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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>August 26, 2015<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Memo To: Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>From: Frank Coppel, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Positive Note 1515<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings Fellow Federationists:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I would say the 2015 State Convention of the NFB of SC was one of the most memorable conventions I have attended for many years. Parnell Diggs did an excellent job presiding over his last State Convention, and although we will miss him a great deal we wish him much success in his new position as the Director of Government Affairs for the NFB. Many thanks go to Tiffiny Mitchell, President of the Columbia Chapter and her team who got the festivities off to a resounding start Friday evening with a wonderful reception. This year we were honor to have Chris Danielsen, Public Relations Director of the NFB, as our National Representative for the convention. Chris is a native South Carolinian who began his Federation journey in the NFB of Sc. Mr. Danielsen gave a thorough National report and his Banquet Speech Saturday evening was outstanding. Another highlight of the Banquet was the awarding of scholarships to seven deserving college students. I also like to thank the membership of the NFB of SC for their awesome generosity which was demonstrated during the Banquet fundraiser. We were able to quickly raise $10,000 which will be divided equally between the NFB of SC and the Federation Center. Elections were held Sunday morning and the following individuals were elected for one year terms; President, Frank Coppel, 1st Vice President, Lenora Robertson, 2nd Vice President, Debra Canty, 5th district, Linda Dizzley, and member-at-large, Jamie Allison. Elected for two year terms were 1st District Levern Wilson, 3rd District, Frank Loza, and members-sat-large, Isaiah Nelson and Ed Bible. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Columbia Chapter is currently organizing a cruise which will set sail on April 25, 2016, on The Enchantment of the Sea, Royal Caribbean Cruise line. The cruise will be five days and four nights and the deposit is $200. For more detailed information contact Tiffiny Mitchell at (803) 629-5915. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Again, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your support as I assume the duties of the State Presidency of the NFB of SC. I believe a good State President should be accessible and a good listener to their membership. If you need to contact me for whatever reason, please do so. You can call me at (803) 796-8662 or email me at frankcoppel@att.net. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Good news – Monday evening I attended a meeting of the Salem Lions Club which presented me with a gift of $3,000 to complete the funds needed to handle the repairs of Lawton Hall. There were about 75 Lions in attendance. As you know, I have spent a lot of time in the past several months generating funds to make the needed repairs as I did not want to take operating funds to do the work. Plans call for us to complete the repairs in late September. Last Saturday our distinguished Advisory Board member Phil Marret and four other Lions came to Rocky Bottom and did work on the putt-putt golf course. Over the weekend a church group out of Hendersonville, NC occupied our facilities and made a gift of 20 new pillows for Osterneck Cottage. This was also a lucrative rental. This same church group will be using our facilities this weekend. Our Resident Manager Brooke West is doing a good job. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Congratulations to Frank Coppel who is our new state President and also congratulations to Lenora Robertson who is our new First Vice President and congratulations to Debra Canty who was elected Second Vice President. Incidentally I want to congratulate Jamie Allison President of our Cherokee County Chapter who was elected to the Board of Directors of the NFB of SC. I’m sorry I missed much of the convention as it appears to have been an outstanding success but I do plan to listen to the recordings. Betty sustained some bruises and a sprained hand in her Friday evening fall and I did not feel that I could leave her not knowing the full extent of her injuries. She is making a good recovery. I’m impressed with the amount of $10,000 given at the Banquet. Since I could not be present for the Banquet, I’m taking the liberty of advising that I am hereby giving a pledge of $200. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Adding to the chapters making contributions to the Fun Day Food purchase from last week is the Loris Chapter under the excellent leadership of its President Alma Lee Doyle who gave $50. Congratulations to Jennifer Bazer who has agreed to handle the very important Children’s Camp in July 2016. Jennifer is eminently qualified for this important position and I have found it rewarding working with her in this matter. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Both the NFB of SC and RBRCCB are enjoying much success these days and I’m grateful to everyone who has stepped up to the plate. I’m dictating this Positive Note from Rocky Bottom so that I could travel to the Walhalla area where the Lions Club met. I had a good conference with Brooke West and also talked briefly with our Rocky Bottom member of the Board of Directors, Dr. Tom Bowen.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “The most important thing at all levels of the federation is the succession to the Presidency.” – Dr. Kenneth Jernigan <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>