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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>January 27, 2024<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 12:42PM.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Everyone introduced themselves. There were 13 persons in attendance, and 2 participating via Zoom for a total of 15.<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 Merry, to approve the October 2023 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 $4450.24. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Merry, seconded by Shanti, to accept the treasurer’s report as read. The motion passed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said she is pleased that our chapter is gaining new members.<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 informed the chapter that Paul Martinez has submitted his resignation as the president of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida (NFbF.). 1st Vice President Jorge Hernandez is now serving as the interim president, with Camille Tate now serving as interim 1st vice president. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda said that NFBF Secretary Kay Baker is the liason to our chapter from the state Board. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda encouraged everyone to participate in nFBF's special interest meetings which are held throughout each month.<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>Miranda reminded us that elections will be held at our February meeting, and that we must pay our annual dues of $10 by the beginning of that meeting to be eligible to vote.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Scott Greenblat asked about the differences between being a member and holding a Board position. Marion asked whether a member can vote in an election via Zoom. Miranda said it's permissible, and we did it last year. <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 our chapter polo shirts have arrived, and she will distribute them following the meeting. She thanked Marion for taking on this project.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Goals and activities for 2024<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Louise:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>attend the Gasparilla parade as a chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>raise funds by selling beer or water<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marion: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>chapter should encourage HART to make their HARTPlus paratransit application accessible as soon as possible<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marion is a member of HART's ADA Accessibility Committee. He invited chapter members to attend their next meting on February 15 at 1:30 in their Ybor City building. He said he hopes some members will speak during the time alotted for public comments. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marion:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>attend Marion's St. Patrick's Day performance from 3:30 to 6:30 at O'Toole's Pub in Brandon <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>He will donate all tips he makes to our chapter<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>attend a show at the same comedy club in Ybor City as we did in the past<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>attend History Museum in Tampa with a private docent<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>have lunch at the Colombia Restaurant located in the same building<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our 50/50 fundraiser drawing was won by Louise Peyton, who received $30.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our next meeting will be held on February 24 at Beef O'Brady's.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Merry, seconded by Scott, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. We adjourned at 1:50PM.<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>