Palmetto Council of the Blind
Meeting Minutes for January 28, 2025
In attendance: Trish, Marie, Sharon, Paul, Lucas, Amanda Ronald, Ann
Guests Present: ACB Board Member Kenneth Semien Sr., and ACB Membership Director Cindy Hollis
Board Members Present: Jennifer Bazer, Dave Bertsch, Ryan Gorsky
Board Members Absent: Nancy Irwin (excused as she is attending the Assistive Technology Industry Association expo in Orlando), and Malaya Reece
After some technology delays, on our new Palmetto Council Zoom room, Jennifer called the meeting to order at around 7:07.
Dave introduced our first guest, American Council of the Blind Board Member Kenneth Semien, who gave an uplifting preview of the coming year, and also answered the question of concern for many today, the stopping of federal spending by President Trump. Dave pointed out this would affect many people in our organization and beyond, who get any kind of Social Security or disability income, as well as therapists who serve the blind community, as many of those therapists work for agencies or states that are funded at least in part, with federal dollars. Mr. Semien shared that late in the day, a federal judge blocked Trump‘s attempt to stop this important funding. The ACB will stay on top of this topic and do all it does, for the welfare of our members. Kenneth also promised a document to be released soon, throughout the ACB, outlining many services and benefits available to state affiliates and members.
Cindy Hollis, after joining and being recognized on the call as a big help to us in establishing and growing Palmetto Council, from early 2023 thru last year, shared numerous membership related ideas and spoke about conventions. Last July the ACB met in Jacksonville, and she previewed this year‘s convention, which will be in Dallas. Conventions can be scary, crowded and expensive, but the joy and experience are worth it, and planning ahead is the key. Cindy and Jennifer also spoke about the upcoming interstate auction, that Palmetto Council and eight or nine other state affiliates, will be holding at the end of March, using the ACB Zoom platform.
Both of our important guests got a warm welcome from our Palmetto attendees, and we thanked both for joining us tonight.
Jennifer gave a Treasurer report, welcomed our newest members, and spoke briefly about several topics, including how she will be speaking on behalf of Palmetto Council of the Blind, to a Boy Scout troop next week. Ryan asked for supporting information, from that talk, that he can use while he speaks to Boy Scouts in his part of the state. We spoke briefly about the Zoom technology, the PayPal widget we want to have properly installed with our non-profit status on our website, and other brief events, including our next meeting on February 25.
The meeting concluded at 8:02.
Minutes taken and submitted by Dave Bertsch, 1st VP.