NC-Self Help for Hard of Hearing Inc.
NC-SHHH Annual Meeting,
November 6, 1999, at Central North Carolina School for the Deaf
Trustees present: Frank Abernathy, Steve Barber, Joan Black, John Black,
Mimi Clifford, Patricia Carrier, Patricia Conley, Beverly Elwell, Wayne
Giese, Janet McGettrick, Ruth Miller, James Parker, Alison Turner, Myra
White, Susan Wilson.
Other NC-SHHH members present: Ed Clifford, Nelly Kelly, Rachel Ragin, Scott
& Holly Smith (Winston Salem), and Barbara Stenross.
Apologies: Rosemary Andrews, Andy Andrews, Anne McIntosh, Nancy McKeel, and
Bill Shugart.
The Minutes for May 1999 and August 1999 were approved as distributed and
corrected.
Treasurer's Report: The Treasurer's Report was accepted (attached along with
the final 1999 Annual Financial Statement). There was a brief discussion of
expenditure approval, but further discussion on this particular matter was
delayed to a related item later on the agenda. Pat Carrier was given a vote
of thanks for her work.
Division of Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing: We noted a very special
welcome (NC-SHHH regular member) Rachel Ragin who was recently appointed as
Interim Hard of Hearing Services Coordinator. Rachel lost most of her
hearing at age 3 from scarlet fever and refers to herself as 'hard of deaf'.
Rachel's background training is in speech pathology and she is currently
working towards her EDD Student Educational Leadership degree. She intends
to resurrect the Hard of Hearing Task Force Report, and is committed
personally and professionally to DSDHH. Yvonne Joyner's written quarterly
report will be included as one of our attachments.
NC Council for Deaf and Hard of Hearing: We discussed the four positions for
hard of hearing people on the Council -- three positions are for hard of
hearing consumers (Mimi Clifford, Beverly Elwell and Alison Turner) and one
position is for NC-SHHH's appointed representative (Steve Barber). We noted
differences in who appoints some of the representatives for the deaf (the
Governor) and who appoints representatives for the hard of hearing (the
Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources). Steve Barber
will work to ensure that we get/keep equal status with the deaf; legislation
for the council will be amended by the legislature in due course. He will
also provide the Board with a current list of who represents who, how they
were appointed, and the terms of appointment. The Trustees reappointed Steve
Barber to represent NC-SHHH's interest on the Council.
State Wide Reports:
Wayne Giese handed out his President's 1998-99 Report (Attached), outlining
NC-SHHH's important missions and thanked the Executive Committee and Board
for their support.
Pat Conley handed out and discussed her very comprehensive Final Report to
the Trustees, November 1, 1997 to October 31, 1999 (Attached). Amongst many
things, she noted that Susan Wilson and Patricia Conley were given
recognition for "perfect attendance" over the past two years.
Frank Abernathy handed out his State Coordinator's report (Attached), then
followed with a brief update discussion from/about individual
Chapters/Groups.
The Board confirmed, with appreciation, Nancy McKeel to represent and speak
out for NC-SHHH on the Governors Advocacy Committee for People with
Disabilities.
Rosemary Andrews submitted a report to be handed out at this meeting
(Attached) on the Coalition on Aging, indicating that the Division of Aging
will ask the legislature for money to improve conditions in Nursing Homes
for persons who are deaf and hard of hearing. The Trustees voiced
appreciation for Rosemary's work with the Division on Aging, and reappointed
her as NC-SHHH's representative on the Coalition on Aging.
Old Business:
Beverly Elwell presented a written report/statements on the financial status
of NCSHHH. This follows from a requested follow-up on three questions.
· The first question involved the Board setting aside funds raised with
NC-SHHH' s 1995 conference; the Board allocated (see minutes of Trustee
Meeting held in May 1996) $4,000.00 for seed money for a Future Conference,
$5,000.00 for Special Projects, $3,000.00 for Operating Expenses, and
$900.00 as a reserve. Funds available for operating expenses are depleted,
or nearly depleted. Beverly recommended, and the Board agreed to include a
report on the status of these allocated funds with the Treasurer's regular
reports.
· The second question involved lack of documented approval (in the Minutes)
for many expenditures over the past several years. We agreed that each
expenditure for NC-SHHH must be approved by the Board, unless funds had been
included in a Board approved budget. The Board then reviewed individual
expenditures over the past four years as shown on financial statements
prepared by Pat Carrier, and included with Beverly's report above. All items
were approved (as listed) to formalize NC-SHHH's financial accountability.
· The third question continues from question one above, NC-SHHH has been
spending funds, but not out raising offsetting funds to cover normal
operating expenses. Beverly recommended, and the Board agreed, that we would
come up with an operating budget for year 2000, and establish a Finance
Committee to come up with a fund raising plan.
New Business:
As discussed: the Advocacy Committee will be disbanded at the end of the
year. Results of the survey sent to national members residing in NC will be
attached to the Minutes. Founder's Day contribution for 1999 was tabled.
National SHHH plans for Better Speech and Hearing Month will be available
for review by the Trustees.
Ruth Miller (Chapel Hill Chapter) introduced Barbara Stenross, Secretary of
the Chapel Hill Chapter for many years, who has written a book "Missed
Connections" based on interviews with many of our members. Barbara will
donate some portion of the sale of the books to National and to NC SHHH.
The book is highly recommended.
At this time, the President opened the Annual Meeting for participation
by/with all members in good standing of NC-SHHH in attendance. (Note: No
proxy votes had been received by the Secretary).
Item 1: John Black proposed and the membership agreed:
Resolve that NC-SHHH create a position of Trustee Emeritus and, from time to
time, appoint qualified members of NC-SHHH to this position to advise the
Board on all activities relating to hard of hearing issues in North
Carolina. Appointments to the position of Trustee Emeritus are for life.
Trustee emeriti shall have every privilege accorded to other NC-SHHH
trustees, except the right to vote.
Resolved that NC-SHHH recognize as qualification for this position of
Trustee Emeritus those NC-SHHH members who have made significant
contributions in North Carolina to promote the purposes of NC-SHHH as stated
in Article Two from our bylaws:
A. Provide a focal point in the State for identifying the needs of hard of
hearing people in North Carolina and address those needs through discussions
with other organizations seeking common ground for recommendations or
action.
B. Promote programs to make hearing loss an issue of State concern by
educating the public about such loss and supporting activities for its
prevention.
C. Provide education for persons with hearing loss, their families and
friends on how best to cope with the condition.
D. Engage in free and open communication with all concerned with hearing
loss and in finding a common basis of mutual respect and understanding.
E. Serve as an extension of the national organization, Self Help for Hard of
Hearing People, Inc., in an effort to make hearing loss an issue of concern
within the State.
Resolve that. NC-SHHH will respect, be indebted, and hold in esteem the
accomplishments of our Trustee emeriti.
Item 2: On the proposal from the Nominating Committee (Article Seven,
Paragraph 4a. from the Bylaws), the membership elected the following as
Trustees of NC-SHHH:
1. James Parker (Asheville)
2. Wayne Giese (Catawba Valley)
3. Ruth Miller (Chapel Hill)
4. Beverly Elwell (Charlotte)
5. Myra White (Charlotte)
6. Anne McIntosh (Charlotte)
7. Rosemary Andrews (Durham)
8. Andy Andrews (Durham)
9. Dare Carden (Durham)
10. Susan Wilson (Greensboro)
11. Pat Conley (Hendersonville)
12. Steve Barber (Wake)
13. Janet McGettrick (Wake)
14. Bill Shugart (Winston-Salem)
15. Nancy McKeel (Parent of a Hard of Hearing Child)
16. Joan Black (At large)
17. John Black (At large)
18. Mimi Clifford (At large)
19. Alison Turner (At large)
20. Frank Abernathy (State Coordinator)
Item 3: On proposal from John Black, the membership elected Dorothy Allen
and Ed Clifford to the position of Trustee Emeritus.
At this time, the President closed the Membership Annual Meeting of NC-SHHH,
to reopen the Trustee's Annual Meeting.
As the next item of business, the Nominating Committee proposed, and the
Trustees elected the following as officers for the year 2000:
Beverly Elwell, President,
Jim Parker, Vice-President,
Joan Black and John Black, Secretary, and
Janet McGettrick. Treasurer
Next meeting was scheduled for February 5, 2000.
The meeting adjourned at ________.
Assistive Listening System microphones provided by John and Joan Black,
Receivers provided by Charlotte Regional Resource Center. Computer Assisted
Notetaking provided by Division of Services of Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Lunch ($5.00) provided by Susan and Richard Wilson - with proceeds going to
Guilford SHHH Group.
Attachments (As distributed at the meeting but not included with this copy
of the minutes): Agenda, President's Final Report, Treasurer's Quarterly
Report, Treasurer's Audit, Secretary's Final Report, State Coordinators
Report, Coalition of Aging Quarterly Report, and "Let's Go Out Project",
As recorded by Pat Conley, with Joan and John Black