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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>Greetings all,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here are the minutes of our last meeting, which seems like a long time ago … that’s because it was!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>But we sure had wonderful chapter fellowship, sharing food, drink, singing and fun at our holiday party at Merry and Marion’s.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here’s wishing our chapter a happy and productive 2024!<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>October 28, 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 12:24pM.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Everyone introduced themselves, including those attending via Zoom, and several guests. There were 16 persons in attendance.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We 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 Merry, seconded by Barbara, to approve the September meeting minutes as emailed. The motion passed. Sherrill thanked Dan for stepping in to write and send out the meeting minutes in her absence.<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 $4,871.92. We raised $85 at our Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night fundraiser. The final total raised through our Stronger Together concert event, which included donations, ticket sales, silent auction and 50/50 raffle was $2,045.24. A motion was made by Merry, 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 said that our Stronger Together concert, held on October 5 in conjunction with our state convention in Tampa, was a great success. She thanked Marion for his many hours of work with the band, made up almost entirely of blind musicians, which resulted in a very poignant and entertaining concert. Miranda noted that holding the raffle and auction along with the concert was a great idea. She thanked everyone who helped to put on this chapter fundraiser. She said there were twelve businesses that contributed in some way to this effort. She plans to send out thank-you cards with Braille on them. A discussion of the concert followed. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda mentioned that the annual Tampa Mayor's Alliance awards luncheon will be held on November 17. It is important for us to recognize and support this community event of which ADA coordinator Raquel Pancho is in charge. <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>As coordinator of our social activities, Yvonne mentioned various events which are either already scheduled or which are possibilities. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our bowling event at Pin Chasers is scheduled for November 11. Miranda thanked her for procuring a bowling rail for us. Yvonne will send out an email with the following ideas for possible places and activities we might enjoy together:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yvonne:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>History Museum where there are docents and some exhibits with audio descriptions<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Salvador Dali museum in St. Petersburg<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>ferry trip from Tampa to St. Petersburg to have lunch<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Kristine: trip to Zoo Tampa<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marion: through an app, an audio described Wednesday matinee Broadway show at the Straz Center <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chapter members were then invited to come to Yvonne and George Rosanelli's house at noon on January 1 to share the special occasion of the wedding of Merry and Marion.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fundraising<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yvonne has located a company that can embroider the NFB logo on shirts for our chapter. We will once again order them in yellow. The cost for each Shirt is $25. Miranda asked that members let her know by December if they would like to place an order. Those doing so will reimburse the chapter. We should have them in time for our January meeting.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marion suggested that we look into selling the shirts in bulk to other chapters<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Barbara said she had talked with Yvonne about gathering up chapter pictures to make a custom calendar. It could either be sold or given as a thank-you to donors/supporters. Kristine suggested we approach businesses about purchasing ads for the calendar and pointed out that we already have a start with the twelve businesses which supported our Stronger Together concert. To have the calendars made, we could contact The company VistaPrint, which gives a discount to nonprofits. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We will continue to look into this idea for a fundraising project.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB National Convention<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda announced that the national convention in July of 2024 will return to the Rosen Center Hotel in Orlando. She said we should start thinking about attending and also how we might volunteer.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Elections<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said chapter dues need to be paid at the January meeting, and we will hold elections at our February meeting. Elections will be held for President, Secretary, and the two Board positions currently held by Yvonne Rosanelli and Sewar Quneibi.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda announced that she will not seek another term as president. She said she would consider serving for one more year only if the chapter is in danger of dissolving.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our 50/50 fundraiser drawing was won by Barbara Gaw, who received $30.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We will not hold a chapter meeting in November. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Barbara Gaw once again graciously offered to host our holiday party at her house on December 2.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our next meeting will be held on January 28, 2024, at Beef O'Brady's.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was adjourned at 1:55PM.<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 back.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>