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

Tue Apr 21 23:08:34 UTC 2026

Hello to all,

Here are the minutes. Only small word changes so you probably won't notice.
But you will indeed see the name of that person who really did win our
50/50!

Sherrill

  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 go together via Amtrak. We will
begin the process of gathering the necessary information for the best way to
travel to our convention in October.

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 idea,
along with Barbara. Kristine will serve as a resource.

Adriane said she was never 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 Sherrill, 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 <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 bac

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