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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello to all,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The minutes from our June meeting are pasted and attached, awaiting your approval.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As you will probably recall, we approved the April minutes by email, and there are no May minutes because of our state convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tomorrow, Mike and I are flying up to Illinois to begin a road trip with my brother and his wife to visit family. My brother lives in Perth, Australia, so this is a wonderful opportunity.<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><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>June 22, 2019<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Beef O’Brady’s<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>8810 North Himes Avenue<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tampa, Florida<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was called to order by President Miranda Kilby at 12:25PM. All introduced themselves. There were twelve persons in attendance.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sherrill led us in saying the NFB pledge.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>State Convention Wrap-Up<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda asked all those who had attended the state convention in Boca Raton to share their experiences, both positive and negative. An important suggestion which came from this discussion was for newcomers to NFBF conventions to have a mentor/buddy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said the auction at state convention was very successful, taking in a little over three thousand dollars. These funds will be earmarked for some type of statewide activity for seniors. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Secretary and Treasurer’sReports<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sherrill will send out the April chapter meeting minutes by email for approval. We did not hold a chapter meeting in May because our state convention was being held at that time.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dan gave the treasurer’s report. April’s balance was $3,795.19. The current balance is $2,032.56.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Paul, seconded by Sherrill, to approve the treasurer’s report. 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 said she has once again reached out to the Lighthouse to see when their next independent living class will take place.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We spoke at length about the NFBF BELL (Braille Enrichment fore Literacy and Learning) program. We are so pleased that it is being held for the first time in Tampa. It is running for two weeks from June 17 through June 28, at the Boys and Girls Club on North Boulevard. Those involved enthusiastically shared what it is all about. There are two children attending. It is hard work, but very rewarding.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Convention<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Rafael Fernandez is in charge of recruiting volunteers for our Florida exhibit hall table at the national convention which is being held in Las Vegas. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fiftieth Anniversary State Convention<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We discussed next year’s NFBF special fiftieth anniversary convention, which will be hosted here in Tampa. Yvonne suggested we might look into having a welcoming committee at the Tampa train station.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yvonne Rosanelli won the 50/50 drawing, receiving $22.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our next meeting will be held on July 27 at O’Brien’s Irish Pub in Brandon.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was adjourned at 1:50PM.<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>Phone 813-935-0474, cell 813-767-1890<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>email <a href="mailto:Sherrill.obrien@verizon.net">Sherrill.obrien@verizon.net</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>