THE BULLETIN

of the

San Mateo County Council of the Blind

President's Message

by Frank Welte

The San Mateo County Council of the Blind is getting bigger and stronger than ever, and we're ready to make a visible impact on our community. In order to do this we need your help.

Our expanding chapter is due to greater public contact. Our booths let others know about us. We need you to help staff the SMCCB booths at the:

• Hillsdale Mall for the Emergency Preparedness Fair on Saturday, April 27

• CCB Spring Convention at the San Mateo Marriott hotel on Friday and Saturday, May 3 and 4.

• PCBVI Low Vision seminar at Stanford University in Palo Alto on Friday, May 10.

• Mills Hospital Seminar for Relatives Who Act as Parents on Saturday, May 11.

Also, we need volunteers to serve at other times during the CCB's spring convention on May 2 through 5. Please call Phil Kutner or me to let us know how you can help. Amid all this service activity we'll still find time for some real fun. Our bowling outing last month went so well that we're going to do it again on Saturday, April 27 at 2:00 PM at the AMF Redwood Lanes at 2580 El Camino Real in Redwood City. Call Frank Welte to RSVP for this activity, so we'll know how many lanes and bowling rails to reserve, and remember to bring $8.00 for bowling fees and shoe rentals.

Look at our website. It is at: http://www.smccb.org

Our membership is 44. We hope to be at 60 by the end of the year. If you have not paid your dues, please do so. It is only $10 for all 3--SMCCB, CCB & ACB.

Remember that our next chapter meeting will take place on Saturday, June 1, at 11:30 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. at the Bank of America branch on the corner of El Camino Real and 3rd Avenue in downtown San Mateo. For further information, please contact Frank Welte at (650) 508-8329 or send e-mail to: [email protected]

SMCCB Officers--A Dynamic Leadership

President: Frank Welte

Capable and popular, Frank was re-elected to a second presidential term. He is chairman of the California Council of the Blind Credentials and Nominating Committees. Also on a national level with the American Council of the Blind, Frank is a consultant on the Credentials Committee.

Currently he is Vice-President of the Visually Impaired Data Processors International, and is its immediate past-president. Local positions on Boards include; SamTrans and CalTrain ADA Technical Advisory Committees. For our sister chapter Silicon Valley Council of the Blind Frank was corresponding secretary and also treasurer.

Frank is taking courses at CSM and was employed by Sunguard Corporation as a computer programmer. Prior to that position he was a programmer for McKesson Corporation.

As an avid skier and bowler, his participation in athletic events is on a high caliber. Frank uses a cane and is totally blind. Our membership has grown substantially under his leadership, for he has invigorated the club and his stewardship is responsible for several new activities..

First Vice-Pres. Bill Hobson

Former president and one of the founding members of the chapter, Bill has held an office ever since the start almost ten years ago. He has held every position with the chapter.

Many community organizations have had Bill as their president. The Peninsula Center of the Blind and Visually Impaired Advisory Committee is one of them and he is still on the Committee. At the Center for Independent Living Bill was a peer counselor. Another organization in which he was president is the MOOSE.

As an active member of Toastmasters International, Bill sharpened his public speaking abilities, and is our leading speaker for the chapter's speaker's bureau. With his guide dog Jimmy Bill has spoken before adult groups and school children from kindergarten up. He is often called upon for speaking engagements by the Guide Dogs for the Blind located in San Rafael.

His keen interest in computers led him to become an active trader on ebay. During his sighted days, Bill had collected a number of catalogs for outboard and automotive parts. For recreation he and Ellie are avid ballroom dancers.

2^nd Vice Pres.: Pui Chan

Pui is serving his first term as a vice-president. You can find him manning every booth our chapter has, along with his wife Wai who is one of our sighted members.

Earlier this year he went to San Rafael for training and received his guide dog, Beanie.

Pui and Wai are self-employed translators Chinese-English and English-Chinese. They regularly travel to Hong Kong to see their clients.

Secretary: Jeanne Ackerman

Serving her second term as secretary is only part of her value to our chapter. Along with her cousin Dave she has been in charge of our special events like picnics and holiday parties.

As a nurse in the nurse she rose to the rank of captain. While stationed in Korea she was in missions that included helicopters, C9 and C41 Transports.

After service Jeanne went to Miami, where she developed a quality assurance program at Baptist Hospital, and became the nursing coordinator for the University of Miami Nursing School. Moving to Houston, she became Director of Nursing Education and Research at the Institute for Rehabilitation and Research in the Texas Medical Center.

While working towards her Ph.D. at the University of Texas, Jeannie contracted cancer, and because of all the treatment she lost her vision. Shortly thereafter there was a move to Redwood City and Jeanne became a volunteer as a Health Information Consultant at the Peninsula Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Hobbies include puppetry, watercolors and woodworking.

Treasurer: Philip Kutner

Phil succeeded Bill Hobson as treasurer. Phil specializes in communication. He started the chapter newsletter called The Bulletin and also a branch web site.

He is currently chairman of the Workmen's Circle of Northern California and edits their newsletter. Phil was co-president of the Ot Am Unit of B'nai B'rith. Since retiring from teaching science in New Jersey, he has been a mediator for small claims court, and performed as an amateur storyteller.

Currently he teaches three Yiddish classes and edits Der Bay, an international Anglo-Yiddish newsletter.

Job Success!

by Richard A Rueda" <[email protected]>

The Rehabilitation Committee of the CCB invites you to an exciting event. On Thursday, May 2nd, from 1-4 P.M. the twice-annual Rehabilitation focused seminar will take place. The presentation will first focus on "Job Successes in 21^st century Rehab". Participants come from all walks of life and will share their success strategies in getting into the chosen career. The topic of Self-Employment will be discussed during the presentation by Elizabeth Cavazos of the State of California's Department of Rehabilitation. Please make plans to attend this wonderful program. See location and contacts below.

For more information on the convention please visit: www.ccbnet.org/spring02.htm

CCB Rehab Services Committee presents: Job Successes in 21st Century Rehabilitation

San Mateo Marriott Hotel
1770 S. Amphlett Blvd., San Mateo,
On the web and beyond: http://www.ccbnet.org/
and live and in person at 800.221.6359 we are the California Council of the Blind

The Bulletin
San Mateo County Council of the Blind
Phil Kutner: Editor
1128 Tanglewood Way,
San Mateo, CA 94403