[Nfbofsc] Positive Note 1689

[David Houck]

December 26, 2018 

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

From:  Frank Coppel, President

Positive Note 1689

Greetings Fellow Federationists:

 

              It is now time to begin making plans to attend the 2019 NFB
national convention.  For the first time in our history, the largest annual
gathering of the organized blind will be in Las Vegas, Nevada. The National
Federation of the blind is excited to be hosting our convention at the
beautiful Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino (3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas,
Nevada 89119). As is the case every year, the NFB has once again arranged
for exceptional room rates. Unlike in years past, the same enviable rate of
$99 per night applies to singles and doubles as well as triples and quads.
Hotel and sales taxes are 13.38 percent and 8.25 percent, respectively. The
resort fee (normally $37 a night) will be waived for NFB convention
attendees. However, fees for internet access, local and toll-free calls, and
fitness center access may apply. To make reservations for the 2019
convention, you can call the hotel at 877-632-7800 after January 1. The
hotel will take a deposit of the first night's room rate for each room and
will require a credit card or a personal check. If you use a credit card,
the deposit will be charged against your card immediately. If a reservation
is cancelled before Friday, June 1, 2019, half of the deposit will be
returned. Otherwise refunds will not be made.  

              If you have not notified the Federation Center as to whether
you are planning to attend the Statewide Seminar on January 5, please do so
as soon as possible.  This will help us to determine the amount of food to
purchase for lunch.  Remember we will be conducting an auction throughout
the day to raise money for Rocky Bottom.  Be sure to bring items for the
auction such as, cakes, pies, cookies, gift baskets, and electronics.  Also,
please continue to sell your Las Vegas national convention tickets.  If you
have not done so already, please mail your ticket stubs and money to the
Federation Center or bring them with you to the Seminar on Saturday, January
5.  The drawing will take place at the conclusion of the Seminar.  The
winning ticket will receive $300, the seller of the winning ticket will
receive $100 and the chapter selling the most tickets will receive $300.  

              It is not too early to begin submitting your state dues of $10
for 2019 to the state office (Federation Center).  You can either mail your
dues to the State Office or bring them with you to the Seminar on January 5.
When you submit your dues, please provide current contact information such
as, name, address, phone number and email address if applicable.  These
things do change and if we do not have accurate information, we cannot keep
you up to date on what's going on.  As I wrote in the Positive Note last
week, our national office is requiring each state affiliate to submit a list
of members and their contact information by January 15, 2019.  The deadline
for NFB of SC state dues is January 31, 2019, so why wait!  

              I hope Santa was good to each of you yesterday and that
everyone in our Federation family had a very merry Christmas.  It was a busy
time for Shelley and myself as we enjoyed spending Christmas morning with
our son Matt, our daughter-in-law Brielle and their three children Asher
eight, Eli five, and Norah, one.  Christmas afternoon, we enjoyed spending
time with our daughter, Laura, our son-inn-law Malcolm, and their three
children Aubrey, four, and with eight month old twins Hayden and Luke.  The
best gift we received yesterday, was having Luke home from the hospital.  As
many of you know, our grandson Luke was critically ill spending three weeks
in the pediatric intensive care unit at Palmetto Richland Children's
Hospital.  Shelley and I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you
for your phone calls, prayers, and your generous contributions to
financially assist Laura and Malcolm during this extremely stressful time.
Shelley and I are extremely fortunate and blessed to be members of such a
caring federation family.  

              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.  

              I sincerely hope that all of you had a joyous and meaningful
Christmas.  It was the first time in 70 years that Betty and I were not
together.  Nine days ago on Monday, December 17 Betty passed away after
suffering from Alzheimer's for several years.  While I miss her terribly, in
my heart I know that Betty is better off and is in Heaven.  There was good
attendance at the service on Thursday, December 20.  I appreciated the many
federation members and friends who have been so kind and thoughtful.  The
national office in Baltimore was represented by Mrs. Mary Ellen Jernigan at
the funeral.  I want to thank each and every one of you who made a special
effort to come to the church service including representatives from several
different chapters.  I have received so many expressions of kindness
including sympathy cards and flowers, etc.  We have already received several
living memorials.  My immediate family, including three grandchildren were
also present.  These included my granddaughter Laura Setters of Louisville,
Michael Holdcraft of Louisville and Aaron Holdcraft of Pittsburg.  My former
son-in-law, David Holdcraft of Louisville also made the long trip to attend
the service.  My Pastor, Rev. Terry Smoak, presented a meaningful message.
I wanted the federation, my family members and my neighbors to serve as pall
bearers.  The federation was represented by three of its members as pall
bearers including David Houck, Larry Warrington and Barry Chavis.  My two
grandsons, Michael and Aaron Holdcraft were also pall bearers.  My next door
neighbor Bruce Walker was the sixth pall bearer.  Some 40 years ago Bob
Crombie, a USC staff member from Melbourne, Australia, taught an exercise
class at the Federation Center while he was in Columbia.  I received a
sympathy expression from Mr. Crombie.  So many have asked me how I am doing
in grieving over Betty's loss and all I can say is that I'm doing the best
that I can.  I would be remiss if I did not publicly thank my son Craig
Capps for the tremendous help he has given in handling all of the many
details.  He did a lot of work on the obituary column and he was responsible
for arranging some of the best pictures we have of Betty.  This will be the
last Positive Note for the year 2018 but I'm going to do the best I can for
the New Year.

              

Final Thought:  From Christmas presents to a New Year full of renewal,
promise and rededication.

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