<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</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 June’s meeting minutes…so great to be able to write the location as Beef ‘O’Brady’s instead of “”Zoom”!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I’m going to send out a separate email with Beef ‘o’Brady’s lunch menu. I know some of you are extremely familiar with it, but it’s so extensive I’m sure there are items on it you had no idea were there. I just put the links so you’ll have lots to look through. I can assure you after reading it you’ll want to run to Beefs as fast as you can!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I hope to see many of you tomorrow.<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><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>June 19, 2021<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><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'>The meeting was called to order by President Miranda Kilby at 12:00PM. Everyone introduced themselves. There were 17 in attendance, including three guests: Christine Copley and two guests whom Lynn invited, Mary Hayes and Siham Atshan. We then recited the NFB pledge altogether.<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 Dan, seconded by Paul, to approve the May meeting minutes as emailed. The motion passed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We then paused the meeting for lunch.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting resumed at 1:10. Dan gave the treasurer’s report. Our current balance is $2,331.87. A motion was made by Sherrill, 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>President’s Report<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda thanked everyone for coming, saying it was wonderful to once again be meeting in person at Beef O’Brady’s. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>She encouraged everyone to participate in our NFB national convention and to read through the agenda which has just come out. The convention will be held virtually from July 6 through 10.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said that the funding for the new cross county transportation service TD Tampa Bay is not being renewed, so it will be discontinued at the end of the month. We discussed what steps we should take to bring back this valuable service. Guest Christine Copley said she has a contact in the governor’s office to whom we can write to express our concerns. She will get that information for us. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said she hopes this will be a community project, and encouraged all to write a letter sharing what this service means to us on a personal level. Debby Malone volunteered to assist with composing the letters. She said it is important to get the media involved.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Lynn suggested that we look into holding some of our meetings at the O’Brien’s Pub in Brandon in order to make it easier for those living in the Sun City area to attend. She said it’s even more important now that we no longer have transportation through TD Tampa Bay.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>State Convention Planning<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda encouraged everyone to provide suggestions and feedback by participating in the State convention planning meetings. There are two types: open meetings and those held for the participation of the two hosting chapters, Tampa and Miami, plus the affiliate Board. We discussed possibilities for a convention theme. We need volunteers to collect important local phone numbers/addresses, such as for nearby restaurants. Yvonne will get contact information for pharmacies and veterinary clinics. Yvonne and Debbie Malone will collaborate on getting and writing up a description of the layout of our hotel, the USF Embassy Suites. Miranda encouraged all to help in procuring door prizes. She also asked us to consider whether we once again wish to contribute financially to the state scholarship program. Jorge Hernandez is this year’s scholarship chair. Mentors are also needed for the scholarship winners. We of course need Ideas for Workshops and general session topics. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Debbie Malone volunteered to write up a description of the layout of the hotel.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Brittany Fraer will organize a memorial to those we have lost during the past year.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dan invited everyone to call into support him when he participates as a presenter in the first LOL comedy night performance as part of our national convention entertainment.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Noe Villeda won the 50/50 drawing, which we had once again opened to the NFBF community. He received $82.50.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was adjourned at 2:06PM.<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>Home 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 back.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>