[NFBF-Tampa] Tampa Bay Chapter meeting minutes June 2025

[Sherrill O'Brien]

Greetings to all,

 

I'll try sending these June minutes via the list, but unfortunately I am not
receiving any list correspondence so need help getting this restored. If
this doesn't work I'll send it to  Dan so he can send it on to you.

 

Sherrill

 

Tampa Bay Chapter 

National Federation of the Blind of Florida

Chapter Meeting Minutes

June 28, 2025

Beef O ' Brady's

8810 North Himes Avenue

Tampa, Florida

 

The meeting was called to order by President Christine Copley at 12:21pM.

Everyone introduced themselves. There were  a total of 19 persons in
attendance, including 5 via the Zoom platform. We welcomed several guests to
our meeting. We then recited the NFB pledge.

Guest Matt Weimueller, who teaches music at the Straz Center, announced that
July 26 will mark the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with
Disabilities Act in 1990. To honor this special occasion, there will be a
celebration at the Straz  Center on the evening of July 26. Matt said all
are invited to attend.

 

Secretary and Treasurer Reports

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

 

Dan gave the treasurer's report. Our current balance is $4581.72. A motion
was made by Debby, seconded by Sherrill, to accept the treasurer's report as
read. The motion passed.

 

President's Report

Christine reported that the Paint and Sip event held on June 7 at Beef
O'Brady's was enjoyed very much by those attending. She thanked Millie who
helped to organize and assist with this unique experience.

 

National Convention

Several of our members will be attending the NFB national conbvention in
July in New Orleans. For the benefit of newer members and guests, Yvonne
gave a summary of what attendees can expect.

 

Pancake Breakfast Fund Raiser

Adriene gave a brief explanation of this annual event which this year will
be held on July 19. 

Since Sherrill was unable to secure a table at the Carrollwood Publix this
year, Christine asked that we all contact our local Publix stores to see if
we can arrange for a table to hand out flyers and show the public that we
are involved in our comunity. In the past, having a table at Publix   has
not only helped with publicity, but has also brought in generous donations.

 

Louis and his wife volunteered to pick up the donated coffee from Starbucks
on Hillsborough Avenue. This Starbucks also donated a coffee basket for one
of our raffles. Other donated baskets include:

Greg: : wellness basket

Louis and Anna: breakfast basket

Blooming Brands is donating the orange juice and champagne for our mimosa
station.

Greg volunteered for a snacks and pastries station.

Barbara is donating ten HART pass books

 

Louis said if it's something we would like to include, we can have music at
the pancake breakfast since he has two brothers, one of whom plays piano and
sings,  and the other plays drums. They have already volunteered.

All agreed this was a great idea.

 

Louise said we need to make sure to send a flier to Tampa ADA coordinator
Raquel Pancho  . Christine said she has already done it.

Christine will send out a list of pancake breakfast duties.

 

We then talked about a football basket, raffling off one or two of the
Buccaneers signed footballs we had intended to use as a fund raiser last
October before Hurricane Milton cancelled the event.

A motion was made by Barbara, seconded by Anna, that we raffle them off
during the pancake breakfast. The motion passed. 

A very long discussion ensued as to how to make the most money from the two
footballs.

Miranda then made a counter motion, seconded by Marion,  that we keep the
Mike Evans football for a fund raiser in October, have a QR code and
advertise the drawing. The motion passed. We will look into whether Beef
O'Brady's will allow us to schedule a Spirit Night in October where we can
hold the drawing.

 

Legislation

Debby Malone said it's important that the chapter keep up with what is
happening on the national level, including legislation, which is crucial at
this time. Louise said she sent in a comment on the threat to remove and to
no longer place Braille signage in Federal buildings. She said she was told
there were over two thousand comments submitted on this topic. 

Miranda said that if she is willing, we should appoint Debby as the
chapter's legislative chair. Debby agreed to accept the position.

 

New Business

Marion said that we might be interested in a game designed for the blind
called Power Showdown which he and Merry saw when taking a tour of the NFB
National Center in Baltimore. He said it was even played during the
Paralympics. The Tampa Lighthouse has the large table on which the game is
played, and is willing to let us come and give it a try. Members expressed
interest in looking into this social activity.

 

Christine said we will need to change our August meeting date to the third
Saturday, the 16th.

Our 50/50 PAC Plan fundraiser drawing was won by Christine Copley, who
received $41.

 

State Convention

As chapter liason from the state Board, Sherri encouraged everyone to
register for the state convention being held in October in Altamont Springs.
She hopes we will all participate by donating door prizes and items for the
"dollar auction", a fun way to raise money involving paying only with dollar
bills.

 

Our next meeting will be held on July 19 at Beef O'Brady's following the
pancake breakfast.

 

A motion was made by Marion, seconded by Greg, to adjourn the meeting. The
motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 1:55PM.

 

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 <mailto: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 back.

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