[NFBF-Daytona] March minutes, for those who didn't see them

[billoutmannfb at gmail.com]

March 2024 Minutes 

Greater Daytona Beach Chapter 

National Federation of the Blind 

 

The regular monthly meeting of the Greater Daytona Beach Chapter of the
National Federation of the Blind took place on Saturday, March 23.  It was
held at D. B. Pickle's Restaurant, 400 S. Nova Road, Ormond Beach, Florida.


 

President Brian Norton called the meeting to order at 1:05 p. m.  At the top
of the meeting he discussed the May fund raiser at D. B. Pickle's.  

 

Brian also reminded members of the April chapter elections.  State board
liaison Russ Davis will visit in person for that meeting to assist with the
elections.  

 

Christine Nodal gave a prayer after the opening announcements.  Brian then
discussed his complicated seven hour heart surgery on Feb. 2.  He also noted
major progress on his other health issues.  Before moving to the rest of the
opening ceremonies, Bill Outman asked for remembrance for Russ Davis on the
passing of his mother, and for the people of Russia concerning a terrorist
attack in Moscow which had just occurred.  

 

Scott Larson led both the NFB Pledge and the Pledge of Allegiance.  Sherri
Adams then led the singing of God Bless America.  

 

There was discussion of some of the successes of the Conklin-Davis Center
program.  It is hoped there might be some official representation from the
center at the next meeting.  

 

Brian noted in the discussion that it is important to manage our lives as
blind people today, regardless of whatever technological breakthroughs that
may emerge regarding vision.  

 

Scott reported the Florida legislature has passed a bill outlawing the
sub-minimum wage in sheltered workshops.  Scott noted he had engaged in
particularly fruitful discussions with Sen. Tom Wright, who represents parts
of Volusia and Brevard counties, on this matter.  

 

Scott also noted the talking book library is in the process of creating
meeting space for organizations like ours to use.  He also encouraged
interested members to contact Mary Tyson at the library to participate in
the braille E-Reader project.  New member Harshid Trivedi passed around one
of the units for members to examine.  

 

While this was occurring, Brian continued speaking on the importance of
maintaining our health, and taking advantage of the coverage we may have.  

 

Scott reminded members of the open board meeting on Sunday, March 24 that
can be attended by Zoom.  

 

Minutes for both December 2023 and February 2024 were then approved.  

 

At this point late into the meeting members introduced themselves.  

 

It was duly noted during these introductions that chapter president Brian
Norton celebrated his 75th birthday on March 9.  

 

Christine then noted the other March birthdays, which include Sherri Adams,
Joseph Young, Tangi Yonce, and Steve Walker.  

 

Brian noted that the chapter meetings will now be held at D. B. Pickle's for
the foreseeable future.  There has been a change in management philosophy at
Houligan's, which we have had a good relationship with for a number of
years.  The restaurant proposed going to a buffet style arrangement for the
private dining room, which is difficult to manage for those who do not have
functional vision.  

 

Tickets were then distributed for the May D. B. Pickle's fund raiser.
During the month of May, ticket holders will be able to dine at the
restaurant and present their ticket with their order, with 50% of the
revenue from those meals going to the chapter.  Members were encouraged to
give these tickets to those they know.  

 

Brian noted the treasury had less than a thousand dollars, so fund raising
is important.  Nancy had not arrived to give the report summary due to other
conflicts.  

 

Brian noted the July national convention at Rosen Center in Orlando and the
state convention at SouthBank Hotel in Jacksonville in October.  More
information will be given on these at the open board meeting.  Members are
encouraged to make reservations early.  More information can also be learned
through the NFB email lists and web sites.  

 

One more reminder of the April chapter elections was given.  Members wishing
to serve must be present to be nominated and elected.  Under the new
constitution half the board is up each year.  This avoids the problem of
having a completely new board, wherein problems such as lack of spending
authorization can be avoided.  Seats up this year are president, secretary,
and board positions 1 and 3.  

 

Harshid reported Conklin-Davis Center now has Apple computers for those
students who wish to learn that environment in addition to Windows.  New
member Christian Leap noted his position as student body president at the
center's residential program.  

 

The meeting adjourned at 2:09 p. m.  

 

 

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbf-daytona_nfbnet.org/attachments/20240426/ba56bfc8/attachment.html>