CEC DVI Executive Board Meeting

2009 Council for Exceptional Children Convention and Expo

Seattle, Washington

April 1, 2009

Attendance:

Name: Location:

Phyllis Simmons MD

Loana Mason CO

Ellyn Ross PA

Derrick Smith AL

Shelia Amato NY

Diane Pevsner AL

Janie Blome KY

Marie Celeste DC

Tina Hertzog PA

Mary Jean Sanspree AL

David Ross PA

The DVI Executive Board meeting was called to order at 1:00 pm by President Phyllis Simmons and the agenda was distributed to attending members.

Adoption of Agenda – A motion to except the agenda and approval of minutes from the 2008 APH DVI meeting was made by Derrick Smith and motion was seconded by Ellyn Ross.

President’s Report by Phyllis Simmons – An update from IDC meeting included:

o  Discussion of the 6 goals of the CEC strategic plan

o  4,357 registered attendees and 555 pre-convention registers

o  Multicultural symposium

o  International awareness of CEC/DVI

o  Membership

Past President’s Report by Ellyn Ross –

o  Recent election had a 20% response to voting

o  Results of the election:

o  Shirley Wilson – Treasurer

o  Derrick Smith – Representative

o  Michael Bina – Board Member

o  Tina Hertzog – Board Member

o  Keri Lohmeier – Board Member

o  Marie Celeste – Board Member

o  Award winners:

o  Stacey Kelly – Student of the year

o  Babbi Johnson – Teacher of the year

o  Stacey Kelly – Dissertation of the year

o  Ollie ??? – Advocate

o  Kay Holbrook – Service Award

o  Nominations will be sought for:

o  President Elect

o  4 board members

o  Secretary

President Elect Report by Loana Mason –

o  PAC report

o  Introductions of presenters

o  IDC – leadership transition

Treasurer’s Report by Phyllis Simmons for Shirley Wilson-

o  Review of 2009 budget

o  Proposed budget for 2010

o  Discussion of reimbursement for 2009 CAN coordinator

o  Motion to recommend 2010 proposed budget of $12,435.00 by Ellyn Ross

o  2nd by Derrick Smith

Representative Report by Derrick Smith –

o  Increase in dues

o  Request for better response to emails by board members

o  Initiatives on leadership, teachers and learning

Committee Reports –

o  DVIQ

o  4 quarterly issues published

o  “Broken even” in the budget

o  Discussion of online DVIQ in timely manner for DVI members who are blind or visually impaired

o  Braille DVIQ’s

o  Website

o  Derrick is resigning from as the webmaster. Looking for volunteers

Governmental Relations

o  CEC is requesting that members garner support from members of congress for 1) increased funding for all IDEA programs 2) Support higher education opportunities for students with disabilities and future educators 3) Support gifted learners

o  Membership

o  Membership is up 2.6% for DVI

o  Facebook?

o  Goal of retaining 570 members

National Agenda by Janie Blome

o  Need fiscal support on state level

o  States looking to start or revitalize their programs can find current state plans and other resources on the TSBVI website

o  Encourage others to make presentations at AER regional conferences, Getting In Touch With Literacy, ACB, NFB, and other meetings

o  How can we provide a repository of information and practices that stays current?

o  State coordinator structure is not working well at this point. It’s hard to get and keep state coordinators. We may need to look at another method of promoting NA in states.

o  Scheduling of NA meeting during APH Annual Meeting might be adjusted to allow more attendance from COSB and other organizations.

Orientation & Mobility- no report

o  Concern by Loana Mason of DVI needing a voice in ACVREP decisions. Suggestion of having Bonnie Smith put together a letter of support and send to board for approval for AER O&M issues

Professional Standards by Mary Jean Sanspree

o  VI standards are completed and have been approved

o  Deaf-blind standards were approved on 3/30/09 and are awaiting final approval

o  Deaf-blind intervener standards were approved in September and are posted on the CEC web page. These standards will serve as guidelines because they are directed towards paraprofessionals.

Public Relations

o  DPHD pulled out of the social

o  AFB donated $500.00 towards the expense of the social

o  DVI has paired with TAM to share the expense

o  TAM’s social will be at 6:30 and DVI will begin after the board meeting

o  Drinks are free

Publications – No report

Solutions Forum – No report

Old Business

o  Position paper on Role and Function vs Vision Therapy was discussed by Sheila Amato. Question of why TVI’s do not do vision therapy. Motion for discussion to be tabled until Friday’s meeting was made by Ellyn Ross and 2nd by Loana Mason.

o  Copies of the Blind Doctor will be on sale at the DVI booth. DVI members will receive a 10% discount.

o  Discussion of a financial officer position. Someone will hold this position for several years in a role to assist the treasurer. Motion for discussion to be tabled until Friday’s meeting was made by Ellyn Ross and 2nd by Marie Celeste.

Motion to adjourn meeting was made by Ellyn Ross and 2nd by Janie Blome