GUESTS/ATTENDEES

Mr. Mark Eagle

Mr. George Wurtzel

Ms. Valarie Barnum-Yarger

Ms. Marlene Seiler

Mr. Philip Ngase

Mr. John Victory

Ms. Jeanette Brown

Mr. Bob Gaylor

Ms. Jackie Wrona

Ms. Therese Nowakowski

Mr. Mike Ellis

Mr. Larry Scott

Mr. Isaac Eshun

Ms. Patricia Feldpausch

Ms. Lauren Forbis

Ms. Kimberly Hinton

Ms. Marsha Katona

Ms. Lindell Kositzke

Mr. Kevin Mack

Mr. Charles Randazzo

Mr. Brian Rouleau

Mr. David Rumpel

Mr. Dan Simon

Mr. Lewis "Jim" Valade

Mr. Arthur Wright

Ms. Minnie Morgan

Ms. Elnorae Bendick

Ms. Karen Bailey

Mr. Nathan Prater

Ms. Carrie Bradley

Mr. James Chaney 

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

The Committee of the Whole was opened by Vice Chair Sheila Ashcraft at 9:10 a.m., on behalf of Chair Jo Ann Pilarski who was participating by teleconference.

COMMISSIONER ACTIVITIES

            Ms. Pilarski reported a Planning and Quality meeting had been held April 13, which she was not able to attend, at which the main topic was the progress update to the 2007 MCB Action Plan. 

          Ms. Geri Taeckens reported attendance at two meetings: the MCB Cultural Diversity committee meeting in Flint, March 15, and the Ad Hoc Committee on Training Center Services in Lansing, March 26.  Ms. Taeckens said she and MCB staff person Ed Haines were participating in a two day career fair being held April 17-18 in Sault Ste Marie for the Eastern Upper Peninsula middle and high school students.

          Ms. Velma Allen attended the Image and Identity Team meeting in Lansing, March 13.

          Mr. Richard Grant said he would be attending the Business Enterprise Program Annual Workshop in Lansing, April 27-29.  Due to budget constraints, Chair Pilarski said other members of the board would not attend the workshop this year, and asked Mr. Grant to write a report on the workshop for distribution to the board. 

          Ms. Ashcraft said she attended the March 25 meeting of the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the Foundation for Fighting Blindness (FFB).  Ms. Ashcraft said information on this organization could be found at the website: www.blindness.org.  Ms. Ashcraft will attend the MCB Service Delivery Design Team meeting scheduled for April 17 in Lansing.

AUGUST COMMISSION MEETING

          Mr. Cannon asked the board for approval to move the location of the August 27, 2007 commission meeting from Gaylord to Grayling, due to lack of available and suitable locations in Gaylord. The board concurred and a motion will be made in the regular meeting.

STATUS REPORT ON 2007 PERFORMANCE PLAN

          Mr. Cannon said that in addition to the written update submitted to the board, he wished to report that he is presenting the concept of the MCB Communications Committee meetings at the April 19 meeting of all Department of Labor and Economic Growth agency and bureau directors. 

ISSUES FROM LAST MEETING

          In regard to the question of the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) audit charges, Mr. Cannon said an appeal had been made to DLEG to reduce the excessive $250,000 charge assessed and it was expected that a credit will be issued.  Mr. Cannon said BEP funding or programs had never been affected by this charge.

TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

          Mr. Mike Ellis gave an update on various technology improvements he had made to improve the audio streaming component of the commission meetings.  He said brief email messages could be sent to mcbpubliccomments@comcast.netand if received no later than 11:20 a.m. could be printed and considered for the Public Comment portion of the meeting at 11:45 a.m.  Mr. Ellis also discussed other new technology which he believed would be available very soon, including talking, handheld Global Positioning System units and smart drives, which allow self-launch of software, such as Jaws, which will improve accessibility.

CONSUMER DIALOGUE

          Vice Chair Ashcraft opened the consumer dialogue session which allows interaction between attending members of the public and the board and assists in building trust and relationships.  The topic was "How can we be creative in helping people get the necessary technology training when funds are limited" and comments are included in a Consumer Dialogue compilation to be kept and submitted to the Chair. 

CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM

The regular meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Sheila Ashcraft at 10:35 a.m.  Roll call was taken and a quorum was present.  The meeting was audio-streamed over the Internet.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MR. GRANT MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. ALLEN, TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 23, 2007 MEETING, AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

MR. GRANT MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. ALLEN, TO APPROVE THE CHANGE IN VENUE FROM GAYLORD TO GRAYLING FOR THE AUGUST 27, 2007 COMMISSION MEETING.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

BOARD CORRESPONDENCE

          There was no board correspondence.

AD HOC COMMITTEE ON TRAINING CENTER SERVICES

          Ms. Bonnie Betz, Mr. Mark Eagle and Ms. Janet McInnis, representatives of the MCB Ad Hoc Committee on Training Center Services, made a report to the board on the final meeting of the group and its conclusions.

          Ms. Betz said the committee comprised members of consumer groups, parents and the MCB staff and commission board, and was facilitated by John Victory using the process of Appreciative Inquiry (AI).  Ms. Betz recapped the charge of the committee to explore opportunities to enhance and update Training Center programs. Ms. Betz said the committee believed long term capacity building was essential and had developed a list of eleven vision statements of opportunities for improvement, submitted to the board in their information packet.  Ms. Betz and Ms. McInnis reviewed the statements, along with some talking points.

Ms. McInnis emphasized that these statements are guideposts for future planning, to be used by the Training Center not as a "to do" list but as opportunities which had been identified for possible, eventual implementation to enhance the services of the Training Center, and ultimately the whole Commission.  Ms. McInnis said all staff, clients, consumers and community and clients would need to take responsibility and challenge themselves regarding creative methods for implementing these opportunities, including funding.  It is the vision of these statements that the Training Center evolves as a progressive, consumer-responsive, high tech facility which embraces accountability and inclusion.

In response to a query about the next steps regarding these recommendations, Mr. Cannon said he was confident that through collaboration between Leamon Jones, director of Consumer Services, and Christine Boone, director of the Training Center, these opportunities would be reviewed, prioritized and implemented, as time and funding permit, and that, in fact, during the course of the committee's work, many of them were already in process.  Mr. Cannon said the board would be updated through the MCB Report.

Ms. Pilarski thanked the committee for their work, and made special thanks to John Victory for his invaluable assistance.  Mr. Cannon said that while current budgetary constraints would limit Mr. Victory's official participation with MCB, Mr. Victory's work with the Commission through the past several years had been an invaluable component in the development of the Commission's vision.

Ms. Allen recommended previous commissioner Emile Njam's newly published book, "Pegasus Lesson How to Realize Your Dreams" to help staff gain an understanding of life at the Training Center.

MCB TRAINING CENTER REPORT

          Ms. Christine Boone, Training Center (Center) director, welcomed attendees to the Center.  She expressed her appreciation of the Ad Hoc Committee's welcome to her half way through its process and for its work.  

          Ms. Boone said that she would be compiling a report in response to the Committee's suggestions, which will include what they are doing at the Center and a tentative plan for the order of their implementation, to be used as a tracking tool for progress reports.

          Ms. Boone gave an update on staffing and the critical need to fill the vacancy left by Peggy Jackson's retirement.  This position is being pursued with DLEG to fill as a manager in charge of supportive services and dietary staff, as this person is effectively in charge of the Training Center during non traditional work week hours.  Ms. Boone said Chris Rasmussen and Jim Baird would be retiring shortly. 

          Ms. Boone gave information on statewide presentations on the College Assessment Program by Center Staff, in collaboration with field office staff; efforts to reduce expenditures and improve security at the Center; reasonable accommodation for Center staff; building aesthetics and signage; and the development of a video about the Training Center. 

          Ms. Boone said dietary staff are helping BEP students gain valuable experience by working in the kitchen and cafeteria.  Efforts to encourage independence by students include eating out at a fast food restaurant and enlisting their help in covering the reception.  The World of Work class was recently conducted for students, which introduces them to the development of job hunting skills.

          Ms. Boone said a major concern was the lack of a back-up generator for the Center, especially in view of the outdated heating and cooling system; however, a new generator would cost approximately $270,000 and purchase was not possible in the current budget crisis.

MR. GRANT MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. ALLEN, TO ACCEPT THE TRAINING CENTER DIRECTOR'S REPORT, AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

PUBLIC COMMENT

          Ms. Valarie Barnum-Yarger, Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC), said that the Statewide Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) is in final draft form and is accepting public comment through May 5.  The plan may be accessed online at www.misilc.org or by contacting the SILC office.

          Ms. Carrie Bradley, student in the BEP class, said that she appreciated receiving her materials in Braille format.  She also said that some counselors had been very discouraging about her participation in the BEP.

          Mr. James Chaney, student in the BEP class, suggested that once a student completed the BEP assessment, study materials should be provided in advance so that students who qualified could familiarize themselves to become ServSafe certified immediately, instead of undergoing the 4-week ServSafe program during the BEP Manager Training.  He also suggested BEP students take over the cafeteria on Sundays to prepare menus and serve meals as a means to develop experience and confidence.

          Mr. George Wurtzel, Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind (OUB), said that at the previous commission meeting he had made a comment that OUB was serious about hiring blind people. Mr. Wurtzel said that he meant no inference that other organizations, including MCB, were not serious about this intent.  Mr. Wurtzel said efforts were under way to enhance programs with MCB to encourage summer internships and teaching job skills to youth. He said he appreciated the support OUB receives from MCB.

          Four Public Comment emails were received and read aloud for public comment:

• Ms. Janeile Cannon said, in regard to remote access to computers, that caution should be exercised to ensure the trustworthiness of the person providing this service, as many programs allow back-door entrance to the owner's PC without his knowledge, and can pose a serious security problem.
• Mr. Fred Wurtzel, President, National Federation of the Blind of Michigan, said it was the job of the commission board to set priorities and establish the mechanism to track the progress of recommendations from the Ad Hoc Committee on Training Center Services report.
• Mr. Terry Eagle said it was a pleasure to communicate via the technology of the Internet. He said he had observed serious erosion of participation by consumers in the commission meetings, including the reduction of commission meetings; the participation by board members via teleconference instead of being physically present; public comments to the board not received or responded to by the board but responded to by MCB staff and not made part of the minutes; public comment reduced from two to one opportunities; and public comment by email limited to a short time frame.  Mr. Eagle also made comment on the hiring practices of MCB.
• Mr. Fred Wurtzel congratulated Ms. Boone on the fine work and positive direction of the Training Center.

Recessed for lunch at 12:00 p.m.

The meeting was reconvened at 1:00 p.m.

          Chair Pilarski made a statement regarding remarks made during Public Comment, saying that because the board was genuinely interested in hearing from consumers, it had taken the initiative in 2005 to set aside a significant portion of time at each meeting to encourage consumer inclusion in dialogue, to discuss topics of interest to a wide range of consumers.  In addition to this considerable increase in consumer participation, a Public Comment segment was still included on the agenda, and no one had ever been disallowed the opportunity to make their brief statement at a board meeting, nor had Public Comment ever been closed.  Moreover, the meetings had been opened to a broader audience by initiating audio-streaming and inviting comments be submitted via email.  In conclusion, Ms. Pilarski said the Public Comment segment had been moved to its present time slot to accommodate the portion of the meeting when most participants were present.   

DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Mr. Cannon referred the Board to the written MCB Report previously submitted to the Board. This report is posted on the MCB website and distributed to anyone who wishes to receive it.  Mr. Cannon highlighted some of the many articles on blindness issues and activities.

Mr. Cannon outlined some steps being taken by MCB to reduce expenditures to comply with the Governor's most recently issued Executive Directives which include conserving energy costs, a freeze on hiring, out-of-state travel and most in-state travel. Mr. Cannon said this would not impact the capacity of staff to deliver client services and that because of language in the State Constitution, he felt that most services provided by MCB would not be affected by any proposed shut-down of government due to the budget.

Mr. Cannon reported on various activities including his attendance at the Council of Labor and Economic Growth meeting March 5, and the soft skills symposium which followed that meeting; Governor Jennifer Granholm's proclamation of April as Michigan Blindness Prevention and Services Month, to raise awareness of blindness, the importance of routine eye examinations and availability of services and training for people who are blind or visually impaired; a presentation to Ferris State University students at their College of Optometry; and MCB's mini adjustment programs.

Mr. Cannon said that in response to several critical comments about MCB's hiring practices, Chair Pilarski had asked him to review and report on the history over the past ten years.  He said a study was conducted in mid March which revealed the following statistics:

• In 1996, MCB had 111 employees, of which approximately 20 percent were blind.  Of the 17 staff in supervisory or management positions, five (29 percent) were blind.
• A total of 55 individuals were hired in the past ten years, 1997 to 2007, 20 of whom were blind (37 percent). Three of the nine individuals who were promoted during this period were blind persons (33 percent).
• One-half (50 percent) of the six new hires in the past six months have been blind persons.
• Currently, 35 percent of all MCB staff have a disability, with 33 (33 percent) being blind.
• Currently, four of nine managers are blind (44 percent), an increase of more than one half over the percentage of blind managers in 1996, of which the vast majority were sighted, non disabled, white males, compared currently to two thirds being female and 22 percent being African American.
• Today, three of the top four managerial positions in the agency are blind (75 percent), compared to 1996 when all top managers were sighted.

Mr. Cannon reiterated the mission of the Commission to provide independence and employment to blind persons, and said that MCB has practiced what it preached.  Additionally, MCB had achieved this growth without compromising the critical principal of always selecting the most qualified person available for the job and that everyone who competed for a job or promotion with the Commission, whether they are blind or have perfect vision, are confident they are evaluated on their qualifications and abilities, not on their visual acuity. 

          Chair Pilarski asked how these statistics compared with those of other blind agencies in the country.  Mr. Cannon stated that in discussion with members of the Executive Committee of NCSAB and with Frederick Schroeder, former commissioner of the RSA, he has been told that most agencies have only about an average of 10-15 percent of blind staff, and that the Michigan Commission for the Blind has perhaps the highest or second highest percentage of blind staff at a state agency serving the blind. 

MR. GRANT MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. ALLEN, TO ACCEPT THE DIRECTOR'S REPORT, AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

MCB CONSUMER SERVICES REPORT

Mr. Leamon Jones, Director of the Consumer Services Division, referred the board to the written MCB report. 

Mr. Jones reported that MCB staff was collaborating with three work groups on services to people with disabilities, to identify gaps or duplication in services.  Three areas have been identified for improvement: marketing, communication, and soft skills.   It is hoped to share information on the outcomes of this group's work, either at a meeting which is scheduled for June 13, or through other means.

Transition activities are being expanded to involve additional areas around the state, including Lansing, Lapeer and Flint, and also to expand transition activities from summer programs to year round.  In particular, the City of Detroit is planning to hire an aide to assist in coordination of year round efforts.  Summer transition program arrangements are also being finalized, including those in Grand Rapids and Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind (OUB) at Camp Tuhsmeheta, and for the BEP internships.

Mr. Jones said contacts with the Office of Services to the Aging and Area Agencies on Aging have been established to develop some cooperative agreements for training and technology, especially in view of the growing senior population.  Mr. Jones attended an Older Blind Conference in Washington at which discussion was held on goals and objectives with a focus on accountability, outcomes and monitoring.  This information will be used by MCB staff to prepare for its audit in 2009 by RSA.

MR. GRANT MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. ALLEN, TO ACCEPT THE CONSUMER SERVICES REPORT, AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

WEST REGION REPORT

          Ms. Sherry Gordon, Acting Manager of the West Region, reported on current staffing, noting that there was currently a secretarial vacancy in the Kalamazoo field office, where a candidate had been selected following interviews but not hired due to the hiring freeze.  One of the Grand Rapids secretaries will be temporarily filling in for two days a week in Kalamazoo.  Three new staff had been hired through the contract with Saginaw Valley Rehabilitation Center (SVRC) and Ms. Gordon introduced Ms. Pat Angerman, rehab teacher in Grand Rapids, Ms. Marcia Beare, rehab counselor in Grand Rapids, and Ms. Leanne Ford, rehab teacher in Gaylor.  Ms. Gordon reported that Bernie Kramer, the West Region Manager, is on extended military duty through February 2008. 

          Ms. Gordon described programs being developed including a Summer in the City program in Grand Rapids facilitated by the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI).  Another program facilitated by ABVI, in conjunction with the Kent Intermediate School District, is a program called Successful Teens Empowering Positive Success (STEPS), which is conducted twice a month throughout the year.  The College Preparatory Program is also being conducted this summer at Western Michigan University, and vigorous marketing is under way to attract teens to undergo a college experience.

          Currently, West Region staff are involved in outreach efforts, including swap meets involving the teacher consultants and VI consultants; the transition fair April 17-18 at Sault Ste Marie for 7-12^th grade students; and a disability awareness presentation at Michigan Works.

MS. ALLEN MOVED, SUPPORTED MR. GRANT, TO ACCEPT THE WEST REGION REPORT, AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM REPORT

          Ms. Ashcraft introduced Ms. Constance Zanger, the new manager for the Business Enterprise Program, and congratulations were given on her promotion.  Ms. Zanger has been with MCB for twelve years and worked for state government for 34 years.

          Ms. Zanger said that eight students were participating in the BEP training class for operators which began April 2, and plans are underway to schedule a second class to be held in October.  Twice yearly classes will be conducted on an ongoing basis, as long as there is a minimum of four students per class, to ensure that trained operators are available.  The BEP summer internship programs, developed with Consumer Services staff, begins in June.

          Ms. Zanger gave an update on the Michigan Air National Guard Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) in Alpena.  Interviews were held and Ms. Sheila Stelmach was hired as the operator responsible for providing cafeteria services beginning April 29 to troops who are deployed there.  Progress is also being made on the agreement with the United State Postal Service which permits BEP to provide vending services in all Michigan post offices, or to receive a commission from contracted vendors.  Ms. Zanger said BEP Promotional Agent James Hull had been very instrumental in the development of both these programs.

          Ms. Zanger said Promotional Agent David Robinson had developed an agreement with the Michigan Apple Growers Association who will provide Michigan apples to downtown Lansing facilities.

          Ms. Zanger said BEP was pleased to work with the MCB Training Center on the proposal that BEP students gain experience in the kitchen and cafeteria, and thanked BEP trainer John McEntee for bringing this project to fruition.

Ms. Zanger said the annual highway vending conference was being held April 27, followed by the annual workshop, April 27-29 in Lansing, with an awards banquet on April 28. 

In conclusion, Ms. Zanger said there was a nationwide challenge to the Business Enterprise Program with the passage of the U.S. Department of Transportation legislation to privatize highway vending, known as the oasis program.  Contact has been made with the Michigan Department of Transportation to ensure inclusion that MCB will participate in any discussions or consideration of this initiative in this state.

MR. GRANT MOVED, SUPPORTED MS. ALLEN, TO ACCEPT THE BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM  REPORT, AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

ADJOURNMENT

MS. ALLEN MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. GRANT, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

          The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.  The next meeting will be held on Friday, June 22, 2007 at the Victor Building, Lansing.  The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m.

                                               
Jo Ann Pilarski, Chairperson

                                               
Date