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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>Subject: rsb/mcb
teleconference call notes</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><FONT
size=5> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>A teleconference
call was held on Aug. 24 at approximately <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:time Minute="45"
Hour="16">4:45 p.m.</st1:time></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=5> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>Those present
were:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Mark Laird; Mike Merrick;
Denny Huff, Chip Hailey; Erica Wolfe; Mary Pendleton and Bev
Armstrong.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=5> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>As noted, this
meeting was between RSB and MCB.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The next meeting will be with RSB, MCB and NFB.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It will be an in person
meeting.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=5> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>Denny stressed he
felt it was important for MCB and NFB to work together on issues on which they
could come to a mutual agreement; however, realizing that</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>there will be some
things on which each consumer organization will have its own opinion.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=5> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>RSB reported they
had had a call from John Thompson of the St. Louis Lighthouse inquiring why they
were not receiving referrals from RSB.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Mike explained</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>that the client's
vocational goal determines where the client is referred.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Referrals for the Lighthouse do come
through a temporary employment agency.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=5> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>It was noted that
RSB has nine job openings.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=5> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>Mark stated he had
attended the NFB state convention and found it to be very useful.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He inquired whether he might attend
MCB's state convention.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Denny</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>replied MCB would be
very glad to have him come to the convention and to sit in on some of the
breakout sessions.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=5> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>Denny inquired
whether or not RSB had received the report from the Stakeholders meeting.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Mark explained they had not but expected
to hear by the first</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>of
October.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=5> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>The issue was raised
concerning why more visually-impaired and blind employment seekers are not hired
by RSB.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Mark reported that at the
present time 34%</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>of the RSB employees
are visually-impaired or blind.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Mark further reported that RSB feels that the visually-impaired/blind can
compete equally for employment</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>with RSB.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>No special concessions are made for
visually-impaired/blind.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=5> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>The question was
raised how long are people seeking employment having to look before finding
employment.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Mark said, given the
economic times, it may take</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>as long as six to
eight months working about four hours a day before a client finds
employment.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In good economic times
it is likely to take three or four</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>months.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=5> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>The question was
raised concerning clients having problems with lengthy waits for delivery of
services.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Clients should be urged
to call their counselor</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>and, if need be,
call Mark or Mike.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The problem will
be investigated the same day as the call is made.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Clients should not be fearful of calling
the central</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>office as nothing
can be done if they are not aware of the problem.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Both Mark and Mike emphasized that no
employee will be getting in trouble but more</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>importantly the
problem will be resolved.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=5> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>The next quarterly
meeting of the RSC will be held in November.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Denny is urging local affiliates in the
area where the Public Forum and Business meeting of the Advisory Council will
hold its meeting to plan to attend the Public Forum.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The location will be announced
later.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=5> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>The in person
meeting will be held in November or December and the location to be
determined.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=5> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>The meeting
concluded at <st1:time Minute="10" Hour="18">6:10 p.m.</st1:time></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=5> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>Respectfully
submitted,</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=5> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=5>Bev
Armstrong</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=5> </FONT></o:p></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>