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

[Sherrill O'Brien]

Tampa Bay Chapter 

National Federation of the Blind of Florida

Chapter Meeting Minutes

October 18, 2025

Beef O'Brady's

8810 North Himes Avenue

Tampa Florida

 

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

Everyone introduced themselves. There were 19 participants, 14 in person and
5 via Zoom, including a guest, Briana, a friend of Z'leah Libord.

 

Secretary and Treasurer Reports

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

 

Dan gave the treasurer's report. Our current balance is $4,736.04. .

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

 

President's Report

Christine said because of the possibility of a bill being introduced by
state Rep. Michael Owen, calling for the elimination of HART services in
Hillsborough County, thus  leaving a transit system in the city of Tampa
only, the chapter will need to continue to work hard to help insure such a
proposal is either not brought to the floor or defeated. She thanked those
who attended this past week's Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners
meeting and/or the HART ADA Accessibility Committee meeting. She thanked
Debbie Malone for agreeing to serve as our legislative chair and said her
leadership is crucial at this time.  

Debbie then encouraged everyone to come to the Legislative Delegation
meeting next Tuesday, October 21 at the Pepin Hospitality Center. We will
read the resolution, which was written and passed by our chapter,in front of
the legislators, which includes our reasons for opposing this proposed bill.
The resolution was presented and passed at our recent state convention.

Miranda suggested that we urge other local groups such as Self Reliance and
the Lighthouse to join us in this important work, whether by speaking out at
meetings or writing letters.

 

Marion informed us that although our chapter had agreed that Debbie should
replace him to represent us as a member of HART's ADA Accessibility
Committee, she is not able to serve as a proxy and immediately take his
place. But Marion will submit her name to the committee and encourage   them
to select her.

 

Blind Equality Achievement Month

Christine said that the Lighthouse has invited everyone to join in their
White Cane walk on November 8. Tom Dukeman said that the Lighthouse of Pasco
County is also holding one.

 

Christine said she has spoken with our state president Camille Tate about
the problem some of our chapter members are experiencing of being unable to
send or receive chapter listserv emails. Camille will try to find a
resolution to this issue.

Merry said she and Marion will be participating along with other family
members in NFB National's Bay Bridge run fundraising event in November. She
said there is a link on NFB's website for donations.

 

Our next get-together will be our Christmas party which will be held at
Barbara Gaw's house on December 13.

 

Our 50/50 fundraiser drawing was won by Sherrill O'Brien.

 

We then welcomed our speaker Sharon Drnek, who is a manager with the
Frontline Insurance Group. She gave us valuable information about finding
the best Medicare insurance plan to fit our  individual needs. She answered
many questions from our members.

 

Our next meeting will be held on January 24.

We 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 <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.

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbf-tampa_nfbnet.org/attachments/20260123/01eed0af/attachment.htm>