[Nfbofsc] Positive Note 1592

[David Houck]

February 15, 2017 

Memo To:  Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents &
Others

From:  Frank Coppel, President

Positive Note 1592

Greetings Fellow Federationists: 

 

              We have an announcement from JW Smith and Jamie Allison
regarding the upcoming upstate seminar on March 4, 2017.  "The 2nd Annual
NFB of SC Upstate Seminar will take place on Saturday, March 4th from 10:00
am to 4:00 pm at the Walker Hall Habistreutinger Reception Area on the
campus of SCSDB. Please also be mindful to the following details: cost of
lunches is $10 and can be sent ahead to JW Smith or paid at the door upon
arrival. There will be a time during lunch break for each chapter/division
to do one to two brief fundraisers, such as auctions or a raffle there will
also be a time for chapter/division reports. If your chapter or division has
an officer or representative present, they may speak for no longer than 10
minutes during this time. There will be door prizes just before closing.
Winners MUST be present in the room at the time of drawing in order to claim
prizes. Agendas are being sent electronically along with this announcement.
There will be a very limited number of large print agendas available upon
request at the door (one per chapter or group, please). It is strongly
suggested that attendees keep the electronic document handy or to
print/emboss a hard copy for personal use."  I have had the opportunity to
read the agenda and there appears to be a number of informative and
interesting topics on the program.  It is apparent JW Smith and Jamie
Allison have worked extremely hard to put together this event and it would
be great to have a large turnout at this year's upstate seminar!  

              I am very sad to report two members of our Federation family
passed away this past weekend.  Martha Robertson, the mother of Mike Sutton,
passed away on Saturday morning, February 11, and Cheryl Mott-Sims, 2nd Vice
President of the Lee County Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind
passed away on Saturday morning, February 11, as well.  "Miss Martha" as
most of her friends called her, was a longtime Federationist and extremely
active in both the Columbia and Rock Hill chapters.  Martha Robertson loved
Rocky Bottom and as indicated by her family in her obituary living memorials
should be made payable to Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the
Blind.  I did not have the opportunity to know Ms. Mott-Sims that well.
However, during the few times I met her, she appeared to be a strong
believer in the NFB and a hard worker in her chapter.  These two members
will be greatly missed, and we need to continue to keep their families in
our thoughts and prayers.  

              The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is
not the characteristic that defines you or your future.  Every day, we raise
the expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams.  You can live the life you want:
blindness is not what holds you back.  Joining me for comments in this
Positive Note is the President Emeritus of the NFB of SC.  Here is Dr.
Capps.  

              As we approach the 64th annual Columbia Chapter barbecue on
April 27, I feel it is appropriate to quote a section from a lifetime
Scouting leader, Mr. Todd Shaw in his book, "A Scout Is." which deals with
the Boy Scouts and the annual three-night barbecue canvas over the years.
The following article is taken from Chapter 18, Good Turns, pages, 162-164: 

              "Don Capps, Appreciation for Sighted Guides:  It seems that
being a Scout and being helpful are the same.  When I was a youth, my Troop
worked (and still works) with Mr. Don Capps of the Columbia Federation of
the Blind on their annual BBQ fundraiser.  Mr. Capps happens to be blind
himself.  The Scouts worked as sighted-guides as the federation clients went
door-to-door selling tickets.  During that time I assisted a man by the name
of Marshall Tucker.  Mr. Tucker was a piano tuner by trade and a great man
who loved conversation.  Later in life, he was honored when a country rock
band from Spartanburg, South Carolina, named their band after him, "The
Marshall Tucker Band."  Those times matured young boys into men, taught us
many valuable lessons, and brought interesting people into our lives that we
may not have met otherwise.  

              I recently reconnected with Don Capps who is now the President
Emeritus of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, and
reminisced with him about how the Boy Scouts served that organization.  Here
is what Mr. Capps said:

              'Having worked closely with your father Mr. M. B. Shaw, Jr.,
and his Boy Scouts for several decades, no doubt I have a wealth of
information to share as the decades go by and soon we forget many of these
important life experiences.

              Without the assistance of your father, who dedicated his life
of service to the Boy Scouts and young people, I would never have had the
tremendous benefit of being served by the Scouts.  

              Since the late 1960's I have had the great fortune of working
with many Boy Scouts.  In the three-night canvas just prior to the barbecue,
the blind call upon the Federation center's neighbors.  I am proud to state
that not one time did my much appreciated Bot Scout guide cause me to
sustain any accident, as the Scouts were so careful and hard working.

              Having worked in the private sector for forty years, and
learning much about Columbia's business community, I have realized the Boy
Scouts contribute mightily with their time, energy and commitment in the
annual three-night canvas.

              Unfortunately the Boy Scouts I worked with beginning in 1968
have gone on to choosing their lifetime partners, having their own children,
and working in many different career fields.  While the years have gone by,
frequently I recall these many federation initiatives resulting from Boy
Scouts serving as sighted guides.            Long ago, I realized the
tremendous good the Boy Scouts do in our community.  I deeply value their
labor of love, as these wonderful boys are always so kind and helpful.

              The Boy Scout project with the blind is exceptional.  Boy
Scouts and their leaders played a huge role in the success of this barbecue.
Boy Scout programs not only exist to bring out the best in the boy, but they
afford the Scoutmaster the opportunity to develop each Scout's maximum
potential with some becoming Eagle Scouts.  One Columbia area Scout became
an Eagle Scout by painting the Federation Center as a project.  Many of our
nation's leaders became Eagle Scouts, which is the foundation for the
greatest possible service to our country.'"

              I extend sincere sympathy to Mike Sutton in the death of his
beloved mother Martha Robertson on Saturday, February 11 at 7:30 a.m.  Mrs.
Robertson was an active member of the federation but in recent times was
unable to attend but requests that memorial gifts be made to Rocky Bottom
Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind.  Visitation will be Saturday,
February 18 at 1:00 p.m. with a Celebration of Life Service at 2:00 p.m. in
the New Life Freewill Baptist Church at 1622 Spring Dale Rd. in Lancaster.
We also extend sympathy to the family members of Cheryl Sims, Vice President
of the Lee County Chapter who passed away last weekend as well.  Services
are on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the New Bethel A.M.E.
Church, 400 Munnerlyn Street, in Bishopville, S.C.  29010.

 

Final Thought:  Raising Expectations:  "In Scouting, Scouts are given a coin
which reminds them to do a good turn every day.  Perform this act daily and
you will be raising expectations for yourself as well as for others."

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