Humboldt Council of the Blind
Members Present: Don Bollinger, Jim Mccurley, James Forbes, Lois Willson, Howard Wilson, Sandra Wentzel, Doug Rose.
Treasurer Report: Total 1142.38 includes ear marked funds for DVS and APS. $280 in the DVS account.
Lois and Howard delivered $100 donation from one of their church members for the DVS project.
October’s Minutes were read.
Old Business
The Coming Attractions Company is considering our proposal for DVS Close Captioning; President James will contact Coming Attractions at the end of January.
Dues were collected.
The officers for 2009 will remain the same as for 2008.
New Business
We signed the Facility use agreement, with the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District office so we can use their meeting room.
Don will ask about applying for the Sisters of Perpetual Motion funding For HCB, RSR, and LightHouse.
Sandra will Contact the Quota club about funding Close Captioning for the Coming Attraction movie theaters.
President James told the council about fundraising efforts at the World Cup café, 7 and F.
We adjourned by 4 p.m.
We held a potluck for our January business meeting. No business minutes were taken.
From: Secretary, Doug Rose
To: Humboldt Council of the Blind Members
Subject: Minutes for Council's February 2008 Meeting
Members Present: Doug Rose, Janet Farrar, Don Farrar, James Forbes, Jim Mccurley, Don Bollinger, Sandra Wentzel, Al Lopez.
Treasury Report: current balance $339.53.
November’s minutes were read and approved, with a correction to the reported account balance and the reported monthly fundraiser amount.
Old Business
1. James Forbes contacted the vice-president of management for the Coming Attractions movie theater company concerning descriptive movies. He is waiting for a response from the company. It will cost about $23,000 to install the equipment.
New Business
1. President James participated in a president’s conference call with other council president’s from around the state. They discussed a new CCB fundraiser called Friends of CCB.
2. Dues were collected for 2008, we now have 20 members. Our 2008 officers are: President James Forbes, Vice-president Janet Farrar, Treasurer Don Bollinger, and Secretary Doug Rose.
2. The council was informed about the new Eureka Citizen Traffic Commission.
The meeting was adjourned by 4:00.
Members Present: Doug Rose, Janet Farrar, Don Farrar, James Forbes, Jim Mccurley, Don Bollinger, Sandra Wentzel, Peggy Martinez, Norman Peterson.
Treasurers Report: current balance $574.50.
Last month’s minutes were read and approved, with a correction to which guest presented which topic.
Old Business
1. Peggy contacted CalTrans director, Charly Fielder about our sidewalk concerns. He invited our input and a representative from their ADA committee will be asked to speak to our council.
Follow-up details will be gathered on the problem sidewalk areas. Doug will email a thank you to CalTrans for the accessibility installed at the 5 and L street intersection, Eureka.
2. Peggy gave us a summary of the CCB fall convention activities. There was much interest in the new Victor Reader Stream DAISY player from Humanware. Greyhound bus Line offers assistance for disabled travelers. For assistance call 800-752-4841. ACB president informed the convention goers about ACB’s current efforts regarding: accessible currency, accessible cell phones, and ACB hiring a development director.
3. James Forbes will draft a letter to the Coming Attraction movie theater company regarding the need for descriptive video.
4. A motioned was passed to donate $50 to the Read This To Me service.
New Business
1. A winter potluck was proposed for January.
The monthly fundraiser earned $18. The meeting was adjourned at 4:00.
Members Present: Doug Rose, Janet Farrar, Don Farrar, James Forbes, Jim Mccurley, Al Lopez, Don Bollinger, Sandra Wentzel, Peggy Martinez.
Guests: Kathleen Adkins, Kevin Savetz, Aaron Antrim.
The council heard about a new service called Read This to Me, presented by Kevin Savetz. We heard about new changes to the HTA website, presented by Aaron Antrim.
Treasurers Report: current balance $546.50.
Last month’s minutes were read and approved.
Old Business
1. Results of the survey of restaurants for accessible menus were given. Lost Coast Brewery and Seafood Grill topped the list.
2. Peggy will contact CalTrans director, Charly Fielder regarding sidewalks along highway 101.
New Business
1. A letter will be sent to the Coming Attractions company inquiring about the installation of audio description.
2. Kathleen Adkins informed the group that Arial Gilbert from Guide Dogs for the Blind and an Olympic rower will be visiting here at the end of November. Perhaps people will want to meet with her at that time.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:00.
Members Present: Doug Rose, Janet Farrar, Don Farrar, James Forbes, Norman Peterson, Peggy Martinez.
Guests: Kathleen Adkins, Barbara Scott-Davies, and Jim Mannion.
1. Peggy and James reported the September 8 fundraiser at the Alibi was a fun event. About $130 was raised.
2. Doug phoned in for a legislative conference call with CCB but no one else phoned in. AB 238 allowing for reading to be done by IHSS workers is before the governor.
1. We discussed the lawsuit against CalTrans. Doug will contact CCB president Jeff Thom regarding our input.
2. Kathleen Adkins from the LightHouse surveyed the group as to which restaurants in Humboldt County would people like to have menus transcribed into Braille. Others on the email list will be surveyed and Doug will report his results to the LightHouse.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:00.
Members Present: Doug Rose, Don Bollinger, Jim McCurley, Janet Farrar, Don Farrar, James Forbes, Howard Willson, Peggy Martinez, Norman Peterson.
Treasury Report: Don reported the current balance is $544.50.
Old Business and New Business
The council did not vote on any motions. We spent time having a general discussion about accessibility issues such as accessible money. We discussed the history of the organizations of visually impaired people. Such as how did the American Council of the Blind get its start?
We discussed the efforts of the Lions clubs and the idea to recognize their work.
Plans for a summer potluck on August 17 were made.
We adjourned by 4:00.
From: Secretary, Doug Rose
To: Humboldt Council of the Blind Members
Subject: Minutes for Council's April 2007 Meeting
Members Present: Doug Rose, Don Bollinger, Jim McCurley, Janet Farrar, Don Farrar, James Forbes, Howard Willson, Lois Willson, Al Lopez.
Guests: Jeff Denny and Bob Farrar from the Redwood National and State park service. A special tour of the Lady Bird Johnson Nature Loop is scheduled for June 15, 10 AM. At the end of the walk we can gather for a picnic lunch. The council appreciates the efforts of the park staff in making their tours accessible for people with visual impairments. Doug will inform Jeff ahead of the tour date of how many people will be on the tour. Note there will be no June council business meeting, instead we will walk the Lady Bird Johnson Loop.
Treasury Report: Don reported the current balance is $524.50.
Old Business
1. Janet and Don gave us a report on their first CCB convention trip. The CCB granted Janet a scholarship to attend her first convention. She found the convention a very worthwhile event. The banquet speaker was Michael Hingson, a survivor of 9/11, told a truly riveting and uplifting story
2. Reading Service of the Redwoods will be off the air April 25, 26, and 27 while the office and studio setup is relocated to Arcata.
New Business
1. Transportation problems were discussed. Members will use the unmet transit needs process to voice their concerns such as difficulties interacting with the dial-a-ride dispatcher and one of our members had the Arcata bus leave without giving him time to reach the bus door. Doug encouraged him to inform Mad River Arcata transit manager about the problem. Doug suggested the council can also document in writing problems for inclusion in the unmet transit hearings.
We held our monthly fundraiser. The meeting was adjourned at 4:00.
From: Secretary, Doug Rose
To: Humboldt Council of the Blind Members
Subject: Minutes for Council's March 2007 Meeting
Members Present: Doug Rose, Don Bollinger, Peggy Martinez, Norman Peterson, Janet Farrar, Don Farrar, James Forbes, Howard Willson, Lois Willson, Al Lopez.
Guests: Lindsey McWilliams and Carolyn Crnich, Humboldt Elections office. We spent our meeting time testing out an accessible voting machine. Several members commented that this was a very worthwhile meeting.
The only business of record concerned the agreement to send CCB a $50 donation. This covers the activity for our March meeting.
From: Secretary, Doug Rose
To: Humboldt Council of the Blind Members
Subject: Minutes for Council's February 2007 Meeting
Members Present: Doug Rose, Don Bollinger, Peggy Martinez, Norman Peterson, Janet Farrar, Don Farrar, James Forbes.
Guests: Howard and Lois Willson, now council members, welcome Howard and Lois.
Doug gave the members a summary of the council’s recent correspondence from the council’s phone message machine, and e-mail messages.
Treasurers Report: the current balance in the general account is $534.50. The accessible signal account balance remains at $400.35.
Minutes from the January 2007 meeting were read and there were no corrections.
Old Business
1. Officers for 2007 were all elected to their offices through a vote of acclamation. Current officers are: President James Forbes, Vice-president Janet Farrar, Treasurer Don Bollinger, and Secretary Doug Rose.
2. The council was informed about the Reading Service of the Redwoods fundraiser called Dancing for Dollars on March 10, 3 to 8 PM, Adorni center.
3. Peggy gave us an update on the ACB conference call regarding how to get people to join our organization. Promotion was one suggestion, using the Skype to phone service was another way chapters have delivered meetings to those unable to physically attend. More discussion will be held around these issues at our May meeting.
4. The election’s office will demonstrate an accessible voting machine at our March 16th meeting.
5. Bob Farrar from the park service will be invited to discuss tours at our April meeting.
New Business
1. Discussion was held regarding appliance marking by utility companies. Doug will contact CCB and the Del Norte utility to find out more information. It was suggested that for projects like this one the Boy Scout troops are a good resource to use.
2. The need for deaf-blind services was discussed. Peggy informed the group about an upcoming event discussing this topic.
3. It was agreed to create a recognition award for the McKinleyville Lions club. Doug will arrange to have a certificate made.
4. Discussion was held regarding the type of detectable warnings used at curbs. Doug will do further investigation and respond to the local Cal Trans office regarding their inquiry. Cal Trans will be signalizing the intersection of fifth and L streets in Eureka. Accessible signals will be installed per City of Eureka’s request.
The meeting was adjourned by 4:00.
From: Secretary, Doug Rose
To: Humboldt Council of the Blind Members
Subject: Minutes for Council's January 2007 Meeting
Members Present: Doug Rose, Don Bollinger, Jim McCurley, Peggy Martinez, Norman Peterson, Al Lopez.
Guests: Janet and Don Farrar, now council members, welcome Jan and Don.
Doug gave the members a summary of the council’s recent correspondence from the council’s phone message machine, and e-mail messages.
Treasurers Report: the current balance in the general account is $382.63. The accessible signal account balance remains at $400.35.
Those who had purchased raffle tickets last year from CCB agreed Don can inform the CCB office to consider our ticket money as a donation to CCB since our tickets were not included in the raffle.
Minutes from the October 2006 meeting were read and there were no corrections.
Old Business
1. Access to voting was discussed. Don Farrar said no one at the Blue Lake poll used the accessible voting machine except a news reporter. Norman tried to use the accessible machine at his polling place but resorted to his older work around method. Peggy reported the North Coast journal had a story about the accessible equipment. She did not find the story fairly represented the topic. It was agreed to invite someone from the election’s office to a future council meeting.
New Business
1. Members voted to send a donation of $25 to the Braille Transcribers of Humboldt in memory of long time transcriber Robert Whipkey.
2. It was agreed to send Cal Trans a letter of recognition for the advocacy work done by their late employee, Michael Lucas.
3. Elections were postponed until February.
4. Yearly dues were collected.
The meeting was adjourned by 4:00.
From: Secretary, Doug Rose
To: Humboldt Council of the Blind Members
Subject: Minutes for Council's October 2006 Meeting
Members Present: Doug Rose, Don Bollinger, James Forbes, Al Lopez.
Doug gave the members a summary of the council’s recent correspondence from the council’s phone message machine, and e-mail messages.
Treasurers Report: the current balance in the general account is $1032.25. The accessible signal account balance remains at $400.35. There are a few months of outstanding phone charges to be paid as soon as Doug submits an invoice.
Old Business
1. James Forbes and others raised $600 at the Alibi Bar and Grill September 16, through a benefit concert.
New Business
1. Doug reported that the McKinleyville Lions club is spearheading a fundraising effort for the Reading Service of the Redwoods. Donations to the McKinleyville club will be matched by the Trinidad Lions club and then what is raised locally possibly matched through a grant from Lions club International.
The council voted to donate $200 to the McKinleyville Lions club for the reading service project.
2. The council was informed that a pres conference announcing the KHSU broadcast of the reading service will be held November 29, 10:30 AM as part of the Arcata low vision support group meeting.
3. Discussion was held concerning a Christmas time council party. It was suggested that the council hold the party as part of the Arcata low vision support group’s weekly meeting. It was suggested that the council purchase refreshments for the event this year instead of doing a potluck.
4. CCB annual raffle tickets were distributed.
5. The council received a $200 donation from Bear River Casino. Joan Sickens had submitted the council’s name for the donation.
The meeting was adjourned by 3:30. Reminders: it was voted to take a winter recess from business meetings with the meetings to be resumed in January of 2007.
From: Secretary, Doug Rose
To: Humboldt Council of the Blind Members
Subject: Minutes for Council's September 2006 Meeting
Members Present: Doug Rose, Don Bollinger, James Forbes, Jim McCurley
Treasurers Report: the current balance in the general account is $212.25. The accessible signal account balance remains at $400.35. The post office box has been renewed. . There are a few months of outstanding phone charges to be paid as soon as Doug submits an invoice.
Old Business
1. James Forbes and others are performing music at the Alibi Bar and Grill September 16. This is a benefit show for the council.
2. There were questions about the accessible signals at 5th and R streets. It was suggested the council make a visit to this intersection to evaluate the setup.
New Business
1. Don reviewed a benefit show he saw put on by the Sisters of Perpetual Motion. This is a possible fundraising idea for groups such as the council or the reading service.
2. Doug reported that the McKinleyville Lions club is spearheading a fundraising effort for the Reading Service of the Redwoods. Donations to the McKinleyville club will be matched by the Trinidad Lions club and then what is raised locally possibly matched through a grant from Lions club International.
3. James pointed out that one of the ATM’s at a local post office does not have Braille on the keyboard. He found Braille on the ATM at another post office location.
The meeting was adjourned by 3:30. Reminders: Next Meeting date is October 20, 2006.
From: Secretary, Doug Rose
To: Humboldt Council of the Blind Members
Subject: Minutes for Council's May 2006 Meeting
Members Present: Doug Rose, Don Bollinger, James Forbes, Jim McCurley
Communications Report: the council was given a summary of various correspondence including emails, the calls made to the council’s phone line since the report given in March. One letter of note was received from Cal Trans district 1 director, Charles Fielder. He acknowledged receipt of our thank you letter, and said the topic would be covered in their employee’s newsletter. Our local election’s office has been discussing accessible voting with the council. They contacted the council regarding a system called Vote-PAD.
Treasurers Report: the current balance in the general account is $284.25. The accessible signal account balance remains at $400.35.
Old Business
1. Members were informed about CCB proposed legislation. A bill of interest is: BILL NUMBER: SB 1114 INTRODUCED BY Committee on Human Services (Senators Alquist (Chair), Maldonado (Vice-Chair), Aanestad, Chesbro, and Romero)
This bill would require that an organization or agency whose sole purpose is to provide services to the blind or visually impaired, that receives grants or contracts from the department of rehabilitation, have at least 20% blind or visually impaired individuals as board members. At this time only 1 out of the 25 such organizations in California is opposed to this legislation.
New Business
1. Unmet transit needs were surveyed such as no dial-a-ride service to College of the Redwoods and the complicated dial-a-ride ticket system.
2. The topic of described video service being advocated for in our local theaters was revisited. Previously our president Peggy Martinez has collected background materials on described movies and has been in contact with the Minor Theater Corporation. The Minor Theaters have been purchased by the company Coming Attractions.
3. A discussion was held about using a talking thermometer key chain as a fundraising product. An ACB affiliate in South Dakota is selling these devices. It was suggested that a more useful product would be a talking compass key chain.
The meeting was adjourned by 4:00.
Reminders: the council will take its usual summer recess from regular business meetings. Our next meeting will be in September.
From: Secretary, Doug Rose
To: Humboldt Council of the Blind Members
Subject: Minutes for Council's March 2006 Meeting
Members Present: Doug Rose, Don Bollinger, James Forbes, James Davis, Al Lopez, Jim McCurley.
Guests: Janet Pomerantz, social worker LightHouse of the North Coast, Emily Davis
Communications Report: the council was given a summary of the calls made to the council’s phone line since January 1 2006.
Treasurers Report: the current balance in the general account is $365. Note that 70 dollars of this amount is from CCB scholarship tickets so this amount will be deducted and submitted to the CCB office.
The accessible signal account balance remains at $400.35.
Old Business
1. Thank you letters to Caltrans and City of Eureka for installing accessible signals will be mailed next week.
2. The council reviewed the information sent from senator Chesbro’s office in answer to our question about a database of laws. In general it pointed the council to resources that we already knew about.
3. The council approved a donation of $25 be made to the Reading Service of the Redwoods.
4. Changes to the bylaws were discussed. It was decided to leave the bylaws unchanged.
5. James Forbes has reserved the Alibi bar and grill on the date of September 16 for a fundraising concert.
6. Results of Al’s phone survey were presented. It was decided to keep the meeting schedule as we have it now.
New Business
1. The council approved $100 be given to James Forbes to assist with his convention costs.
The monthly fundraiser brought in $7.
The meeting was adjourned by 4:00.
next meeting April 21, 2006.
From: Secretary, Doug Rose
To: Humboldt Council of the Blind Members
Subj: Minutes for Council's February 2006 Meeting
Members Present: Doug Rose, Norman Peterson, James forbes, and Peggy Martinez.
Guests: Lois Willson, Howard Willson
Lois and Howard announced a project the low vision groups are working on. It concerns setting up a phone tree in times of an emergency. The low vision groups are focusing on emergency preparedness for people with visual impairments.
Old Business
1. Doug will send thank you letters to Caltrans and City of Eureka for installing accessible signals. The city of Eureka will be also recognized for their work during the public comment period at a city council meeting.
2. A letter was sent to senator Chesbro asking about a database of laws pertaining to visually impaired people.
3. Peggy and James Forbes are planning on attending the CCB convention in April.
4. Discussion was held concerning a donation to the Reading Service of the Redwoods. This topic was tabled until our next meeting.
New Business
1. James Forbes will ask the management of the Alibi restaurant about hosting a spring fundraising concert.
The meeting was adjourned by 4:00.
From: Secretary, Doug Rose
To: Humboldt Council of the Blind Members
Subj: Minutes for Council's January 2006 Meeting
Members Present: Doug Rose, Don Bollinger, Al Lopez, Norman Peterson, James Davis, Joan Sikkens, Jim McCurley, and Peggy Martinez.
Treasurer's Report: the Wells Fargo account balance is $183.25.
The Washington Mutual account (accessible signal fund) balance is $400.35.
Old Business
1. Norman reports accessible signals are now installed on R street at the intersections of 4th and 5th.
2. Don will send Chesbro our inquiry letter about a blind laws database.
3. Doug will check on thank you letter to City of Eureka regarding accessible signals.
4. Al will call past members to survey them regarding their participation with the council.
New Business
1. An election of officers was held. The slate of officers for 2006 will be the same as 2005. Peggy Martinez, president, Jim McCurley vice-president, Don Bollinger treasurer, and Doug Rose secretary.
2. The bylaws will be reviewed at the next couple meetings.
3. In recognition of Jill O'Connell's volunteer work the past few years as our delegate the council voted to pay her local dues for 2006.
5. Joan announced the Reading Service of the Redwoods will be participating in the Dancing for Dollars fundraiser again this year on March 11.
Our monthly fundraiser brought in $10.50.
The meeting was adjourned by 4:00.
Reminder: next meeting February 17, 2006.
receive a text file with minutes from 2005
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