[Fabs] FABS Monthly Meeting Minutes: June 22nd
FABS Secretary
students at nfbflorida.org
Thu Jul 17 23:58:00 UTC 2025
Good morning everyone, I hope that anyone that has gone to National
Convention in New Orleans had a great time. Here are the minutes from our
last meeting that was held on June 22md. If there is anything that needs to
be corrected or if there's a question, feel free to let me know.
Keep the good times rolling!
FABS Monthly Business Meeting Minutes
Date: 06/22/2025
Resources
Florida Affiliate Scholarship
<https://nfbflorida.org/2025-student-scholarship>
NFB National Convention Main Page <https://nfb.org/convention>
NFB National Convention Virtual Experience Registration
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=619>
Register for the NABS Student Seminar ($100)
<https://nabslink.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=6>
Book Your Hotel for the NABS Mid-Atlantic Seminar ($129 per night)
<https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rooms/?ctyhocn=PHLCVHX&arrivalDate=2025-08-01&departureDate=2025-08-03&groupCode=CHH90Q&room1NumAdults=1&cid=OM%2CWW%2CHILTONLINK%2CEN%2CDirectLink>
Book Your Hotel for State Convention ($139.00 a night)
<https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/altahhf-93o-b109485d-31c4-4c5d-b882-6256ab3b7e7f/>
6:09 PM Role Call
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Board Members:
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President Z’leah Liburd
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Vice President Jose Bohorquez
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Treasurer Natalie Williams
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Secretary Elijah Grant
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Board Member 1 Meliora Hatcher
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Board Member 2 Niklas Ham
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Board Member 3 Romario Blake
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The entire board was present; a quorum was established.
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There were 11 total participants in attendance.
6:10 PM Pledge
Z’Leah recited the pledge.
6:11 PM One minute Message
The one minute message was skipped.
6:12 PM Agenda Review
Z’Leah reviewed the agenda.
6:13 PM Treasurers Report
The balance in the beginning of May was $1223.37
Spent $20
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$20 Affiliate Pledge
Received: $118.22
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FABS MK1 Tournament Fundraiser: $118.22
The ending balance for May was $1321.59.
Jose motioned to accept the treasurers report as read; Elijah seconded; all
were in favor.
6:15 PM Secretary’s Report
The secretary’s report was sent out on June 18th. Jose made a motion to
accept the report as emailed; Romario seconded; all were in favor.
6:15 PM Committee Reports
Fundraising Committee: Hosted and completed a MK1 tournament fundraiser
which raised over $100. More fundraisers are on the way included a Coles
gift card and an Opus Coffee Gainesville Fundraiser.
Membership Committee: Sent emails regarding our affiliate scholarship to
different universities and colleges and Division of Blind Services offices.
6:21 PM First Constitution Reading
The constitution was read by Natalie.
ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP
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Section One – Membership Rights: changes visually impaired to blind and
low vision. Membership agrees with the change.
-
Section Two – Minimum Requirements: changes visually impaired to blind
and low vision. Membership agrees with the change.
Article V - OFFICERS AND DUTIES
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Section One - Officers and Elections: Changes include making all board
position two year terms, president and secretary elected in even years;
vice president, secretary, and board member 1 elected in odd years. The
membership agrees with the change; however, the membership would like to
explore online elections.
-
Section Two – Duties: Change includes making the word board members
singular. The membership agrees with this change.
Article VI - MEETINGS
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Section Two – Special Meetings: Changes include removing gendered
language. The membership agrees with this change.
ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEES
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Change includes removing gendered language. The membership agrees with
this change.
ARTICLE VIII – DUES
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Change includes removing gendered language. The membership is also
exploring further defining the term calendar year and changing the word
remit to pay. The membership will review this amendment again during the
second reading.
ARTICLE IX– FUNDS AND FINANCING (must ask Camille)
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The membership will like to redefine our banking process to match what
we are currently doing. The membership must ask the president if this
change is necessary. The amendment will be further reviewed during the
second reading.
ARTICLE X – DISSOLUTION
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Changes include further clarifying the dissolution process and defining
that all assets will go to the National Federation of the Blind of Florida,
not the National Federation of the Blind. The membership agrees with this
change.
ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS
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Change includes clarifying the amendment process. The membership agrees
with this change.
7:37 PM Adjournment
Christian made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Jose seconded; all were in
favor. The meeting ended at 7:37pm.
Other TopicsFlorida Affiliate Scholarship
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Recipients will receive their scholarships at the state convention
scheduled for the weekend of October 3rd to October 5th at Hilton Altamonte
Springs.
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Travel to and from convention, hotel room,, and a daily stipend will be
covered by the affiliate for the scholarship recipients.
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Qualified high school seniors and college students must complete the
scholarship application form in MS word format, write a 500-word essay,
provide two letters of recommendation, and submit academic transcripts.
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All documentation must be returned to the scholarship committee chair,
Kaye Baker at scholarships at nfbflorida.org.
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Four scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $1500; two blind and
two deaf blind scholarships.
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Deadline: September 1st at 11:59 PM
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For more information and to ask questions, contact the scholarship
chair, Kaye Baker, at scholarships at nfbflorida.org or by telephone at
(904) 832-2884.
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The application can be found at
https://nfbflorida.org/2025-student-scholarship
Mid-Atlantic Seminar Announcement
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Dates: August 1st – August 3rd
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Theme: Charting your Course: Focuses on embracing the different
prospectives students have toward building their confidence.
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Location: Hampton Inn Center City Philadelphia 1301 Race St,
Philadelphia, PA 19107
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Registration Fee $100 (Can contact Zachary Ledford at
ledford.zachary38 at gmail.com if fee poses a challenge in attending the
seminar)
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Registration Deadline: July 18th (Tends to get extended)
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Registration link can be found in the resources section at the top of
the minutes.
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Hotel Cost: A room with two queen beds is $129 per night. (may not
include taxes and fees)
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Room reservations can be made through a dedicate link that can be found
in the resources section or by calling 888-245-3531 and reference the
National Federation of the Blind NABS Student Seminar.
State Convention Updates
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Booking link is now available.
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Hotel Location: Hilton Altamonte Springs 350 Northlake Blvd, Altamonte
Springs, FL 32701
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Hotel Convention Code: 93o
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Hotel Prices: $139.00 per night plus taxes and fees and a $3.00 a night
Seminole County Tourism fee.
-
Hotel rooms can be booked through the dates of October 2nd to October 7th
.
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Last day to book a room is September 3rd.
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You can call 407-830-1985 and book with the code 93o.
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You can, alternatively, use the booking link that will be in the
resources section in the top of the minutes.
-
Payment will be made upon arrival.
Elijah Grant
Secretary - Florida Association of Blind Students
Treasurer - Greater Broward Chapter, National Federation of the Blind of
Florida
Associate of Arts in Information Technology Candidate - Broward College
Click here to email the Florida Association of Blind Students.
<students at nfbflorida.org>
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"We know that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or our
future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low
expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Our
collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of
all blind people."
-National Federation of the Blind Belief Statement
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