Meetings and Minutes

Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council
Quarterly Business Meeting Minutes
January 22, 2009

Location:
Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired
397 Azalea Avenue
Richmond, Virginia

Members present:
Marcia DuBois, Chair
Carmela Greer
Mary Mathena
Dave Barrett
Sarah Liddle
Susan Prokop
Ellen Shackelford
Alexandra Dixon
Raymond Kenney
Theresa Preda, Ex-Officio
Jane Ward-Solomon, Ex-Officio

Members by Teleconference:
Steve Johnson

Members Absent:
Jack Brandt
Terry Labar
Celestine Walker
Shawn Utt

Staff:
R. Kriner

Members of the public/Guests:
James Rothrock, Commissioner, Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS)
Mary-Margaret Cash, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS)
Ray Hopkins, Commissioner, Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI)
Melody Lindsey, Director, Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired (VRCBVI)
Marta Fleming, DBVI Consumer
Mathew Deans, Youth Leadership Forum
Terri Barker, Virginia Board for People with Disabilities
Kara White, Virginia Board for People with Disabilities
Neal Sherman, DRPT


Chair DuBois called the meeting to order at 11:35 a.m.
Introductions

Public Comment:
Marta Fleming gave testimonial on how services provided by DBVI have impacted her life.

Guest Speakers:
DBVI Commissioner Ray Hopkins welcomed the SILC to the DBVI campus and gave an overview of consumer services, onsite training, and resources provided to consumersby DBVI. A tour of the campus was offered to those interested, at the conclusion of the meeting.

Melody Lindsey, Director for the Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired, outlined services provided by the Rehabilitation Center.


To comply with FOIA guidelines, Chair DuBois called for a vote to bring Steve Johnson into the meeting by teleconference.
Prokop made motion to approve Steve Johnson joining the meeting via teleconference, under the Family Emergency provision.
Seconded.
Approved by voice vote.
Motion passed

OFFICER AND COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Operations Committee:
Sarah Liddle presided over the meeting in the absence of Chair Steve Johnson.

The Operations Committee recommended 3 Motions be presented to the full Council:
1. SILC staff to list all committee members on each committee agenda to help ensure accuracy.
2. Request each SILC committee submit annual status report to help monitor progress. Operations Committee to compile and develop process for disseminating the information to our stakeholders.
3. Approval of data collection strategy timeline for the 2012-2015 State Plan.
Barrett made motion that Council adopt all 3 motions presented by the Operations Committee
Seconded..
Approved by voice vote.
Motion passed.


Treasurer’s Report:
In the absence of Terry Labar, Staff Kriner presented budget updates, including an overview of revenue sources and annual projection of each:
• $3,347 Federal FY 2008 Part B carryover funds
• $416,621 FY 2009 Part B Level funded
• $12, 684 SFY 09 I & E balance funds
• $ 15,205 SFY 10 1/2 Allocation
• $6,250 SILF allocated as resource to complete Goal I

Total expenditures for quarter ending in October 2008 was $ 99/314.12. This includes meeting expenses and contractual obligations to CILs and VACIL.

Kriner noted that their were two areas where we had not previously budgeted funds were we accrued expenses dues and training for staff and members outside of the SILC congress and NCIL conferences. In order to address this Kriner and executive committee recommends moving funding from personnel line item for administrative assistant.

Staff Kriner also noted that October 2008 quarterly meeting costs were under $4000, indicating that Richmond is the most economical meeting site.

Committtee recommended that $500 be moved from Administrative Assistant budgeted funds to cover NCIL dues, and to move $300 for staff training through NCIL and ILRU.
Barrett made motion to make budget adjustments as presented.
Seconded.
Approved by voice vote.
Motion passed.


Secretary’s Report:
Shackelford made motion that minutes from the October 2008 meeting be approved, with name corrections as amended.
Seconded.
Approved by voice vote.
Motion passed.


Executive Committee:
Chair DuBois reported the following activities and motions:
• Closed session held in accordance with 22.3711 A7, to consult with legal counsel. No action taken by Executive Committee during confidential closed session, informational only.
• Recognized new appointments of Carmela Greer and Shawn Utt, and reappointment of Dave Barrett. Will verify appointment schedule for Dave Barrett, regarding expired term.
• Council members were reminded to check roster for accuracy of their information
• Executive committee discussed and agreed to recommend greater focus on meeting efficiency through the following actions:
1. Ensure that we conduct business in adherence with Robert’s Rules of Order.
2. Structure meetings to ensure that the members directly involved with the
committee are identified and separate from other Council members.
Barrett made motion to accept Meeting Structure recommendations as presented.
Seconded.
Approved by voice vote.
Motion passed.


As a third suggestion Kriner introduced the “Parking Lot” strategy where only committee members actively involved in the committee meeting participate. Others would write down questions or concerns, which will be addressed at the end of each meeting, as time allows. If not sufficient time to address issue, Staff Kriner will follow up on an individual basis.
Preda made motion to approve Parking Lot strategy.
Seconded.
Approved by voice vote.
Motion passed


Goal I Committee:
Determination made to give subcommittee authority to modify Focus Group questions and move forward with implementation.
Prokop made motion to approve recommendation that the subcommittee move forward with modification and implementation of the focus groups.
Seconded.
Approved by voice vote.
Motion passed.


DuBois volunteered to collect CIL data on concerns of unserved/underserved and rural populations in order to help with identifying needs around underserved and unserved areas.


Goal II Committee:
In the absence of Jack Brandt, Raymond Kenney chaired the meeting and reported on updates:

• SPIL data collection activities were discussed.
• Maureen Hollowell gave housing update.

• Staff Kriner will work with Maureen Hollowell and other Council members to develop survey for feedback to be completed by CILs on activities of the current SPIL. Survey data will be used in the development of the upcoming SPIL. Target date for survey no later than January 2010.

NCIL propsal has been submitted. Need to put together a panel, if proposal is<