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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 minutes from our wonderful May meeting at the home of Yvonne and George Rosanelli!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I’m looking forward to seeing lots of you tomorrow at Beefs!<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>May 21, 2021<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was held at the home of Yvonne and George Rosanelli on Davis Islands.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was called to order by President Miranda Kilby at 12:07PM.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> All introduced themselves. There were 17 persons in attendance. We were all very happy to finally get to meet 16 month old Isabella, daughter of Paul and Miranda.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We recited the NFB pledge altogether.<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 Paul, seconded by Lynn, to approve the April 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 $2289.86.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Merry, seconded by Lynn, to accept 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>A motion was made by Sherrill, seconded by Merry, to accept Britany Frauer and Scott Wilson as members of our chapter. 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 that the NFBF state convention will definitely be held in Tampa at the Embassy Suites at USF. It will possibly be a hybrid convention to accommodate those not yet comfortable attending in person. The Tampa and Miami chapters will serve as cohosts. The next closed planning meeting will take place on May 26.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda mentioned that this convention will be special because we were not actually able to celebrate last year’s NFBF’s 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary together. Because of this, she suggested including more social activities at this one. She wants us to think about a theme. Her suggestion is “family reunion.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>She said we need to start thinking of ways to fundraise, especially to help the chapter pay for convention related expenses. Lynn said we should update our official fundraising letter to show to businesses when we ask for donations for door prizes. She will also speak to an acquaintance who is a vendor to ask for names of vendors who might make donations for the convention hospitality suite.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Brittany Frauer volunteered to bring her popcorn machine for the suite. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We agreed that our next meeting should be held at the Beef O’Brady’s on Himes where we used to meet. Miranda will also call O’Brien’s in Brandon where we also met occasionally.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said that we might take advantage of the convention hotel to have a room where local vendors could display items and give information.<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>Merry shared the good news about a guide dog incident which involved Southeastern Guide Dogs repossessing the guide dog of Reverend Susan Blake without prior notice. No proper due process was undertaken. Marion immediately got involved with this case. He has founded a nonprofit called Advocates for Service Animal Partners. He received a call from a deputy sheriff in Columbia County stating that the department had received a court order allowing them to take the dog from its puppy raisers where Southeastern had placed her. Marion and Merry, with the help of marion’s sister, were able to travel to get the dog and take her back to Rev. Blake. Marion is optimistic that this case will have a positive ending, and feels this will send the message that guide dog handlers intend to stand up for their rights in these unreasonable seizures.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>HART News<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Merry said that there will be a HART ADA meeting on August 19. Merry will be speaking for three minutes at this meeting because she has applied to be a member of HART’s ADA committee.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sherrill thanked the Rosanellis for their generosity in opening their home and providing delicious appetizers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our next meeting will be held on June 19.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was adjourned at 3:30PM.<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><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>