[Nfbofsc] Positive Note 1662

[David Houck]

June 20, 2018 

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

From:  Frank Coppel, President

Positive Note 1662

Greetings Fellow Federationists:

 

              Congratulations to the Columbia chapter for sponsoring another
successful BBQ fund raiser.  At the chapter's monthly meeting this past
Thursday evening, members were given a thorough breakdown of the top ten
ticket sellers and the net proceeds for this year's fund raiser.  Kudos to
Tiffiny Mitchell, Chapter President, the chapter board and other members who
assisted in making this project a tremendous success.  By the way, the
sixty-fifth annual BBQ fund raiser of the Columbia chapter raised over
$8,200 in net proceeds.  

              Excitement is beginning to build for the upcoming 2018 NFB of
SC state convention which will be held August 10-12 at the Marriott Hotel in
Columbia.  I spoke with our events coordinator at the Marriott Hotel and she
informs me room reservations are increasing significantly.  Room rates are
very affordable.  Rates for this year's convention are  $109 per night for
up to four in a room.  In addition to the room rates there will be a tax,
which at present is 14 percent.  After speaking with our events coordinator
yesterday, There are a limited number of rooms still available for the $109
rate Thursday, August 9.  I would suggest if you have not made your room
reservation as yet you may want to do so by calling the Marriott Hotel's
toll free Reservations number at (800( 593-6465 or you can call (803)
771-7000 and inform the reservationist you are reserving a room for the
National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina state convention.  

              Remember, you need to make your room reservation at the
Marriott no later than July 15.  If you wait until after July 15, it may be
extremely difficult to reserve a room.  I would also encourage you to go
ahead and pay your $80 preregistration for the convention which will cover
the Friday evening reception, the Saturday luncheon and the Saturday evening
banquet as well as a continental breakfast Saturday and Sunday morning.
Please send your $80 preregistration fee to the Federation Center of the
Blind, 119 S. Kilbourne Rd. Columbia, SC 29205.  We are offering a discount
for families with children regarding the preregistration fee.  Parents will
pay the $80 preregistration fee and each child eight teen years of age or
younger will pay $20.  We are also offering a discount to college students
in the amount of $50 during the preregistration period.  After August 3, the
registration will increase to $100.  The program for the convention is
shaping up nicely.  We are working very hard to have a surprise or two for
Saturday morning which hopefully will create excitement and set the tone for
the convention.  

              I like to this time to recognize all the Dads and Granddads in
our federation family and I hope all of you had a wonderful Father's Day
this past Sunday.  

              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.  

              This week's spotlight shines on another longtime federation
member from the Upstate area.  I am speaking of Vernon Smith, President of
the Union County Chapter.  Vernon was born in Greenville and lived for a
short while in Ketton, SC until his family settled in Jonesville in Union
County.  Vernon graduated from Jonesville High School where he then worked
as a janitor for a time.  There is not much in Jonesville as even shopping
requires a trip to Union.  Vernon heard about the federation while at the
Commission for the Blind.  He attended the Union Chapter organizing meeting
in 1979.  Since that time Vernon Smith has served as Social Director, Vice
President and President off and on until 1993 when he was elected the Union
Chapter President until now.  Vernon has attended all but five national
conventions and he plans to be in Orlando in a few weeks.  He has attended
most every state convention since becoming a member.  The Union Chapter may
be small with fewer than a dozen members but they do get their name out just
about every year in the local media.  Vicki Trammel, one of their longtime
members, is helpful in the chapter.  Vernon tells me that she just got back
from a cruise and she is going to visit the country of Norway.  You may
recall Mary Maness, a longtime member who was active in the chapter, passed
away recently.  The NFB of SC has received several living memorials in her
memory totaling $360 to date.  Vernon Smith attends Bethel Baptist Church in
Jonesville where he serves on their Trustee Board and Usher Board.  He says
blind people can certainly be church ushers.  Vernon's hobbies include
watching the news and he is an avid NASCAR fan of Ford drivers like Kevin
Harvick and Joey Lugano who are currently ranked second and third in NASCAR
points standings.  Having become diabetic, Vernon Smith takes walks to
control his blood sugar and to keep in shape.  Let's salute Vernon Smith who
"lives the life he wants" by serving others.

 

Final Thought:   "Your history does not determine your destiny."

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