The UCB Buzz

A publication of

Utah Council of the Blind

August 2021

 

For the latest news updates call the Utah Connection 801-299-0670 or 1‑800-273-4569. (You may also leave a message at the end of the announcement.)

Check out the website at utahcounciloftheblind.org

Mail correspondence to: UCB, PO Box 1415, Bountiful, UT 84011-1415. E-mail us at ucb.board@gmail.com. For credit card payments call 801-245-9264.

The UCB Buzz is available in large print, Braille, audio CD, as a data (Microsoft Word and a plain text file) CD, and by e-mail. If you would prefer to receive your newsletter in a different format, please call the Utah Connection or send an e-mail to ucb.board@gmail.com and let us know.

Editor: Tom Mitchell
Utah Connection Manager: Linda Holladay

 

In This Issue

Disclaimer.................................................................................................. 2

Editorially Speaking.................................................................................... 3

UCB Annual Business Meeting.................................................................. 4

Proposed UCB Bylaw Amendments 9-18-2021.......................................... 6

Board of Directors Candidates’ Statements.............................................. 13

Vicki L. Flake.......................................... 13

Michelle Hendriksen............................... 14

Kira Larkin.............................................. 16

Donni Mitchell......................................... 17

Jeana Nielsen......................................... 18

Monica Youngdell................................... 19

UCB News................................................................................................ 21

UCB Office Re-Opens............................ 21

UCB. Silly Spooktacular Comeback for 2021 21

Night Out at the Utah State Fair.............. 23

Peachy Mango Salsa............................................................................... 24

General UCB Information......................................................................... 25

Disclaimer

Articles and announcements included in this publication are presented for your information and interest. They reflect the opinions of the respective authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the UCB.

Editorially Speaking

By Tom Mitchell

This is a particularly important issue of this newsletter. Most of it will be concerned with our upcoming UCB business meeting. The meeting will be held in person at the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually-Impaired, 250 North 1950 West, Salt Lake City on September 18.

This meeting will have a lot of information and business packed into it, since we couldn’t hold a meeting last year, due to the pandemic. There will be at least 8 bylaws changes for you to consider. These changes are printed in this newsletter, and I urge you to read through them and study them carefully before you come to the meeting or mark your absentee ballot.

In addition, six candidates are seeking your support on the Board of Directors, and their statements are also featured in this newsletter. The statements are arranged alphabetically by last name, no editing, apart from misspellings, has been done on their statements. They are just as we received them.

The Business Meeting will have a lunch, so reservations will be required, You can find out all the information you need to know about that in the Annual Business Meeting article. So, I hope you really do take the time to read these articles. Also, we have some articles that have good news, too, that will cause rejoicing among many of you. So please, keep on reading.

UCB Annual Business Meeting

Remember that the Annual Business Meeting of the Utah Council of the Blind will be held at the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 250 N 1950 W, Salt Lake City, UT at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 18, 2021. Reservations are required so that we can have enough food for everyone. Please call the Utah Connection at 801-299-0670 or email ucb.board@gmail.com with your name, the names of others in your party, and your telephone number no later than Monday, September 13th. When you make your reservation, please indicate whether or not each person in your party is a member of the UCB, whether you use large print or braille, any dietary restrictions you or a member of your party may have, and if you will need a listening device or any other accommodation.

This year, for the first time, we are going to attempt to make the meeting available to members in all areas of the state via Zoom, so if you would like to participate in this manner, please make a reservation as indicated above, but let us know that you will be participating via Zoom and clearly give us your name, email address, mailing address, and phone number so that we can send you the appropriate link. Unfortunately, we do not have a way to allow you to participate in the voting process through the Zoom connection, so we will automatically mail you an absentee ballot to use for casting your votes.

Any member wishing to vote by absentee ballot may do so by calling the Utah Connection or emailing us at ucb.board@gmail.com. In order to be counted, your ballot must be returned to:

UCB

PO Box 1415

Bountiful UT 84011-1415

The completed ballot must arrive no later than September 11, 2021.

Membership Verification: In order to vote at the annual business meeting a member's dues for 2021 must be paid no later than September 11, 2021. If you have any questions about your membership status, please contact our Membership Chair, Aunilie Hathaway at (801) 244-5505 or via e-mail at ucb.board@gmail.com.

Proposed UCB Bylaw Amendments 9-18-2021

Section 3.2 Current:

… As numbers allow, the board shall also include the Immediate Past President; a Vice President, who must be legally blind; and up to ten additional Directors, the exact number of which may be set by action of the membership from time to time…

Section 3.2 Proposed:

… As numbers allow, the board shall also include a Vice President, who must be legally blind; and up to eleven additional Directors, the exact number of which may be set by action of the board of directors or the membership from time to time…

Section 4.2:

It is proposed that the term "Nominating Committee" be changed throughout to "Election Committee".

Section 4.2 Current:

… During the business meeting, the Nominating Committee shall formally present all of the candidates and supervise the carrying out of the voting process. Nominations from the floor will be allowed. Votes for write-in candidates are acceptable only on absentee ballots, in which case they will be considered a nomination from the floor. In order to run for office a candidate must either be personally present or have given prior written approval for his/her name to be put into nomination. Each candidate will be allowed a two-minute speech and up to three minutes for nominating speeches. The Nominating Committee shall have responsibility for providing a means whereby the members can cast secret ballots for the candidates of their choice and shall have responsibility for the tallying of the votes so cast. There will be absentee voting, but no proxy voting. Absentee ballots will be available from the Nominating Committee upon request and must be returned to them no later than one week before the business meeting. The Officers shall be voted on individually, and the successful candidates must be elected by an absolute majority (they must receive over 50% of the total votes cast). Unsuccessful candidate(s) for any officer position will be included in the balloting for all other officer positions and in the director balloting unless they decline to run. Balloting for all director positions will take place simultaneously, with each member casting votes for the exact number of positions available. Each director must be elected by an absolute majority (as defined above). In all balloting, run-off voting will be done with the names of the lowest vote receivers whose aggregate total is 50% or less of the total votes cast removed from each subsequent ballot until an absolute majority is achieved for each available position. In the case of the director balloting, when any one candidate receives an absolute majority of votes, they will be declared elected, and the number of available positions will be reduced by one until all available positions have been filled. Full-term positions will be filled by those first elected, with partial terms filled by those following. If there are no qualified candidates for an open officer position, the board members, at their first meeting after January 1st, shall elect from their number a qualified member to fill the position. If there are not enough qualified candidates to fill all open director positions, all qualified candidates shall be declared elected, and the number of directors shall be reduced by the number of deficiencies.

Section 4.2 Proposed:

… The Election Committee shall formally present all of the candidates and supervise the carrying out of the voting process. No nominations from the floor or write-in candidates will be allowed. The Election Committee shall have responsibility for providing a means whereby the members can cast ballots for the candidates of their choice and shall have responsibility for the tallying of the votes. There may be absentee voting, but no proxy voting. Any absentee ballots must be returned to the Election Committee no later than one week before the business meeting. The Officers shall be voted on individually, and the successful candidates must be elected by an absolute majority (they must receive over 50% of the total votes cast). Unsuccessful candidate(s) for any officer position will be included in the director balloting. Balloting for all director positions will take place simultaneously, with each member casting ranked votes for the candidates. Each director must be elected by an absolute majority (as defined above). Full-term positions will be filled by those receiving the highest number of votes, with partial terms filled by those with fewer votes. If there are no qualified candidates for an open officer position, the board members, at their first meeting after January 1st, shall elect from their number a qualified member to fill the position. If there are not enough qualified candidates to fill all open director positions, all qualified candidates who receive at least 10 votes each shall be declared elected, and the number of directors shall be reduced by the number of deficiencies.

Section 5.3 Current:

b. maintain or cause to be maintained all valuable correspondence and records of the organization, including membership records;

Section 5.3 Proposed:

b. maintain or cause to be maintained all valuable correspondence and records of the organization;

Section 6.1 Current:

The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Past President…

Section 6.1 Proposed:

The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Chief Executive Officer…

Section 7.1 Current:

… Any blind individual believing in the purposes and who will contribute to the functions of the UCB upon payment of dues may submit an application for membership…

Section 7.1 Proposed:

… Any blind or visually impaired individual believing in the purposes and who will contribute to the functions of the UCB upon payment of dues may submit an application for membership…

Section 7.2 Current:

… A grace period of three months shall be allowed for receipt of renewal dues from members in good standing…

Section 7.2 Proposed:

… A grace period of one month shall be allowed for receipt of renewal dues from members in good standing…

Section 8.4 Current:

… At least twenty members in good standing shall constitute a quorum…

Section 8.4 Proposed:

… At least ten members in good standing shall constitute a quorum…

Section 10.1 Current:

… Proposed Bylaws amendments must be submitted to the Secretary for inclusion in the notice of the meeting in which they are to be presented.

Section 10.1 Proposed:

… Proposed Bylaws amendments may be submitted to the Secretary for inclusion in the notice of the meeting in which they are to be presented.

Board of Directors Candidates’ Statements

Vicki L. Flake

Fellow UCB Members,

Please accept this letter as an indication of my desire to run for the office of Treasurer for an additional term. I have been involved with the Utah Council of the Blind almost since its inception and believe strongly in the principles it was created to uphold. It is my desire to do everything in my power to see that people who are blind enjoy a maximum level of independence, including participating in their communities and government at every level.

It is also my desire to have more people who are blind or visually impaired actively participating in the day to day operations of the UCB: serving on committees; attending board meetings; helping with calling committees, membership drives, fund raising activities, public awareness campaigns, representation on public committees, etc.

This organization is only as strong as its members make it. I challenge each of you, my fellow members, to join me in finding a way to participate in carrying on the work of our great organization.

Thank you for your consideration,
Vicki L Flake

Michelle Hendriksen

Dear Utah Council for the Blind members,

My name is Michelle (Shelly) Hendriksen, I am interested in running for a position on the board. I am legally blind with Retinitis Pigmentosa and have a mother and 2 children with the same eye disease. I have volunteered to help Sandy England on multiple committees including: Christmas Parties, Various fundraising committees, UCB Conventions, and more.

I am committed to helping the UCB help other blind individuals reach their full potential and independence. I have a college degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Utah State University in Music and Education. The educational degree was in Special Education. I have worked for the Utah Parent Center as a Parent Advocate and Dispute Resolution Specialist from 2014-2018, I was also an IEP Specialist with the same organization from 2010-2018. I am very familiar with helping individuals with disabilities in an educational setting and am sure that I can use my love and knowledge to lift others. I am more than eager to assist the UCB with various committees.

On a personal note, I am 51 year old wife and mother to adult children, I love to listen to audio books and love to help others in any way I can. I truly hope that I can serve the UCB and their members.

Thank You for your consideration.

Michelle (Shelly) Hendriksen
singingshelly@gmail.com
Phone: 801-803-1903

Kira Larkin

Hello, Fellow UCB Members,

My name is Kira Larkin. I am running for the position of Vice President for the Utah Council of the Blind. I have been a member of the UCB for about 20 years. I started in the student group that the UCB had, and then moved up to the main part of the UCB.

During my time in the UCB, I have been a board member, planned and helped out with activities, and am now the head of the Braille Committee. I have also been a teacher for the blind in our Teacher/Trainer Team Training Program.

I have a deep respect for the UCB. Being blind since I was almost two, I understand most blindness problems, and am willing to help and listen to all who want me to know what they would like to see the UCB do and become. I have many ideas that I would like to share with the UCB Board if I become Vice President, or even if I am voted in as one of the Board Members.

I know the times are becoming worse and things are getting rough in the world. I want the UCB to become a better organization which is focused on helping the visually impaired and blind people of Utah. I would like to have the UCB be a safe place where persons with visual problems can come for help and assistance with blindness issues. I hope that you share my outlook, and will consider me for Vice President of the UCB.

Thank you, and best wishes to all.

Donni Mitchell

I would like to run again for the Board of Directors of the Utah Council of the Blind as Vice-President.

I have been a member for approximately 20 years. I have served in the past on the auction committee of the ACB, and currently man the UCB office each Wednesday afternoon which I have been doing for approximately 10 years. I really would like to see more people take advantage of having the office open for the purchasing of cab coupons, t-shirts, and Other products.

I get my greatest satisfaction from helping people at our functions, or passing out things for people or other assignments. I also don't mind helping to set up tables and chairs or taking things down after our functions.

Though I realize that a position on the board doesn't call for a lot of that kind of service, I feel that I have a skill for listening, and an ability to use common sense in helping with decisions. Though I admit that I don't often seem to have original ideas, I can carry out any assignment given to me. I feel I still have a lot to offer the Counsel, and would like to continue serving on the Board.

Jeana Nielsen

My name is Jeana Nielsen. I am seeking election to the Board of Directors as a general board member for the UCB. I have been a part of the UCB for many years. I started out in in the student group, and then moved up to the regular UCB after a couple of years. In the past, I have volunteered in the UCB office at DSBVI, selling cab coupons and helping members in whatever capacity needed. I have helped with some UCB activities, helping to get set up and to clean up afterwards, and to serve in whatever way possible. I have also worked as a teacher in the Team Teacher program. In this role, I have taught adaptive skills including Braille, orientation and mobility, cooking, and other such skills.

I feel that the UCB is very valuable in many, many ways. I have personally benefited from many of its programs and services and have seen them benefit many others as well. I care about the UCB, its programs, and its members. I wish to be a part of the Board of Directors, to serve the organization and its members in whatever capacity I am able to. Thank you for your consideration.

Monica Youngdell

Board of Director position by Monica Youngdell

Hello UCB. members. I am running again for a board of director position. I am currently a board member as well as the activities committee chair for the Utah Counsel of the Blind. I have been on the board since 2015 on and off. I have also contributed my service to Leslie Gertsch who was our former head of the organization by helping her with letter writing in behalf of the Utah Counsel of the Blind to help our services continue, using my musical talents along with my darling husband as well as being a strong voice in public events political and non political for the Utah Council of the blind.

I feel I would serve the board well because I have a strong belief that no matter who you are you can make a difference even though it may seem very small. As the saying goes,” Many hands make light work.” If we all work together, we will make this an organization that will strengthen, educate, motivate and help others who are members as well as non members of our organization. By putting our heads together we can and will solve problems, lift the heads that hang down and keep our blind community as active as possible by promoting fun, clean and wholesome things that are educational as well as recreational so we can go forward and be the board we know we should and must in order for the blind to succeed in their endeavors to become a more happy and independent people. If reelected I will be a strong voice for our members, contribute my time, talents as well as my skill for creating activities and listening to suggestions you may have for building up our organization as best as it can be. I will use my ability to serve you and help once again. I am excited and look forward to serving again on the board in the years to come. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to serve again.

UCB News

UCB Office Re-Opens

Now for some good news! The UCB Office at the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired will open for business starting August 4th. The office will be open from 12:30 to 3:30 pm each Wednesday for the sale of cab coupons and other items, and to give you whatever help you will need.

UCB. Silly Spooktacular Comeback for 2021

By Monica Youngdell

Greetings UCB. Members, family, friends and all you wonderful folks. We’re going to have a wonderful and exciting comeback for 2021 in person for Halloween.

There will be a dinner of pizza, popcorn, lemonade and water and bags of candy for desert and cookies. There will be games, face painting, a fish pond, door prizes and a silly contest with a judge for the silliest, or most original costume or you can just come as you are and have fun. Dinner will begin at 5 p.m. and fun and games after with door prizes and games after. We will conclude with the contest for the costumes. Everyone will have a chance to participate, young or old. The Fun will begin at 5 p.m. and end at 7 p.m. on Friday October 22, 2021 at the Blind center DSBVI. 250 North 1950 West in the Multipurpose room. Please call or write me at 801-364-2311 or email at kitty1481@gmail.com with your reservations so I can pass them along to Kate to get the right numbers of the people who would like to eat and have refreshments and please specify in your reservation how many are in your group, whether you have any dietary restrictions and whether you will be paying with cash, card or check. The cost of the reservation is $3.00 per person. Reservations are required to attend and are due no later than October 10, 2021 in order to save your spot so please be prompt. Call me if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing all of you there.

Night Out at the Utah State Fair

Here is what information we currently have for the annual night out at the Utah State Fair. It is tentatively being planned for September 13, though it is possible that date could be changed. The cost is $1 for yourself and $1 for your sighted guide. We will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the north-west gate (Gate B), which is inside the north parking lot. We must enter as a group at 6:00 p.m.

Also, again tentatively, on Wednesday morning from 10 a.m.-12:00 there will be free carnival rides, free snacks at the Sugar Shack on the midway, and Barnyard friends will be open. At 11:00 a.m. Survival at the Slowest exhibit will be open along with the Magic Show by Scott Chamberlain at the south plaza state.

Again, some of this is tentative, and could change, so keep in touch with the Utah Connection and other social media for updates if required.

Peachy Mango Salsa

from Leslie Gertsch

4 firm fresh peaches, 6 cups seeded, peeled, if desired, and diced

2 firm ripe fresh mangos, 2 cups non-fibrous, peeled, seeded and diced

4 fresh jalapenos or 1 habanero, diced

1 1/2 c Holland orange bell peppers, 2 c diced

1 red onion, 1 1/2 c finely diced

2 Tbs minced garlic or 2 Tbs minced ginger

3 Tbs chopped cilantro or 3 Tbs chopped fresh cilantro or 3 Tbs fresh parsley, chopped

1 fresh lime, juice and zest

1 1/2 c white vinegar (5% acid)

1 c sugar

2 tsp salt

Sterilize ball jars, lids, and screw tops. Place all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce to simmering, and simmer 5 minutes. Do not over-cook. Pour into hot sterile jars, leaving 1/2 inch head space, being careful not to leave any salsa on the rims. Wipe jar rims with a damp paper towel. Put on lids and screw on metal bands, tightening firmly and evenly. Do not over-tighten.

Put the sealed jars in the canner and keep them covered with at least 1 inch of boiling water. Boil them for at least 20 minutes. Lift the jars out of the water and let them cool in a draft-free place overnight. You can then remove the rings if you like. Once the jars are cool, you can check that they are sealed, verifying that the lid has been sucked down. Just press in the center, gently, with your finger. Label and store in a cool place out of direct light. Use them within one year.

General UCB Information

Beginning August 4, Donni Mitchell, our vice president, volunteers in the UCB Office at DSBVI, 250 N 1950 W, Salt Lake City, UT, from 12:30 to 3:30 pm on Wednesdays. If you are making a special trip to visit the office, we recommend you call ahead at 801-520-3766 to be sure she is there when you come to make purchases or conduct other business.

We are always looking for articles, book reviews, or interesting tidbits of information from our readers or other interested persons. The deadline for submitting items for publication is the 15th of the month, e.g. the deadline for the October newsletter is September 15th, and articles must be submitted in their final form. You may e-mail any articles you wish to submit to tommit60@gmail.com; send Braille, print, or audio to UCB Buzz, PO Box 1415, Bountiful, UT 84011-1415; or drop them off to Donni at the office. Please allow extra time for processing Braille, print, or audio.

If you have questions or concerns for any board member or to be placed on the agenda of a board meeting, e-mail ucb.board@gmail.com or leave a message on the Utah Connection, and you will receive a timely reply.

Members are invited and encouraged to attend meetings of the Board of Directors. Beginning in August, Board of Directors meetings will typically be held the first Thursday of each month at 4:45 p.m. at DSBVI in Conference Room R (in the north hallway), or via Zoom. Our next meeting is scheduled for August 5.

 

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Utah Council of the Blind                                                                                                   

1301 W 500 S                                                                                                                     

Woods Cross UT 84087-2224