Thursday September 4

   -The Board has directed the AER staff to establish an AER conference in 2015 that speaks to "Aging and Blindness, Including Veterans"

   -The Board rejected a proposal, by at least 25 AER members, to amend ARTICLE XIII, Section 1. Process, of the AER Bylaws

   -The Board voted to form an AER Ad Hoc Committee to explore the possibility of writing a Code of Ethics to include ethical
     considerations and professional practices guidelines

   -The Board voted that all AER divisions' Policy and Procedures Manuals include language that would remove division executive chairs
     and/or division members for inappropriate use of membership information specific to the use of membership rosters

   -The Board accepted a request from the AER Executive Director to add an approved Antitrust Compliance Form to the AER Policy and
     Procedures Manual

   -The Board authorized the current CDC chair of the Board, to work with the past CDC chair of the Board, along with Dr. Kay Ferrell
     and the AER staff to establish an AER International Division within AER

   -The Board accepted a request from the Canadian Representative of the Board to consider having the AER International Conference
     2020 in Canada

Hello Canadian Members of AER International! [cid:image002.png@01CFB7E3.EB58FA90] I wanted to let you know some AER news updates specifically relevant for us Canadians. 1. On Friday August 1, at 7:30 a.m, I hosted the Breakfast of Champions! Actually, no, I hosted the #mapleleafforever Breakfast, that is, the Canadian attendees' Breakfast. Everyone happily wore their Canadiana garb, and several enthusiastically brought with them many items as table décor and prize give-aways. In fact, we had so much we were able to make up a superb Canadiana gift basket for the AER Silent Auction, which sold for $35!! We had 14 attendees come for fun, coffee, fruit and muffins, hosted within our breakfast room. We held a brainstorming session about what kinds of things we as an organization, and as Canadians, could do in order to strengthen the Canadian presence within AER. There was very active and engaged participation from all, and I am pleased to report that the following Canadian organizations were represented, covering a good part of our vast land (in alphabetical order): Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority, Halifax B.C. Blind Sports, Vancouver Canadian Blind Sports, Vancouver CNIB, the whole country Deaf-Blind Ontario Services, Toronto Institut Nazareth Louis-Braille, Montreal University of British Columbia, Vancouver University of Montreal, Montreal Here is a list of answers that were given to the question: how can we strengthen Canadian membership in AER, thus strengthening AER itself, and its ability to help its Canadian members as professionals? 1. There needs to be a lot more education within organizations/school boards etc. about what is AER! A lot of people who should know, do not. 2. Students need to be informed of the student discount to join, and university programs need to require membership of their students. 3. There is a language barrier for French Canadians. There should be alternate language based C.E., within the international conference, and also in the regional conferences, and in webinars: Spanish and French. Materials coming from the AER office for Canadians should also be available in French. The Journal (JVIB) is not accessible to French Canadians and the AER Report should definitely be available in French. There is an entire untapped market because everything is English only. 4. Look at NE-AER as an example of a successful chapter that combines Canadian provinces and U.S. states...is this possible elsewhere? 5. Partner with other organizations for C.E. In Atlantic Canada, there was recently a great example of this with the Canadian Vision Teachers' partnership with APSEA and CNIB for a terrific families conference that also educated professionals. 6. Open up the webinars so that Canadians have an opportunity to suggest topics and to target AER webinars specifically to Canadians. 7. Ask not 'what can AER do for you?' but "What can (and will) you do for AER?' This means, sending the message: this is YOUR professional association, you are a member of a profession now, how do you want the relationship to work for you? How can you get involved? 8. We need a Canadian AER project, for example fundraising for a scholarship to encourage entry to the field in Canada, or another project that someone in Canada would suggest (we'll have a brainstorming session soon). 9. Do we want an AER award that's given to a Canadian every 2 years at the international conference? Given that all the big leaders nominated in the field and receiving awards are to date, Americans, it seems that it makes sense to have an award devoted only for Canadians, and awarded at the awards banquet...this kind of opportunity increases Canadian presence at the conference and makes it clear that much goes on at AER that is of interest to Canadians. 10. Educate our youth! Go back to basics, that is back to the very youngest (early high school) years, to instill this as a career option for young people in Canada. Work with the educators at both training programs/universities, to develop a "have you thought of working with persons who are blind or visually impaired?" brochure. 11. We need a bilingual Canadian Fact Sheet about AER to include in staff orientation at every organization that hires in all the disciplines. 12. And we need to set a goal...for example, how many Canadian members do we want by 2020, when we hope to hold the conference in Canada? 500? 13. Lobby to host the 2020 conference in Canada...suggested location: Vancouver, B.C. B. I attended the face-to-face meeting of the Board of Directors, representing you all, on Friday August 1, from 7 p.m. to 11 pm. The Board tackled a number of key issues that night, rather than leaving them for the new Board. Below from Lou Tutt are highlights of that meeting, including an important one about the 2020 conference, and our request to hold it north of the 49th parallel-yes, here in Canada!! C. SAVE THE DATE!!!! I would like to invite you ALL to attend a TOWN HALL meeting with our AER Board President, Past President, and Executive Director. Jim Adams (Past-president), Christy Shepard (President), and Lou Tutt (Executive Director). The meeting will take place on: Thursday September 4 At 4:30 PM, Eastern Time (Ontario time) And Teleconference dial in information will be sent to you prior to the date. The goal of the teleconference is to create an improved connection between the AER leadership and Canadian members. This is YOUR opportunity to listen (briefly), ask questions and make suggestions or comments about AER. We look forward to hearing your voices on the call! Please give some thought to the points above and below...and bring your ideas, suggestions, and concerns with you! All the very best for the end of your summer...and talk to you on the 4th of September! Deborah Gold, AER Board Member, Canadian Representative From: AER-Board [mailto:aer-board-bounces@lists.aerbvi.org] On Behalf Of Lou Tutt Sent: Monday, August 11, 2014 1:48 PM To: AER Board of Directors Cc: 'Mary Bean'; Barbara James Subject: [AER-Board] August 1, 2014 AER Board Meeting "Highlights" Importance: High Good Afternoon Members of the AER Board of Directors: The Board Meeting "Highlights", before you became Board members (2014-2016), used to be done by one of the Board members, however, that assignment has been delegated to me (lucky you, with a smile)! Board Meeting "Highlights" are sent to Board members at least two weeks after each Board meeting so that you who are district reps (there are six of you plus the Canadian rep) and those of you representing divisions can share with chapter and division leaders "highlights' of what happens in AER Board meetings. This is your opportunity to communicate, with those to whom you are assigned, some of the kinds of things the Board is dealing with, decisions the Board made, and other information that is relative to the membership. Below is a list of "Highlights" from the August 1, 2014 Board of Directors Meeting you may share with chapter and division leaders, and they, in turn, with their members: -The Board has directed the AER staff to establish an AER conference in 2015 that speaks to "Aging and Blindness, Including Veterans" -The Board rejected a proposal, by at least 25 AER members, to amend ARTICLE XIII, Section 1. Process, of the AER Bylaws -The Board voted to form an AER Ad Hoc Committee to explore the possibility of writing a Code of Ethics to include ethical considerations and professional practices guidelines -The Board voted that all AER divisions' Policy and Procedures Manuals include language that would remove division executive chairs and/or division members for inappropriate use of membership information specific to the use of membership rosters -The Board accepted a request from the AER Executive Director to add an approved Antitrust Compliance Form to the AER Policy and Procedures Manual -The Board authorized the current CDC chair of the Board, to work with the past CDC chair of the Board, along with Dr. Kay Ferrell and the AER staff to establish an AER International Division within AER -The Board accepted a request from the Canadian Representative of the Board to consider having the AER International Conference 2020 in Canada If you have and questions, concerns or need clarification of the above "Highlights", please give me a call. Thanks very much, Lou Louis M. Tutt Executive Director Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) 1703 North Beauregard St., Suite 440 Alexandria, VA 22311-1744 703-671-4500, ext. 205 F 703-671-6391 lou@aerbvi.org<mailto:lou@aerbvi.org> www.aerbvi.org<http://www.aerbvi.org/> [cid:image001.jpg@01CFB562.B75C5DA0] ________________________________ Join us under the stars for CNIB Night Steps, a fun and easy night walk with music, family and friends. Raise funds for CNIB's life-changing services such as learning how to travel independently using a white cane. Register online and start fundraising for CNIB Night Steps events in Whitby (September 6), London (September 19) and Kitchener-Waterloo (September 27) at www.cnibnightsteps.ca. ________________________________ Privacy Disclaimer - Français à suivre This e-mail message (including attachments, if any) is intended for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, proprietary, and confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copy of this communication is strictly prohibited. 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