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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello all,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please read the following minutes so you will be prepared to vote on them at tomorrow’s meeting. I’m having major technical problems with my usually reliable BrailleNote, but into every life technical disasters come eventually! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks very much, and I’m looking forward to greeting all of you tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The minutes are below my signature.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Warm regards in this chilly weather<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sherrill<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tampa Bay Chapter <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Florida<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chapter Meeting Minutes<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>November 7, 2016<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The chapter meeting was called to order via teleconference by President Miranda Kilby at 8:04pm. The roll was called, and there were twelve persons in attendance. Ian Bradley thanked Lloyd for reaching out to him by phone after he had missed a couple meetings.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Treasurer’s Report<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dan reported a balance of $2850.71. A motion was made by Barbara, seconded by Paul, to approve the treasurer’s report as read. The motion passed. Miranda asked our opinion on starting up a PayPal account for our chapter. Pros and cons were given, with Marion mentioning that NFB’s national office considers it a bank account, and requires accurate record keeping. Paul stated the Blind Students division are using PayPal and find it easy and helpful. No decision about opening such an account was made at this time. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sherrill read the minutes from the September meeting, as there was no meeting during October. A motion was made by Merry, seconded by Barbara, to approve the minutes as read. The motion passed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fund Raising<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said she collected and turned in 114 tickets which were sold by Tampa chapter members for the Daily Winner Calendar Raffle state fund raiser, which is taking place during the entire month of November.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Meet the Blind Month Wrap-Up<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda thanked everyone for participating in any or all of our Meet the Blind Month activities, including the two Spirit Nights, the first at our Beef O’Brady’s and the other at Five Guys Burgers and Fries on South Dale Mabry. These were both successful fund raisers. The third event was organized by Merry Schoch, and held at the East Tampa Christian Church. Those who came from throughout Hillsborough County were pleased that they received such an enthusiastic welcome, including lunch, from so many capable blind people. They had the opportunity to interact with several vendors. They were introduced to many activities related to blindness such as NFB Newsline, Braille and using a guide dog. Miranda thanked Merry for her hard work in putting together this successful and informative event. Merry hopes it will lead to interest in forming an East Hillsborough chapter. She said she will continue to reach out in various ways to those in that area of the county. Miranda also thanked those members of our chapter who attended and helped with the many tasks which needed to be done to put on such an ambitious event. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Voting Experiences<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda asked whether members had taken the opportunity to vote early, and if they had encountered problems. She encouraged anyone wishing to do so to share their voting experience with the group via email.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Christmas Party<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We discussed the date and location for holding our annual Christmas party. Barbara generously offered to host it this year. A motion was made by Merry, seconded by Paul, to hold our Christmas party at the home of Barbara Gaw on December 10. The motion passed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>New Business<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said the Jacksonville chapter has just started an email listserv, and asked if our chapter would like to do the same. Members expressed an interest in setting up such a list. Miranda will keep us informed about this.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Merry said that in an ongoing effort to educate blind people throughout all of Hillsborough County, she and Marion are hosting the screening of an important documentary called bottom Dollar, which deals with the importance of passing legislation to end the practice across the United States of paying subminimum wages to those working in sheltered workshops. It will be shown on Saturday, January 21, from 1:00 till 3:00 at the John F. Germany Library in downtown Tampa. The library will assist with publicity. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was adjourned at 9:22pm.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Respectfully submitted<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sherrill O’Brien, Secretary<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tampa Bay Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Florida<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>