Computer users' network board meeting minutes, May 13, 1997
Dan Neuwelt called the meeting to order at 5:35. Present were Pennie Lily, Dan
Neuwelt, Dave Porter, Maurice Tanter, Ann Byrne, Carlos Haronica, Kelly Pierce,
Sandra Saunders, and Connie Johnson. Minutes were read and corrections noted.
Kelly asked again that minutes be distributed on the VICUG mailing list. Ann
said she would try.
Dave and Kelly mentioned an article on web accessibility to appear in the May 19
issue of 'u.s. News and World report.' The specific discussion concerned the
inability of JFW to get past the bright orange sun icon on the 'Baltimore Sun'
page in order to read information and the ability of Links to do it. No mention
was made of Webspeak or other screen reading software.
Dave said that the re-up letter can be mailed as soon as address labels are
printed. The label database was being updated during the board meeting; updates
were completed before the meeting was over.
Raffle. Parameters for the raffle were reviewed. Eighty-one tickets have been
sold at $100 per ticket. Dave suggested that someone from the network should
speak briefly at the BSA annual meeting, where raffle tickets will be drawn, to
say what the computer network is and how it functions. Since no one offered to
do this, it will be discussed at the June board meeting.
During Dave's temporary absence to help with the label database, Kelly talked
about the Tech Watch group of the National Council on Disabilities, on which he
has been asked to serve.
Lynx squad. Kelly said that he likes the telecommunications document. He put
out a welcome message on VICUG. Dave said that the Chicago Tribune' is
accessible on the web in large part due to Kelly's advocacy. Kelly reported that
at the Lynx Squad meeting there were a couple of new members. They searched the
National Library for the Blind database.
Newsletter. Articles for the next newsletter are due in mid-June. There was
discussion about identification of each issue of the newsletter-whether by
volume (year) and number or serially-counting issues from the first one till the
current one, disregarding the year. In Cindy's absence the discussion was
tabled till the next board meeting.
Dave said that he and Cindy had talked about the bylaws, and that he would write
them up for the next board meeting.
Dave said the network had been contacted by a Braillist who wanted to do Braille
transcription on-line. Group consensus was that at this time there was not a
need for this service. The BSA printer is still in Florida for cleaning and
repairs, but it should be back soon.
Dave listed 5 possible network activities for the upcoming months:
1) Harper College would like a presentation on the Internet similar to the one
done in Wheaton last October.
2) A DORS counselor from Champaign would like a Friday-Saturday computer
orientation for freshmen and sophomore college students at the University of
Illinois in early august.
3) Pathways would like the network to do a presentation for high school kids
similar to the one done last summer.
4) the senior team is coming together, but needs someone to be liaison with the
network. Ann said she would do that.
5) Dave would like to begin work on a national computer users' conference to be
sponsored by the network. Patterned after the low-vision conference held here in
October, this would be held in spring of 1998 at a hotel in the Chicago area.
It would be a forum for computer users to get together and discuss issues, for
exhibitors to display current software and preview what is planned.
Membership. There are twenty-four people who have paid dues for 1997. Sandra
Saunders would like to talk to Cindy about what it might require, but may be
able to work as a membership chairman-welcoming new members and helping to
retain current ones. Dave said it seems to be hard for people to commit to
Saturday meetings. The board discussed doing a survey to find out when would be
a good meeting time.
Dave reported that there is another donation of computers ready to be received
when he returns from his trip. We discussed how to publicize these donations,
and how to publicize the network. Carlos suggested computer-oriented TV
programs. Pennie asked that a list of computer-oriented radio and TV programs
be included in the next newsletter.
Dave said that the May meeting was a demonstration of Windows. It was taped.
Ann said she would review/edit the tape for distribution.
Dan said that the IRS customer service reps haven't heard anything about their
jobs. He said he doesn't think it's realistic to think that anything can be
done about the jobs going away.
The June seminar will concern Como and Echofax.
Action items:
Dave, see about membership re-up letter.
Ann, talk to Chicago radio Information Service.
Dan, work with carlos on duplicating tapes: done.
Cindy and Dave, a report on bylaws
Dave, meeting notice at BSA.
Pennie and Maurice, name that network!
Dave, write web page paragraph requesting donation.
Ann, put minutes on the mailing list
All, ideas for interfacing network with others.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30.
Respectfully submitted,
Anna Byrne
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