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

[Sherrill O'Brien]

Tampa Bay Chapter 

National Federation of the Blind of Florida

Chapter Meeting Minutes

April 26, 2025

Beef O ' Brady's

8810 North Himes Avenue

Tampa, Florida

 

The meeting was called to order by President Christine Copley at 12:08PM. We
recited the NFB pledge together.

 

Everyone introduced themselves. There were  a total of 17 persons in
attendance, 10 in person and 7 via the Zoom platform. Attending in person
were two guests, Jose and Lily Young, who were later voted in as new
members. During our introductions, Christine asked each person to mention
their strengths and interests relating to the chapter.

 

Secretary and Treasurer Reports

A motion was made by  Merry, seconded by Marion, to approve the  March
meeting minutes as emailed. The motion passed. 

 

Dan gave the treasurer's report. Our current balance is $5238.05. 

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

Our activities chair Yvonne Rosanelli said that there were around 12 people
who attended the bowling event at Pin Chasers. We then discussed whether it
had been made clear at the March meeting that attendees were to reimburse
the chapter for their bowling event costs.

A motion was then made by Merry, seconded by Marion that going forward
social events outside the chapter which involve a cost will be the
responsibility of the individuals participating unless the chapter decides
in advance to cover the cost of the event. The motion passed.

 

Christine explained that Sherri Brun is our designated chapter liason from
the NFBF Board. 

Sherri told us about the new and exciting NFBF fundraising cruise which will
take place in October of 2026. The cruise leaves from Port Canaveral on
October 18, returning on October 26. Christine will send out an email with
all the details.

 

State Convention

Sherri said everyone should make an effort to subscribe to the NFBf and
Tampa Bay chapter listservs to keep up-to-date on everything going on in our
area and across the state. Our membership chair is Miranda Kilby, and she
will be glad to assist those wishing to subscribe. This is especially
important since our state convention is coming up from October 3 to 5 at the
Altamont Springs Hilton Hotel. Christine explained the annual awarding of
1500 dollar college scholarships at the state convention. A motion was made
by Marion, seconded by Dan, that the chapter sponsor half a scholarship in
the amount of $750, in the name of Gloria Mills Hicks. The motion passed
unanimously. There will also be scholarships available for those wishing to
attend their first convention. 

 

Proposed HART Resolution

Marion is a member of HART's ADA Accessibility committee and would like our
chapter to help with the updating of some of HART's paratransit policies and
practices which are challenging for all patrons, but especially for the
blind community. 

He and Dan have written a resolution on behalf of our chapter which, if we
pass it, he wants to recommend to this committee and have the chapter
secretary read it at their upcoming meeting. on May 15.

The three main issues addressed in the resolution are:

1.  necessity of rrecertification every five years even for those who are
permanently disabled,  

2.  unrrealistic notification time required for cancelling a trip

3.  having to reserve a trip no more than three days in advance 

Marion would like at least one person to speak on each of these issues.

Dan then read the resolution. A motion was made by Miranda, seconded by
Merry, to accept the resolution. The motion passed unanimously.

The committee meeting will take place from 1:30 to 3:00 on May 15 at HART's
headquarters at 1201 E. 7th Avenue. Marion encouraged everyone to support
the resolution by attending and wearing our yellow chapter polo shirts. The
resolution will be sent out on the chapter list.

 

Fundraiser Pancake Breakfast

We agreed to hold a chapter meeting for the sole purpose of discussing
details of our annual pancake breakfast. It will take place at 6:00PM on May
4 via the Zoom platform.

 

Social Events

For our Paint and Sip event, Christine will secure our regular meeting room
from 12:00 till 2:00 on Saturday, June 7.

 

National Convention

Christine announced that Our NFB national convention will take place from
July 8 to 13 at the Marriott New Orleans

 

Our 50/50 PAC Plan /fundraiser drawing was won by Christine Copley, who
received $35.

 

Our next meeting will be held on May 17.

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 <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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 Tampa Bay Chapter 
National Federation of the Blind of Florida
Chapter Meeting Minutes
April 26, 2025
Beef O ’ Brady’s
8810 North Himes Avenue
Tampa, Florida

The meeting was called to order by President Christine Copley at 12:08PM. We recited the NFB pledge together.

Everyone introduced themselves. There were  a total of 17 persons in attendance, 10 in person and 7 via the Zoom platform. Attending in person were two guests, Jose and Lily Young, who were later voted in as new members. During our introductions, Christine asked each person to mention their strengths and interests relating to the chapter.
 
Secretary and Treasurer Reports
A motion was made by  Merry, seconded by Marion, to approve the  March meeting minutes as emailed. The motion passed. 

Dan gave the treasurer’s report. Our current balance is $5238.05. 
A motion was made by Marion, seconded by Merry, to accept the treasurer’s report as read. The motion passed.
Our activities chair Yvonne Rosanelli said that there were around 12 people who attended the bowling event at Pin Chasers. We then discussed whether it had been made clear at the March meeting that attendees were to reimburse the chapter for their bowling event costs.
A motion was then made by Merry, seconded by Marion that going forward social events outside the chapter which involve a cost will be the responsibility of the individuals participating unless the chapter decides in advance to cover the cost of the event. The motion passed.

Christine explained that Sherri Brun is our designated chapter liason from the NFBF Board. 
Sherri told us about the new and exciting NFBF fundraising cruise which will take place in October of 2026. The cruise leaves from Port Canaveral on October 18, returning on October 26. Christine will send out an email with all the details.

State Convention
Sherri said everyone should make an effort to subscribe to the NFBf and Tampa Bay chapter listservs to keep up-to-date on everything going on in our area and across the state. Our membership chair is Miranda Kilby, and she will be glad to assist those wishing to subscribe. This is especially important since our state convention is coming up from October 3 to 5 at the Altamont Springs Hilton Hotel. Christine explained the annual awarding of 1500 dollar college scholarships at the state convention. A motion was made by Marion, seconded by Dan, that the chapter sponsor half a scholarship in the amount of $750, in the name of Gloria Mills Hicks. The motion passed unanimously. There will also be scholarships available for those wishing to attend their first convention. 

Proposed HART Resolution
Marion is a member of HART's ADA Accessibility committee and would like our chapter to help with the updating of some of HART's paratransit policies and practices which are challenging for all patrons, but especially for the blind community. 
He and Dan have written a resolution on behalf of our chapter which, if we pass it, he wants to recommend to this committee and have the chapter secretary read it at their upcoming meeting. on May 15.
The three main issues addressed in the resolution are:
1.  necessity of rrecertification every five years even for those who are permanently disabled,  
2.  unrrealistic notification time required for cancelling a trip
3.  having to reserve a trip no more than three days in advance 
Marion would like at least one person to speak on each of these issues.
Dan then read the resolution. A motion was made by Miranda, seconded by Merry, to accept the resolution. The motion passed unanimously.
The committee meeting will take place from 1:30 to 3:00 on May 15 at HART's headquarters at 1201 E. 7th Avenue. Marion encouraged everyone to support the resolution by attending and wearing our yellow chapter polo shirts. The resolution will be sent out on the chapter list.

Fundraiser Pancake Breakfast
We agreed to hold a chapter meeting for the sole purpose of discussing details of our annual pancake breakfast. It will take place at 6:00PM on May 4 via the Zoom platform.

Social Events
For our Paint and Sip event, Christine will secure our regular meeting room from 12:00 till 2:00 on Saturday, June 7.

National Convention
Christine announced that Our NFB national convention will take place from July 8 to 13 at the Marriott New Orleans

Our 50/50 PAC Plan /fundraiser drawing was won by Christine Copley, who received $35.

Our next meeting will be held on May 17.
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 back.