NHAVA

Membership Meeting

January 10, 2007

The McGreal Sight Center

NH Association for the Blind

Business Meeting Minutes

 

President Donna Wright called the meeting to order at 9:40 AM. Donna welcomed members and guests.

Secretary’s Report – Lynne Saltonstall

Lynne called for a motion to accept the minutes of the October 11, 2006 Annual Meeting. Motion made by Judith Lonergan, seconded by Sarah Brown and the minutes were unanimously accepted.

 

Treasurer’s report – Hanni Gartland

Hanni was not present. Donna provided a handout of the NHAVA Treasurer’s Report. She called for questions or comments. Don Chesnel motioned to accept the report. Motion was seconded and the report was accepted unanimously.

 

Old Business:   No old business.

 

New Business:

COMMITTEE REPORTS

                     Program Committee – Chair, Dee Martin

Dee asked everyone to join in today’s program as we continue to discuss the demographic changes in volunteerism with the expertise of our own volunteer administrators; Trish Churchill, Sarah Brown, Lois Meredith and Elaine Melquist. Dee announced that Judith Lonergan will present Risk Management at the April 25th meeting and encouraged members to submit questions ahead of time. Judith added that she welcomed phone calls but email was the best way. Members who wish to submit questions to Judith by email should have NHAVA in the subject. 

 

                Membership Committee – Chair, Sherry Wheeler

Sherry reported that the membership is growing. Currently there

are 58 members with 2 more in the process. Sherry challenged 

members to bring in one new member by the October meeting. If

most members did that the membership would increase to 100.

                                 

                     Communications Committee – Chair, Lois Meredith

 Lois asked everyone to “Start the New Year Right” (see January  

                     newsletter, front page) by creating a file marked NHAVA and

                     keeping anything interesting about volunteers, volunteer

                      management, quotes from volunteers, etc. Once a month, send it to

                     the Communication Committee for the newsletter. This committee

                     would like to see more members contribute to the newsletter.

Reminder: the deadline for the next newsletter is 3/23.

David Poisson reports that he will present some information regarding “additional abilities” for the website to the Board at the March meeting.

 

                     Public Relations Committee – Chair, Heidi Mitchell

Heidi not present – her baby is due next week. Donna reports that the article regarding the Lonergan Award was published in the Concord Monitor.

               

          Legislative Committee  – Chair, none currently

                    Judith stated work will continue on the fact sheet. Various bills were

         discussed. Judith will be working on getting someone in power to

                    back bills of interest and asked for help.

                    Donna stated that every two or three years, Legislative Day would

                    take the place of the April meeting for NHAVA. Members would

                    spend the day at the State House and in the Legislature learning

                    how the NH government works. Perhaps we will think about doing

                    this again in 2008.

                    Don Chesnel mentioned the bill banning smoking in bars and

                    restaurants will be coming forth again. This time it may go through.

 

         Other:

         Sherry Wheeler thanked Lisa Perry and Jean Barrett for the new

         2007 Membership List.

         Martha Richards announced that this would be her last NHAVA

         Meeting. She ran and won the position of Grafton County

         Commissioner in District 3 covering 17 towns and has

         resigned from Friends of the Arts to pursue this new challenge.

         Martha will be leaving information about NHAVA with the

         organization she is leaving.

                    Lois announced the Governor’s Conference on Volunteerism will be

                    held on May 16, 2007. The deadline for nominations for the                                                   

                    Governor’s Award will be April 20th – it used to be May 1st.

                    Donna welcomed new members and guests present.

 

                   Announcements:

                   Donna stated the two vacancies on the Board hopefully will be filled

                   by the next Board meeting on March 21.

                   The Board is considering ideas for the 10th anniversary celebration

                      which will take place at the Annual Meeting in October.

 

Meeting adjourned at 10:00 AM.                                                               Lynne Saltonstall, Secretary