The meeting was called to order by President Maria Rueters at 1:05 p.m. After introductions, Arron Leventhal demonstrated a new web browser called the Firefox with the use of GW Micro's Windows screen reading software. The meeting went into a brief recess at 2:30 p.m.
When the meeting was reconvened at 2:45 p.m. the minutes of the May 14th meeting were read by Jeanette Kutash for Dennis Brady, Vibug Clerk who was having printer difficulties. The minutes were accepted as read.
The president indicated that the nominating committee was set. Jeanette Kutash is the committee chair, and Jeanette indicated that her other members are Jen Bowes, Pauline Downing and Don Breda. All 5 offices are up for election. They are the president, vice-president, clerk, treasurer and webmaster. We need to have someone who is particularly interested in the office of Vibug Clerk. She felt that there may be a need for a qualified member for the office of web master Anyone who thinks that they may have the qualifications or skills for this or any other office can contact Jeanette at 617-376-6341. The committee's goal is to have the nominating slate recommended at the September meeting, and for the elections to be held in October. Members were advised that they may wish to nominate someone for any office from the floor. If a contest should develop for any position, there will be a secret ballot as dictated by organizational past practices, and parliamentary procedure. The method as to how the secret ballot will be cast will be determined by the vice-president.
Members were reminded that the Vibug pool party will be held at the home of Steve and Marsha Dresser in Reading MA. On 07-23-2005. Steve indicated that there home phone number has been changed to 781-944-3586. One can either take the commuter rail from North Station to Reading on the Haverhill line, or take the orange line to the Oak Grove Station and then take a bus to Reading. Jeanette offered to check transportation schedules to Reading so as to determine what time people should begin arriving in Reading for the party.
Members were advised of other possible sources to get adaptive technology related information.
The number for Mab Community Services is 617-972-2790. The phone system which was set up by RNK telecom, and has a series of menus. One menue provides a whole list of other numbers you can dial if the 972 number is a toll call. The last 4 digits will always be 2790. To get information from MCB, call 617-727-5550 and either say "information tapes" or dial extension 7660. You can also dial 617-626-7660 and get there directly, or call toll-free at 800-392-4650 and dial extension 7660, or say "information tapes." It was announced that on June 22, Clarence Whaley of GW Micro will demonstrate a new note taking product called Braille Sense at the National Braille Press at 1:p.m. The product has some features that include a 32 cell Braille display, audible tracking, an mp3 player, digital audio recorder, the ability to perform 7 tasks at once, access to e-mail and the internet, and has a powerful word processor. If you did not attend the demonstration and are interested in receiving more information on this product, you can go to the GWMicro website at www.gwmicro.com. The president decided to send this information to all members on the Vibug list.
TIC is no longer broadcasting Vibug meetings.
An inquiry was made as to why an August meeting was not being held this year, and the reason cited was low attendance. To determine if there was enough interest among the membership to hold a meeting in August, a show of hands was sought. After a count was taken, there were a sufficient number of people interested to warrant the scheduling of an August meeting on 08-13-05.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dennis Brady, VIBUG Clerk