Heritage Greens,
Greensboro, North Carolina
The Board of Trustees of NC-SHHH met on May 3, 2003, at Heritage
Green, Greensboro NC.
In attendance were:
Wayne Giese,
Co-President Steve
Barber (Wake SHHH)
Dianna Attaway, Co-President John Kuhlman (Asheville SHHH)
Hal Van Pelt,
Secretary Bill
Shugart (Winston SHHH)
Beverly Elwell,
Treasurer Richard
Wilson (Guilford SHHH)
Susan Wilson,
State Coordinator Ruth Miller (Chapel Hill SHHH)
Janet
McGettrick (Wake SHHH)
Myra White (Charlotte SHHH)
Anne McIntosh (Lake Norman SHHH)
NC-SHHH (non Trustee) member and guests: Jan Riddle (HHSS), Kim
Calabretta (HHSS), Lydia Wheeler (CAN), Vicki Pinson (CAN), Ginger Jones (CSSC)
PRINTED MATERIAL DISTRIBUTED:
1.
Agenda for May 3 meeting
2.
Minutes of November 2, 2002 meeting
3.
Treasurer’s report
4. State
Coordinator’s Report
5. Registration forms for the Leadership Training Workshop
Wayne
Giese called meeting to order at 10:00 am.
Thanks to the computer assisted note takers (CAN). Roll call and regrets, quorum was
established
MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 2002 MEETING:
Janet McGettrick (previous
secretary) provided a copy of the minutes from the November 2002 meeting. A correction was made (changed the statement
that Ruth Miller was from Chapel Hill not Winston-Salem.) Minutes were approved as corrected.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Treasurer Beverly
Elwell did not have the April statement from the bank for the earned
interest. The current treasurer’s
report was given to all members.
Beverly explained how the funds are allocated between the different
special funds: future conference,
special project, operating expenses, and reserve.
It was noted the
special project classification is no longer needed and will be deleted. The balance of $5602.98 was in the account
as of April 3, 2003. The treasurer’s
report was approved and accepted.
a. Appointments for
the Nominating Committee were made.
They are Susan Wilson, State Coordinator; Beverly Elwell, officer; Bill
Shugart, Board of Trustee. There was
extensive discussion about filling vacant Trustee positions. Susan Wilson stated she knows a mother of
hard of hearing child from Winston-Salem who might be interested. Wayne indicated a formal invitation would be
issued to her.
The nominating
committee was instructed to have a slate of officers for voting on at the
November meeting.
b. Susan Wilson
will check into getting representation from the Durham chapter.
c. John Kuhlman is
representing Ashville now.
d. Macon County
does not have a representative.
e.
Susan
Wilson will also talk with the Wilmington and Cape Fear areas about representation. Anne suggested that an e-mail be sent to all
members of the group to see if we can get someone involved.
It was suggested that more
state-wide involvement might be obtained if the Trustee meeting sites could be
moved so that they are more accessible to those in the West and in the
East.
There was
discussion about the Hard of Hearing Services Specialists helping out with
getting new chapters started. It was
reported that these Specialists try to encourage and support the existing
chapters but don’t really have time to get new ones started. The interested parties have to do that
themselves. Hard of Hearing Services
will be setting up a satellite office in Fayetteville and Susan Wilson is
interested in working with them to get a new chapter started.
Anne suggested we contact cochlear implantees from UNC to
let them know about SHHH and maybe get more involvement that way. Steve suggested we get involved in the
Cochlear Implant meetings to tell the SHHH story, provide brochures, and give
info on contacting national and the Hard of Hearing Specialist in their
area.
f.
There was a discussion about a new opening at the Central Office
of DSDHH.
LOCAL CHAPTER REPORTS
BLUE RIDGE SHHH:
Wayne reported
that Jan Riddle has pretty much gotten them reestablished and they are meeting
at the Pfeiffer Wellness center. They will meet every other month on Monday
morning.
LAKE NORMAN:
Anne McIntosh
reported they have merged programs with other groups and done a lot of
attendance boosting. They have worked
with the Charlotte Chapter and are trying to interact with other organizations
such as Civitan, Lions Club, etc.
CHAPEL HILL:
Ruth reported their
small group meets regularly but would like to do more with other groups
---maybe even merge into a Triangle Area Chapter with Durham.
WAKE CHAPTER:
Steve reported
the chapter is really struggling for leadership. It’s hard to find people to accept leadership positions. But they are meeting regularly. He also reported on a method to get CAN by
remote…where the operator is in another city from the meeting but gets the
proceedings over a phone line and types on a screen that is seen at the
meeting. He said it works beautifully
and may be the answer for some chapters who have problems getting CAN
operators.
Kim stated she
feels the chapter needs more publicity and needs some of the new people taking
over leadership roles…not just the old members.
Steve reported that National has a new 4-fold
brochure coming out that is wonderful publicity and should be available to
order. He also has a brochure insert
that can be adapted for any chapter interested in using it.
There was
further discussion about the cost of remote CAN. Steve stated it might be less than what chapters have been using
because there is no travel time. He
also said it might be something DSDHH might help pay for.
CHARLOTTE CHAPTER:
Beverly stated that the Charlotte
Chapter is having a lot of the same leadership problems as is Wake
Chapter. Rather than having officers
they have a leadership committee, but
it tends to be the same people over and over.
They had very successful Cochlear Implant Symposium in January and
thought they would get more interested in SHHH as a result, but that hasn’t
happened. Recent topics have been how
hearing loss affects other family members and coping skills. Majority of group enjoys social
interaction.
WINTSTON-SALEM:
Bill stated
their group is struggling but will survive.
They have speakers periodically.
Wayne suggested Winston-Salem and Lake Norman group might work
together. Susan reported she feels the
Winston Group is doing well and has had some good speakers.
GREENBORO:
Susan reported they are struggling. Only two people at the last two meetings. Wayne noted that they lost a key member to National
office.
BROCHURES:
There was extensive discussion about how
the local chapters would obtain copies of the new 4-fold brochure being readied
by National. Anne made a motion that
monies from the NC SHHH treasury be pre-approved for the purchase of these
brochures by local chapters without the funds to buy them.
Susan seconded the motion. There was a lot of question about whether
some would be free to the local chapters.
There was further note about the
brochure insert prepared by Steve for the Wake Chapter. It is produced on Publisher and can be
adapted easily by any member with Publisher for his/her chapter. The motion did not pass.
Janet made a motion that $100.00
be allocated for the purchase of these brochures to be distributed to various
chapters or state officials as needed.
The motion passed unanimously.
The thought was that the treasurer would have the authority to do this
if any were needed before the next meeting in November.
NC STATE
COORDINATOR’S REPORT:
Susan passed out her report for everyone
to read but discussed two main points:
1.) A leadership
conference that will be held in Greensboro on August 2. It will cost $25 per person for the
day. The cost for the room will be
$175.00 and should be a money-making situation for NCSHHH…probably several
hundred dollars. This seminar will
benefit anyone looking for help with leadership…both Hard of Hearing and
hearing. Information will be given to
fire, police, red cross, libraries, etc.
There will also be very specific information about starting up SHHH
groups and there will be accessibility for deaf and hard of hearing. A map will
be added to the brochure and perhaps an agenda.
Jan said she
would try to get approval from Raleigh for government employees who are
required to achieve certain credits for this type of program. If approval is received, a lot should be interested
and the State would pay for it.
Beverly moved
that $175.00 be approved for the treasurer to pay for up-front cost of room
reservation for Leadership Training.
This will be reimbursed by any profit from the Training session. Motion was seconded and passed.
After further
discussion about the need for additional money to cover up-front advertising,
copying, postage, etc. Ruth made a
motion we add another $200.00 to the amount approved for the treasurer to issue
for up-front costs for the Training
Seminar. It was seconded by Richard and
passed.
2) Susan also passed out a form
to be filled out with information by the chapters that needs to go to SHHH.
Susan also reported she has worked with
Davidson County SDHH on starting a SHHH group.
Organizational meeting is planned for May 15. They discussed getting some groups to meet together like
Greensboro/Lexington/Winston-Salem.
STATE BOARDS/COUNCILS
Wayne reported
on the various state councils which have NC-SHHH representatives:
a. Advisory Council
for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: Ruth
Miller, recently appointed by Executive Committee.
b. Governors’
Advocacy Council for People with Disabilities – was Nancy McKeel; now need to
appoint another person.
c. Mental Health
Services for the Deaf and Hard of hearing
- Beverly Elwell and Susan Wilson.
d. Coalition on
Aging - Charles Luther.
e Fair Housing Coalition 2001 - Hal Van Pelt.
d. Sign Language
Licensure Board - Lorene Roberson, recently appointed by the Executive Committee.
REPRESENTATION AT 2003
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION – ATLANTA, GA:
Dianna, Wayne,
Ruth, Janet, Myra, Beverly, Steve, and Alison Turner are planning to go. There was extensive discussion about the
state paying for the Hard of Hearing Specialists to go. They can take leave and some were told they
can use State Car. That is all the
State will do. Jan will write a letter
talking about the fact that involvement with SHHH is part of their job
description, in hopes of getting things changed for future conventions. There was discussion about getting sponsors
to help pay some costs and Beverly has an anonymous donor who will help. She will give those who need assistance this
information so they can make the arrangements.
Anne suggested
making the leadership workshop an annual event and perhaps in November
earmarking the profits for next year’s convention expenses. Steve made the point that funds for this
should be appropriated at the November 2003 meeting for the next convention so
that the group could take advantage of lower fees for registration and hotel.
Janet moved we
allocate $200 for specialists to use for the convention --- one or several to
divide the money. There was no second.
Wayne suggested
the group also consider there may be board members who want to go but need
financial assistance. No board members
indicated they were interested.
There was
discussion about the fact the NCSHHH treasury is spending money on a regular
basis without any coming in. The
group wants to be supportive of Hearing Specialists, but is feeling a severe
financial crunch. There was a lot of
brain-storming on ways to get more money into the treasury and on how to get
help to those who need it without giving to them directly (since the State does
not allow that).
Steve moved we allocate $300.00 to supplement
the attendance of someone suitable at the conference and do it in a way that
does not get them in trouble. Ruth
seconded the motion and it passed.
OTHER:
There was
discussion about getting new web site for NCSHHH that would not have ads
popping up. It would cost approximately
$100.00 annually. Ruth moved that money
be appropriated for NCSHHH web site with understanding the usefulness of it
will be evaluated each year. Anne
seconded the motion and it passed.
Steve was
presented with a certificate of appreciation for years of service to NCSHHH.
Vicki announced
DSDHH Council meets May 30 in Wake Commons Building.
The meeting was
adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Hal Van Pelt, Secretary