[NFBF-Tampa] Fwd: tampa Bay chapter meeting minutes February, 2019, please read

[tampa President]

Hello to all,
>  
> The minutes of the February meeting are pasted in the email below my signature.
> Please read them so you’re prepared to vote on them tomorrow.
> Thank you, and I’m looking forward to seeing lots of you at the O’Brien’s Irish Pub in Brandon…we can celebrate even if St. Patrick’s Day was last weekend!
>  
> Warm regards,
> Sherrill
>  
> Tampa Bay Chapter        
> National Federation of the Blind of Florida
> Chapter Meeting Minutes
> February 24, 2019
> Beef O’Brady’s
> 8810  North Himes Avenue
> Tampa, Florida
>  
> The meeting was called to order by President Miranda Kilby at 1:00PM. All introduced themselves. There were  twenty-two persons in attendance, including three guests. Yvonne Rosanelli introduced her guest, sewar Quneibi who is a student at USF and is applying for an NFBF scholarship. The other two guests Scott Greenblat and Carlos Montas, paid their dues and were voted on to become chapter members. A motion was made by Merry, seconded by Sherrill, to accept Scott Greenblat as a chapter member. The motion passed. A motion was made by Sherrill, seconded by Merry, to accept Carlos Montas as a chapter member. The motion passed.  
>  
> Miranda led us in saying the NFB pledge.
>  
> Secretary and Treasurer’s Reports
>  
> Dan gave the treasurer’s report. Our current balance is $3,557.64.
> A motion was made by Merry,, seconded by Sherrill, to accept the treasurer’s report as read. The motion passed.
> A motion was made by Dan, seconded by Merry, to approve the January minutes as emailed. The motion passed.
>  
> President’s Report
> Miranda reported that on the latest teleconference for NFBF presidents and vice presidents, the topic was how to enhance chapter meetings. She will be trying out  some of the suggestions. She also participated in the Membership Initiatives teleconference for chapter presidents, hosted by NFB Board member Jeannie massay. NFB is centralizing its Connections database, therefore this is an effort to gather the membership information of chapters across the country. All members will receive a special NFB coin.
> Another teleconference in which Miranda participated was the state convention planning meeting held on February 13. Another planning meeting will be held on March 13. All NFBF members are encouraged to call in and share their ideas.
> Miranda said she has reached out to Gabe Cazares, with NFB’s Advocacy and Policy group, about an accessibility issue at USF and how we should  assist. A blind student is unable to use the kiosk which has recently been installed through which food can be ordered.
>  
> Reports
> Legislation/Washington Seminar
> Merry spoke about the successful trip to the Washington Seminar by our Florida delegation, which included our chapter’s Yvonne Rosanelli, who attended for the first time. They had productive meetings with representatives Kathy Castor, Gus Bilirakis and many legislative aides.
> Merry said one of the most exciting developments is the phasing out of section 14c of the Fair labor Standards Act over a period of six years. This was the section which has allowed sheltered workshops to pay disabled employees below minimum wage for many decades.
>  
> State Convention
> Miranda announced that the 2019 nFBF state convention will be held as usual over the Memorial Day weekend, May 24-27, at the Embassy Suites in Boca Raton. She said the deadline for reserving a room is May 5, but that it’s important to book soon. Convention registration can be done online or by phone.
> She mentioned that for the first time plans are being made to hold a women’s luncheon.
> We discussed who will be attending the convention.
>  
> Student Scholarships
> Miranda said this year nFBF plans to award two scholarships at our state convention in the amount of $1500 each. She urged everyone to spread the word that these scholarships are available. The information is on the NFBF website. The deadline is April 15. Merry, who is the Scholarship Committee Chair, said that  applicants for a state scholarship are also encouraged to apply for a national scholarship.
> Miranda announced that the national convention will take place July 7-12 at the mandalay Bay Resort in las Vegas, and hopes our chapter will be well represented there.
>  
> Social Activities
> Jeanette said the deposit for horseback riding needs to be paid to Dan by March 4 , with the event to be held on April 20.
>  
> BELL Program
> Miranda spoke about the possibility that we will hold this NFB children’s summer program  here in Tampa. She said she will call for a chapter teleconference soon to determine the direction we should take.
>  
> HART Update
> Miranda said that HART has a new CEO and also several new paratransit vehicles. The next HART Board meeting will take place on Monday, March 4, at the earlier time of 8:00AM.The next HART quarterly ADA meeting will be held on Thursday, May 16, at 3:00PM.
>  
> Guide Dog Users Update
> Our secretary commented that not only did we have a good turnout for the meeting, we also had a total of nine guide dogs and one puppy  being raised by Merry for that purpose! Marion, who is President of the National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU), announced that there are new brochures available from NFB’s Independence Market entitled Meet a Working Guide Dog Team. Merry announced that for convenience, she or Sherrill, as President and Secretary   respectively of the Florida Association of Guide Dog Users (FLAGDU) could collect dues at any time for that division from anyone wishing to join prior to our state convention. Dues are five dollars.
>  
> In our monthly 50/50 drawing, Marguerite Ribaldo won $25.
>  
> It was Ineko Gary’s birthday, and Miranda surprised her with a special dessert, so of course we all sang happy birthday to her!
>  
> Our next meeting will be held on March 23 at O’Brien’s Irish Pub in Brandon.
>  
> The meeting was adjourned at 2:00PM.
>  
> 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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