[NFBF-Daytona] fund raising committee summary

[Brian Norton]

Fund raising committee October 29 2025
Wed, Oct 29, 2025
Summary:
The discussion focused on various fundraising strategies for the NFB chapter, prompted by Brian Norton's concerns regarding Zoom accessibility and low meeting attendance. The group explored several ideas, including a popcorn fundraiser, raffling gift cards, and hosting events at local venues like McKenna's. Nancy Epps emphasized the need for promotional materials to raise awareness about their organization, while Tangie proposed raffling AirPods at the Christmas party to boost contributions. The group also considered monthly gift card raffles as a more engaging alternative to previous fundraising methods that had not attracted much interest.
Brian addressed the issue of low attendance at meetings, suggesting that the early closing time might be a factor. Plans were made to meet at Steve's diner in November, and a reservation was discussed for a future gathering at Louie's Pizza. The importance of collaboration with the Halifax Council was highlighted, particularly in light of upcoming events like bingo. Tangie raised concerns about legislative challenges affecting their community, and Brian briefly mentioned the significance of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which he and Tangie have been involved with.
The group brainstormed additional fundraising activities, including selling holiday-themed items, baked goods, and potentially hosting a bake sale at McKenna's. FLZee suggested exploring options like Christmas cards and ornaments, while Nancy mentioned alternative popcorn vendors. The timing of these initiatives was discussed, with a
focus on aligning them with upcoming holidays. The conversation also touched on transportation issues for members who do not drive, leading to a discussion about the Vo-Ride service and the need for mobility trainers to be informed about new transportation options.
Future meetings and fundraising initiatives were planned, with Nancy and FLZee considering the CTTC dining room as a venue to attract new members. The group acknowledged the challenges posed by the current economy on fundraising efforts and agreed to gather more ideas for presentation to the membership. Tangi mentioned a friend skilled in baking who could contribute to a bake sale, and the group discussed the advantages of selling homemade items. Overall, the conversation emphasized the need for community engagement and effective communication to enhance fundraising efforts and support for individuals who are blind. Chapters & Topics:
Fundraising Ideas and Strategies Discussion
Brian Norton expressed frustration with the lengthy reading of Zoom links by JAWS, while Nancy Epps and Steve Williamson brainstormed fundraising strategies. They highlighted the need for increased visibility in their community and discussed potential events, including a popcorn fundraiser and collaboration with McKenna's. * Fundraising Ideas and Strategies * Ideas for fundraising and community engagement. * Holiday event planning, including raffles and parties.
Fundraising Ideas for the Chapter
Tangie suggested auctioning or raffling off a pair of new AirPods to raise money for the chapter's treasury during the Christmas party. She also proposed the idea of offering gift cards on a monthly basis instead of the usual 50-50 raffle, which has seen low participation. Nancy and Brian acknowledged the need for more engaging fundraising options.
Discussion on Upcoming Meetings and Collaboration
Brian Norton expressed concerns about low attendance at meetings, attributing it to the early closing time. He confirmed a reservation for a meeting at Steve's diner next month and mentioned a potential visit to Louie's Pizza. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of collaborating with the Halifax Council, noting that both groups for the blind in the Daytona Beach area do not interact much.
Fundraising Ideas and Strategies
FLZee inquired about the possibility of holding a public raffle at events, with Nancy Epps confirming that ticket buyers usually provide their contact details. Brian Norton noted that they have previously conducted fundraisers at different venues and suggested that they could also sell candy bars at meetings or public locations. The group discussed the importance of obtaining permission from store managers for public sales and the need for a professional introduction letter to enhance their legitimacy.
Fundraising Ideas and Holiday Initiatives
Brian Norton, FLZee, and Nancy Epps explored various fundraising options, such as selling Christmas cards, ornaments, and baked goods. They discussed the feasibility of a bake sale, with FLZee mentioning a friend who enjoys baking. The group also considered the timing for these events, particularly around the holidays and other occasions like Valentine's Day.
Transportation Options and Updates
FLZee expressed uncertainty about transportation options for nondrivers, prompting Nancy Epps to share details about the Vo-Ride service, which offers flexible transportation solutions. Brian Norton highlighted the importance of educating the Conklin Davis Center staff about the upcoming changes in transportation services. The group acknowledged that the new program would not be implemented until the acknowledged that the new program would not be implemented until the start of the year, allowing time for further clarification. * Transportation and Accessibility for Members
Coordination for Upcoming Meetings and Fundraising Ideas
FLZee suggested organizing meetings at the CTTC dining room to engage potential new members, while Brian Norton highlighted the importance of collaboration with the Halifax Council. They reminisced about past successful events, such as pizza gatherings, and considered future fundraising activities like bingo.
*    Collaboration with Other Organizations
*    Planning and Coordination of Events
Discussion on Fundraising and Support for Blind Services
Brian Norton discussed the importance of establishing fundraising initiatives to support individuals who are blind, highlighting the need for better training and employment opportunities. He mentioned his efforts to secure donations, including a significant anonymous contribution from the previous year. FLZee contributed by suggesting smaller fundraising activities to maintain engagement within the community.
Fundraising Ideas and Planning
The team explored various fundraising ideas, including a potential event at McKenna's, which has a history of supporting their efforts.
Nancy Epps proposed a bake sale and mentioned the possibility of selling holiday-themed items. Concerns about the current economic climate were raised, suggesting that fundraising strategies may need to be adjusted accordingly. * Scheduling of upcoming chapter and board meetings.
Fundraising Ideas and Bake Sale Planning
Tangi mentioned a roommate who could contribute baked goods for a fundraiser, but she is currently unavailable due to family commitments. Nancy proposed that the group should reimburse her for ingredient costs, which Brian and FLZee supported. The discussion highlighted the appeal of homemade items for fundraising and the need for public awareness about blind individuals.
Fundraising Ideas and Future Meetings
FLZee proposed various fundraising ideas, including trivia games and potluck-style gatherings, to foster community engagement. Nancy Epps supported these ideas and suggested using the Piggott Center for future events, emphasizing the importance of local food options. They both acknowledged transportation challenges for members and the need for more frequent fundraising meetings. * Planning for future group events to enhance participation.
*    Discussion of potential venues for meetings and events.
Action Items:
*    Steve Williamson will gather ideas for fundraisers from chapter members and compile them for discussion. * Brian Norton will coordinate with the Halifax Council to explore joint events and meetings in the future. * Nancy Epps will send a copy of the letter discussing the NFB to the participants.
*    Tangi will inform the group about the baking availability and requirements for the upcoming bake sale. * Nancy Epps will check with McKenna's for available dates for a fundraiser and report back to the group.
*    FLZee will explore the possibility of organizing a group event similar to the ACB event at Louie's, including activities like trivia or checkers, to encourage participation.
*    Nancy Epps will look into renting the Piggott Center in South
Daytona for a joint NFB and ACB meeting, ensuring food is sourced from a local restaurant.
*    FLZee will contact local businesses to inquire about potential donations for food or other items for future events to enhance community engagement.
*    Brian Norton will send out notices for the chapter meeting and board meeting, including the dates and details discussed during the meeting.
Key Questions:
*    What are some specific fundraising ideas that have been successful in the past?
*    How can the chapter ensure that fundraising activities are accessible to all members?
*    How can the chapter effectively collaborate with other organizations for fundraising?
*    How can the chapter ensure that fundraising efforts are well-received by the community?
*    What activities can be organized to encourage participation in future meetings?
Notepad:
*    No notes


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