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

[Sherrill O'Brien]

Greetings to all,

 

Here are the August minutes.

I'm looking forward to hearing everyone on the chapter Zoom meeting this
Saturday.

 

Sherrill

 

Tampa Bay Chapter

National Federation of the Blind of Florida

Chapter Meeting Minutes

August 16, 2025

Beef O' Brady's

8810 North Himes Avenue

Tampa, Florida

 

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

Everyone introduced themselves. There were  sixteen persons in attendance,
including   those participating via the Zoom platform.

During the introductions, Barbara generously offered to host our Christmas
party at her house once again.

Sherri explained the circumstances of her missed flight returning home from
the national convention. This was due to negligence on the part of airline
personnel who failed to notify her of a schedule change. We held a lengthy
discussion concerning what we can do to improve this type of
miscommunication.

Z'Leah, who is the president of the Statewide chapter, which is cohosting
our state convention with the Orlando chapter,, asked that we consider
donating snacks or cash for the convention's hospitality suite. 

We then said the NFB pledge together.

 

State Convention

Kristine said the chapter will cover the cost  for convention registration
and up to $30 for transportation for each member attending. We will also
help with additional costs for any new members needing financial assistance
to attend the convention.  

We agreed that we will not have a table in the exhibit hall this year. We
will donate $200 for cash door prizes.

 

Secretary and Treasurer Reports

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

 

Dan gave the treasurer's report. Our current balance is $5,024.23.

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

 

Blind Equity Achievement Month (BEAM)

We discussed possible chapter activities to educate our community about
blindness during this special NFB month.

Merry gave a brief history of our White Cane walks over the years.  She said
that we might tie a walk this November to the 10K walk/run that NFB National
will be holding in Baltimore on November 9. Debbie mentioned that it's vital
that when we hold our events locally, we make sure to contact and invite the
media. 

Kristine will contact a Barnes and Noble bookstore to see if they would be
interested in a presentation involving Braille and/or books about blindness.
It would be good if we could reach out to sighted children in such a
project.

Marion suggested we have a social activity at the Tampa Lighthouse in
November. They have a new action game called Power Show Down designed  for
the blind. Yvonne will contact the Lighthouse to set this event in motion
for some time during November.

 

HART Plus

Marion encouraged everyone to come out and participate in HART's  next ADA
committee meeting to be held on Thursday, August 21 at 1:30 at HART's
headquarters, 1201 East 7th Avenue. He said we need to keep the momentum
going after working hard to write and present our resolution at the May
meeting. Merry added that we all must speak with a united voice to let HART
know that their cab drivers need more training when it comes to appropriate
behavior toward   their riders. 

 

Just as he has done, Greg urged everyone to go to the Beef O' Brady's
website and leave a positive review As a way of saying thank you for all
they do for our chapter. 

Our PAC Plan 50/50 fundraiser drawing was won by Matt Weimueller, who
received $42.

 

Our next meeting will be held via Zoom on September 20.

 

A motion was made by Barbara, seconded by Marion, 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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