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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>August 24, 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 12:08PM.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Everyone introduced themselves. There were 12 persons in attendance, and 2 participating via Zoom for a total of 14.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Miranda led the NFB pledge.<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 Marion, seconded by Dan, to table the approval of the July minutes. The motion passed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dan gave the treasurer’s report. Our current balance is $5,382.45. A motion was made by Merry, seconded by Marion, to approve the treasurer’s report as read. The motion passed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dan said there had been some confusion regarding payment for our bowling event at Pin Chasers, since they asked the chapter to pay in advance. Dan said all that is necessary is that those attending, who have not yet paid the $20 cost ,reimburse the chapter. <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 during September and October, Beef O‘ Brady’s cannot host the chapter on our regular fourth Saturday. We agreed to move our meeting to the third Saturday for those two months. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We discussed how we might improve next year’s publicity event at Publix which we have held prior to our Pancake Breakfast fundraiser. Suggestions include:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Make sure to print plenty of flyers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Print flyers in English and Spanish<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Give out $1 off Publix coupons<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Marion, seconded by Merry, that, assuming Beef O’Brady’s is amenable, we continue to hold our Pancake Breakfast on the fourth Saturday of July to coincide with the anniversary of the ADA and our regular chapter meeting day. The motion passed. <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 that at this year’s convention, we will hold a dollar auction rather than the basket fund raiser which we have done for many years. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Merry, seconded by Dan, that we take one thousand dollars from our chapter treasury to cover our state convention expenses. The motion passed.<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>Miranda offered several suggestions for chapter fundraisers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>Holiday Calendar Raffle<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>This was a successful state fundraiser held several years ago, and Miranda thought our chapter might want to consider holding one.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>Statewide 50/50 drawing<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>We could bring in lots of participants by holding this at state convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>Spirit Night at Beef O’ Brady’s<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>Miranda said we could include an auction featuring two signed Buccaneer footballs.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>Since we did not make a decision about these fundraisers, We decided to hold another chapter meeting, via Zoom, to determine how we want to proceed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting will be held on Friday, August 30, at 5:00PM.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>New Business<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Louise asked Miranda to talk to the group about the Braille Monitor, the flagship publication of the NFB. We discussed how valuable the articles in the Monitor can be, for both newly blind persons and those who have been NFB members for many years. Miranda mentioned how inspirational and also practical the articles can be for those losing their sight. We discussed that the Monitor is available on the NFB website, and also on NFB Newsline, which many agreed is a very helpful service.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We decided to once again ask the past president of the League of Women Voters, Mickey Castor, to speak to our group about the proposed Constitutional amendments which will be on the ballot in November. Sherrill will reach out to invite her.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our 50/50 fundraiser drawing was won by Shanti Aaron, who received $25.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our next meeting will be held on September 21 at Beef O' Brady's.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A motion was made by Marion, seconded by Shanti, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. We adjourned at 1:47PM.<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>