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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 September chapter meeting minutes are pasted below my signature.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>And of course I have to add…<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Go Rays!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Warmly<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>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><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>September 26, 2020<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Because of 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 12:00PM.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Everyone introduced themselves. There were 15 persons in attendance, including our two guest speakers and one of our NFBF scholarship winners Z’Leah Nyirah Liburd, who is being sponsored in part by our chapter.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2020 Elections Program<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our first speaker was Xenia Sanchez, Education and Recruitment Specialist with the Supervisor of Elections Office of Hillsborough County. She spoke about the three ways those in our county can vote: by mail, by in person or curbside mail drop off at 26 early voting sites, and of course by voting at an assigned precinct polling place on Election Day, November 3. She assured us there will be an accessible voting machine available at all early voting sites and election day polling places.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Supervisor of Elections website is votehillsborough.org<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our second speaker was Sandra Sroka, past President of the Hillsborough County League of Women Voters. She informed us that the League is celebrating its centennial this year. There will be six Constitutional amendments on the ballot. Sandra described each amendment, its pros and cons, and the position being taken by the League. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda thanked our guests for taking the time to educate us on these important topics.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yvonne then led the group in saying the NFB pledge.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Secretary and Treasurer’s Reports <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Noe Villeda, seconded by merry, to approve the August chapter meeting minutes as emailed. The motion passed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dan gave the treasurer’s report. Our current balance is $1,695.97.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Sherrill, seconded by Lyn Reynolds, to approve the treasurer’s report as read. 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 we need to vote on three new chapter members who have paid their dues.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Louise Peyton, seconded by Sherrill, to accept the three new members. The motion passed. Miranda thanked Yvonne for helping to bring three new members into our chapter.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>She also thanked her for fundraising for the chapter through the sale of homemade masks at their ophthalmology offices.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said she hopes many from the chapter will participate in our virtual state convention which begins on Friday evening, October 2 with the resolutions committee meeting followed by the state Board meeting. She mentioned this year’s outstanding class of six scholarship winners and encouraged us to try to greet them via Zoom during the convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We then held our 50/50 drawing. We made it available for the first time to all NFBF members and supporters. We received a total of $200. So the winner, Sylvia Young, our NFBF secretary and member of the Tallahassee Chapter, received $100. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Merry suggested we use Square as the payment method for contributing money to the 50/50 drawings since it is easy to use. Miranda suggested that we allow people to use the two options of Square and PayPal. So there are now three ways to contribute to the drawings. People can pay through PayPal, Square or with a check.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our next meeting will be held on October 24via the Zoom platform.<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>