MAGDU Meeting Minutes:  November 3, 2006

In the absence of MAGDU’s secretary at this meeting, minutes were taken by member, Penny Reeder. 

Minutes from last year’s general meeting were accepted as written and presented.

Gary Norman’s report included the following information:

We will be holding new elections for officers this year.  MAGDU hosted a successful educational seminar in August.  Six to eight presenters spoke at the seminar.  Guide dog users from several east-coast states were in attendance, and the event was deemed so successful that another event will be planned for 2007-2008. 

Last year, MAGDU, in cooperation with ACBM, worked hard to defeat proposed service dog-related legislation which had been introduced by Christopher Shank, and perhaps was influenced by the Maryland Department of Disability (DOD).  We are currently trying to create a constructive relationship with MDOD, so as to preclude future conflicts. 

We have had positive interactions with Baltimore’s Ronald McDonald House.  In late October, MAGDU representatives visited the House and gave a presentation about guide dogs, how they make the lives of their blind and visually impaired partners better, and their rights under the law.  The presentation was given by Gary Norman and Langer, and Pat and Jane Sheehan and Xenon.  The MAGDU group was well received, and MAGDU is planning future quarterly presentations at Ronald McDonald House.  This is just one way that MAGDU plans to increase their outreach to members of the general public and the sighted community.

As part of this effort, we have talked to puppy raisers in Maryland and attended public events.  We have become involved with the creation of emergency preparedness policy, via our relationship with Joanne Knapp. 

Last night, November 2, MAGDU held a fund-raising event in the form of their first annual gala.  Gary considers this event to represent a positive beginning toward bringing exposure to guide dogs and the services our organization provides.  The proposed slate of officers, presented by the nominating committee, included; Gary Norman for President;

Cecelia Warren for Vice President;

Nancy Dosh for Treasurer;

Charlie Crawford for Secretary. 

Al Pietrolungo presided over the election.  Everyone on the slate was elected by acclamation.

Treasurer’s Report:

Our balance was $1331.91 as of August 2006.  As of this date, expenses associated with the gala have not been deducted from our balance.  Our most significant achievement of 2006 was gaining acceptance by the IRS as a 501C3 organization.  It will be very beneficial for MAGDU to be certified by the State of Maryland as a non-profit organization.  We are currently awaiting, and expecting to receive, the sales tax exemption certificate.  The report of the treasurer was accepted as read.

When the meeting concluded, several items which had not sold at the silent auction associated with the preceding evening’s gala were offered for sale to members, and their sale increased the content of MAGDU’s treasury.

Respectfully Submitted by Penny Reeder

January 8, 2007