[Fabs] FABS Monthly Meeting Minutes- May 18

[FABS Secretary]

Good evening everyone!
Here are the meeting minutes from our meeting that was held on May 18 If
you have any questions or something that dosen't seem right, please let me
know as soon as possible.
Have a great day!

FABS Monthly Business Meeting Minutes

Date: 05/18/2025



*Resources*

Florida Affiliate Scholarship:
https://nfbflorida.org/2025-student-scholarship

NFB National Convention: https://nfb.org/convention



*6:14 PM Role Call*

            All board members were present.



*6:16 PM Pledge*

            Jose recited the pledge.



*6:17 PM Belief Statement*

            Jose read the belief statement.



*6:18 PM Agenda Review*

            The agenda was reviewed.



*6:19 PM Ice Breaker Question*

·         Question: Summer is all about having fun and enjoying comfort.
What is your favorite comfort food? Comfort food examples include burgers,
Mac and Cheese, and Tacos.

o   Jose mentioned burgers.

o   Elijah mentioned steak.

o   Meliora mentioned chicken tenders.



*6:25 PM Treasurer’s Report*

·         March

o   Beginning Balance (March 1): $1,229.55

o   Spent: $20

§  $20 monthly pledge to affiliate

o   Received: $24.41

§  $14.41 FABS Trivia Night fundraiser

§  $10 other donations

o   Ending Balance (March 31): $1,233.96

o   Meliora made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report as read; Romario
seconds; all were in favor.

·         April

o   Beginning Balance (April 1): $1,233.96

o   Spent: $20

§  $20 monthly pledge to the affiliate.

o   Received: $9.41

§  $9.41 FABS Trivia Night Fundraiser

o   Ending Balance (April 30): $1,223.37

o   Meliora made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report as read; Elijah
seconded; all were in favor.



*6:28 PM Secretary’s Report*

            The March minutes were sent out on April 28. Meliora made a
motion to accept the secretary’s report as emailed; Jose seconded; all were
in favor.

            The April minutes were sent out on May 15. Niklas made a motion
to accept the report as emailed; Elijah seconded; all were in favor.



*6:34 PM NFBF Scholarship*

·         Recipients will receive their scholarships at the state
convention scheduled for the weekend of October 3rd to October 5th at
Hilton Altamonte Springs.

·         Travel to and from convention, hotel room, and a daily stipend
will be covered by the affiliate for the scholarship recipients.

·         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.

·         All documentation must be returned to the scholarship committee
chair, Kaye Baker at scholarships at nfbflorida.org.

·         Four scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $1500, two
blind and two deaf blind scholarships.

·         Deadline: September 1st at 11:59 PM

·         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.

·         The application can be found at
https://nfbflorida.org/2025-student-scholarship



*6:40 PM Convention Reminders*

·         State Convention

o   Dates: October 3rd – October 5th

o   Location: Hilton Altamonte Springs, 350 Northlake Blvd, Altamonte
Springs, FL 32701

o   Room Rates: $139 a night (not including taxes and a $3 nightly resort
fee).

o   Information regarding booking links, virtual options, transportation
options, convention activities, and more will be released as we get closer
to the convention Date. Stay tuned for more details.

·         National Convention

o   Registration is $25 and banquet is $80.

o   Online registration will close at the end of the month of May, and the
cost will increase. You can still pay at the door.

o   Dates: July 8th to July 13th

o   More info can be found at nfb.org/convention.

o   Hotel rooms are running out fast, so book as quickly as possible. Don’t
forget to check out the overflow hotel at the Sheraton New Orleans. The
Sheraton is right across the street from the main hotel.

o   There is also a virtual experience available for $10.00.



*6:45 PM Affiliate Announcements*

·         Open Planning Convention Meeting

o   Occurs every first Sunday of the month.

o   Fantastic opportunity to have an active role in planning the convention.

o   All ideas welcomed.

o   Meetings will occur via zoom.

·         FABS on the Membership Portal

o   FABS is not in the membership portal since FABS does not have an
approved constitution.



*7:00 PM Adjournment*

            Jose motioned to adjourn the meeting; Elijah seconded; all were
in favor. The meeting ended at 7:00 PM.



*Pledge*

I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the National Federation
of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind;
to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its
constitution.



*Belief Statement*

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.
 .

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>
Learn more about FABS
Visit our LinkTree. <https://linktr.ee/nfbfabs>
"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