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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings to all,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here are the September meeting minutes for your reading pleasure.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I hope to see you on Saturday 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>September 21, 2021<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Beef O’Brady’s<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>8810 North Himes Avenue<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. We said the NFB pledge together.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> All introduced themselves. There were 15 persons in attendance, including three participating via the Zoom platform. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Secretary and Treasurer Reports<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Dan, seconded by Barbara, to approve the August 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 $1,690.31.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Sherrill, seconded by Paul, 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 spoke about last minute state convention items. Our chapter’s auction fundraiser basket is worth about $200. Miranda thanked everyone who contributed to this project. She also mentioned that additional help is needed for convention registration on Friday October 1.<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>Ineko talked about the new Flamingo fare system and said there will be no more daily or monthly passes, although you can still pay with cash when boarding the bus. She said that you do not lose money because whatever amount remains on the Flamingo card at the end of the month will roll over to the next month. HARTPlus will not be using the Flamingo card system. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>TD Tampa Bay Campaign<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Debbie Malone said she will resend her letter to the list. This letter can serve as a template for us as we write our own personal letter urging the reinstatement of the TD Tampa Bay transportation service. As part of Meet the Blind Month, our goal is to send as many letters as possible to our Florida senators and representatives on White Cane Safety Day, October 15. Debbie said her We plan to ask Lighthouses throughout the state and NFbF chapters around the state to send letters as well.<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>Gloria reminded us of the chapter board’s decision to contact local Lions Clubs and perhaps other service organizations. Besides informing these club members about who we are and what we do, we would be looking to obtain grants or onetime donations. We would offer to make presentations to these club so they can learn more about us and we can become acquainted with them.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We agreed that we should hold a holiday party, perhaps outdoors in a park. Miranda will contact Tampa ADA Coordinator Raquel Pancho to get information on city parks. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said that she has learned about an organization called Lazarillo which was founded by Rene Espinoza. He got in touch with her to ask if he could hold a virtual workshop for our chapter. His organization is doing a pilot program in Tampa dealing with indoor navigation techniques for the blind. Chapter Members agreed this would be of interest, so Miranda will let us know when the workshop will be held.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said she is pleased to announce that she has appointed Z’Leah Liburd to our chapter board. Z’Leah will take the Board position previously held by Marion Gwizdala. She said z’Leah will be receiving another state scholarship during our convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our 50/50 fundraiser drawing was won by Denise Brown. She received $157.50.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our next meeting will be held on October 23.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was adjourned at 1:05PM.<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>