back on track with their educational visits to the schools. Marlene Thompson and Linda Sutherland made TV appearances for Book Buddies. Linda Stewart took charge of a training program for the Seniors Community Service Employment Program. Rodman Stewart made his way to the stage of Comedy Off Broadway for the Toastmasters finals. He won 2nd in the humorous category. He will be on our VIP program this month. Harold White will become the President of the Lexington Blind Veterans. Morry La Tour and Carol Porter are ready to get the 44th National White Cane Safety Day off the ground (details in the newsletter). VIP and Membership must be included in our Outreach efforts. These are just a few examples of how the Outreach Program is thriving. BGCB Members have stepped up to the plate and responded to the needs of the blind/visually impaired community.
State Rehabilitation CouncilHere is a development from the August SRC meeting: The Kentucky Office for the Blind (OFB) is seeking public input on the service needs of Kentuckians with visual disabilities. OFB is required to conduct a statewide comprehensive needs assessment every three years for the Rehabilitation Services Administration in Washington, D.C. You can complete the survey online by going to the agency’s website: http://blind.ky.gov and click the “Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment” link. If you don’t have computer access, you may contact Cora McNabb toll-free at 1 800 321-6668 to complete the survey by phone or request one by mail. BGCB and NFB with Pamela Glisson will host one of the four statewide survey groups in Jan. 2009. Location and details will be forthcoming. Morry La Tour will be the facilitator for the survey. We do promise food will be involved! Beth Cross, Exec. Dir. for OFB says, “ The more responses we receive to this survey, the more likely we will gain an accurate understanding of the greatest service needs in our state. It’s important to get the perspectives of people across the state that are blind/visually impaired.” Please contact BGCB (259-1834) for more information and/or assistance.
Upcoming EventsVIP Support GroupYou are cordially invited to the monthly luncheon meeting of the Visually Impaired Persons Support Group. VIP meetings are always held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the BGCB office. Meetings are convened at Noon with lunch and socializing. At 1 PM the speaker is introduced followed by Q & A’s. Details for VIP meetings for the 4th quarter will be published soon. Wheels passes are provided. For more information, contact the BGCB office.
BGCB Board MeetingThe next BGCB Board Meeting will be held:
White Cane Safety DayPlease join us to celebrate the 44th National White Cane Safety Day.
Where:
When:
Agenda:
12:00 - 12:30 Wrap-up Light refreshments available Sponsored By:
35th Annual KCB ConventionNovember 7-9, 2008 Workshops - Exhibits - Resources Food - Friends - Prizes It's time for the annual convention of the Kentucky Council of the Blind, and we invite each and every one of you to BE THERE! Brimming with speakers (stewards), exhibitors (trainers), good food (from the feed bag), friends and fun and surprises (in the infield), this convention is a one-of-a-kind great race from the paddock to the winner's circle. Once again this year the KCB convention will be held on the campus of the Kentucky School for the Blind, 1867 Frankfort Avenue in Louisville. The paddock (registration) and the stable (dorm) open at 2:00 on Friday. All meetings, exhibits, workshops, meals and registration are at the track (Hartford Food Center). KCB kids will have fun at the Pony Corral (Recreation Center) on Friday and Saturday. The stable closes at noon on Sunday. A press pass (registration) is required whether you plan to attend one event or the entire convention. Your convention registration fee covers all meals and activities EXCEPT the convention banquet. Wear your badge at all times; it doubles as your meal ticket. Your press pass is just $10.00 per person when you mail the enclosed form by October 31; $13.00 at the door. Attending only the exhibits? You can purchase a special Trainers' Row pass for $5.00 (pre-registration) or $8.00 (on site). This special pass will not admit you to any other convention activities or programs. Staying overnight? Limited space is available in the stable (dorm) at KSB ($10 per person); reserve your room on the pre-registration form. FEATURED STEWARDS Our ACB steward is Michael Garrett from Missouri City, TX. Michael was elected to the ACB Board this summer here in Louisville. He has served as chair of ACB Enterprises and Services (the thrift stores) for several years; ACBES is the largest single fundraiser for ACB, providing about 33%, or several hundred thousand dollars, of the annual budget. Michael's highly-successful professional career was in the banking industry. He will conduct our general session on the economy and will be our banquet speaker. Dr. Tuck Tinsley, president of the American Printing House for the Blind, has much to share with us this year. The release of a brand-new Perkins Brailler, APH's role in hosting a regional meeting of the World Blind Union here in Louisville, and APH's 150th anniversary are all exciting timely topics. More stewards (speakers) will be announced soon. Watch our website (www.kentucky-acb.org) and our e-mail lists for convention updates. Have questions? Need more information? Give KCB a call at (502) 895-4598, or email KCB at kcb@iglou.com. You may also phone or email the BGCB office for pre-registration forms or more info.
BGCB SpotlightHappy Birthday!We'd like to wish the following Council Members with birthdates in the third quarter a very Happy Birthday!
If we have missed anyone’s birthday, it’s only because we don’t have that info in our records. Just contact us at the BGCB Office (859 259-1834), and we’ll be sure to update that info.
CondolencesOur thoughts and prayers go out to Denis Pike and the entire Pike family on the recent passing of BGCB Member Margie Pike. We will all miss Margie’s presence and participation at our VIP Support Group meetings.
About The Blue Grass Council of the BlindThe Blue Grass Council of the Blind, Inc., a United Way agency, is located at 1093 South Broadway, Suite 1220, Lexington, KY 40504. The Council provides the only full-time information, education, advocacy, and referral service in Fayette County for individuals and their families who are blind or visually impaired, without regard to gender, race or religion. Among the services offered are peer counseling, referral to appropriate agencies or programs to assist individuals in their adjustment to blindness, educational and social activities, advocacy services for the blind as well as a speakers' bureau to acquaint the community with the potential of the blind and visually impaired. Our office offers demonstrations of many aids and appliances to help the blind and visually impaired cope with their loss of vision. We also provide catalogs and brochures describing thousands of aids and devices that can be purchased directly from the supplier. The Council sends a newsletter, every three months in large print, on cassette tape, or via email to all who request inclusion on our mailing list. This newsletter makes interested persons aware of the various activities of the Council, of current legislative actions affecting the blind and other items of interest to the community. All services offered by the Council are free of charge. The Blue Grass Council of the Blind seeks to promote awareness of the abilities, rights, and specific needs of blind/visually impaired (b/vi) people. We encourage and motivate b/vi individuals to become productive, involved citizens of their community. Another challenge is to educate the public about the needs, aspirations and achievements of the visually impaired. Please call 859 259-1834 for more information on the following services for the visually impaired:
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