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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'>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 last month’s meeting minutes. I hope to see lots of you tomorrow at Beefs!<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'>Warm regards<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'>February 28, 2026<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'>The meeting was called to order by President Christine Copley at 12:27pM. We said the NFB pledge together.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Everyone introduced themselves. There were a total of thirteen persons in attendance, including two participating 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 Barbara, seconded by Sherri, to approve the January 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 $5,478.84.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>A motion was made by Sherrill, seconded by Tom, 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'>President’s Report<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Christine said our chapter elections will be for the positions of president, secretary and Board position 2. She reminded us that she would not be seeking the office of president but plans to continue as an active chapter member.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Christine said she is excited to announce the details of our national convention, to be held from July 3 - 8 in Austin, Texas atthe the JW Marriott Austin. She said she hopes we can hold some fund raising events to enable members to attend.<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'>Legislation<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Debby Malone, chair of our legislative committee, said she participated in a state legislative Board meeting where the threatening of parental rights was discussed. She asked us to keep an eye on our emails for legislative updates and action needed in this important area of our work.<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'>Sherri Brun, secretary of our NFBL state affiliate, reported on our next state convention which will be held in October in Jacksonville at the Southbank Hotel Jacksonville Riverwalk. The Jacksonville and Tallahassee chapters will cohost the convention.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Sherri also mentioned that DBS director Carlton Doyle has retired. Deputy Director Trina Davis has stepped in to fill this position. Louise said at this time we don't know whether her position is temporary or permanent.<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'>Social Activities<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Yvonne mentioned the following possible outings: bowling at Pin Chasers, matinees at the Straz in May, June or August, Tampa history museum with lunch at the Colombia, and Zoo Tampa which she will try to arrange for early April.<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 news<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Adriane announced that HART plus is acquiring a fleet of SUV's to help deal with increasing ridership demands, and that HART officials are saying that those accompanied by service animals will not be permitted to ride in these vehicles. We plan to investigate this matter.<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 Sherri Brun, who received $40.<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'>Elections:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The following members were elected by acclamation:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Debby Malone, President<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'>Thomas Dukeman, Board Position 2<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Christine congratulated those newly elected officers and Board member. Sherri thanked Christine on behalf of the chapter for her dedication and hard work.<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 March 28.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The meeting was adjourned at 1:45PM.<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>