<html class="apple-mail-supports-explicit-dark-mode"><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div>Hello students and supporters,</div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div>Please see below attached and in the body of the email the meeting minutes from January for FABS.</div><div>If you have any questions, comments, or concerns don't hesitate to contact</div><div><a href="mailto:students@nfbflorida.org">students@nfbflorida.org</a></div><div><br></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Florida Association of Blind Students Monthly Business
Meeting Minutes</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Date: January 18, 2026</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Summary</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> The
Florida Association of Blind Students met on January 18, 2026. The meeting
commenced with a roll call to establish a quorum, followed by the pledge and
belief statement. Members participated in an icebreaker in which they shared
favorite comfort foods. Officer reports were presented, including a review of
the December 2025 financial statements and approval of the December business
meeting minutes. The membership conducted the first reading of constitutional
amendments, discussed membership outreach efforts and an upcoming open house,
and received an expanded update on the Washington Seminar and its legislative
priorities. Additional discussion included suggestions for short-form
promotional videos, improving the chapter email signature, cleaning up the
WhatsApp group, and ideas for increasing engagement during future meetings. The
meeting concluded with adjournment.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Roll Call (6:06 PM)</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Officers Present</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">President: Z\u2019Leah Liburd</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Vice President: Thomas Dukeman</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Treasurer: Natalie Williams</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Secretary: Niklas Ham</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Board Member: Romario Blake (Absent)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">A majority of the board was present. A quorum was
established.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Other Participants</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Dominic Martinez</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Elijah Grant</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Jose Bohorquez</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Ricardo Salazar</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Pledge (6:07 PM)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> Grant
recited the pledge.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Belief Statement (6:08 PM)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> President
Liburd recited the belief statement.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Agenda Review (6:09 PM)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> The
agenda was reviewed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Icebreaker Question (6:10 PM)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> Question:
What is your favorite comfort food?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> Members
shared a range of comfort foods, including frozen pizza, ice cream, soups such
as chicken noodle soup, Publix subs, clam chowder, Venezuelan tequeños, pasta
dishes, and French fries.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Treasurer\u2019s Report (6:18 PM)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">December 2025</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Starting Balance (12/1/2025): $2,038.55</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Expenses: $20.00</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">$20.00 transferred to the scholarship investment fund for
the monthly pledge</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Deposits: $232.75</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">$25.00 deposited via check for the Opus Coffee Fundraiser</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">$207.75 deposited via direct deposit for the City Pop
fundraiser</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Ending Balance (12/31/2025): $2,251.30</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Motion: Bohorquez motioned to accept the treasurer\u2019s report
as read; Grant seconded. All were in favor. The motion carried.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Secretary\u2019s Report (6:21 PM)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">The December meeting minutes were emailed to the membership
via the FABS listserv by Secretary Ham on January 17th.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">December Business Meeting Minutes Motion: Grant motioned to
accept the December business meeting minutes as emailed; Bohorquez seconded.
All were in favor. The motion carried.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Constitution \u2013 First Reading (6:22 PM)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> The
membership conducted the first reading of proposed constitutional amendments.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Article 4 Membership, Section 3 Expulsion</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> The
proposed amendment updated pronoun language from \u201che or she\u201d to \u201cthey.\u201d</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Motion: Bohorquez motioned to accept the amendment as read;
Vice President Dukeman seconded. All were in favor. The motion carried.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Article 5 Officers and Duties, Section 1 Officers and
Elections</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> The
proposed amendment changed the election language from a vote of plurality to a
vote of majority.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Motion: Vice President Dukeman motioned to accept the
amendment as read; Bohorquez seconded. All were in favor. The motion carried.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Membership Outreach (6:30 PM)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> The
board discussed plans for expanded membership outreach, including hosting an
open house on April 13 at 7:00 PM. Outreach efforts will target the Florida
School for the Deaf and the Blind, lighthouses, universities, state colleges,
Division of Blind Services offices, and vocational rehabilitation programs. The
board plans to distribute a digital flyer, create a promotional video, and
record the open house for future outreach and recruitment purposes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Washington Seminar (6:34 PM)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> President
Liburd provided an update on the Washington Seminar taking place January 26\u201329.
Attendees will advocate on behalf of three legislative priorities: protecting
education, employment, and independent living programs; supporting the Access
Technology Affordability Act; and advancing the Blind Americans Return to Work
Act. Members discussed the importance of follow-up communication with
congressional representatives after the seminar.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Affiliate Announcements (6:36 PM)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">There were no affiliate announcements.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Additional Comments</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> Members
discussed creating short-form promotional videos for social media, improving
the FABS email signature by embedding links correctly, cleaning up the WhatsApp
group to reflect active membership, and exploring ideas to make future meetings
more engaging.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Adjournment (6:45 PM)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Bohorquez motioned to adjourn the meeting; Vice President
Dukeman seconded; all were in favor. The motion carried. The meeting ended at
6:45 PM.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">NFB Pledge</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">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.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">NFB Belief Statement</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">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.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Respectfully submitted,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Niklas Ham</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">Secretary, Florida Association of Blind Students</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif">National Federation of the Blind of Florida</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Cambria,serif"></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>