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

Mon May 19 20:22:08 UTC 2025

 I vote to approve Sherrill’s minutes as written.
Barbara and Babs

Sent from AOL Mobile Mail

On Monday, May 19, 2025, 11:27 AM, Miranda Kilby via NFBF-Tampa <nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org> wrote:

Good morning,First,I vote yes for the minutes.
Second, I would like to thank you for your praises on on my leadership. However, I passed the torch to Christine who is doing an amazing job and has a lot of plans for the future. Please do not judge someone without knowing or attending any of the meetings. I also am a firm believer that we, the Tampa Bay chapter of the National Federation of the Blind meet each individual where they are, and I’m sorry if you feel like we did not. However, if you feel like you have not been included in the chapter, it’s perhaps that you were not open and involved with the Chapter. I am a firm believer that you can lead the horse to the water, but you cannot make them drink.-- 
Miranda b. KilbyPh: (352)942-0417

On May 18, 2025, at 5:21 PM, Cheryl and Ed via NFBF-Tampa <nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org> wrote:

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Cheryl were apart and no one took us in and never took us in.

From: NFBF-Tampa <nfbf-tampa-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Merry Schoch via NFBF-Tampa
Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2025 3:56 PM
To: NFB of Florida Tampa Chapter List <nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Merry Schoch <merrycschoch at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NFBF-Tampa] Tampa Bay Chapter meeting minutes April 2025

You are more than welcome, and so is your friend to have an opinion! Just not quite sure why you are not part, or involved with our chapter, unless you have some negative input. Maybe if you were involved, people would take your comments more seriously instead of viewing you as just somebody who has to put negative things out there on the list. It’s only a reflection of you! Wishing you a fantastic day!

On Sun, May 18, 2025 at 2:04 PM Ineko Gary via NFBF-Tampa <nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org> wrote:

I think my friend who’s no sign language solve the heart video. And said he doesn’t agree on changing what HART does

Meaning that it’s good they keep the two hours you need to cancel. He said that’s good. And calling to schedule a ride a day to two days. Ahead is good.

Said that if you can’t handle on that, then y’all just need to learn how to write the city bus. This is what my friend who know sign language said.

And I told him I totally agree

On May 18, 2025, at 1:20 PM, marion.gwizdala--- via NFBF-Tampa <nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org> wrote:

Dear All,

                At our chapter meeting yesterday, we tabled approval of the April minutes opting to approve them via email. I have read the minutes and move acceptance of the minutes.

Fraternally yours,

Marion Gwizdala

From: NFBF-Tampa <nfbf-tampa-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sherrill O'Brien via NFBF-Tampa
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2025 11:55 PM
To: nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org
Cc: Sherrill O'Brien <sherrill.obrien at verizon.net>
Subject: [NFBF-Tampa] Tampa Bay Chapter meeting minutes April 2025

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.

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