2024 Friends Newsletter

THE SPEAKER

FRIENDS OF LIBRARY ACCESS, INC.

FALL 2024

IN THIS ISSUE

2024 FRIENDS TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS / MISSION 2

HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE 3

LOOKING FOR NEW TALENT 4

HOW ABOUT READING THE NEWSPAPER AGAIN 4

NOMINATIONS FOR FRIENDS BOARD OF TRUSTEES 5

INSERTS

APPLICATIONS AND RENEWAL FORM
BALLOT
REVISION TO CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

2024 FRIENDS TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Below is an updated list of Board Members. Officers’ positions are noted after the Board Member's name:

Doug Hall, President
Patricia Lipovsky, Vice-President
Irene Hewett, Secretary
Russ Davis, Treasurer

Board members

Dolor Ginchereau
Marilyn Baldwin
Paul Lewis
Richard Johnson
Jeff Saunders
Sheila Young

MISSION

To inform the public of the availability of the FREE LOAN of books and magazines, in audio format and Braille

Show appreciation to the volunteers who perform invaluable service to the Braille and Talking Book Library by sponsoring an annual volunteer appreciation luncheon, along with other forms of recognition

Purchase and donate materials that will assist the Braille and Talking Book Library in its provision of accessible media, including Braille, recorded, and electronic materials

Advocate for improved accessibility of books and magazines

HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The Friends of Library Access, Inc. receives no government support. We are a nonprofit corporation, and count on individuals, such as you, to become members of Friends of Library Access, Inc.

Your annual dues and generous donations enable the Friends to assist the Braille and Talking Book Library in providing equal access to information needed for independence, education, employment, and pleasure to Floridians who are print impaired.

Since its inception in 1992, the Friends has helped the Bureau of Braille & Talking Book Library continue its service of excellence through key equipment purchases and community awareness activities. We have also sponsored annual volunteer appreciation luncheons throughout the years, along with providing awards for their invaluable service.

In addition to membership in the Friends, we gratefully accept donations, grants, gifts of cash, and bequests.

Memberships and donations may be sent to:

Friends of Library Access, Inc.

P.O. Box 10716

Daytona Beach, FL 32120-0716

You may also visit our web site at http://www.friendsoflibraryaccessinc.org

For further information, contact: Patricia A. Lipovsky

Membership and Outreach Chair at: plipovsky@cfl.rr.com or 386-255-0288

We thank you for your generous support.

LOOKING FOR NEW TALENT

The Friends is managed by a Board of twelve trustees, who are elected for three-year terms by the membership. Each November, four seats are open for election.

Board meetings are open to anyone interested, and are held quarterly on the 2nd Saturday of February, May, August, and November, which is our annual meeting.

If you are interested in serving on our Board, please submit your name and a brief letter stating your experience, expertise, and goals as it pertains to the Friends. Letters of Interest may be submitted in print or Braille and mailed to the Friends at:

Friends of Library Access, Inc.

P.O. Box 10716

Daytona Beach, FL 32120

Note: You must be a member of the Friends for at least one year, and have attended at least one quarterly board meeting, before you can apply for a Board position.

For more information, contact the chair of the Nominating Committee:

Dolor Ginchereau at (954) 616-7273, or email ginchereau2@gmail.com

HOW ABOUT READING THE NEWSPAPER AGAIN?

How would you like TO READ the newspaper with your morning cup of java? Well, now you can!

The NFB of Florida is proud to offer you National Federation of the Blind Newsline®, a program sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind of Florida and a grant from the Florida Division of Blind Services.

Many seniors have lost enough vision that reading the daily newspaper is no longer possible. Now, once again, they can enjoy being able to participate actively in community affairs. NFB Newsline gives subscribers access to newspapers, emergency weather updates, television listings, job ads, Target store ads, many magazines, and 14 Florida newspapers. Over 40 magazines, ranging from the arts, sciences, health and fitness, pop culture and national and international news are also available. In addition, there are multiple access methods such as the telephone, computer, NLS Talking Book player, hand-held reader, and the iPhone.

NFB Newsline has well over 300 publications and it's still growing. Four Spanish-language newspapers are available to all subscribers. The service handles thousands of phone calls each day for individuals across the country. This also enables those who cannot read conventional print to have access to all content offered on NFB Newsline when traveling throughout the United States, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

NFB Newsline of Florida has an experienced and dedicated staff of marketers and volunteers waiting to help you. To reach Russ Davis, Coordinator for NFB Newsline of Florida, or any of the other incredible staff members, (Wendy, Sheri or Paul), just call 1-844-827-7371 and select the staff member you'd like to reach from the directory. We are available seven days a week, but ask that you call between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

NOMINATIONS FOR FRIENDS BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Below are the nominees who have applied for our openings for 2024/25. We currently have four seats open. They are each 3-year terms. Please look the applicants over carefully and select who you think would be best suited to fill these positions.

Doug Hall

I’ve been receiving Braille and Talking Books since 1957, first in New York, then New Hampshire, and in Florida since 1977. I began volunteering for the program in 1978, and have been actively involved with Friends of Library Access, Inc. since its founding in 1992, serving as a co-founder and member of the Committee that created the Friends, then helped compose its Bylaws, and have chaired its Bylaws Committee. I served as the liaison between the Braille and Talking Book Library and Friends of Library Access, Inc, from its creation in 1992 till 2006, when I left the Library's staff to join the Rehabilitation Center as an instructor and case manager. I joined the Board of the Friends in 2007, serving as President and Vice President. I've been an active member of the Board of Trustees of the Friends and either volunteer or paid staff of the Library and associated services since the 1970s. Since my retirement in 2013, I’ve devoted my time and energies to a variety of consumer and community advocacy

activities, including assisting the customers of the Braille and Talking Book Library. I ask for your support in November to be reelected to another three year term on the Board.

Marilyn Baldwin

Marilyn Baldwin graduated from the Florida School for the Blind in May of 1977. Marilyn served on many Committees in high school including the School Newspaper, Senior Chorus, Scouting and Student Government. In April 1982, she graduated Cum Laude from Bethune Cookman College with a BS Degree in Elementary Education and Specific Learning Disabilities.

Marilyn taught children with learning disabilities from 1982 until 1985. Then she worked for the City of Orlando from 1987 until 2002, as an Administrative Receptionist. She joined the National Federation of the Blind in 1984 and attended her first National Convention in Arizona. Marilyn has faithfully served in the Central Florida Chapter for many years serving as a Board Member, Secretary, Vice President and Chapter President. “I love my work with other people who are blind in our NFB Family,” says Marilyn. Marilyn worked to improve our Florida White Cane Law with Florida Senator Toni Jennings. She also played a major role in helping to secure funding for the Transportation Disadvantaged Trust Fund with the help of many members of the NFBF local chapters.

In her local community, Marilyn chaired the Orange County Disability Advisory Board for many years beginning in 1996. She served as a member of the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged representing Urban Citizens from 1994 to 2002. While on the Commission, Marilyn was appointed to serve on The Easter Seals Project Action National Steering Committee. During her tenure on the Commission, Marilyn served on the ADA, Standards, and Personnel Committees. In 2007, Marilyn was appointed to serve as a member of the Florida Bar Citizens Forum and served as Vice Chair from 2009 to 2010. Marilyn is also a member of the Friends of Library Access, Inc. She is now a member of the Friends Scholarship Committee, working on the first Educational Scholarship to be awarded next year. In 2022, she was appointed as a member of the National Federation of the Blind, National Diversity Committee.

Currently Marilyn is President of the Central Florida Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind. She chairs the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the State Affiliate, as well as serving as co-chairman for the Communities of Faith Committee. She is also on the Florida Deaf Blind Division Board of NFBF, serving on the Board of Directors and as Vice President since 2021. This year Marilyn was reappointed appointed as a member of the Board of Directors for the League of Women Voters of Orange County. Marilyn serves as a member and past Chairman of the Quality Assurance Task Force and Disabled Representative on the Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board. Marilyn has served on the local TD Board for over twenty years. “I am blessed to have the opportunity to serve in our affiliate and local community”, Marilyn says. She is also an active member in her church, Zion Lutheran Church, in Winter Garden, Florida, where she served on the Board of Parish Involvement and Lutheran Women in Mission. Marilyn lives in Orange County, Florida. Marilyn is also a former member of Access The Vote Florida. She enjoys finding opportunities to make life better for persons living with blindness and other disabilities. Marilyn has recently been appointed as Co-Chairman of the League of Women Voters DEI Committee. Marilyn also serves on the League of Women Voters of Florida Diversity Committee.

Paul Lewis

My current term of office on the FLA Board is due to expire at the end of 2024 and I am seeking reelection. I am asking for your support and of course your vote.

There’s a few who know me personally, and know that I am quite involved in the blind and low vision community, joining a number of organizations and taking a very active role. Even before I actually became a member of the Friends of Library Access board, I attended a number of the board meetings because I viewed the work that the FLA Board did as valuable and important in supporting the Braille and Talking Book Library, and the print disabled of Florida.

Since joining this board, I made an effort to make sure I attended all of its meetings, even when there might have been a conflict. I give priority to the FLA Board Meetings. I have served on a number of committees, but recently my most active role has been in the newly formed Scholarship Committee, along with my role in Outreach, manning tables at both the Florida Council of the Blind, and the National Federation of the Blind conventions, making people aware of who the Friends of the Library are, and what we do, which has resulted in a number of new members.

I am a resident of Fort Myers, and have built a strong relationship with the
sub-regional library there, building positive relationships with the current and past librarians.

Finally, what is truly drawing me to continue to be a member of this Board Is the support and aid that it gives to this state’s Braille and Talking Book Library, and it is my hope that you allow me to continue as a member of the FLA Board.

Sheila Young

My name is Sheila Young, and I joined the Friends of Library Access, Inc. in May, 2005.

I have served on the board since 2008 and have served eight years as President. I have been a patron of the library for over thirty years and am a loyal and avid supporter of the Talking Book Library.

I feel it is extremely important that accessible print materials be available for everyone who is print disabled. The Friends are instrumental in supporting all of the programs involving the library, and its volunteers. I enjoy what we do as the Friends, and would appreciate your vote in our November elections.

APPLICATION AND RENEWAL FORM

Membership is for the calendar year, January 1 to December 31.

All dues received after 9/1/2024 will be applied to the remainder of 2024 and the calendar year 2025.

Today's Date: ________________________________________________

Last Name ________________ First Name _________________________

Street _________________________________ Apt. _________________

City _______________________ State _______ Zip_________________

Telephone: home: (____) ________alternate: (_____) ________________

PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY *required to process application

*1. Print impaired people qualify for Free Matter for the Blind and
Handicapped from the postal service

Place check in front of text if you qualify ___yes ___no

*2. What media do you prefer? Place check in front of text

___ Large Print ___ E-mail ___ Audio

___ Braille (should the latter two become available)

* If e-mail checked, write your e-mail address:

_____________________________________________

3. F.L.A. Membership Selection Place check in front of text

___ Annual renewal ($10.00 per year)

___ Contributing Member ($50.00 or more per year)

___ Life Member ($200.00 may be paid in up to four installments within

one year)

___ Supporting Membership ($250.00 per year, group sponsorship)

4. I am interested in helping with Place check in front of text

___ Public Relations /Education ___ F.L.A. Board of Trustees

___ Fund Raising

BALLOT

You must be a Friends member in order to vote. If you are not a current member, please include membership dues with the ballot.

Print your name:

Place a check in front of the candidate's name of choice below:

______Doug Hall

______Marilyn Baldwin

______Paul Lewis

______Sheila Young

Write in Candidate (s):

We must receive your ballot by Friday, November 8, 2024.

You may MAIL the ballot with your name on it to:

Friends of Library Access, Inc.

P.O. Box 10716

Daytona Beach, FL 32120-0716

Or email to: pkk22258@aol.com

Make Your Voice Heard – VOTE!

Newsletter Editor, Patricia A. Lipovsky

Friends of Library Access, Inc.

P.O. Box 10716

Daytona Beach, FL 32120-0716

PROPOSED BYLAWS REVISIONS

Please place an X in front of each Bylaw if you agree with the change

Article IV, Board of Trustees

OLD

Section 3:

One-third (1/3) of the Board of trustees shall be elected annually to serve a term of three (3) years.

NEW

____One-third (1/3) of the seats for the Board of Trustees shall be filled annually by election to serve a term of three (3) years

Article IV, Board of Trustees

OLD

Section 6:

Any vacancy occurring on the Board may be filled by an affirmative vote of a majority vote of the remaining trustees, though less than a quorum of the Board of Trustees.

NEW

____Any vacancy occurring on the Board of Trustees may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Trustees.

Article V, Committees

OLD

Section 1:

Committees shall have at least three (3) members.

NEW

____Committees shall have at least three (3) members, who are members of Friends of Library Access, Inc.

Article VIII, Amendment

OLD

These Bylaws may be amended at any annual meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at the annual meeting and those submitting completed mail-in and electronic ballots received no later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the meeting, provided that the proposed amendment shall have been presented in accessible format at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting.

NEW

____These Bylaws may be amended at any annual meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the organization’s members present at the annual meeting, and those submitting mail-in and electronic ballots should be received no later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the meeting, provided that the proposed amendment shall have been presented in accessible format at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting.

Application and RENEWAL FORM