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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>Here are the august chapter meeting minutes, pasted and also attached.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am not sure how to spell our HART speaker’s name, but will correct it as soon as I can. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I hope all are well and are really looking forward to celebrating our special 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary convention!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><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>August 22, 2020<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Due to the restrictions resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, the chapter members met from our homes via the Zoom meeting platform<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 12:02PM. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>All attendees introduced themselves, with a total of twelve persons present.<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>A motion was made by Louise Peyton, seconded by Noe Villeda, to accept the June meeting minutes as emailed. The motion passed. (The chapter did not hold a meeting in July.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>No treasurer’s report was given. However, Dan reported that our current balance is $2,144.83.<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 invited everyone to attend the affiliate open Board and convention planning meeting, to be held via Zoom tomorrow, August 23, at 8:00PM. NFB President Riccobono’s Presidential Release will once again be held live via Zoom, on September 1 at 8:00PM.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said state convention registration will be held via Google Forms. There is no cost, but registration is required to win door prizes and to vote. The deadline for registering has not yet been announced.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The convention will take place October 2 to 4, beginning on Friday afternoon.<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>Following a brief discussion, a motion was made by Sherrill, seconded by Noe, that we contribute $350 toward a state scholarship, sharing the $750 chapter portion with the Miami chapter. The motion passed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda then asked if we would like to contribute money toward convention door prizes, which will be in the amount of $50 each this year in honor of NFBF’s 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary. A motion was made by Merry, seconded by Lynn Reynolds,that we contribute $300 for door prizes. The motion passed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fundraising<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yvonne Rosanelli said her seamstress is sewing masks which Yvonne will make available for a suggested donation of five dollars, at each of the Rosanelli’s three doctor’s offices. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yvonne wishes to donate the proceeds to our chapter. She also agreed to make available, for a donation, refillable hand sanitizers which resemble pens. Miranda will send out an email about these and how to obtain them.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We discussed holding our traditional 50/50 drawing fundraiser by purchasing virtual tickets through Paypal or Square, since we want to continue supporting nFB’s PAC Plan. A motion was made by Louise, seconded by Marion, that we look into the best method for paying for our 50/50 drawings until we once again meet in person. The motion passed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Speaker from HART<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our speaker was Sherrie Labarati,, HART’s Compliance officer Title VI administrator. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>She gave us an in depth look at the new Flamingo fares program. It eliminates the need for paper passes, allowing riders to pay using either a plastic reloadable Smart(Flamingo) Card or a SmartPhone app. Your SmartCard will need to be registered initially, and you will receive an identifying serial number. Instead of paying in advance, you pay as you go, downloading a desired value on an app or SmartCard. Depending on your preference, fares will be capped at a daily or monthly rate no matter how often you ride. For now this will be available only on the fixed route system. Eventually HART hopes to include it on HARTPlus. A discount Flamingo card will be available for qualified riders, and will still be half price . Riders will still be able to pay with cash. The new system will be available on some routes in November. There will soon be a regional website linked to HART’s website, since this program will be available in several other counties. For further information Sherrie’s email is <a href="mailto:compliance@gohart.org">compliance@gohart.org</a>. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Members asked many questions and offered suggestions. Accessibility was the biggest concern. Louise suggested that the lighthouse be contacted so their mobility instructor can learn the details of the new system. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Before adjourning, we observed a moment of silence in honor of chapter member mae Demers and her daughter, who both lost their lives this month due to Covid-19. Our thoughts are also with Mae’s husband Les who is left to grieve this tremendous loss.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was adjourned at 1:45PM.<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>