Minutes from Business Meeting Nov 4, 2005

Maryland Area Guide Dog Users, Inc. (MAGDUI) members met on the evening of

November 4, 2005 at the Tremont Plaza Hotel.  The meeting was held in

conjunction with the annual American Council of the Blind of Maryland (ACBM)

convention.  As was the case last year, the meeting this year was

well-attended.  While no head count was taken, there were nearly twenty

handlers present and close to thirty people total in attendance.

Howard Della's wife, kae, Della graciously read the minutes which had been

prepared by the secretary of MAGDUI because the minutes were in print, and

the secretary is not a speedy print reader.  Kae did a good job.  The

minutes were approved.

The president, Gary Norman, delivered his President's Report.  He talked

about the creation of the Pet Assure Health Insurance program offered to

members of GDUI (Guide Dog Users, Inc) and their affiliates.  He commended

the members who had made presentations about guide dogs to church, school,

and other community groups.  He made us aware of the filing of an

application for a grant of $12,000.00 from the Civil Justice Foundation.  If

the grant application is approved, he said he wanted the money to be

ear-marked for public service announcements on area radio stations.

He said that the pilot Pet ER/EMS program was finally up and running after a

three-year process to iron out al of the aspects of the program.  The main

barrier had been to find a 24-hour vet facility willing to board and if

necessary, care for a guide or service dog while its handler was being

treated in an area hospital after any illness or accident.  This was a

tremendous accomplishment. 

The Articles of Incorporation were passed, which would then enable MAGDUI to become a non-profit group.  Becoming a non-profit group takes time, so it is not a done deal yet. 

Langor's Law, a guide dog protection law failed again in the Maryland General Assembly.  It

was decided that MAGDUI should take a year off from trying to get this

important bill passed so our organization could link up with other groups

that would be interested in and would possibly benefit from this piece of

legislation (service dog handlers, police departments that use K-9 dogs,

search and rescue dog handlers, etc).  It was also noted that non-guide dog

users who were members of the various ACB affiliates in Maryland needed to

help with support of this very important piece of legislation.

Jane Sheehan gave the treasurer's report.  It was approved by the members.

We currently have 31 members, three of whom are GDUI Lifetime members.

Elections were held.

President--Gary Norman

Vice-President--Vanessa Lowery

Secretary--Jane Sheehan

Treasurer--Nancy Dodge

Board members were elected

Howard Della

Don Olson

Margaret Buzzard

After the elections, an open discussion began about a number of topics.

People discussed whatever was on their minds about things that impacted on

them as guide dog users. 

We were also reminded to buy raffle tickets as a fund raising project for MAGDU*.  The winner would receive a lovely afghan made by one of our members, Ruth Hersein.

After the open discussion concluded, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted by

Vanessa Lowery

 Vanessa,  Griffin, and Jan (the retired one)

Walk softly and wear a big grin,

for today is the first day of the rest of your life.

val4dogs@bcpl.net