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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>Hello to all,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here are the minutes. Only small word changes so you probably won’t notice. But you will indeed see the name of that person who really did win our 50/50!<o:p></o:p></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'>March 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'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The meeting was called to order by President Debby Malone at 12:07pM.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Everyone introduced themselves. There were twelve persons in attendance, including four via Zoom. Debbie asked for a volunteer,, and Yvonne led us in the NFB pledge.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Adriane will lead it at our next meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Debbie will call on us each month for a brief ice breaker, and this month she asked for our favorite technology tool or app.<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 Barbara, seconded by Dan, to approve the February 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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Our current balance is $5,522.87.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>A motion was made by Sherrill, seconded by Adriane, 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'>Debbie reported she’s continuing to work on resolving our email issues, and that we are making progress. She said that she will meet with our secretary and treasurer via phone call to update our membership list.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Because of today’s ever increasing security concerns, Debbie is looking into setting up Google Voicemail which would create a dedicated phone number for use by our chapter president.<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'>Debbie said that as in the past, our chapter will once again send some of our members to the Lighthouse to give the students information about the NFB, particularly our chapter, inviting them to join us to see what we’re all about.<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'>Tom asked about transportation for attending our state convention in Jacksonville. Debbie said many of us usually go together via Amtrak. We will begin the process of gathering the necessary information for the best way to travel to our convention in October.<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 the importance of keeping in touch with our local Supervisor of Elections office concerning all existing and new requirements for voter registration.<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 also discussed that some of us are not receiving the latest communications from NFB concerning their demand that Florida, along with other states, withdraw from the Texas vs. Kennedy lawsuit which threatens Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Since this is a state issue we need to contact the offices of the governor and attorney general<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 planned or possible upcoming social events:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Trip to Zoo Tampa on March 31<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Clay sculpting on April 18 at Drip Pottery in Ybor City<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Audio Described plays at the Straz, in May The Notebook, in June Beatle Juice<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Kristine suggested an outing to the Florida Aquarium. A docent led tour is available.<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'>New Business<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Adriane suggested a bingo fund raiser. She said we might want to split the proceeds with another hosting organization. She will look into this idea, along with Barbara. Kristine will serve as a resource.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Adriane said she was never onboarded as a member of Tampa General Hospital’s ADA committee. Barbara suggested she speak with Tampa ADA Coordinator Raquel Pancho about this matter, since she knows Tampa General’s ADA Coordinator.<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'>Chapter Membership Responsibilities<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Kristine said that from experience as our previous chapter president, she feels it is important that we set guidelines so inactive members cannot take advantage of monetary benefits, offered by the chapter, to which they are not entitled. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The following motion was made by Dan, seconded by Barbara, and passed unanimously:<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'>"In order for a member to receive funding to attend a National or NFBF convention, the member must be active, meaning: attending at least a majority of meetings, either in person or via Zoom, and that the member works toward some aspects of the chapter’s activities, such as fundraising, being a chapter officer, serving on a chapter committee, etc., which is approved by the president or board of directors. In addition, the member cannot be receiving funding from the NFBF or a division or another chapter of the NFBF." <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 secretary will keep pertinent records to insure that this policy is carried out in an equitable manner. Tom will assist with this task.<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 Sherrill, who received $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'>Our next meeting will be held at Beef O ’ Brady’s on April 25.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The meeting was adjourned at 1:47PM.<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 bac<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>