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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><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Tampa Bay Chapter <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>National Federation of the Blind of Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Chapter Meeting Minutes<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>May 17, 2025<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Beef O ’ Brady’s<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>8810 North Himes Avenue<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Tampa, Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The meeting was called to order by President Christine Copley at 12:04pM.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Everyone introduced themselves. There were twenty persons in attendance, including six via the Zoom platform.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Secretary and Treasurer Reports<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>A motion was made by Marion, seconded by Dan, to table the April meeting minutes until everyone has a chance to read them and that we approve them via email. The motion passed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Dan gave the treasurer’s report. Our current balance is $4,487.10. A motion was made by Marion, seconded by Sherrill, to accept the treasurer’s report as read. The motion passed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Christine reminded those who attended our bowling event but have not yet paid to please give their money to Dan.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Fundraising<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Pancake Breakfast<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>This annual fundraiser will be held on July 19 from 8:00 to 10:00, followed by our regular July meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We have raised the cost per ticket from eight to ten dollars. In conjunction with the breakfast We will again offer a 50/50 raffle, as well as raffles for several themed baskets. Christine encouraged everyone to volunteer at the breakfast to help make it a big success. We decided to sell mimosas again this year. Tickets will cost ten dollars, up from the eight dollars we have charged for several years. Sherrill announced that she was unable to reserve a table at the Carrollwood Shopping Center Publix, since all the possible weekend dates have been taken. Members will reach out to their local Publix stores to see if there are any open dates. Dan will again print up flyers for members to distribute. We will print the fliers in English on one side and Spanish on the other. Luis Perez offered to translate the flier into Spanish.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We discussed other possible fundraising products. Those which were successful in the past include hot and cold beverage containers and Florida themed keychain bottle openers,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We are updating information on new chapter polo shirts. Christine suggested we also consider purchasing and selling shirts with humorous sayings.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Marion mentioned that he and Merry need to find a new place to store chapter items which they have been keeping at their house. Miranda said some of those things probably came from the state affiliate. It was suggested that we try to donate some of the items to appropriate organizations or to chapter members. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>HART ADA Accessibility Committee Report<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Marion thanked those members who attended and participated in HART's ADA Accessibility committee meeting to support the Tampa Bay chapter's resolution concerning changes which should be made to improve the paratransit system. Marion encouraged everyone to come to the meetings to demonstrate NFB's ongoing commitment to work for these changes. The next meeting will be on August 21. Marion is eligible to serve two terms. But since he is representing our chapter on the committee, if he and Merry move away, he can choose someone from the chapter to serve in his place during his second term. Miranda then suggested Debby Malone. Debby said she would be interested.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Our 50/50 fundraiser drawing was won by Miranda, who received $41.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Scott Greenblat told us that this is his last chapter meeting since he and his family will be moving to Phoenix.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Our next meeting will be held on June 28.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>A motion was made by Miranda, seconded by Merry, that we adjourn the meeting. The motion passed, and we adjourned at 1:55pm.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Respectfully submitted<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Sherrill O’Brien, Secretary<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Tampa Bay Chapter<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>National Federation of the Blind of Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Phone 813-935-0474, cell 813-767-1890<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>email <a href="mailto:Sherrill.obrien@verizon.net">Sherrill.obrien@verizon.net</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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></span></p></div></body></html>