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--></style></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'>Greetings to all,<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'>Here are the August minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I’m looking forward to hearing everyone on the chapter Zoom meeting this Saturday.<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'>Sherrill<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'>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'>August 16, 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 12:12pM.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Everyone introduced themselves. There were sixteen persons in attendance, including those participating via the Zoom platform.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>During the introductions, Barbara generously offered to host our Christmas party at her house once again.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Sherri explained the circumstances of her missed flight returning home from the national convention. This was due to negligence on the part of airline personnel who failed to notify her of a schedule change. We held a lengthy discussion concerning what we can do to improve this type of miscommunication.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Z'Leah, who is the president of the Statewide chapter, which is cohosting our state convention with the Orlando chapter,, asked that we consider donating snacks or cash for the convention's hospitality suite. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We then said the NFB pledge together.<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'>State Convention<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Kristine said the chapter will cover the cost for convention registration and up to $30 for transportation for each member attending. We will also help with additional costs for any new members needing financial assistance to attend the convention. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We agreed that we will not have a table in the exhibit hall this year. We will donate $200 for cash door prizes.<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'>Secretary and Treasurer Reports<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>A motion was made by Merry, seconded by Debbie, to approve the July meeting minutes as emailed. 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 $5,024.23.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>A motion was made by Merry, 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'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Blind Equity Achievement Month (BEAM)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We discussed possible chapter activities to educate our community about blindness during this special NFB month.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Merry gave a brief history of our White Cane walks over the years. She said that we might tie a walk this November to the 10K walk/run that NFB National will be holding in Baltimore on November 9. Debbie mentioned that it's vital that when we hold our events locally, we make sure to contact and invite the media. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Kristine will contact a Barnes and Noble bookstore to see if they would be interested in a presentation involving Braille and/or books about blindness. It would be good if we could reach out to sighted children in such a project.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Marion suggested we have a social activity at the Tampa Lighthouse in November. They have a new action game called Power Show Down designed for the blind. Yvonne will contact the Lighthouse to set this event in motion for some time during November.<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 Plus<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Marion encouraged everyone to come out and participate in HART's next ADA committee meeting to be held on Thursday, August 21 at 1:30 at HART's headquarters, 1201 East 7th Avenue. He said we need to keep the momentum going after working hard to write and present our resolution at the May meeting. Merry added that we all must speak with a united voice to let HART know that their cab drivers need more training when it comes to appropriate behavior toward their riders. <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'>Just as he has done, Greg urged everyone to go to the Beef O' Brady's website and leave a positive review As a way of saying thank you for all they do for our chapter. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Our PAC Plan 50/50 fundraiser drawing was won by Matt Weimueller, who received $42.<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 via Zoom on September 20.<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'>A motion was made by Barbara, seconded by Marion, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The meeting was 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'><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>