[NFBF-Tampa] Tampa Bay Chapter Meeting Minutes March 2026

Tue Apr 21 20:31:11 UTC 2026

I forgot to attach the agenda. Here it is. Also, I did notice that it
wasn't in th eminutes, but I don't remember who won the 50/50.

On Tue, Apr 21, 2026 at 1:22 PM Debbie Malone <dmalone510 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Family!
> Here is our Agenda for April 25.I am also attaching it for those who like
> it that way. If I missed anything, please let me know. Thanks. See you
> Saturday!
>
> *NFB Tampa Bay Chapter Agenda*
>
> 4/25/2026
>
> Call to Order:
>
> NFB Pledge: Adriane
>
> Introductions/ice breaker:
>
> Secretary’s Report
>
> Treasurer's Report
>
> President’s Report
>
> Email situation:
>
>                 Nfbnet.org email updated
>
>                 Membership list
>
> Phone number: Google Voice?
>
> Membership: Miranda
>
> Legislation:
>
>         State: new voting regulations
>
> National: Texas vs Kennedy
>
> Social Events: Yvonne
>
> Health Initiative: Adriane
>
> Fundraising:
>
> Publix Table: July 18 Sherril has secured the date
>
> Pancake Breakfast: July 25
>
> National convention: July 3-8
>
> State Convention: Tom
>
> Transportation to the state convention.
>
> Clarification: Chapter help with scholarship applicants?
>
> New Business
>
> Adjourn:
>
>
>
>  ---------- Forwarded message ---------
> From: Sherrill O'Brien <sherrill.obrien at verizon.net>
> Date: Tue, Apr 21, 2026 at 7:10 AM
> Subject: Tampa Bay Chapter Meeting Minutes March 2026
> To: <dmalone510 at gmail.com>
>
>
>  Tampa Bay Chapter
>
> National Federation of the Blind of Florida
>
> Chapter Meeting Minutes
>
> March 28, 2026
>
> Beef O ’ Brady’s
>
> 8810 North Himes Avenue
>
> Tampa, Florida
>
>
>
> The meeting was called to order by President Debby Malone at 12:07pM.
>
> Everyone introduced themselves. There were twelve persons in attendance,
> including   four via Zoom.  Debbie asked for a volunteer,, and Yvonne led
> us in the NFB pledge.
>
> Adriane will lead it at our next meeting.
>
> Debbie will call on us each month for a brief ice breaker, and this month
> she asked for our favorite technology tool or app.
>
>
>
> Secretary and Treasurer Reports
>
> A motion was made by Barbara, seconded by Dan, to approve the February
> meeting minutes as emailed. The motion passed.
>
>
>
> Dan gave the treasurer’s report.
>
> Our current balance is $5,522.87.
>
> A motion was made by Sherrill, seconded by Adriane, to accept the
> treasurer’s report as read. The motion passed.
>
>
>
> President’s Report
>
> Debbie reported she’s continuing to work on resolving our email issues,
> and that we are making progress. She said that she will meet with our
> secretary and treasurer via phone call to update our membership list.
>
> Because of today’s ever increasing security concerns, Debbie is looking
> into setting up Google Voicemail which would create a dedicated phone
> number for use by our chapter president.
>
>
>
> Debbie said that as in the past, our chapter will once again send some of
> our members to the Lighthouse to give the students information about the
> NFB, particularly our chapter, inviting them to join us to see what we’re
> all about.
>
>
>
> Tom asked about transportation for attending our state convention in
> Jacksonville. Debbie said many of us usually  travel together via Amtrak.
>
>
>
> We discussed the importance of keeping in touch with our local Supervisor
> of Elections office concerning all existing and new requirements for voter
> registration.
>
>
>
> We also discussed that some of us are not receiving the latest
> communications from NFB concerning their demand that Florida, along with
> other states, withdraw from the Texas vs. Kennedy lawsuit which threatens
> Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Since this is a state issue we need
> to contact the offices of the governor and attorney general
>
>
>
> Social Activities
>
> Yvonne mentioned the following planned or possible upcoming social events:
>
> Trip to Zoo Tampa on March 31
>
> Clay sculpting on April 18 at Drip Pottery  in Ybor City
>
> Audio Described plays at the Straz, in May The Notebook, in June Beatle
> Juice
>
> Kristine suggested an outing to the Florida Aquarium. A docent led tour is
> available.
>
>
>
> New Business
>
> Adriane suggested a bingo fund raiser. She said we might want to split the
> proceeds with another hosting organization. She will look into this, along
> with Barbara. Kristine will serve as a resource.
>
> Adriane said she never was onboarded as a member of Tampa General
> Hospital’s ADA committee. Barbara suggested she speak with Tampa ADA
> Coordinator Raquel Pancho about this matter, since she knows Tampa
> General’s ADA Coordinator.
>
>
>
> Chapter Membership Responsibilities
>
> Kristine said that from experience as our previous chapter president, she
> feels it is important that we set guidelines so inactive members cannot
> take advantage of monetary benefits, offered by the chapter, to which they
> are not entitled.
>
> The following motion was made by Dan, seconded by Barbara, and passed
> unanimously:
>
>
>
> "In order for a member to receive funding to attend a National or NFBF
> convention, the member must be active, meaning: attending at least a
> majority of meetings, either in person or via Zoom, and that the member
> works toward some aspects of the chapter’s activities, such as fundraising,
> being a chapter officer, serving on a chapter committee, etc., which is
> approved by the president or board of directors. In addition, the member
> cannot be receiving funding from the NFBF or a division or another chapter
> of the NFBF."
>
>
>
> Our secretary will keep pertinent records to insure that this policy is
> carried out in an equitable manner. Tom will assist with this task.
>
>
>
> Our 50/50 fundraiser drawing was won by , who received $20.
>
>
>
> Our next meeting will be held at Beef O ’ Brady’s on April 25.
>
> The meeting was adjourned at 1:47PM.
>
> 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 bac
>
>
>
>
> --
> *Debbie Malone*
> *VIP Online Toastmasters
> <https://www.viponlinetoastmasters.org/index.html>*
> *National Federation of the Blind of Florida-Tampa Chapter President
> <https://nfbflorida.org/chapters-divisions/tampa-bay-chapter> *
>
> *Inclusion Education <https://www.inclusioneducation.com/>*
> Amazon Author Page <https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B07RVCRR5R>
>
>

-- 
*Debbie Malone*
*VIP Online Toastmasters <https://www.viponlinetoastmasters.org/index.html>*
*National Federation of the Blind of Florida-Tampa Chapter President
<https://nfbflorida.org/chapters-divisions/tampa-bay-chapter> *

*Inclusion Education <https://www.inclusioneducation.com/>*
Amazon Author Page <https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B07RVCRR5R>
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