computer Users' Network Board meeting Minutes, September 10, 1997

Dan Neuwelt called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m.  Present besides Dan
were Ken Borst, Joan Matenko, Sandra Saunders, Cindy Brown, Maurice Tanter,
Dave Porter, Carlos Haronica, Larry Bickhem, Kelly Pierce and Ann Byrne.

Membership.  Sandra stated that to avoid confusion there should be only one
person who takes membership dues.  She said there should be a receipt for
money received.  She suggested a database of members including an indicator
as to when each one joined, so that membership  could flow for a rolling
year instead of January-to-January.  Each new member should receive a phone
call, welcoming him to the network, giving information about meeting
purposes and times, and finding out what he hopes to gain from the network.
 She said membership would be easier to manage when we have an application
for membership and membership cards.  Cindy said that the membership
committee should be involved with new-member activities.  Dan said that
anyone wishing to help Sandra with membership could leave a message on the
voice mail.  Ken and Maurice agreed to help. Dave has made a template for
the membership card, but the network still needs a name.  So Names that
have been suggested are ,BSACUN (Blind Services Association Computer Users'
Network), Windy City Blind Computer Users' Network, Computer-eyes,
Computerwise, Digit-Eyes.  Dave hopes to have membership cards available at
the low vision conference in October.

News Letter.  Cindy said that 36 tape and 14 print news letters were
produced.  Dan expressed dismay that the tapes provided for duplicating the
newsletter were 30-minute cassettes instead of the 90-minut cassettes
required.   Cindy said she could make out the duplicating schedule two
months in advance so that BSA would know when labels and tapes should be
available.  Dave said there are calendars on eleven and in Jim's office for
that kind of information, and that the voice mail announcement could carry
it, as well.  Dave said he had made a CUN directory on the BSA computer
with two subdirectories-newsletter, for all the news letters, and min for
the minutes.

At Dan's request Kelly took over facilitating the meeting while Dan
expressed some feelings of his own concerning the network.  Dan stated that
although it is going well, it seems to be without focus and infrastructure.
 He pointed out that after three years of operation there are still no
by-laws.  He asked where are the teams that were supposed to give the
network focus, and the rotating cognoscente members.  He pointed out that
although there is money from the raffle we have no plan to make use of it.
Dave said that the raffle funds are paying for the news letter, and that
when the network defines a need for the raffle funds they will be
available.  Dan said he will facilitate through the end of the year, and
will resign after that  'We are not addressing any issues that would make
us a cohesive corporation,' Dan said.  Cindy: said "we need more
participation."

Posse.  Blosser Inc in Naperville has offered to donate thirty computers to
the network.  After discussion it was decided to decline with thanks, as
there is no one available to test and refurbish the machines.  It was
decided that it is the network's purpose to facilitate training, not supply
computers for blind people.
Dave asked if the network wanted to do a holiday open house December 6.
There was little response or enthusiasm.

The senior team is almost ready to fly.  They have drafted a
computer-related questionnaire for circulation among their members to try
to gauge the group's interests and needs.
Dave Anderson and Navid Rasvi would be interested in helping: develop a low
vision team.  Dave said that one member of that team should be on the
cognoscente.
Advocacy. Kelly asked how an individual could seek the support of the
group?  Cindy stated that 'Modeling is a good part of advocacy.  people get
places by demonstrating proficiency, or by pointing out people who are
successful, not by making a stink.'
Dave said ''I think it is an advocacy group from day one."
If you have particular issues--school accessibility, discrimination. then
we decide as a group.

Bylaws.  Carlos stated that we need Dave or maybe Kelly to give us a start
on by-laws.

Dan said that officers for next year were to be chosen at the November
meeting.

Kelly said that Mike Ervin is looking for a web master:  773-549-5788..

events:
Friday October 3 at the lighthouse.  For rehab teachers and others from
9:00 to 4:00., Henter-Joyce will present. Windows 95.

October 4: demo of Windows 95 by Jim Watson of Henter-Joice  from 10:00 to
1:00.

October 17, 1:30 to 2:45 at the low vision conference:  Compunique will
present internet through windows--with overhead projector

10/18, 2:00 through 4:00: network to do something.

The November 1 seminar may be Como.

Action:
Dave membership card.
Dave, make a list of taped seminars
Dave:  Bring by-laws to the next meeting.
Dave:  Computers for dummies
All, ideas for interfacing network with others.

The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,

Anna Byrne