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<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Hello Everyone,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> I
wanted to give you a highlight of the MCB board meeting held on Tuesday evening
via teleconference call.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> We
heard an excellent report from the thrift store committee which consisted of
the chair, Mike Keller, Bill Johnson and Shirlene Pickle. The committee
gave a summary of the business plan for the opening of our own thrift
store. After much discussion, the board voted to approve a motion to
donate $425,000.00 to the Encore thrift store board. $287,000.00 will be
donated immediately with the balance to be donated in September. Encore
will begin the monumental task of establishing this thrift store in accordance
to the business plan that was developed. It was emphasized that this
project is not an answer to our financial situation in the immediate future,
but rather will take several years with the opening of additional thrift stores
across the state to begin to realize an adequate income to support our
programs. Encore will pay MCB 50% of the net profit with the other 50%
going toward the future opening of subsequent thrift stores. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> I
applaud the thrift store committee for their efforts and diligence. I
dismissed the thrift store committee and will be establishing a new committee
to act as a liaison between MCB and Encore.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> The
board also approved a change in the Adaptive Technology Grant guidelines.
These guidelines will be posted on the MCB web site.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> The
board approved a new committee for fashion and etiquette. Brandi Jones
was approved as the chair person for this committee.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> A
discussion was held about the personnel manual and after some discussion it was
decided to postpone approval of these modifications until the next board
meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> With
no objections from the board, the MCB Connect will be inviting members of NFB
to our next conference call. The MCB Connect is normally held on the
third Sunday of each month but has moved this month's meeting to Monday,
January 25th at 7:00 PM. We are inviting NFB to join us for the purpose
of discussing ways our organizations can work together on blind related
issues. I'll be sending more information about the MCB Connect next week.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> Let
me say thanks to the board for their time last night. I realize that it
was a long board meeting lasting three and a half hours, but the board was patient
and the questions they asked were pertinent and astute. I am very proud
of this board in the way they conduct themselves in a professional way and
their willingness to see MCB move forward. You as members should also be
proud of the representation you have with this board. They are serving
you well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Thanks,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial Rounded MT Bold","sans-serif";
color:#00B050'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Denny Huff - President<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Missouri Council of the Blind<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>5453 Chippewa<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>St. Louis, MO 63109<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Phone: (636) 262-1383<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Toll Free: (888) 362-1383<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Phonecast: (816) 298-8969<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>FAX: (636) 629-1710<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>DHuff@MoBlind.Org<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>www.moblind.org<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>MCB - A GREAT PLACE TO BE!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>The purpose of Missouri Council of the Blind shall be to
promote the general well-being of our members and legally blind people in
Missouri, and to support or participate in other programs promoting the best
interests of legally blind people everywhere.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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