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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>Hello all,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The minutes are pasted below and also attached.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>See you at Beefs with my new dog Amber.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cheers<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>March 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 12:15PM.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We said the NFB pledge altogether.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> All introduced themselves. There were 16 persons in attendance, including 5 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 February 2022 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 $1,684.96.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Paul, seconded by Sherrill, 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 encouraged everyone to make plans to attend the NFBF State convention which will be held from October 6 to 8 at the River Walk Marriott in Jacksonville.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said DBS has a contract with the company Vispero, formerly Freedom Scientific, for obtaining Zoom Text or JAWS for free. In addition to DBS clients, all who are registered with the Talking Book program are eligible. Barbara said the company Orcam currently has a discount on their glasses.<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><p class=MsoNormal>Social Activities<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yvonne is the chair of this committee. Suggestions for chapter social events include:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>attending a comedy club night in Ybor City<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>going to Zoo Tampa<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>spending time together at Tampa’s River Walk<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>participating in community events such as walk-a-thons for MS or the American Heart Association<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Paul said we might want to take a trip to the Tampa Convention Center because at present it is not very accessible since there is no Braille signage and the elevator does not work. Louise said Tampa’s ADA coordinator Raquel Pancho would be a good resource to help with this situation. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fund Raising<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Gloria is the chair of the fundraising committee and would like as many members as possible to get involved. She will be calling a committee meeting soon and invited everyone to attend. Miranda added that fund raising is especially important at this time so we can avoid paying the monthly bank fee for failing to keep the increased higher minimum in our account.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We discussed at length various fundraising possibilities. They include;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bowling at Pin Chasers, which would be a chapter social event, but could also be a fundraising activity<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Selling chocolate bars or similar candy through Yvonne’s office<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Holding a car wash, reaching out to the Delta Gamma service sorority as we did in the past, or inviting the students in the Lighthouse summer transition program to participate<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hosting a dinner or gala, for example inviting doctors, with an ophthalmologist as the speaker, then followed up by pertinent NFB information to help educate them<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Participating with a Lions Club in events such as garage sales<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Membership<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Barbara Gaw is the chair of the Membership Committee. Miranda said we need to regain former members and recruit new ones. We discussed growing the chapter.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Community Awareness<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda would like someone to take the lead on community awareness projects such as having a table at festivals or educational events. She also suggested reaching out to high school drivers’ Ed classes to help make both students and their teachers aware of the importance of what to do when they see someone with a cane or guide dog. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>TD Tampa Bay<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sewar is composing a letter and would like our help. She said hopefully we will get this service back in July.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Blind Education and Awareness Month (formerly known as Meet the Blind Month<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We discussed this month long event, held in October. Gloria said we could perhaps try to get a proclamation from Tampa’s mayor as we did in the past.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Member News<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We were thrilled to learn that Z’Leah has been accepted to USF.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Paul asked who is making plans to attend our national convention in July in New Orleans. So far five members plan to attend.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Paul distributed his NFBF President business cards to hand out when appropriate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our 50/50 fundraiser drawing was won by Noe Villeda, who received $38.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our next meeting will be held on April 23.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was adjourned at 1:40PM.<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>