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A newsletter of the
Raleigh Lions Clinic for
the Blind, Inc.
August 2003
President's Message
Another fiscal year has come to a close. This is a good time
to reflect on our accomplishments and look ahead at the challenges for the new
fiscal year. It seems time moves forward very quickly and a year has passed
since I accepted the Presidency of the Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Blind, Inc.
upon President Jim Wells' retirement on October 31, 2002. We at the Raleigh
Lions Clinic for the Blind, Inc. have much to be proud of. We have achieved a
great deal on behalf of people who are blind or visually impaired in our
community. We are very fortunate to have an outstanding group of employees,
staff, past presidents and board of directors who are truly committed to our
mission and do their jobs incredibly well.
This year has brought about the formation of a new operation focused on
automated cutting of sewn products. This addition is located at 1540 Mechanical
Blvd., Garner, NC, and employs five individuals who are legally blind in direct
labor positions. The deployment of our military to the Middle East this year has
accelerated many of our sewn products and has increased employment and
additional hours of overtime to meet the shipment deadlines.
The new addition of the sleep carrier system to the Procurement List will
increase the number of blind and visually impaired employee's hours and create
new jobs.
The Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Blind, Inc. opened their first Coast Guard Base
Supply Center in Kodiak, Alaska, in January of this year. RLCB now operates this
location and Eielson Air Force, Fairbanks in the State of Alaska.
I am pleased to report that we have partnered with the Governor Morehead School
to participate in providing a work experience for several students this summer
in our manufacturing department.
At the end of June a luncheon was held to recognize the retirees and years of
service for employees. A great time was had by all and production was closed for
the week of June 30 for inventory.
2003 Russell G. Broaddus Employee of the Year
Henry P. Godard
Janet Griffey presents Employee of the Year
award to Henry Godard
Our 2003 Employee of the Year, Henry P. Godard, is "reliable,
dependable, and always gets the job done," remarks Director of Manufacturing,
Barry Wilson. All in all, Henry is appreciated for his quiet, humble manner and
work ethic. Henry has been a valuable part of the Raleigh Lions Clinic since
beginning with us in December 1994.
What does Henry like to do when not working as an assembler in our sewing
department? He enjoys spending time with his wife, Mary, of 19 years. Mary
admits "once he starts talking, it is hard to stop him!" Henry also enjoys all
kinds of music, especially the Oldies. Henry often tapes music for his vast
collection on cassette. "When something needs to be fixed, Henry will tinker
with things," his wife adds.
This quiet, unassuming gentleman, known for holding the door for everyone as
they enter the manufacturing area for the day, wrote several poems while
employed as a stock clerk for 18 years prior to being referred to the Raleigh
Lions Clinic by NC Division of Services for the Blind. The following is an
excerpt from a poem that Henry presented:
My life has been one great joy
I find delight in others and what they can do
My tranquility extends from yesterday to today
My tomorrow is silent - awaiting my arrival
The well-being of my mind is stable
The aptitude of my world is felicity
And in my contemplation of you
I see the grace, the greatness, the love
In my musing of all things I wonder…..
The worth of my being here is no problem to me
I have achieved
I have contributed
The visions of my mind have not yet been fulfilled
The love of life is my greatest achievement
The peace of mind that has accompanied me through life
is a blessing
The happiness obtained from these is my pride.
In addition to his poem writing, Henry proudly admits that he made the Dean's
List at Martin Technical Institute in his home community of Williamston, NC,
four out of six quarters while receiving an Associate Degree in Business prior
to relocating to Raleigh many years ago.
Henry Godard is also this year's nominee for the national Peter J. Salmon
Employee of the Year Award. The Peter J. Salmon Employee of the Year Award was
established in 1968 by the Board of Directors of National Industries for the
Blind (NIB) in cooperation with the General Council of Industries for the Blind
(GCIB) to recognize outstanding blind workers. The award is named for the late
Peter J. Salmon, who was instrumental in the passage of the Wagner-O'Day Act in
1938 and who was an advocate for persons who are blind. The Act was amended in
1971 and is now known as the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. The JWOD program allows
products and services to be provided to the government. National Industries for
the Blind (NIB) was created in 1938 by participating industries to serve as a
liaison between the Federal Government and industries for the blind under the
Wagner O'Day Act (now known as the JWOD Act) and to promote the welfare of
persons who are blind.
Congratulations to Henry on his many accomplishments!
2003 Honoree
James W. Wells, former President of the Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Blind,
Inc., was also honored at our Christmas program by his nomination for the 2003
Russell G. Broaddus Employee of the Year Award. James Wells was recognized for
31 years of outstanding leadership and service at the Raleigh Lions Clinic for
the Blind, Inc.
As a special note, James Wells has also been nominated as the recipient of the
R. B. Irwin Award to be presented at the upcoming conference in Fort Worth,
Texas. The R. B. Irwin Award recognizes a volunteer who has contributed
exemplary service or to a professional who has made a career of distinguished
service to people who are blind. Lions International was the first recipient of
the R. B. Irwin Award in 1953 and fifty years later, James Wells is now being
honored for this prestigious award.
The following is an excerpt from "NIB News" highlighting James Wells'
nomination:
"Jim played a leadership role in The General Council of Industries for the Blind
(GCIB) for many years and is extremely respected by his colleagues, the NIB
Board and staff. He was a three-time member of the Executive Committee and Board
of Directors of NIB. He is past president of the GCIB and chaired and served on
numerous committees including its government relations, site selection, base
supply center, program, bylaws, and business issues study committees. His agency
received the Defense Logistics Agency PACE Award for Contractor Excellence. He
served on the Raleigh Mayor's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped and is
past president of the North Carolina Association of Industries for the Blind. He
was a mentor to other struggling agencies, particularly in his own state.
Jim devoted his career to the field of blindness; particularly the employment
needs of people who are blind, and especially those with other severe
disabilities. Because of his long-term service, dynamic leadership, and
outstanding contributions to NIB and his sister agencies, the NIB Board felt
that Jim was an excellent candidate for this award.
The R. B. Irwin Award is named after the late Dr. Robert B. Irwin who, along
with M.C. Migel and Peter J. Salmon, was instrumental in the passage of the
Wagner-O'Day Act of 1938 and the subsequent formation of NIB."
Our congratulations to James Wells and best wishes are extended for continued
success in the future.
RLCB Cutters
Known as RLCB Cutters, our new cutting facility in Garner was made possible
by a long-term contract between the Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Blind, Inc. and
Federal Prison Industries, UNICOR. RLCB Cutters cuts fabric into pieces for
UNICOR to sew together to produce uniforms for men and women of the US Armed
Forces.
To make room for the new undertaking, RLCB leased a large building that had been
a furniture store and removed most of the interior walls. This created a vast
open area to accommodate what will eventually be four 100-foot long double-wide
tables on which fabric is spread. Right now the second table is being completed.
The building also has ample warehouse space with two truck doors.
The heart of the operation is a computerized automatic Gerber Cutter. Patterns
for the Gerber are first created using our new CAD (Computer Assisted Design)
system. Over 100 layers of fabric are then run through the cutter to produce the
pieces that were programmed by the CAD system. And it's efficient! In less than
seven minutes, the Gerber can cut all the pieces required to make over 200
garments.
In May, UNICOR purchased pre-cut pieces for over 45,000 garments and will be
incrementally increasing its purchases from us to a level of at least 100,000
per month later this year. We will also be cutting on a regular basis for other
non-profit agencies such as Industries of the Blind, Inc. in Greensboro and
Lions Services, Inc. in Charlotte.
Glenn Pare, manager, was our first employee hired to work at RLCB Cutters.
Clayton Conway transferred from the Clinic late last year. Clayton was literally
involved with putting our new plant together from scratch. In January, he was
joined by Ricky Covington, Terry McLean, and Jennifer Smith. Together they got
us ready to go into production, and we shipped our first order that same month.
Since then, Darrell Crocker transferred from the Clinic to handle our
warehousing needs and Kina Gorham was hired as an inspector. Eric Holmes was
hired in July as a packer and one additional packer and inspector are
anticipated to come on board very soon. These dedicated people have all proven
themselves to be valuable members of a proud new RLCB team - The Cutters.
Robert Hinton Recognized
At our recent luncheon on June 27th, Robert Hinton was presented with a
plaque as special recognition on the date of his retirement. We are wishing
Robert much enjoyment in his retirement!
AS A REMINDER:
Employees are urged to keep the Human Services Department advised of any
changes in your personal status. Please notify the office of changes in address,
home telephone number, marital status, dependent changes, beneficiary, physical
conditions, or emergency contact.
Also, remember to save all wage stubs. Agencies like Social Security and Social
Services may ask you for proof of your earnings from time to time. You need to
remember to contact Social Security and Social Services to report changes in
wages or hours worked.
RLCB Rock Solid Supply
Center Opens!
Ribbon cutting at the Grand Opening of the RLCB
Rock Solid Supply Center
Kodiak, AK - January 16, 2003
Pictured from the left: Darlene Fisher, Chief Contracting Officer; Captain R. L.
Lachowsky, Commanding Officer; and Janet Griffey, President, Raleigh Lions
Clinic
RLCB Rock Solid Supply Center located on Kodiak Island, Alaska, opened for
business on January 16, 2003. This Base Supply Center (BSC) services the United
States Coast Guard ISC Kodiak. Kodiak is probably the most remote BSC in the
country. Located some 250 miles S.W. of Anchorage, Alaska, Kodiak is only
accessible by air or sea. The store is housed in Building 26 and has
approximately 2200 square feet of retail space. RLCB Rock Solid Supply Center
carries a large assortment of products, primarily JWOD items. RLCB Rock Solid
Supply Center stocks everything from office products, janitorial items and tools
to military clothing. The store carries over 1700 line items. Our Kodiak Island
BSC not only services the Kodiak Coast Guard personnel but also services inbound
Coast Guard cutters from as far away as Hawaii and San Diego. Federal agencies
on the base also enjoy the vast array of JWOD products. RLCB Rock Solid Supply
Center currently has two employees on board: John Kimmel, manager, and John
Beale, sales associate. The Raleigh Lions Clinic is pleased to have this latest
location added to our BSC program.
New Opportunity
The Raleigh Lions Clinic for the Blind, Inc. and its employees were afforded
the opportunity to offer summer work experiences for four students from the
Governor Morehead School for the Blind. Each student's work experience began
June 9 and ended June 26, 2003. They worked six hours a day and had the
opportunity to experience three different jobs. None of the students had prior
work experience. Students trained in the following departments: Pillows,
Assembly, File Folders, and Tang Binders. One student trained at RLCB Cutters as
well. We appreciate all employees who assisted each student in their first work
experience and look forward to future opportunities to assist GMS and its
students in valuable work experiences.
Important Safety Update
In Case Of An Accident: If you are involved in an accident on the job,
regardless of its seriousness, you are required to report it immediately to your
supervisor. Appropriate treatment will be determined by those who have been
chosen as first aid designees and referral will be made if determined as
medically necessary.
A Safe Work Environment!
Please note it is mandatory that all employees wear safety equipment when
performing jobs which require it (i.e., safety goggles, gloves, etc.). Safety is
of the utmost importance at the Raleigh Lions Clinic. Use common sense. Always
lift using the proper back mechanics, use appropriate machine guards, safety
equipment. Keep aisles free of blockage. Please notify your supervisor of any
safety hazards.
2003 Social Security Changes
The allowable gross monthly earnings (Substantial Gainful Activity) are
$1,330.00 for persons who are blind and receive SSDI. This is the monthly limit
that Social Security allows a blind person to earn when receiving Social
Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Please remember that earnings do not
include certain impairment-related expenses. Asset limits for determining SSI
(Supplemental Security Income) continue to be $2,000.00 for an individual and
$3,000.00 for a couple.
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