[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1722

[David Houck]

August 14, 2019

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

From:  Frank Coppel, President

Positive Note 1722

Greetings Fellow Federationists:

I want to take this opportunity to thank the more than 150 individuals who
attended the 2019 NFB of SC state convention this past weekend.  It was
great celebrating the 75th anniversary of the NFB of SC with our federation
family.  There were many outstanding presentations on Saturday and the
enthusiasm and spirit of the convention was wonderful throughout the
weekend.  Jim Gashel did an excellent job as National Representative.  His
National Report was thorough and his Banquet Address was one of the best
I've ever heard.  He was also a great deal of help with writing the two
resolutions that were adopted by the convention.  I would like to take a few
moments to recognize a few people who helped to make this year's convention
a huge success.  Many thanks goes to the Planning Committee of this year's
convention for the outstanding reception and silent auction on Friday
evening as well as for other activities throughout the weekend.  Also thanks
to the Computer Science and Technology Division for the "walk up music"
featured before each speaker.  I would also like to recognize Valerie and
Larry Warrington for their work in streaming the convention as well as all
the other duties they performed during the weekend.  Finally, I would like
to thank David Houck for all of the work that was done prior to and during
the convention.

              I want to thank everyone for their generosity at the Banquet
fundraiser Saturday evening as we were able to raise over $10,000 in
proceeds.  Also, kudos to everyone who participated in the silent auction
Friday evening as we raised $1,400 for Rocky Bottom.

              The convention voted Saturday to amend Article III of the
state constitution dealing with membership:

"Article III.  Membership 

              Section 1.  Though this organization exists to promote the
economic, social and spiritual well-being of blind South Carolinians, active
membership shall be comprised of both blind and sighted members. At least a
majority of the active members of this organization must be blind.  All
members of this organization shall have the right to vote and hold office,
except that only blind members shall be eligible to serve in the office of
President or Vice President. 

              Section 2.  All voting members of local chapters or divisions
shall automatically become voting members of this organization with the
right to vote, serve on committees, speak on the floor, and hold office. 

              Section 3.  Any person who is not affiliated with a local
chapter or division may become a voting member of this organization by
receiving a majority vote of the voting members present and voting at a
convention or by complying with requirements established by the Board of
Directors."

              Congratulations to the following individuals who were elected
to two year terms Sunday morning:  Loretta Green from District One, Derique
Simon from District Three, Linda Dizzley from District Five, and Isaiah
Nelson and Ed Bible for the two At Large positions.  The convention adopted
two resolutions, one dealing with accessible voting machines and the other
dealing with the SC Commission for the Blind.

              During the third quarter meeting of the RBRCCB Board of
Directors, the board discussed plans for the 2019 Fun Day Festival during
the Labor Day weekend (August 30-September 1).  Four meals will be served
including three on Saturday, August 31, and breakfast on Sunday morning,
September 1.  The board voted again to charge $30 for adults and $15 for
children under twelve years of age to cover all four meals including the
lunch on Saturday.  Those individuals who are only attending the Fun Day
Festival Saturday will need to pay Valerie and Larry Warrington $10 for
lunch.  Room reservations for the weekend are taken on a first-come,
first-served basis.  If you need to make a reservation for the Fun Day
weekend, you can call the Federation Center (803) 254-3777 or call me (803)
796-8662 no later than August 26.  I hope that you are selling your $5 Fun
Day tickets as this contributes to the profits.  Remember, the winning
ticket drawn will yield $50 to the seller and $500 to the buyer or $550 if
you bought your own ticket.  The chapter selling the most tickets will
receive $300 for its treasury!  We need to bring new items for the auction
which will take place on Saturday afternoon August 31, at 12:00 noon.  Let's
have a great turnout for the Fun Day Festival as Rocky Bottom very much
needs our financial support.  

              Finally, in the next day or so you will be receiving a letter
on a possible five night Carnival Cruise which will be held on November 14,
2020.

              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.  

              My information concerning the 75th anniversary of the NFB of
SC Convention is that it was a great convention.  I congratulate the
different persons who contributed to the convention.  It was especially kind
of several individuals who recognized my involvement in the NFB of SC, Rocky
Bottom and the NFB.  It was especially kind of our National Representative
Jim Gashel who congratulated Betty and me for our work with the blind of
South Carolina, nationally and worldwide. I worked closely with Mr. Gashel
throughout the years in his different roles.  While Mr. Gashel was the NFB
Director of Governmental Affairs, I learned a great deal from him.  Jim
continues to serve in his high position as the Secretary on the NFB Board of
Directors.  Over the years, Jim and I would from time to time work together
calling upon various members of Congress as well as various US officials.  I
recall Jim and I met with the then Commissioner of the US Department of
Education being none other than Richard "Dick" Riley who worked with the
Clinton Administration.  Incidentally, Mr. Riley was the first SC Governor
to appoint me to the Board of Commissioners of the SC School for the Deaf
and the Blind in 1980.  I have also been blessed to have attended World
Blind Union meetings in Madrid, Cairo and Melbourne, Australia.   I very
much appreciate the kind comments from our state President Frank Coppel who
recounted the history of Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the
Blind from Dr. Capps first visit to the area in 1958 to its founding for use
by the blind in 1979, to the growth and development of the facilities and
grounds to our 40th anniversary celebration this year.  He also noted the
founding of the Aurora Club by Dr. Lawton in Spartanburg in 1944 to the
rapid growth and development of local chapters, divisions and facilities by
Dr. Capps beginning in 1953.  I also appreciate the kind comments made by
our former state President Marshall Tucker who also commented on the
founding of the Aurora Club by Dr. Samuel Miller Lawton and the beginning
growth of the organization by Dr. Donald and Betty Capps.  My thanks also to
former state President Parnell Diggs who recounted the big jury bill battle
and how Dr. Capps won over the opposing legislator by bringing the
legislator's blind school teacher to the meeting.  Finally, I don't want to
forget the tremendous role played by my lovely wife Betty who was always by
my side.  My thanks to our former state Secretary Dorothy Barksdale for
remembering my wife Betty during the Devotional and Memorial Service on
Sunday morning.  

              

Final Thought:   Transforming our dreams into reality:  "The biggest barrier
to what we want in life is ourselves." - Lefford Fate

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