[NFBF-Tampa] Tampa Bay Chapter Meeting Minutes September 2025

Sat Oct 18 01:25:54 UTC 2025

Greetings all,

The minutes are attached and also pasted below my signature.

Warmly

Sherrill

Tampa Bay Chapter 

National Federation of the Blind of Florida

Chapter Meeting Minutes

September 20, 2025

Zoom Platform Meeting

The meeting was called to order via Zoom by President Christine Copley at
12:10pM. We said the NFB pledge together.

Everyone introduced themselves. There were  16 persons in attendance.

State board liaison Sherri Brun said the state affiliate would like all
chapter members to know  that they are seeking a person to fill the
important position of state fundraising chair.

Secretary and Treasurers' Reports

A motion was made by  Dan, seconded by Louise, to approve the  August
chapter meeting minutes as emailed. The motion passed. 

Dan gave the treasurer's report. Our current balance is $4914.39.

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

President's Report

Christine said that because of  scheduling changes at Beef O'Brady's, our
October meeting will be moved to the third Saturday in October, the 18th.

State Convention

So far, there are 11 chapter members planning to attend the convention in
Altamonte Springs. We are donating $200 for door prizes. There followed a
lengthy discussion regarding the best ways to procure coffee and a
coffeemaker for the hospitality suite. Christine will contact Starbucs to
ask for a coffee donation. 

Matt Weihmuller told the group he hopes many will attend his interactive
workshop at convention on Saturday, October 4, from 4:00 to 4:50. The topic
will be his involvement with the performing arts and his career teaching
music, especially the saxophone, at Tampa's performing Arts Center.

Old Business

Marion announced that he and Merry will soon be moving to   the Baltimore
area. This means there needs to be a new person chosen to take Marion's
place on HART's ADA Accessibility committee. 

He will check on how this transition is accomplished under HART's bylaws. 

He is suggesting our chapter member Debbie Malone for this position. This
will ensure that NFB continues to have a strong voice on this committee.
Christine thanked Marion for representing both our chapter and our
community.

New Business

Foundation Fighting Blindness

Adriane mentioned that she is attending a function of the Foundation
Fighting Blindness. Marion explained why the NFB is opposed to their
philosophy. We agreed we could send some members to explain the NFB's
position.

Proposed Bill to Dissolve HART

Marion said that Representative Michael Owen (District 60) plans to file a
bill to dissolve HART and replace it with a Tampa-only system. Marion said
it is crucial that our chapter collaborate with other disability groups in
the area to prevent this  bill from advancing. He said if necessary we
should unite with other organizations and take our strong opposition to
Tallahassee.

Miranda proposed that we form a committee to work on this important issue. 

Marion suggested that Debbie serve as chair of this committee Since she is
our chapter's legislative chair. Debbie agreed to serve. Sherri  volunteered
to be the co-chair as a representative from the State Board, but she will
check  with the Board to make sure it is okay. Marion suggested we reach out
for support and advice  to Jon Parre from NFB's national office.

Marion mentioned the importance of contacting the Sun City's low vision club
about the proposed bill. He will get in touch with lyn Reynolds, one of
their members and a former chapter member.

Marion suggested that Dan write a resolution on behalf of our chapter as
soon as possible, to be presented at our state convention, because the idea
of dismantling the transit system in Hillsborough County could easily spread
to other counties, becoming a statewide crisis. 

Marion will contact Jorge Hernandez, chair of the state convention's
Resolutions Committee, to expedite the inclusion  of the resolution at the
convention.

Debbie mentioned that on the national level we should be aware that there is
a bill which includes taking away funding from those who teach Braille. She
will find o out more about this.

To close out the meeting we sang Happy Birthday to Marion, Yvonne and
Sherri.

A motion was made by Tom, seconded by Louise, to adjourn the meeting. The
motion passed. 

The meeting was adjourned at 2:15PM.

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
September 20, 2025
Zoom Platform Meeting

The meeting was called to order by President Christine Copley at 12:10pM. We said the NFB pledge together.
Everyone introduced themselves. There were  16 persons in attendance.
State board liason Sherri Brun said the state affiliate would like all chapter members to know  that they are seeking a person to fill the important position of state fundraising chair.

Secretary and Treasurers' Reports
A motion was made by  Dan, seconded by Louise, to approve the  August chapter meeting minutes as emailed. The motion passed. 

Dan gave the treasurer’s report. Our current balance is $4914.39.
A motion was made by Sherrill, seconded by Tom Dukeman, to accept the treasurer’s report as read. The motion passed.

President’s Report
Christine said that because of  scheduling changes at Beef O'Brady's, our October meeting will be moved to the third Saturday in October, the 18th.

State Convention
So far, there are 11 chapter members planning to attend the convention in Altamonte Springs. We are donating $200 for door prizes. There followed a lengthy discussion regarding the best ways to procure coffee and a coffeemaker for the hospitality suite. Christine will contact Starbucs to ask for a coffee donation. 
Matt Weihmuller told the group he hopes many will attend his interactive workshop at convention on Saturday, October 4, from 4:00 to 4:50. The topic will be his involvement with the performing arts and his career teaching music, especially the saxophone, at Tampa's performing Arts Center.

Old Business
Marion announced that he and Merry will soon be moving to   the Baltimore area. This means there needs to be a new person chosen to take Marion's place on HART's ADA Accessibility committee. 
He will check on how this transition is accomplished under HART's bylaws. 
He is suggesting our chapter member Debbie Malone for this position. This will ensure that NFB continues to have a strong voice on this committee. Christine thanked Marion for representing both our chapter and our community.

New Business
Foundation Fighting Blindness
Adriane mentioned that she is attending a function of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. Marion explained why the NFB is opposed to their philosophy. We agreed we could send some members to explain the NFB's position.

Proposed Bill to Dissolve HART
Marion said that Representative Michael Owen (District 60) plans to file a bill to dissolve HART and replace it with a Tampa-only system. Marion said it is crucial that our chapter collaborate with other disability groups in the area to prevent this  bill from advancing. He said if necessary we should unite with other organizations and take our strong opposition to Tallahassee.
Miranda proposed that we form a committee to work on this important issue. 
Marion suggested that Debbie serve as chair of this proposed committee Since she is our chapter's legislative chair. Debbie agreed to serve. Sherri  volunteered to be the co-chair as a representative from the State Board, but she will check  with the Board to make sure it is okay. Marion suggested we reach out for support and advice  to Jon Parre from NFB's national office.
Marion mentioned the importance of contacting the Sun City's low vision club about the proposed bill. He will get in touch with lyn Reynolds, one of their members and a former chapter member.

Marion suggested that Dan write a resolution on behalf of our chapter as soon as possible, to be presented at our state convention, because the idea of dismantling the transit system in Hillsborough County could easily spread to other counties, becoming a statewide crisis. 
Marion will contact Jorge Hernandez, chair of the state convention's Resolutions Committee, to expedite the inclusion  of the resolution at the convention.

Debbie mentioned that on the national level we should be aware that there is a bill which includes taking away funding from those who teach Braille. She will find o out more about this.

To close out the meeting we sang Happy Birthday to Marion, Yvonne and Sherri.

A motion was made by Tom, seconded by Louise, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. 
The meeting was adjourned at 2:15PM.

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.