Present: Heather Field (president), Keith Anderson (secretary), Tony Garcia, Ruth Hollingsworth, Roxie Chamberlain, Lance Allison, Sharon and Warren Bragg, Sharon Paris, Linda Swint and Patty Wimberly. Apologies from Gayle Prillaman, Domonique Lawless, John Haendel and Gene Eichelberger.

Call to order.

• Minutes from June 11, 2005 meeting read by Keith Anderson. Accepted as read.

• Treasurer's Report
  No report: Ryan Smith not present. $116 candy money ready to be deposited. No balance available.


• President's Report
• Heather began by reiterating what a wonderful time she had had at the National Convention and encouraged us all to plan to attend the 2006 convention in Dallas.
• Due to the scheduling difficulties and date changes in July only two people attended our July chapter meeting. Fortunately, the fee for the conference room that day was waived by an understanding library staff.
• Heather reported that she had been unable to do as much NFB work as she normally liked to do in a month because of some health issues during July. However, she did attend the first of a new kind of leadership seminar being held by the NFB. She was very honored because only 30 people were invited to attend. It was a very valuable experience and she has brought back new skills and ideas to use in her work with our chapter. The National Center plans to hold several mini seminars around the country at state conventions to give more people the chance to improve their leadership skills.
• Also, Heather reported that we now we have a guitar signed by Keith Urban for the silent auction. Then she shared briefly some of the challenges and joys of being a committed Federationist. As such, one has to make decisions about how one spends their time because it takes lots of time to change what it means to be blind particularly making the investment of time and love into the lives of other blind people. Sometimes we can feel resentment for having to give up some of the things we enjoy. But, Heather assured us from personal experience, that when we get those calls from folks that we assist or when we hear about how well someone we’ve worked with is doing, then it makes it all worthwhile. Before moving on, Heather asked several people to give their impressions of their experiences at this year’s National Convention in Louisville, KY. Sharon Paris, Keith Anderson, Ruth Hollingsworth and Roxie Chamberlain all shared and it was agreed that everyone considered it an extremely worthwhile and personally fulfilling way to spend a week.

• Business arising out of minutes
• Library availability – there is no available room for two months. Sharon Paris offered to have the meeting at her home. Public transportation was a main factor. Sharan Braggs suggested the warehouse she and Warren own. It was decided to have the meeting there for September and October on the 2 nd Saturday of each month at 10:30AM.
  Address: 234 1 st Avenue, Nashville TN, 37201. Phone: 615-256-0447.
• Fund-Raising Committee Chairman’s report. Tony Garcia reported that the silent auction wasn’t held on August 4 th as planned. Hoping to hold it toward the end of October during “Meet the Blind Month”. The Fund-Raising committee is working on a venue and should know by the end of the week. They have already secured some great items for the auction including Southwest Airline tickets, hotel rooms, gift certificates and Nashville Shores and 6 Flags passes. As soon as date and venue is confirmed members will need to work hard getting the word out to the public about the auction. Tony has already talked to people at Rage and the Nashville Scene and we are working on media publicity. Members were encouraged to approach local businesses which they patronize and ask for donations of goods or services. Experience to date has shown that most businesses asked for donations have been very generous.
• The Imagination Fund: the Imagination Fund was discussed. This fund has been established to fund research that will actually benefit blind people, unlike much current research undertaken by organizations other than those working with the NFB at the Jernigan Institute. As well, the Imagination Fund assists the work at the state and local level by general and specific grants. For example, this year, each state received a check for $1800.00 to use as they see fit.

• New Business
• Tony Garcia has a CD launch at The Sutler on August 23 rd.
• Tony has moved and is having a house warming party on September 17 th at 5:30 at his house. Everyone is invited. More details next meeting.
• Heather discussed plans for next year’s state convention, particularly the need for entertainment and a high profile main speaker. An Events Committee was appointed to work on this in conjunction with the state board. Events Committee members are: AMEND HERE
• Heather agrees to contact Rick Williams concerning the Silent Auction and ask him to inform members of the Alumni of the Tennessee School For The Blind about it and encourage them to attend.
• State Picnic: To be held in Murfreesboro on the 4 th Saturday in September – the 24 th. We will be arranging some transport; details next month.
• NFB philosophy: Heather chaired a discussion about an article from the New York Times (see reference) which concerned a person who was offended when her attempts to set up a date between her recently widowed friend whose deceased husband had been blind and a new blind man were rejected.

Next meeting: Saturday September 10, 2005 10:30am Warren and Sharon Bragg’s warehouse, 234 1st Avenue, Nashville TN. 37201.
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted by Keith Anderson - Recording Secretary.