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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><strong><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Tampa Bay Chapter</span></strong><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><strong><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>National Federation of the Blind</span></strong><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><strong><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Minutes for Chapter Meeting </span></strong><strong><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><strong><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0070C0'>August 26, 2023</span></strong><span style='color:#0070C0'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The meeting was held at Beef ‘O’Brady’s Restaurant, 8810 North Himes Avenue, Tampa, Florida. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The meeting was called to order at 12:05 PM by the President, Miranda Kilby.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>All present introduced themselves, including some members who joined via Zoom. Miranda lead the NFB Pledge.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The minutes for the previous meeting have not been distributed. We tabled the last meeting’s minutes. The Chapter Secretary, Sherrill O’Brien, was not able to be present. Chapter Treasurer Dan Hicks is creating minutes in her absence. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Miranda gave her Presidential Report, beginning with awards that are going to be presented at the upcoming State Convention. One or more awards could be won by a chapter. Others by an individual. She will send out a list detailing the awards to be presented. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Dan gave the Treasurer’s Reports for June and July. We have a balance of $3290.44 in our chapter treasury. Treasurer’s report was approved (Motion by Barbara Gaw, second by Marion Gwizdala).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Miranda congratulated the chapter on exceeding our $1000.00 goal for the pancake breakfast. This included post-event donations from several members. Most members pitched in to do the work to make this event a success and so did some family members of members and other non-members as well. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Miranda asked for suggestions on how the event might have gone more smoothly and how we might do better in the future. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Jessica Cuddy said that the only problem she had with the event was that planning it seemed a little rushed, compared to the event last year. She suggests we start the planning a little sooner the next time. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Dan suggested more kinds of tickets for different drawings and mimosas, et cetera. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Overall, the event went off very well and was a lot of fun.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The next item of discussion was the Stronger Together Concert, which is scheduled for October 5. Marion Gwizdala said the band is really good and working well together. There have been a few rehearsals and will be more. He has secured donation of professional lighting and sound for the event. We have 40 days to sell the 247 remaining tickets. We also need items for the auction at the convert. We need to solicit local businesses and other entities, but we need to make sure this is organized so we don’t duplicate efforts. There was a discussion of ways to sell the tickets. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Board Member Yvonne Rosanelli will be reaching out to television stations to generate publicity for the event. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Miranda said we are redesigning our flyers and they will have a QR code. She is also reaching out to Jorge Hernandez to see if we can get a link and/or QR code on our chapter webpage. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Dan suggested putting our QR code on our chapter Facebook page, even as the profile photo. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>There was discussion of Eventbright, which is a way to sell tickets to events. Some of us will meet via Zoom tomorrow, Sunday, at 7:00 PM to discuss this and other ways to publicize the concert and sell tickets. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>We need to make sure that our message to the public regarding the event is consistent and positive. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Miranda mentioned an upcoming Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A in Citrus Park Mall, on Thursday, October 14. We will receive 20 per cent of food sales at that Chick-fil-A location from 11:00 AM thru 8:00 PM on that date, provided the purchaser mentions the NFB. We are not allowed to solicit participation at the mall on that day. Also, 20 per cent of online orders from the restaurant will go to the chapter, as long as the proper code is used in the order. It would be good if some of us could be there at the mall on that day, particularly if we can have a table to distribute literature. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Several members have mentioned things that they will be donating to the auction basket that we will be contributing to the NFBF Auction at the upcoming convention. We need more items and we need to know what additional items are being contributed by September 5. All items need to be brought to our next chapter meeting on Saturday, September 23. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>We talked about our NFB golf shirts. Marion is looking for a company that will embroider the logo on the shirts, rather than just a screen print. A couple of members suggested that the shirts have pockets. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Miranda called for New Business. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Chapter Board Member Greg Farley said he has been working on aquiring a lot of items that will make great auction items or door prizes. They include talking alarm clocks, magnified nail clippers, other optical and electronic magnifying devices of various kinds, and other items. All items are new or gently used. Some of the electronic devises are valued at about $1,000.00. Marion said that those could be auction items.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Miranda mentioned that she is currently in possession of a Perkins Braille writer, which was gifted to the chapter. She does not know what condition it is in, but it is available to anyone who needs it. If nobody in the chapter needs it, she will expand her search for a home for the brailler. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Louise Payton asked about our doing a Meet the Blind event. We all decided that the Stronger Together concert is really our Meet the Blind event. There was discussion that members could take part in the walk-a-thon that is being held by the Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The 50/50 drawing was held. The winner was Yvonne Rosanelli. Her prize was $38.00.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Chapter Board will meet next week to work out finances – in particular, how much each member will receive towards paying for the upcoming convention registration and banquet. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Louise mentioned the organization Friends of Library Access. The organization has been actively seeking new members, because the group is shrinking, sue to the age of some of the members. Dues are just $10.00 per year. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Miranda and the group congratulated Marion for being selected to serve on the HART ADA Advisory Committee. This was a committee that Gloria Hicks served on until her death.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The motion to adjourn was made by Marion, seconded by Dan.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The meeting was adjourned at 1:27 PM.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Respectfully submitted, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#002060'>Dan Hicks, Treasurer<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#002060'>Tampa Bay Chapter<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#002060'>National Federation of the Blind of Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>