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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Happy Friday to all,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here are the February chapter minutes, which are mainly taken up with our guest speaker from our new transportation service TD Tampa Bay.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tomorrow’s guest will speak about recycling, so please come ready to ask lots of questions.<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>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 27, 2021<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 12:05PM. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>All introduced themselves. There were 16 persons in attendance, including 5 guests: Brittany Fraer, Judy Hamilton, Z’leah Libord and Scott Wilson. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yvonne led the group in saying the NFB Pledge.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Miranda introduced our speaker, Steve Holmes, who is the CEO of the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged. This TD Tampa Bay service is a pilot program which began on December 1, 2020. It supplements available local services and is funded by a state grant which currently must be renewed annually. The goal is to secure permanent funding. This year’s grant runs through the end of June. The main focus of the service is providing cross county transportation. Counties included are: Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, and Pinellas. Service is also provided within each county in the evening when other transportation services have stopped running. The cost per trip is $6, credit cards only, and trips are booked by phone. The categories of people who are eligible for the service are: older adults, those with low incomes, and those with disabilities. Steve encouraged everyone to fill out the online eligibility form. Following many questions and comments, Miranda thanked our speaker for taking the time to present such valuable information.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Secretary and Treasurer’sReports<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Dan, seconded by Paul, to accept the 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 $2,202.56. Dan said that we again opened up our 50/50 drawing to the whole state and received a total of $120, making the <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Gloria, seconded by Sherrill, 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>Miscellaneous<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Gloria invited all those interested to attend the Senior Concerns meeting on March 4.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Louise expressed concern that the online process for making an appointment to get the COVID19 vaccination is confusing and not easily accessible. She was thankful that Tampa’s ADA coordinator Raquel Pancho was able to help her navigate the system.<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 when and where we might meet once it is safe to do so. Yvonne said we are welcome to come to their house on Davis Islands and meet on the patio. She suggested we could use the new TD Tampa Bay service to get there.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sherrill won the 50/50 drawing. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our next meeting will be held via the Zoom platform on March 27.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was adjourned at 1:42PM.<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>