SECRETARY’S REPORT

San Antonio Chapter

NFB of Texas

February 20, 2010

President Jose Martinez called the meeting to order at 1:06 P.M. Everyone introduced himself or herself. Azeneth de la Rosa, Ernestine Ewing, Denise Rodriguez, Marvin Vasquez, and Mike Gilliam were guests. Altogether, there were 13 members and five guests with a total of 18 people present.

President Martinez summarized the history of the Chapter from its reorganization in 2007 to its growth today.

First, the Chapter listened to Presidential Release #381 which summarized upcoming national events, but mainly focused on the Washington Seminar and this summer’s Race for Independence during the 2010 national convention.

Vice President Cindy Garcia reported about her experience during the Washington Seminar between January 30 and February 4. She reported about 500 Federationists attended from all over the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Groups of three to five people were formed to meet with members of Congress. Vice President Garcia reported that she and her group met with Vice President Sheila Jackson-Leigh of District 18 in Houston. When group members explained to Representative Jackson-Leigh about each piece of legislation, she would not hear of the explanations, but decided to sponsor all three pieces of legislation. Vice President Garcia stated the importance of blind participants attending the Washington Seminar.

President Martinez reported that the Low Vision Expo sponsored by the Low Vision Resource Center will take place on Saturday, March 6, at 9:00 A.M. The Chapter will have a booth at the expo to pass out literature and sell raffle tickets for an iPod Shuffle.

President Martinez reported that on March 13, the Chapter is invited to participate in the Foundation Fighting Blindness Vision Walk at Brackenridge Park. Ticket sales from the iPod Shuffle raffle will be donated to Foundation Fighting Blindness.

Mary Donahue reported that she sent an email message to _Braille _Monitor Editor Dan Frye and reported about the Chapter elections and various events during the past year. The elections will be published in the April, 2010 issue of _The _Braille _Monitor.

Discussion followed about upcoming fund-raising events. The Red Robin fund-raiser will take place some time in April.

The last part of the meeting was a presentation by Mike Gilliam, CEO of the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind. First, he explained that he had started out as a Lighthouse board member for three years before becoming chief executive officer. He summarized various changes in the Lighthouse, some of which included the manufacturing of Navy jackets. He passed out various samples of products made by the Lighthouse. Pens and pencils are still a part of the Lighthouse manufacturing, and employees receive minimum wage from the beginning of their employment. Discussion and questions followed. This is the first time a director of a Lighthouse for the Blind has come to a Chapter meeting, and we encouraged him to come back.

The meeting adjourned at 2:39 P.M. Immediately following adjournment, Denise Rodriguez signed up to join the Chapter as a new member.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Donahue, Secretary

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