[NFBF-Tampa] Tampa Bay Chapter Meeting Minutes June 2018

Fri Jul 27 13:05:48 UTC 2018

Hello to all,

Here are the June Tampa Bay chapter meeting minutes. Please read them so we
can vote on them at tomorrow's meeting at the Brandon o'Brien's Pub.

Thank you.

Happy Friday!

Sherrill

Tampa Bay Chapter         

National Federation of the Blind of Florida

Chapter Meeting Minutes

June 30, 2018

Beef O'Brady's

8810 N. Himes Avenue

Tampa, Florida

The meeting was called to order by President Miranda Kilby at 12:11PM. The
roll was called, with fourteen members and three guests in attendance. Two
of the guests, Raul Gallegos and Stacie hardy, from Houston, Texas, were
guests of Merry and marion and came to Florida to attend the NFB's national
convention in Orlando. The third guest, Monique Petersen, just recently
moved to the Tampa area and wished to join our chapter. A motion was made by
Merry, seconded by Barbara, to accept Monique into membership in our
chapter. The motion passed.

In his treasurer's report, Dan stated we have a balance of $3489.00. This
includes the $2500 donation from Carl Oemke. It was agreed we should send
him a thank-you card. A motion was made by Paul, seconded by Barbara, to
approve the treasurer's report as read. The motion passed.

A motion was made by Dan, seconded by Janice, to approve the March and April
minutes as emailed. (We did not hold a meeting in May.) The motion passed.

Raul Gallegos led us in the NFB pledge.

President's Report

Miranda said that at our chapter Board meeting, the Board approved holding
every other meeting in Brandon at O'Brien's pub and Grill. she has submitted
the information about our upcoming June meeting in Brandon to the Tampa
Talking Book library. They will mail this information out via postcards to
their patrons in Hillsborough County.

Miranda said we should be receiving a check for $206.68 from Beef O'Brady's
for our "Spirit Night" fundraisers which were held in February, March and
April.

She announced that the next HART Board meeting will take place on July 16,
and encouraged members to attend.

A motion was made by Merry, seconded by Barbara, that beginning immediately,
the funds derived from our Spirit Night be allocated to pay for the lunches
of guests attending a chapter meeting for their first time. Dan amended the
motion to state that the money for this purpose come out of our regular
funds rather than Spirit Night funds specifically. The amended motion
passed. 

Miranda then announced that the next HART Board meeting will take place on
July 16, and encouraged members to attend. We discussed ongoing challenges
with the   cab drivers not wishing to pick up HART patrons, especially those
with guide dogs. Marion mentioned that United Cabs has also contracted with
HART along with Yellow Cab. He said we need to call Gregg Bracken, HART's
ADA Coordinator, when encountering problems with poor taxi service.

Following a break for lunch, the meeting resumed at 1:09.

Old Business

State Convention

Miranda asked for feedback from those who had attended our state convention
which was held in Tampa. She thanked those who had contributed items for our
chapter's auction baskets. She then thanked everyone for their hard work in
cohosting the very successful convention along with the Suncoast Chapter.

National Convention

A total of Eight chapter members indicated they planned to attend the
national convention in Orlando. Miranda said that the chapter Board had
approved paying for the registration fees for all attending.

We discussed transportation options for getting to Orlando.

Chapter Social Activities

Jeanette reported on the many social activity options she had investigated.
She said that attending a movie where audio description would be available
for all is currently not possible. She will send out a list of the other
options and we will indicate our top three choices.

Chapter Publicity and Branding

Marion recorded all of us enthusiastically chanting our NFB motto "Live the
life you want!" 

He will use the recording in various ways, such as in a PSA.

Miranda asked if we wished to order new chapter polo shirts, and we agreed
that we did. Miranda will find out the available colors and email that
information to us. We will give our top two choices.

Meet the Blind Month

Miranda said she would like volunteers to chair and serve on a committee for
planning   and coordinating Meet the Blind Month activities. Merry
volunteered to chair it. Miranda said that the state affiliate's
Communications Committee will hold an open  teleconference on July 24 for
the purpose of suggesting various Meet the Blind Month activities for
chapters to consider. Miranda said the committee is willing to give advice
for chapter projects if needed.

Marion suggested we contact the Professional Development department of the
Hillsborough County sheriff's office to help educate them about the
importance of the White Cane Law and FS413.08, which deals with access and
discrimination.

Our guest Stacie Hardy told us the details of their very impressive Meet the
Blind Month event held in Houston. She said this will be the tenth
anniversary of the event, which is held in front of Houston's City Hall.

We discussed how we handled past Meet the Blind events and whether we should
partner with other organizations. We decided that it is important that when
we hold an event and welcome other groups to join us, we make it clear that
we are the organization which is in charge.

The 50/50 drawing was won by Marguerite. She received $26.50.

Our next meeting will be held on July 28 at o'Brien's pub and Grill in
Brandon. We will gather there at 11:30 for a meet and greet prior to our
noon meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:32pm.

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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