[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1739

[David Houck]

December 11, 2019

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

From:  Frank Coppel, President

Positive Note 1739

Greetings Fellow Federationists:

 

              The 40th annual Christmas Board Retreat held at Rocky Bottom
this past weekend was extremely busy as many of us participated in two board
meetings on Saturday (RBRCCB Board of Directors meeting which was held 9:30
a.m. and the meeting of the Board of Directors of the NFB of SC which was
held at 2:00 p.m.).  The 2020 edition of Children's camp will be held June
6-13.  The dates for the 2020 Senior Camps will be May 17-21 and the fall
senior camp is tentatively scheduled for October 18-22.  

              Ed Bible, Vice Chairman of the RBRCCB Board of Directors, gave
an extensive report regarding the overall operations of the camp.  Mr. Bible
stated there has been a great deal of work done regarding the infrastructure
of our facilities at Rocky Bottom.  Mr. Bible recognized Ted Brewer and Carl
Halverson from the Salem Lions Club who were in attendance at our meeting
for their contributions and hard work during the past year to upgrade our
facilities.  Mr. Bible also recognized many other individuals, church
groups, and civic organizations who have volunteered their services in the
area of building and ground maintenance during the past year.  One of the
groups that was spotlighted was the missions team from Mt. Hebron Methodist
Church in West Columbia who came to Rocky Bottom October 17-19 and did
extensive work in the Conference Center, Osterneck Cottage and the pump
house.  Mr. Bible pointed out that much work still needs to be done in
Osterneck Cottage, the Conference Center, Lawton Hall, and the pond.  The
missions team from Mt. Hebron is scheduled to return to Rocky Bottom in late
March with a much larger group of people to work on these much needed
projects.  The board had an extensive discussion regarding the need to raise
much needed funds for Rocky Bottom.  Jennifer Bazer, fundraising chair for
Rocky Bottom and Valerie Warrington reported two grants were written this
fall.  It was reported to the board that a marketing consultant has been
hired to assist us with the Rocky Bottom website as well as utilizing social
media more effectively as a marketing tool.  The board discussed ideas as to
how we can significantly improve the overall proceeds for the camp at the
Fun Day Festival scheduled for 2020.  Suggestions were made to look at the
feasibility of changing the date of the Festival to October or sometime in
the spring.  This will be further discussed and finalized at the first
quarter board meeting in January.  

              During the NFB of SC State Board meeting, a variety of topics
were discussed.  David Houck Federation Center of the Blind Director, gave
an excellent report.  It was reported the Center has expanded its assistive
technology training programs this past year.  It was also reported the
Federation Center is continuing to undergo much needed renovations as
funding is made available.  The board also heard a report from Jennifer
Bazer, Director of the NFB of SC Successful Transitions program.  Ms. Bazer
reported the program was doing very well as it is now entering its fourth
year of existence.  

              The 2020 Washington Seminar was discussed and will officially
begin with the "great gathering in" meeting 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February
10. Room rates for the Washington Seminar are $198 per night plus a 14.95
percent room tax.  Please call the Holiday Inn Capitol (877) 572-6951 and
referencing booking code N2F to make your reservation.  All reservations
must be made by January 8.  If you have questions regarding the Washington
Seminar, please call me at (803) 796-8662.  

              The board discussed the possibility of chartering a bus to the
2020 national convention in Houston Texas.  Depending upon bus ticket sales
and the interest demonstrated by the membership, a final decision regarding
this matter will be made at the Statewide Seminar on January 4.  

              For the first time in 22 years, the 2020 NFB of SC state
convention will be held in Charleston at the North Charleston Marriott Hotel
the weekend of August 21-23.  Further details regarding the 2020 state
convention will be discussed at the statewide seminar on January 4.  

              The board also discussed the upcoming NFB of SC cruise
scheduled for November 14-19, 2020.  The cruise will depart from Charleston
on the "Sunshine" Carnival Cruise line and travel to the Bahamas.  Thus far,
we have 58 people and 28 cabins signed up for the cruise.  Remember, this is
a fund raiser for the NFB of SC.  For all booking questions and to make
payments please contact:

Elizabeth Harvey, Travel Consultant 

(803) 767-6897 cell phone 

 To mail payments please send them to:

Elizabeth Harvey 

300 Westridge Rd. 

Elgin, SC 29045

              Saturday evening was spent celebrating the Christmas season
with caroling, exchanging of gifts, and sampling a variety of delicious
desserts.  Thanks to everyone who contributed items for the gift bags which
will be distributed to residents of a small assistive living facility in
Pickens.  

              I want to take this opportunity to especially thank Lenora
Robertson and her "food crew" for all of their hard work preparing the
delicious meals throughout the weekend.  I also would like to thank each of
you who attended Rocky Bottom this weekend for making the Christmas Board
Retreat an extremely enjoyable and pleasant experience for Shelley and
myself.  

              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.  

 

Final Thought:   Transforming our dreams into reality:  Some people mistake
life's problems as dreadful experiences instead of as opportunities where we
can shine.

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