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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>COLUMBIA CHAPTER NEWSLETTER<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>JULY 17, 2015<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB OF SC AUGUST 21-23 CONVENTION<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The state convention is just a month away but there are few rooms left if any at this time even though July 31 is the room block reservation deadline. Call 771-7000 to see if you can still get a room. Speaking of rooms at the convention, if you purchase a $10 ticket from a chapter officer and your name is drawn at the August 13 chapter meeting, your Friday and Saturday night’s stay at the convention will be paid! Get your tickets now while they last. If you are seeking convention assistance and qualify, contact Tiffiny Mitchell by July 24 at 629-5915.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Convention pre-registration is open from now through Friday, August 14 for the reduced price of $70. This includes your name badge, free access to the Friday night Columbia Chapter sponsored ‘70’s theme Reception, Luncheon and Banquet on Saturday and Continental Breakfast Saturday and Sunday morning in the meeting room before general sessions begin as well as your name in the door prize drawing box for door prizes all convention long! If you wait until after August 14, you will have to pay $75. Make your checks payable to NFB of SC and get them to David Houck at the state office. I also will need the names of those registering, if you are a voting or associate member, your chapter or division and if you want a print or braille agenda.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>LABOR DAY FUN DAY WEEKEND SEPTEMBER 4-7, 2015<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> If you are planning to attend the Fun Day weekend and need accommodations, call the state office now to get your name on the accommodations list. Already several have signed up. Enclosed you will find a pack of five $5 Fun Day tickets. If you sold one which is drawn at Fun Day, you get $50 and the buyer gets $500. If you bought your own ticket, you get $550! If the Columbia Chapter sells the most tickets, the chapter receives $300 for its treasury! Let’s win again. Turn in your ticket sales and stubs to David Houck so that chapter and individual credit can be made. David Houck has more tickets if you need them. See you at Rocky Bottom on Fun Day!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>JULY 16 COLUMBIA CHAPTER MEETING<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Columbia Chapter President Tiffiny Mitchell gaveled the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. We had a good turnout and Isaiah Nelson with his kitchen crew fixed hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans, corn-on-the-cob, and vanilla ice cream with strawberries for dessert. Darlene Houck gave a devotional on the American flag in celebration of Independence Day. The state convention and Fun Day were discussed in detail as listed above. The Cherokee trip for August 7-9, staying overnight at Rocky Bottom still has room left for a few. Contact Tiffiny Mitchell if you want to go for the weekend or just go up that Saturday.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Next month’s chapter meeting will be on Thursday, August 13 and BINGO is moved to Thursday, August 27 due to the state convention. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The national convention was discussed including Tiffiny Mitchell, Kattie Jackson, Ed Bible and Pat Wolthoff. It was enjoyed by all and South Carolina placed 8th in the nation in attendance.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> President Mitchell encouraged that every member should respect each other and work toward the benefit of all concerned. We may have differences but this should not prevent us from working together for our blind brothers and sisters. She also announced that Parnell Diggs is taking the position of Director of Governmental Affairs in the national office Jernigan Institute. Frank Coppel will take his place as state President at the state convention and Ed Bible will step up as Chairman of the Center’s Board of Trustees. Ed Bible also announced that he was reappointed for another two year term on the Board of Commissioners of the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind. Congratulations to all! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Finally, the freewill offering was $62.58, the dinner money collected was $208, the van money was $37 and the 50-50 drawing was $35 for the treasury and $35 for the winner. Enjoy your summer!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tiffiiny Mitchell, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Columbia Chapter, NFB of SC<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><img width=1266 height=854 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01D0C08F.E3AA4EB0"><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>