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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><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>February 22, 2020<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 12:50PM. All introduced themselves, and there were 23 in attendance, including three guests: Violet Fouts, Kris maharaj and Mikayla Maiorino. Marion led the NFB Pledge.<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. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our current balance is $2,072.11. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Merry, seconded by Marion, to approve the treasurer’s report as read. The motion passed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda invited all to pay their dues and reminded the group that only those whose dues are paid for 2020 are eligible to vote in our election. Our guest Chris Maharaj asked what our dues are used for, and several people explained.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda called for a moment of silence in honor of Louise Peyton’s mother who passed away last week.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>New Members<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Marion, seconded by Merry, to accept Mikayla Maiorino as a chapter member. The motion passed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Sherrill, seconded by Dan, to accept Kris Maharaj as a chapter member. The motion passed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We then broke for lunch, and resumed the meeting at 1:30.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Secretary’s Report<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Sherrill, seconded by Merry, to approve the November 2019 minutes as emailed. The motion passed. (Dan had written the minutes in the secretary’s absence.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Washington Seminar Report<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda thanked Yvonne Rosanelli for her participation in the Washington Seminar as a representative from our chapter.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yvonne then spoke about the three legislative initiatives which were highlighted this year: the Assistive 1. Technology Affordability Act <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2. the Greater Access and Independence Through nonvisual Technology Act;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3. The Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education Act<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yvonne said that staying at an Air B and B not only saved money but was also a great bonding experience.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Merry, who is the affiliate’s Legislative co chair, said that we were able to expand the number of participants this year to thirteen because the chapters helped out by providing the per diem.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>State Scholarships<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Merry said it is time to begin the process of awarding state scholarships, and encouraged everyone to pass along the scholarship application. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Guide Dog Users Update<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marion, who is president of the National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU), explained that the Department of Transportation has issued their Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) dealing with changes to the Air Carrier Access Act. NFB is opposed to many of these changes since they would negatively impact air travel for guide dog users. Marion has sent the final draft of his comments on behalf of NAGDU to President Riccobono for his approval.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marion encouraged guide dog users to submit their own comments to the DOT<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 thanked the chapter for working so hard in her absence, and for our ongoing support. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>She said we now have a planning committee for our very exciting upcoming state convention, which will be held over the Memorial Day weekend in Tampa. Miranda said that The Florida affiliate will be celebrating our 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary, so this year’s convention will be special.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said there are plans to change our affiliate’s constitution so that all chapter elections will be staggered rather than choosing all officers and Board members in the same election. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>She said of course this does not apply to our chapter election this year.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chapter Elections<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Results of the election are as follows, with all elected by acclamation:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President Miranda Kilby<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Vice president Merry Schoch<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Secretary Sherrill O’Brien<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Treasurer Dan Hicks<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Board Member 1 Marion Gwizdala<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Board Member 2 Yvonne Rosanelli<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Board Member 3 Gloria Hicks<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our next meeting will be held on March 22 in Tampa at the Crystal Bay Café located in the Edgecomb County Courthouse, 200 East Twiggs Street. Merry said that Debbie Hietala who has generously offered her café for our use, will provide Cuban sandwiches. Merry encouraged everyone to bring something to share. We will coordinate this on our chapter list.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda asked that we think about chapter goals and plans, including fundraising ideas, so we can talk about them at our next meeting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>HART Update<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Merry encouraged everyone to attend the HART Board meeting which will be held on Monday, March 2.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The 50/50 drawing was won by Dan, in the amount of $24.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was adjourned at 2:05PM.<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>