September 2023

ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP  BOARD MEETING

Meeting Minutes– Monday, September 11, 2023 8pm EST
Call to Order:  President - Lisa Lopatofsky
Conflicts: None
Present: Molly Black, Gordon Boe, Dixie Stachnik, Juli Baumgarner, Lisa Lopatofsky, Johnine Bickauskas, Julia Murray, Kristina Kezmarsky, Elizabeth Foster

Excused Absence: Sandra Salerno, Meghan Meyers

Approval of July, 2023 Minutes  
Motioned -  Molly Black
Seconded –  Gordon Boe
All in favor, minutes approved.

TREASURER'S REPORT:  - 
Gordon Boe - 

Full report available to general membership upon request.

Approval of July/Aug 2023 Treasurer’s Report
Motioned – Dixie Stachnik
Seconded - Julia Murray
All in favor, the Treasurer’s report was approved.

COMMITTEE UPDATES: 
*All committee action plans are saved in the shared drive


Membership  Sandra Salerno (Lead)

1.  Annual Membership Meeting Update - We are pleased to share that 2023 was a very productive year for our PPDB Membership Committee. We welcomed new members to our board, both in professional capacities as well as family members. We maintained our membership database, and welcomed 8 new professional members during the Family Learning Conference. As of 9/7/2023, we have 64 active members/families.
   
2. We have plans for the future to conduct an annual membership drive, as well as to prepare “elevator speeches” about PPDB that we can share with prospective members.
   
3. We plan to coordinate with the outreach team to enhance our presence on social media.
   

Outreach  Molly Black (Lead) -

1. Accomplishments - 
   
   1. January, 2023, Outreach committee members have been posting each month information on each of our Board of Directors and a “Did you Know, Fun Fact.”
      
   2. March/April 2023 Exhibited at PEAL Health Matters Lancaster and Pittsburgh Conferences
      
   3. May 2023 Provided a social opportunity in the West for eight families at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh and  5 families in the East at the Strasburg Railroad.
      
   4. June 2023 Family Learning Conference-
      
      1. Gordon Boe exhibited 
         
      2. Special Advisor, Beth Foster, facilitated Friday evening session at FLC2023
         
      3. Special Advisor, Juli Baumgarner, facilitated Sib Experience at FLC2023
         
2.  October 2023, Anticipated Social events planned for each region
   
3.  November 2023, anticipate exhibiting at HELIX Conference, Lancaster, PA
   
4. December 2023, anticipate Holiday Mailing
   

Fundraising  Gordon Boe (Lead) 

1. Accomplishments
   
   1. Received $309.50 from HLAA for 2022 Walk4Hearing in Philadelphia
      
   2. Approved for $50,000 grant from PADDC for Gather for Change Conference
      
   3. Received $130 from 2023 FLC 50/50
      
2. Thank you to Vivian Patterson for her $10,000 donation in memory of Frank Visco
   
3. Thank you to Vincent Visco and Susan Lapenta for their $1,000 donation in memory of Frank Visco
   
4. HLAA Walk4Hearing in Philadelphia on October 14th - PPDB is an Alliance Member
   

Advocacy  Lisa Lopatofsky (Lead)

1. Accomplishments
   
   1. 3 PPDB members successfully completed NFADB’s FATE training
      
   2. 3 PPDB members participated in NFADB’s Day on the HIll
      
2. Cogswell Macy Act (CMA) should be introduced with all three parts in September
   
   1. Rep. Cartwright’s Office is giving it one more legislative session to pass as a whole Bill.  If not, they will create a separate piece of legislation for the DeafBlind piece (Title III) to be introduced at the next legislative session.
      
   2. NFADB still pursuing National Agenda
      
   3. Rep. Cartwright’s Office is working on a separate bill for Adult Services to be introduced this legislative session
      
3. PPDB is looking for two members interested in furthering their advocacy skills to take the upcoming NFADB FATE Training.
   
4. Gather for Change Conference is to be held next spring.  This will be the focus of our Advocacy Committee over the next year.  The conference will teach families the NFADB National Agenda and how to advocate for its content.     
   

OLD BUSINESS:  
​
NEW BUSINESS :  

1. Holiday Cards  - Jessica Coffin will head up this initiative.
   

GOOD OF THE ORDER:
    1.    Presentation to Tammy Kitterman for years of service.  

ADJOURNED: 
8:36 PM

Respectfully Submitted,
Dixie Stachnik on behalf of
Sandra Salerno, PPDB Secretary