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June, 2006
May was a busy month – the deadline for the ACB grant applications was May 15; then a follow-up letter was sent to those 61 applicants, asking them to let the office know if their plans had changed since they submitted their application, and that deadline was May 26; on Wednesday, May 31, Mary wrote the grant checks. (That was also Mary’s last day with us.) When all was said and done, there were 55 people who were written grant checks. This number did not include the five people who are mandated by a prior resolution to be given grants to assist them in attending the ACB Convention. Those five people are: the President, Treasurer, Education and Welfare Chair, Public Relations Chair and the Executive Director. So, as of this writing, we have at least 60 people going to the ACB Convention this year. Of course, there may be more as some do choose to not apply for a grant and go on their own. The amount of the grant this year is $465.90. There were some cancellations after the deadline which means that those checks must be returned.
Hopefully, as most of you know by now, Mary Walter has left MCB. Her last day, as stated above, was May 31. Her aging father lives in Colorado and some major decisions will need to be made by Mary and her sister for his care. We will certainly miss Mary and her most efficient work. Her sixteen months with us are most appreciated.
Now, when you call the MCB office, you may hear an unfamiliar voice. On Monday, June 5, Lisa McMahon started working in our office as a temporary employee. She just received her Master’s Degree in Music Education and is looking for a job in that field. Lisa will be with us until such time as she finds employment in her field or I hire a secretary.
I have been instructed to close the MCB office while I am gone to the ACB Convention in Jacksonville, Florida. Since we will be driving to Jacksonville, the office will be closed beginning Thursday, July 6 through Tuesday, July 18. Notices have been sent to Board members, apprising them of this decision. Kathey feels since both the Bylaws and the E. D. job description mandate the E. D.’s attending the national convention we have no other choice. We do not feel that volunteers could handle office matters for that period of time.
Have you looked at our web site lately? It is:
www.missouricounciloftheblind.org
There are numerous links with lots of information.
One link I would like to call your attention to is the “Forms and Applications” link. Any of these forms and/or applications may be downloaded and printed out. For instance, you will find the MCB Convention pre-registration application on this link. Also, all of our program guidelines and applications are on the “Forms and Applications” link. I do realize, however, that there are many of our members who do not have computers, so the office will continue to send out these forms and applications upon request.
You will also note that we try to be diligent about keeping the web site updated. This takes the efforts of Denny Huff, Cathy McKean and myself. One of the things I learned in the grantwriting class I took last fall is that potential funders look at the organization’s web site; therefore, it is important that the information on the web site be current and the appearance of the web site be appealing. Thanks, Denny and Cathy, for your good work.
Have you made your hotel reservations at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City for the MCB state Convention Oct. 19-22? The preconvention Board meeting will be held on October 19, Thursday, beginning at ten a.m. You may also pre-register with MCB for the Convention by going to our web site, “Forms and Applications”, and downloading the Pre-registration form. You need to complete it and send the application, along with your check or money order covering the pre-registration of $5.00, the hospitality meal of $1.00, and the banquet at $20.00 per individual. In order to be pre-registered your application and money must be received by the MCB office no later than September 15. No refunds will be given after September 15.
Did you know…June 25-July 1 is Helen Keller Week?
You will recall that in the May Office News I told you about Erin Kelley who is an actress, and she is going to be in a play called “Molly Sweeney”. Molly Sweeney wis an Irish woman who is blind. Erin has been visiting some of our St. Louis affiliates and also attended the Harmony Lions’ bingo on June 3. Would you believe it? Erin said she hasn’t played bingo in years and never wins anything. Well, she won one of the regular games as well as the cover all.
In order to play Molly Sweeney as naturally as possible Erin has chosen to interact with blind folks, hoping to act as nearly like us as she can. She and I have been visiting about once a week in order for her to ask questions and find out how I do different things.
The productions of “Molly Sweeney” will begin on September 21 and go through October 1. It will be held at the Union United Methodist Church on Watson Road in St. Louis. The performances will be Thursday, Friday, Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons at three p.m. The cost of the tickets to attend is $15 per person for a group of ten or more. For individuals it is $25 per person.
Erin and her actor husband are a part of a small theater company called the Avilon Theater Company.
John Weidlich has seen this play, though some years ago, and says it is very powerful. There will be more about this to come.
The bingo games have been put on hold till August. The bingo boards belong to the Summer Camp Committee and they have been taken to Cobble Stone. Harmony Lions have said they will hold one in August.
NOTE: It is very important that affiliates notify the MCB office when a member moves or dies. If we are not notified, their correspondence, “Chronicles” and “Braille Forum” do not reach them. Mail sent as free matter is not forwarded. In addition, that is a cost we don’t need if no one is receiving it. So, please, please, remember to notify us when members move or die.
In closing I’ll share the content of a phone call the office received. A woman called, asking if she could get a hardship driver’s license as she needs to drive her daughter around. She further stated that she is blind in one eye and doesn’t see well out of the other. She was told she needs to contact the Missouri DMV. Then she also asked if when her daughter became old enough to drive, could she be the licensed driver with her. Again, she was told that she needs to contact the Drivers’ License office. What people won’t do in order to drive!
Till next month, count your blessings.
Beverly Armstrong
Executive Director
Missouri Council of the Blind
(314) 832-7172
ExecDir@MoBlind.org
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