[NFBF-Tampa] Tampa Bay Chapter Meeting Minutes May 2020

Wed Jun 3 22:52:55 UTC 2020

Hello to all,

Here are the chapter meeting minutes for May, pasted and attached. I feel
happy when reading them over right before sending them out to you, as we
always come up with lots of great ideas
kudos to us!

Sherrill

Tampa Bay Chapter         

National Federation of the Blind of Florida

Chapter Meeting Minutes

May 23, 2020

Because of the restrictions resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, chapter
members and guests met from our homes by conference call via the Zoom
meeting platform

The meeting was called to order by President Miranda Kilby at 12:09PM. She
led the group in saying the NFB Pledge.

All introduced themselves. There were  23 persons in attendance, including
our NFBF state President Denise Valkema. 

Secretary and Treasurer’s Reports

A motion was made by Louise, seconded by Barbara, to approve the April
meeting minutes as emailed. The motion passed.

Dan gave the treasurer’s report. Our current balance is $2216.83.

A motion was made by Sherrill, seconded by Les, to approve the treasurer’s
report as read. The motion passed.

President’s Report

Miranda encouraged everyone to register for the national convention. The
deadline is june 15, and there is no cost.

Miranda said that the Friends of the library are the volunteers who would
send out our announcement regarding chapter meetings. She said they will be
returning to the Daytona Beach library in June, so would possibly be able to
send out an announcement for our July meeting.

Miranda said the State Board has decided that we will need to hold a virtual
state convention. 

Old Business

There was no old business.

New Business

Chapter Goals and Activities

Miranda stated that because of our current uncertain situation, she would
like to get our suggestions for goals/activities we could accomplish either
virtually or in person.

Marion:

Instead of having us over To celebrate their new kitchen, he could select
and send out a recipe that we could all make at home

Gloria then thanked Yvonne Rosanelli for her demonstration of the InstaPot
held during the latest Senior Concerns meeting.

Miranda then asked us for fundraising ideas.

Susan Pierce:

Call restaurants to ask for gift card donations

Paul:

Ask Uber or Uber Eats for gift cards

Miranda:

Host a Zoom concert or talent show and charge a small amount

Merry mentioned that conditions when using the Zoom platform can make this
difficult, as the Maryland affiliate  just hosted such a concert

Paul:

Host a Trivia game with an entrance fee, with the winner getting a
percentage of the amount raised

Susan asked about a possible community project.

Marion said that we have a good resource in Rene Muratti of the Hillsborough
State Attorney’s office. When it comes to our Florida disability rights
laws, She has offered to assist us in reaching out to empower community
leaders from disability rights organizations and to educate law enforcement
agencies.

Meet the Blind Month Ideas

Miranda said it isn’t too early to begin planning for Meet the Blind month
in October, and called for ideas.

Miranda;

Distribute information about Florida’s White Cane Law via email

Sherrill:

Pass along this information to churches for their websites or newsletters 

Paul:

Give out National and local NFB brochures

Merry:

Reach out to Meals on Wheels to ask if they would pass out NFB literature
when delivering meals

Possible Chapter meeting Program Topics

Chris:

Non-24 Sleep-Wake Disorder

Sherrill:

Recycling, from someone with the Hillsborough County Waste
ManagementDepartment

Merry:

Voting information from someone with the Supervisor of Elections Office, and
Gloria also suggested a representative from the league of Women Voters

Sherrill will ask her friend mickey Castor for suggestions on whom to
contact from the League. 

Gloria:

Information and tips on going out in public during the Covid-19 pandemic

Miranda:

Riding HART fixed route and HART Plus during The Covid-19 restrictions

Merry will contact  HART’s Greg Bracken

Les Deemers;

Availability and accessibility of computer terminals in libraries and kiosks

Paul:

NFBNewsline questions and answers with NFBF member Rus Davis

Paul said Rus is leading a discussion called Sunrise and Shine with Newsline
every Thursday morning on the Zoom platform. Miranda will send out the Zoom
link for this meeting to the chapter list.

State Convention

Miranda said that the State Board will determine the dates we will hold our
virtual state convention. It will be some time in the fall. She said lots of
help will be needed, for example we will need help writing resolutions.
Camille Tate is the chair of the Resolutions Committee. Miranda explained
that resolutions passed by the membership at each state convention help
determine NFBF policies. Merry, who is the scholarship committee chair, said
that the deadline for submitting applications for the state scholarship
program is July 1, and encouraged everyone to spread the word. There will be
two $1500 scholarships given out this year.

Merry suggested that once the national office gives us the green light to
meet in person, Debbie Hietala’s Crystal Bay Café would be an ideal location
since there would be plenty of room and we could bring our own lunch. 

We closed the meeting , as we did in April, sharing how we are all doing
during this challenging time. 

Our next meeting will be held on June 27.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:05PM.

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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