[NFBF-Tampa] Tampa Bay Chapter meeting minutes for March 2018

Tue Apr 24 19:36:08 UTC 2018

Hello Tampa Bay chapter members,
I wanted to share that today is our president, Maranda, birthday!. Please extend a very happy happy birthday wish to Maranda! And may she have many many more! Hope your day is filled with joy! 

Sent from my iPad

> On Apr 20, 2018, at 4:04 PM, Miranda Kilby via NFBF-Tampa <nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Great minutes once again Cheryl. I also agree that we definitely have the hammers and nails in our chapter. Let's go build the Federation
> 
> -- 
> Miranda b. Kilby
> Ph: (352)942-0417
> 
>> On Apr 20, 2018, at 3:52 PM, Sherrill O'Brien via NFBF-Tampa <nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hello all,
>>  
>> The March minutes are pasted below.
>> Just a note to say that lately as I write the minutes, I feel so proud of our chapter!
>> We’ve got that hammer and nails and are sure helping to build our Federation!
>> Sherrill
>>  
>> Tampa Bay Chapter        
>> National Federation of the Blind of Florida
>> Chapter Meeting Minutes
>> Beef O’Brady’s
>> 8810 N. Himes Avenue
>> Tampa, Florida
>> March 24, 2018
>>  
>> The meeting was called to order by President Miranda Kilby at 12:23pm.
>> There were twelve persons in attendance.
>> Miranda informed us Dan and Gloria were not in attendance, as Dan needed to take Gloria to the E R. (Later that day we learned they had returned home and Gloria was feeling a little better.)
>>  
>> Treasurer’s and Secretary’s Reports
>> Miranda gave the treasurer’s report.
>> We have a balance of $2,661.
>> A motion was made by Merry, seconded by Noe, to approve the treasurer’s report. The motion passed.
>> A motion was made by Noe, seconded by Janet Beyer, to approve the February minutes as corrected. The motion passed.
>>  
>> Merry led us in the NFB pledge.
>>  
>> President’s Report
>> Miranda gave the highlights of the Chapter Board meeting
>> Goals/ideas presented at the meeting include:
>> increase communication with individual members
>> Expand publicity about the chapter and the NFB by placing flyers in businesses and doctors’ offices
>> Plan social activities and use as outreach by inviting nonmembers to join us
>> Involve the chapter in community outreach, such as offering to speak at a Lighthouse Independent Living class
>> reward members in some way for wearing the nFB logo at chapter meetings
>> Miranda said we continued this discussion by  deciding to form several committees. The following persons volunteered to serve as chairs or co chairs:
>> Membership, Sherrill
>> Community outreach, Merry
>> Legislation, Merry
>> Fundraising, Marion
>> Social Activities (coordinator), Jeanette
>> Miranda encouraged chapter members to join one of these committees.
>>  
>> Miranda said that we have the opportunity to support the parents division and the NFB BELL program’s day camp which will be held in Florida this summer. BELL stands for Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning.) Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants have partnered with them, and Kimberly Banks, the president of the parents division, has asked chapters and divisions to help by requesting to hold a Spirit Day fundraiser at a local Chipotle Grill. Miranda will explore this idea and report back to us.
>>  
>> Miranda encouraged all to get involved with one or more of the NFBF committees. She invited us to try the new Book Club led by Camille Tate. These are all held via teleconference.
>>  
>> State Convention
>> Miranda said our Board voted that the chapter cover the cost of state convention registration and banquet for all members attending, which totals sixty dollars per person. She asked everyone wishing to attend to let her know, since the first 120 people to register will get a free breakfast each day of the convention.
>> We discussed what we could use as a giveaway to put in the goody bags handed out at registration. Miranda suggested we put our logo on it. ideas included wallets and hand sanitizers. We will order more of our popular logo pens and place one in each bag. We have enough goody bags left over from the last Tampa convention that we won’t have to buy them.
>> We then brainstormed about a tree we could design to represent our convention theme of Family. The roots could represent NFB, the trunk NFBF, the branches chapters and divisions, and the leaves the members. This design could be used in many ways, including made into table decorations,  and printed on shirts and magnets.
>> Miranda encouraged everyone to begin collecting door prizes for state convention . She will send out a letter and tax exempt form members can print out and give to businesses when asking for door prizes for state convention.
>>  
>> Legislative Report
>> Merry thanked Jeanette for her help in arranging a meeting for us with Digna Alvarez, Senator Bill Nelson’s regional representative for the Tampa area. In the meeting with her, we will especially focus on  the ADA Education and Reform Act, and why we are opposed to it. Proponents say many attorneys are encouraging people to file complaints, but Merry said this is actually a small number. The bill has already passed the House. We are hoping to prevent the same from happening in the Senate. Merry explained this bill puts the responsibility on the consumer to notify an establishment, via a written letter, of their ADA violation. The establishment  would have 60 days to even acknowledge receipt of the letter, then 120 days in which to show “substantial progress”…a very vague term. She also explained that we are working hard to finally see the ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty. This would enable books to be shared across borders in accessible formats. Merry encouraged members to participate in these important issues by calling and emailing their representatives or senators.
>>  
>> Marion gave an update on Delta’s new requirements for those traveling with service animals. He said    that as the President of NAGDU, the National Association of Guide Dog Users, he will participate in a meeting with Delta representatives on April 10 at NFB’s national office in Baltimore.
>>  
>> Merry encouraged anyone with an idea for a resolution to submit it to her or Camille Tate, the co chairs of the Resolutions Committee. She said help is always available for writing up the resolution. She then said she has been asked to serve on the national scholarship   committee, which meets in Baltimore at the end of April.
>>  
>> Miranda encouraged members to attend the HART  Board meeting which will be held on April 2.
>>  
>> Fundraising
>> Marion presented several ideas for chapter fund raising, including asking Beef o’Brady’s to allow us to host an Octoberfest event.
>>  
>> New Business
>> Miranda reported on NFB’s new Code of Conduct which affiliates and chapters across the country are being asked to approve. She said there will be a mandatory meeting for chapter and division board members with NFB’s First Vice President Pam Allen on April 22 at 7:00pm.
>>  
>> Marion suggested we could build nFB spirit by giving an incentive for people to wear something with the NFB logo. For example we could give five dollars more to the person winning the 50/50 drawing if they were wearing the logo.
>> Miranda won the 50/50 drawing, and received $21.50.
>>  
>> The meeting was adjourned at 1:50pm.
>>  
>> Respectfully submitted
>> Sherrill O’Brien, Secretary
>> Tampa Bay Chapter
>> National Federation of the Blind of Florida
>>  
>> Phone 813-935-0474, cell 813-767-1890
>> email Sherrill.obrien at verizon.net
>>  
>> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise expectations because low expectations create barriers between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want! Blindness is not what holds you bac
>>  
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