September 12, 2004

The meeting by teleconference was called to order by President Dan Hicks at
approximately 8:00 p.m.  Responding to the roll call besides President Dan
were:  First Vice-President Kathy Davis, Treasurer Tom Hartig, board members
Betty McNally, Gloria Hicks, Dwight Sayer and Joe Minichiello.  Secretary
Carol would join later.  The whereabouts of J. D. was not known.

The minutes of the previous meeting were not yet available due to computer
difficulties resultant from excessive power outages.  Chuckles were made
regarding the replacement of the secretary for same but it was decided not
to do that just yet.  (laugh)

Treasurer:  Tom sent out the monthly report today.  Total balance is
144,900.  We spent $2400 more than we made last month.  We spent
approximately $6600 out of the operation fund.  About $3000 of that was
money going back to the chapters from the raffle fundraiser.  We ended up
making $1700 off of that raffle.  Our cash flow situation is slightly tight
until November when some of our CDs mature.  We have borrowed from our
Newsline account but will reconcile in November.  We do have a need to
create our budget.  Tom would like to get this done within perhaps two to
three weeks.  Tom will be sending out committee information which will show
the budgeted amount and what was spent for each committee.  Tom would like
feedback from the various committees.  Then the budget committee of Gloria,
Dan, J. D. and Tom can hash this all over.  Perhaps each committee could try
to reduce the percentages of what was spent last year.  Last year we spent
approximately $40,700 excluding the money to National.  We were about a
total of $7000 over budget overall.  Budgets are guidelines and we may not
always be able to cut the way we want.  We could possibly seek more help
from chapters.  Gloria moved, Betty seconded and the motion carried
unanimously to approve the treasurer's report.  Kathy would like to be and
will be on the budget committee.

Hurricanes:  In 1992, National gave us a loan for $10,000 when Andrew came
through.  If no other means of assistance were available, this could be a
possibility.  We should try to keep these local as much as possible.  We can
be a very good information source as well as financial.

Dan attended the public hearing on transportation in Miami on 8/27.  There
were a few NFB people there.  Dan felt the meeting to be quite chaotic.
Orange and Dade counties were the biggest percentage losers.  The $5,000,000
pulled out of reserves was actually from the TD money.  Orange and Dade
counties are going to try very hard to replace the TD Commission.

Southwest Florida Formation:  Chapter is there, has its constitution and has
its meeting on 8/18.

Tallahassee and Pensacola may warrant visits to help them out a little.
Gainesville has a small chapter in a huge area.  It is difficult to
communicate with officers, particularly presidents, who do not have E mail.

Betty is chair of SUN and Carol of PAC.  Joe is on legislative, the voters
committee and Newsline.

Newsline:  Annual seminar in November at National, a one-day conference.
Tom is chairman of the National Steering Committee.  Tom moved that funds be
supplied for Dwight Sayer and for David Anspach to be paid plane fair to
Baltimore for this.  After some discussion, the motion made by Tom was
seconded by Dwight and carried unanimously.  David may not be able to go
because of carpal tunnel problems but will if he can.  Newsline Committee
got together 8/8 and Tom feels that the committee worked well.  Most of the
meeting was spent on marketing.  Sherrill O'Brien has some ideas for kids
and Newsline.  We want people in the various areas (six or seven have
already volunteered) to check on, for example, their lighthouses, giving
presentations for prospective members.  Money is available in the Newsline
budget for some out-of-pocket expenses and also a stipend for some.  Perhaps
10 to 12 dollars per hour could be paid.  Those receiving the stipend would
have to have a 1099 form, Joe and

Gloria assured us.  Gloria wanted to table the issue but Tom assured her
that he would fight this, decisions already late in the fiscal year being
made, money to be lost if not utilized.  There is $20,000 at the most for
these stipends.  Tom wants Florida to remain ahead in marketing and to be an
example for other states.  Good records would have to be kept.  Extensive
discussion followed regarding contract issues, IRS issues, etc.  Motion was
made by Dwight and seconded by Kathy that Tom send us a model of a contract
for the subcontracted individuals of Newsline to follow.  Discussion
followed.  Joe and Gloria stood fast on IRS issues, their particular
specialty.  National could be contacted, assuring that this could be similar
to The Core workers.  Jim McCarthy could help keep us straight on Social
Security issues.  Roll call vote:  Kathy, Tom, Betty, Dwight for and Gloria
and Joe opposed.

Tom was asked about the seminar that he attended.  Tom said that he did
begin to understand National and NFB.  Tom told something of his struggles
as he became a blind person, burying himself in Newsline, finding many
unexpectedly wonderful friends; and the seminar had helped him to broaden
his horizons to National.  (Carol Arrived.)  Carol and Joe and J. D. have
not been to seminars yet.

Carol apologized about the slowness of the minutes.

Dan stated and the other seminarians echoed the sentiments that such could
be a life-changing event.

Sale of our land in Lehigh Acres:  $9500 is  coming.  Gloria hopes that this
can be allocated to Legislation.  Discussion followed.  Dan suggested that
we work with Janet Caron who has many contacts from her Associates days but
wants to maintain their privacy from other possible revenue contacts.  We
could perhaps give her some of our left-over brochures.  National and The
Imagination Fund wants lists from us of those who can be tapped for funds.
Each state must have a representative.  Who will be ours?  Sherrill O'Brien
might be a prospect.

Letters to exhibitors:  Carolyn does not want to be on the committee.  Dan
suggests that we keep our pricing structure the same  except for those
coming in by 1/1/05 would get a 10% reduction; those signing up by 3/31
would get 5%.  Tom moved, Gloria seconded such a motion and it carried
unanimously.

Library report:  Friends of the Library Access actually funded most of the
library cost.  Orlando Regional Library was won, it will remain.

Scholarship Committee:  Last year seven scholarships were funded.  The state
did not spend its full allotted $750 for each.  Discussion followed.  Should
scholarships be named?  Consensus seemed to say they should.  What will be
the scholarship budget?  What will be the chapter responsibility versus the
state's responsibility?  Gloria moved to table the discussion until the
scholarship and the budget committees have met and brought something back;
Dwight seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

State convention date, time and location:  Much discussion ensued, many
being nervous about storms.  Tom moved and Joe seconded to have the
convention around Columbus Day in October.  Again much discussion followed.
Kathy said that that was not a holiday weekend for the students.  Daytona
absolutely could not change its fundraiser time from the fourth Saturday in
October, that their fundraiser was basically written in stone and could not
be changed.  Some expressed the desire to have the convention in the latter
part of October, lessening the possibility of storms, the thing that so many
feared so greatly in having the convention in the fall of the year.  In the
end, the motion by Tom and by Joe was amended to read:  October 13-15, 2006.
Voice vote was taken.  For:  Carol, tom, Gloria, Joe; against:  Kathy, Betty
and Dwight.  Kathy says that she will do her best to get it moved to the
spring next convention.  A reminder was given, however, that the reason this
was done was in order to more evenly distribute our state efforts and to be
more effective legislatively.  Tom moved a motion to add to the one that we
previously passed for the first weekend in October to be included as an
alternative if that one would get better rates.  Gloria seconded and the
motion passed unanimously.

Tom moved, Dwight seconded for adjournment.  It passed unanimously and we
were "out of there" at approximately 10:30.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol Feazell, Secretary, NFBF