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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>Happy Summer everyone,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pasted below are the May chapter meeting minutes.<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 27, 2023<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 12:03pM.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Everyone introduced themselves. There were a total of 18 persons in attendance, including 5 guests, several of whom are friends of member Jessica Cuddy. Three of the attendees participated via the Zoom platform.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We then said the NFB pledge together.<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 Paul, seconded by Dan, to approve the April 22 meeting minutes as emailed. The motion passed. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dan gave the treasurer’s report. Our current balance is $2224.96.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Jessica, seconded by Yvonne, 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's report dealt with our state convention which will be held in October in Tampa, along with our Tampa chapter's Stronger Together concert fund raiser, which will take place on the Thursday evening, October 5, pryor to the start of the convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Melbourne Space Coast and Statewide chapters will cosponsor the convention along with our chapter.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda thanked those who attended the last open convention planning meeting, and encouraged everyone to participate in upcoming open and closed planning meetings. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Concert Fund Raiser<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said We will need to procure items for the silent auction to be held in conjunction with the concert. We will work on creating a flyer. Dan volunteered to help sell tickets at the door. Marion said we are looking for sponsors to help defray concert expenses such as printing of flyers, tickets and programs, as well as for sound and lighting needs. Yvonne is working on publicity and has reached out to WFlA Channel 8, as well as a local representative of the Spanish TV network Univision, and community radio station WMNF. Marion suggested contacting the Sunday morning radio public interest shows to procure an interview. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said that fund raising will be especially important if we want to keep the $2000 minimum in our bank account to avoid the monthly fee. She said we will all need to be involved in raising money to help pay for members' banquet tickets and registration.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marion suggested we look into holding a Spirit Night at Gaspar's Grotto in Ybor City. He plans to ask management if he could give a short performance. Miranda suggested we consider holding this event in August. All were in favor of looking into this. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>State Convention<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said we need someone to be in charge of organizing our chapter's auction basket. It needs to be completely put together before the start of convention. She once again called for volunteer(s) to call local businesses to find out whether the contact information we have from our last Tampa convention is correct.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marion will send out an email to the chapter list detailing how much money we would need to raise to pay hotel expenses for half a hotel room for four nights, plus banquet and registration.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>for each person planning to attend state convention. He said it would be helpful to set such a concrete goal to help motivate us in our fund raising efforts.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We decided to hold our traditional Beef O 'Brady's pancake breakfast on July 29, the fifth Saturday of the month. This will closely follow the annual ADA event held on July 26th. Marion suggested we upgrade and increase the breakfast price by including the choice of mimosas. Miranda will look into this with the restaurant manager, as well as confirming our proposed pancake breakfast date.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sherrill will check with the Old Carrollwood Publix to see if we can have an information table on a Saturday in July. Last year this proved to be a successful way of publicizing our breakfast and receiving donations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Old Business<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said that Kristine Copley won the Amazon gift certificates in our March membership campaign which involved bringing a guest or guests to the chapter meeting.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Kristine brought up the FABs "give back" event for veterans, which will involve bringing nonperishable food items to be collected at our state convention. This project is still in the planning stage, but Kristine hopes that the students can get all chapters on board. She will send out an explanation of this proposed project to our chapter list.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marion said the local company Flair from which we bought our chapter polo shirts now only does embroidery. Marion will investigate where we can now purchase new shirts.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Louise asked whether we could resume holding a statewide 50/50 drawing. Miranda will look into it. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our 50/50 fundraiser drawing was won by Noe Villeda, who received $20.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our next meeting will be held on June 24.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was adjourned at1:55 PM.<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></div></body></html>