[NFBF-Tampa] Tampa Bay Chapter meeting minutes March 2021

Fri Apr 23 23:17:44 UTC 2021

Hello to all,

Here are the meeting minutes for March.

I hope to talk with everyone tomorrow.

Sherrill

Tampa Bay Chapter         

National Federation of the Blind of Florida

Chapter Meeting Minutes

March 27, 2021

Because of the restrictions resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, the
chapter met from our homes via the Zoom meeting platform

The meeting was called to order by President Miranda Kilby at 12:00PM.
Sherrill introduced our guest speaker Daniel Gallagher, who is a recycling
and waste reduction specialist with Hillsborough County . For the next hour
he gave us interesting information such as innovative ways the county uses
our garbage as fuel to generate heat and electricity to help power the
plant. The county produces about 1800 tons of garbage daily. Our yard waste
is turned into mulch which can be sold and also used as landfill cover. He
detailed what can and cannot be recycled. "Reduce, reuse and recycle" is
what he would like us to remember and what everyone should be trying to do
in their daily lives. He also spoke about the composting and rainbarrel
workshops held by the county throughout the year. Following lots of
questions, Miranda thanked him for his enthusiastic and informative
presentation.

Miranda then began our chapter meeting by leading us in the NFB Pledge.

All introduced themselves. There were 12 persons in attendance, including
guest Bryan Humphrey. 

Secretary and Treasurer's Reports

A motion was made by Paul, seconded by Dan, to approve the February meeting
minutes as emailed. The motion passed.

Dan gave the treasurer's report. Our current balance is $2,311.90. He
reported that we have 30 chapter members. He will send in the end of year
report. 

A motion was made by Sherrill, seconded by Paul, to accept the treasurer's
report as read. The motion passed.

President's Report

Miranda announced that the next NFB Presidential release will take place on
Zoom for all to hear on April 5. She has sent out the calendar of all NFBF
Zoom events to be held in April.

She said that because of some conflicting differences of opinion, Marion has
resigned from the NFB, which includes resigning from the chapter board. He
is forming a nonprofit called Advocates for Service Animal Partners. Miranda
said we will certainly miss him, but that he will continue to call us
friends.

She announced that Paul has stepped down as the First Vice President of the
NFBF Board. Since Miranda held the office of Second Vice President, she has
now moved up to take the First VP position. So the position of Second Vice
President is currently vacant.

We then held the 50/50 drawing, and Scott Wilson was the winner, receiving
$70.

Old Business

In recapping some of the chapter goals and events in 2021, Miranda said that
because of the information given by our guest speaker in February, she and
several other members have taken advantage of the new ride service TD Tampa
Bay. Although Merry has reached out several times to HART to ask if their
new CEO would speak to our chapter, she has not heard from them.

Paul said he would be pleased if many of our chapter members would register
for our national convention in July, especially since it will again be
virtual and also free.

Meet the Blind Month

Lynn Reynolds suggested that we look into connecting with and securing a
table at one or more of the health fairs which are held throughout the year
in the area. Miranda asked us to think about volunteering to serve as the
chair of the Meet the Blind committee.

Yvonne will work on getting information about local health fairs.

State Convention

Miranda mentioned that NFBF will once again try to hold the state convention
this October in Tampa. She doesn't know whether Tampa will be the host
chapter. Dan said he thinks we should host it, or at least be the cohost.
After some discussion, we agreed that we would like to host the convention
if it is indeed held in person. Miranda will find out soon. We discussed the
possibility of hosting an early exhibit hall, inviting organizations and
individuals from Hillsborough County to participate. This could be a good
opportunity for those who might not want to exhibit throughout the entire
convention. 

Merry then volunteered to be in charge of the state convention hospitality
suite.

New Business

Lynn Reynolds mentioned that since we had just heard from our speaker about
recycling, we could help by collecting plastic bags which her friend weaves
into mats.

We talked about where we might have a chapter meet-up some time for lunch.
Paul suggested Al Lopez Park. Merry suggested Fort De Soto Park.

Dan said he was sorry to have to tell us that Carol Feazell, a longtime
dedicated NFBF member of the Jacksonville chapter, passed away suddenly just
a few days ago.

Our next meeting will be held on April 24 via the Zoom platform.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:12PM.

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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