DIGIT-EYES
                     Governing Board Meeting
                   Minutes--November 12, 1997

pRESENT:  Larry Bickhem, Peggy Butow, Jim Ferneborg, Carlos
     Hranicka, Tom Jones, Pennie Lilly, Dan Neuwelt, Dave Porter,
     Maurice Tanter, Steve Zielinski, and Cindy Brown.

ABSENT: Anna Byrne, Kelly Pierce, Sandra Saunders.


     Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting was dispensed
with due to the unavailability of a copy of the minutes at this
time.

     ACTION LIST FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING.  Dave reported that:

     1.  He has arranged for Jim Ferneborg to take over writing the
script for the voice-mail message for Debby to read. The first such
recording has been completed.

     2.  Plans for the Digit-Eyes openhouse on December 6 have
begun.

     3.  He is organizing a clean-out of the log-jamb of donated
computers stored on the twenty-first floor.  Those which are of no
use will be disposed of, and the others will be stored in an
organized way.  This clean-out will occur over the Thanksgiving
weekend.

     ACCOUNTABILITY FROM BSA STAFF. Dave reported that Anna
Perlberg has appointed Jim Ferneborg to handle all assistance need
from BSA staff and volunteers.

    FUTURE PUBLICITY.  Dave reported that Jim will be sending out
flyers promoting future network seminars and other events to BSA
database.  Dave plans to publicize through local websites such as
American Foundation for the Blind, Chicago Public Library, etc.

     FUTURE FUNDING.  Dave reported that the network cannot depend
solely on BSA for future funding.  The BSA board is understandably
targeting different projects for its fundraising.  For example, the
upcoming theater event scheduled for November 16 will benefit the
youth program.  Therefore, Digit-Eyes needs to secure funding from
grants in the coming months.

     NEW MEMBERS MEETING AND COMPUTERS FOR DUMMIES.  Dave announced
that The monthly openhouse for     new members will be on the
fourth Thursday of the month and the Computer for Dummies will be
on the third Thursday of the month so that geeks and beginners are
not grouped together, as they have been in the past.  He reported
that Pennie Lilly  has been doing a great job in taking over the
Computers for Dummies meetings.   It was agreed that Peggy Butow
will join Pennie in future topic presentations with this group.

     UPCOMING EVENTS.  Dave said that for future seminars he will
focus more on getting outside speakers.

     HOLIDAY OPENHOUSE.  Dave and Jim reported that plans for the
December openhouse are under way.  BSA will provide food.  Pennie
agreed to get a script for an announcement from Jim to pass on to
Cris Radio to publicize the event.  Dave said he hopes to set up a
CRC (Chat Room Conversation) with another network for the
openhouse, and said he would get some door prizes from hand-outs at
Closing the Gap.  Pennie, Carlos, and Maurice will handle
registration for Digit-Eyes at this event.

     SENIOR TEAM.  The newly formed senior team has begun meeting
on the third Thursday morning of each month.  Dave reported that
Anna Byrne did a great job with her presentation at the last
meeting.  Peggy Butow promised to check with her boss about the
possibility of her becoming involved on a regular basis with this
team.

     MEMBERSHIP.  Since Sandra Saunders has been unable to make
many meetings, including new-member events, it was agreed that she
should be contacted to explore her feelings about continuing.
Cindy agreed to do this.

     LYNX SQUAD.  Dave announced that due to other commitments,
Kelly Pierce is stepping down as chair of the lynx squad, and Steve
Zielinski will be taking his place.

     LOW VISION TEAM.  Dave is working on the formulation of a low-
vision team.

     ADVOCACY TEAM.  Dave reported that Kelly Pierce is in the
process of planning an advocacy team.

     NEXT MONTH'S MEETING AGENDA:  Who's going to be doing what
next year? and who's going to be on the cognoscentae?

     ACTION LIST.
1.  Dave and Jim will organize holiday openhouse.
2.  Cindy will follow up with Sandra Saunders.
3.  Peggy Butow will check with her boss regarding her possible
     involvement with senior team.
4.  Dave and Jim will clean out twenty-first floor storage.

     The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 PM.

                     REspectfully Submitted,
                           Cindy Brown