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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><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 26, 2022<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>Tampa, Florida<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>We said the NFB pledge together.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> All introduced themselves. There were 15 persons in attendance, including 5 members and one guest, NFBF’s second vice president Camille Tate, who participated via Zoom. She assisted in setting up our Zoom call.<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 Barbara, seconded by Dan, to approve the October 2021 meeting minutes as emailed. The motion passed. A motion was made by Barbara, seconded by Z’leah, to approve the January 2022 meeting minutes as emailed. The motion passed. Sherrill thanked Dan for taking the January minutes in her absence.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dan gave the treasurer’s report. Our current balance is $1,824.64. Dan said our bank has raised the minimum which must be kept in a checking account to avoid fees. The amount has been raised from $1500 to $2000. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Sherrill, seconded by Barbara, 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 those who have participated in our annual NFB Washington Seminar, which is being held virtually this year. There are still more representatives and senators with whom we need to meet. Miranda invited anyone wishing to get involved to contact her. Our West Florida team is being led by Brittany Fraer and Scott Wilson. Yvonne said they are working to secure an appointment with the office of District 14 Representative Kathy Castor. Yvonne encouraged those members living in that district to participate. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda invited all to join the March open planning meeting for next October’s state convention in Jacksonville. Both the Jacksonville and Daytona Beach chapters will serve as the convention hosts.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said she and Paul spoke on behalf of the chapter at the South Tampa Lions Club. They asked whether the club would consider funding an NFBF student scholarship.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>HART Plus News<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yvonne said that HART has changed the paratransit eligibility requirements from needing to live three quarters of a mile from a bus stop to one and a half miles. She said this will enable her to more easily host chapter events at her home.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Paul asked us to think about whether we would like to create a state PAC plan similar to our longtime giving plan with NFB.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Proposed New Chapter Constitution<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dan and Sherrill then read the proposed revised Tampa chapter constitution to the group for the purpose of voting on it following the reading. . Prior to the vote, we discussed at length the idea of incorporating “people first” language into the document. Following the discussion, a motion was made by Z’leah, seconded by Dan, to accept the Constitution as read. The motion passed with one “no” vote. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dan will email the new constitution to the chapter list. The major change in our constitution is that we will no longer elect the entire Board during each election, but rather hold staggered elections in accordance with NFB’s recommendations and our NFBF constitution. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chapter Elections<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Elections were then held. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The following officers and Board members were elected:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda Kilby, President, two year term<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Gloria Mills Hicks, Vice President, one year term<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sherrill O’Brien, Secretary, two year term<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dan Hicks, Treasurer, one year term<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yvonne Rosanelli, Board Position 1, 2 year term<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Barbara Gaw, Board Position 2, 1 year term<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sewar Qumebi, Board Position 3, two year term<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>Miranda said we are continuing to work to get the TD Tampa Bay service reestablished. She contacted Debby Malone who has headed up this project for our chapter. Debby has moved back to Massachusetts, but will help Sewar Qumebi, who has agreed to take over the project. Miranda suggested we send letters stating why we need the service to return, and they will now be put into one communication.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chapter Committees<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fund Raising chair, Gloria<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Social activities, Yvonne<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Barbara volunteered to serve on the membership committee.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our 50/50 fundraiser drawing was won by Miranda, in the amount of $45.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our next meeting will be held on March 26.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was adjourned at 1:45PM.<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></div></body></html>