[Missouri-l] rsb/mcb teleconference call notes

[Beverly Armstrong]

Subject: rsb/mcb teleconference call notes

 

A teleconference call was held on Aug. 24 at approximately 4:45 p.m.

 

Those present were:  Mark Laird; Mike Merrick; Denny Huff, Chip Hailey; Erica Wolfe; Mary Pendleton and Bev Armstrong.

 

As noted, this meeting was between RSB and MCB.  The next meeting will be with RSB, MCB and NFB.  It will be an in person meeting.

 

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

there will be some things on which each consumer organization will have its own opinion.

 

RSB reported they had had a call from John Thompson of the St. Louis Lighthouse inquiring why they were not receiving referrals from RSB.  Mike explained

that the client's vocational goal determines where the client is referred.  Referrals for the Lighthouse do come through a temporary employment agency.

 

It was noted that RSB has nine job openings.

 

Mark stated he had attended the NFB state convention and found it to be very useful.  He inquired whether he might attend MCB's state convention.  Denny

replied MCB would be very glad to have him come to the convention and to sit in on some of the breakout sessions.

 

Denny inquired whether or not RSB had received the report from the Stakeholders meeting.  Mark explained they had not but expected to hear by the first

of October.

 

The issue was raised concerning why more visually-impaired and blind employment seekers are not hired by RSB.  Mark reported that at the present time 34%

of the RSB employees are visually-impaired or blind.  Mark further reported that RSB feels that the visually-impaired/blind can compete equally for employment

with RSB.  No special concessions are made for visually-impaired/blind.

 

The question was raised how long are people seeking employment having to look before finding employment.  Mark said, given the economic times, it may take

as long as six to eight months working about four hours a day before a client finds employment.  In good economic times it is likely to take three or four

months.

 

The question was raised concerning clients having problems with lengthy waits for delivery of services.  Clients should be urged to call their counselor

and, if need be, call Mark or Mike.  The problem will be investigated the same day as the call is made.  Clients should not be fearful of calling the central

office as nothing can be done if they are not aware of the problem.  Both Mark and Mike emphasized that no employee will be getting in trouble but more

importantly the problem will be resolved.

 

The next quarterly meeting of the RSC will be held in November.  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.  The location will be announced later.

 

The in person meeting will be held in November or December and the location to be determined.

 

The meeting concluded at 6:10 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Bev Armstrong

 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://moblind.org/pipermail/missouri-l_moblind.org/attachments/20090907/52cd414b/attachment-0001.html>