[NFBF-L] Florida Statewide Chapter December Monthly Business Meeting Minutes

[Florida Statewide Chapter Secretary]

Hello Statewide Advocates,

Below, you will find the minutes from December's meeting. If you have any
questions, corrections, or suggestions, don't hesitate to let me know by
email or during the meeting.

Best,
Jose

Florida Statewide Chapter Monthly Business Meeting Minutes

Date: 12/21/2025

Summary

The Florida Statewide Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind held
its December 21, 2025 monthly business meeting, which included required
formal business and a featured educational presentation. Members approved
both the Secretary’s Report and the Treasurer’s Report, confirming a stable
financial position with a closing balance of $2,050.74. The meeting also
included a brief statewide chapter spotlight, where members shared holiday
reflections and celebrated Sylvia Young’s upcoming birthday.

The primary focus of the meeting was a presentation on independence and
services provided by the Lighthouse for the Blind in Pasco, Hernando, and
Citrus Counties. Scott Wilson discussed assistive technology instruction,
including training on smartphones, computers, screen readers, voice
control, and the use of emerging tools such as ChatGPT to support daily
tasks and problem-solving. He emphasized helping individuals adapt to
vision loss while addressing challenges related to aging, memory,
dexterity, and multiple disabilities.

Britney Fair presented independent living skills instruction, highlighting
training in cooking, medication management, money management, labeling and
organization, Braille basics, and guide dog education. She emphasized
practical tools such as talking meat thermometers, boil alert discs, and
tactile labeling methods, as well as the importance of emotional adjustment
to blindness. The presentation underscored the Lighthouse’s role in
building confidence, independence, and quality of life for blind and
low-vision individuals.

------------------------------

8:05 PM Role Call

Officers

   -

   President Z’Leah Liburd
   -

   Vice President Brittany Fraer
   -

   Treasurer Scott Wilson
   -

   Secretary Jose Bohorquez
   -

   Board Member 1 Natalie Williams
   -

   Board Member 2 Niklas Ham (absent)
   -

   Board Member 3 Justin Reagan (absent)
   -

   The majority of the board were present, establishing a quorum.

Other Participants

   -

   Tangi Yonce
   -

   Sylvifa Young
   -

   Judy Hamilton
   -

   Matt Weihmuller
   -

   Denise Valkima
   -

   Sheri Albers
   -

   Roslyn Kennedy

------------------------------

8:11 PM Pledge

Weihmuller recited the pledge.

------------------------------

8:12 PM Belief Statement

President Liburd recited the belief statement.

------------------------------

8:14 PM Secretary’s Report

Secretary Bohorquez sent the minutes through the Florida Statewide Chapter
listserv and individually to all members.

Note: for future meetings, I will only email new members direct reminders.
Reminders will still continue to be sent to the FSWC and NFBF listservs.

Young motioned to accept the report as emailed; Wilson seconded; all were
in favor. The motion passed.

------------------------------

8:17 PM Agenda Review

The agenda was reviewed.

------------------------------

8:18 PM Statewide Chapter Spotlight

Ice Breaker question: What is your favorite holiday drink?

   -

   Young’s birthday on December 24; shared excitement about family
   gathering.
   -

   Members shared favorite holiday drinks including Hot chocolate, apple
   cider, eggnog, coquito, red wine, whiskey, coffee with holiday creamers.

------------------------------

8:23 PM Treasurers Report

   -

   Opening Balance (November): $2,040.74
   -

   Transactions:
   -

      $20 new dues payment
      -

      Three registration reimbursements ($25 each)
      -

      $40 dues deposit (multiple members in one household)
      -

      Additional dues payment with $5 donation
      -

   Closing Balance: $2,050.74
   -

   Bohorquez motioned to accept the treasurer’s report as read; Williams
   seconded; all were in favor. The motion passed.

------------------------------

8:28 PM Independence Presentation

Presenters: Scott Wilson & Britney Fair

Organization: Lighthouse for the Blind (Pasco, Hernando, Citrus Counties)
Scott Wilson - Assistive Technology Instruction

   -

   Role: Assistant Technology Instructor.
   -

   Focus areas:
   -

      iPhone, Android, and computer training (JAWS, VoiceOver).
      -

      Use of voice control for individuals with limited dexterity (e.g.,
      Parkinson’s).
      -

      Teaching clients to manage daily tasks: bills, documents,
      communication.
      -

      Introduction to tools such as ChatGPT for problem-solving and
      information access.
      -

   Challenges:
   -

      Helping clients accept vision loss while remaining hopeful.
      -

      Working with individuals with memory, dexterity, or age-related
      challenges.

Britney Fair - Independent Living Skills Instruction

   -

   Teaches a wide range of daily living skills, including:
   -

      Cooking, pouring liquids, dining skills.
      -

      Medication management (including ScriptTalk).
      -

      Money management.
      -

      Labeling and organization using bump dots, Velcro, rubber bands, puff
      paint.
      -

      Introductory Braille and guide dog education.
      -

   Notable tools:
   -

      Talking meat thermometer (highly recommended).
      -

      Boil alert discs.
      -

      Low-vision cutting boards.
      -

   Emphasis on:
   -

      Building confidence and independence.
      -

      Addressing emotional adjustment to blindness.
      -

      Educating clients about Charles Bonnet Syndrome (visual
      hallucinations related to vision loss).

------------------------------

8:40 PM Affiliate Announcements

   -

   No major affiliate announcements due to the holiday season.
   -

   Possible open board meeting in January or February (to be announced).

------------------------------

8:45 PM Adjournment

Bohorquez motioned to adjourn the meeting; Wilson seconded; all were in
favor. The motion passed, and the meeting ended at 8:45 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jose Bohorquez

------------------------------


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.

-- 

Jose Bohorquez, Secretary

Florida Statewide Chapter - National Federation of the Blind of Florida

"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."

-- NFB Belief Statement

Click here to become a member of the Statewide Chapter.
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfB8VUYoqEEwK6-XKYPWTimVWTtab5Coy1pTiKX6KFBDPVIdg/viewform>

Click here to email the secretary. <statewide at nfbflorida.org>
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