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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Good morning everyone,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You will find last month’s chapter meeting minutes below my name. Please read them so we are prepared to vote on them tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I hope to see you at noon at Beef o’Brady’s. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Warm regards<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>Beef O’Brady’s<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>8810 N. Himes Avenue<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tampa, Florida<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was called to order by President Miranda Kilby at 12:45pm.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>All introduced themselves, including a guest, Jeanette Torres, who paid dues to become a member. There were a total of 19 in attendance.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Treasurer’s and Secretary’s Reports<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dan gave the treasurer’s report, and we currently have a balance of $3,709.77. A motion was made by Merry Schoch, seconded by Janet Beyer, to approve the treasurer’s report as read. The motion passed. A motion was made by Marion Gwizdala, seconded by Dan Hicks, to approve the minutes as emailed. The motion passed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Janice Butler had paid her dues to become a member, so a motion was made by Merry, seconded by Barbara, to vote Janice Butler in as a chapter member. The motion passed. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President’s Report<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda encouraged everyone to call into Sunday night’s open state board meeting. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>She reported on the chapter Board meeting held on Feb. 22. The Board determined that important goals for this year are: growing our membership, working to locate and involve parents of blind children, and holding more social activities.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>She mentioned the NFB communications seminar she attended in Baltimore, and her upcoming trip to an NFB leadership seminar in March. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said there is a new PayPal link on our NFBF website. She asked that people visit it to see if it is accessible for them.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Barbara Gaw, seconded by Marion Gwizdala, to accept the president’s report. The motion passed. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Old Business<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Gloria encouraged our participation in upcoming important NfBF committee calls,including Senior Concerns and the Events Committee, which deals with the state convention.<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>We discussed the Independent Film Project’s audio described documentary Do You Dream in Color, and how we might incorporate it into a fundraiser and educational opportunity with discussion following its viewing . Prescreening was also suggested. We will continue to explore possibilities for viewing this documentary.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Barbara will put information about a project being done by U S F engineering students on our chapter listserv. The project involves asking for feedback from visually impaired people.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Barbara mentioned a disability awareness event being held at U S F, of which Disability Coordinator Raquel Pancho is in charge. Part of the event involves a blindness simulation exercise. We discussed whether blindfolding sighted people to demonstrate what it is like to be blind does or does not have merit. Marion is planning to participate in this awareness event on behalf of the National Association of Guide Dog Users. But he is opposed to such simulation efforts, and will speak to the Disability Coordinator about his concerns.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda told members that NFB has launched a campaign for March called “why I am a Federationist”. This involves collecting brief personal stories and putting them out on social media platforms. Miranda encouraged members to submit these, and to send them to her if they need assistance doing so. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our next meeting will be held on March 25.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was adjourned at2:20pm.<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><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>