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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>August 31, 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 1516<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> Before we turn our attention to the Fun Day festivities which will be occurring over the Labor Day weekend at Rocky Bottom, I would like to make some additional comments regarding this year’s State Convention. I was extremely interested and cautiously excited with the remarks made by Mr. Kyle Walker, Director of Vocational Services for the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, regarding his philosophy as to how the rehabilitation process should work and his positive view on partnerships. I look forward to speaking with Mr. Walker in the very near future for the purpose of developing other partnerships between the NFB of SC and the Commission for the Blind which will be designed to improve the quality of life of the blind in this state. Many individuals have inquired as to what the final registration figures were for this year’s convention. 172 individuals registered for the convention. Although 172 is a respectable number of individuals to be registered, I know we can do much better in the NFB of SC. I plan to work extremely hard this year with Chapter Presidents and others to reach a goal of 225 individuals to be registered for the 2016 state convention. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Shannon Cook, Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee, says: “On behalf of the NFB of SC Scholarship Committee, we’d like to thank the chapters, divisions, and individuals who gave so generously to this year’s scholarship program. Thanks to you all, we were able to distribute $4,250 in scholarship funding to seven college students. As you decide your funding for next year, please keep the scholarship program in mind. Our hope is that this will help those to achieve independence and help them have a long and prosperous career.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Shelley and I will not be attending the Fun Day festivities this year as we have been invited to participate in a Leadership Seminar held at the Jernigan Institute in Baltimore over the Labor Day weekend. We need to do all we can to support Rocky Bottom and there needs to be a large Federation turnout for this very important fundraising event. <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>We will certainly miss President Frank Coppel and Shelley this Fun Day as they prepare to leave for an NFB Leadership Seminar over the Labor Day weekend. I am certain they will learn much which will help Mr. Coppel in his new position as state President. I know that Frank Coppel has missed very few if any Fun Day Festivals in many years and he has always played an important role in their success.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Last week was a banner week as RBRCCB received $3,000 from the Salem Lions Club for Lawton Hall repairs and Brooke West was able to secure $1,000, her largest contribution to date, for RBRCCB from the Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley. These contributions go a long way in support of our programs at RBRCCB and in keeping our facilities in tip top shape all year round.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have received near record requests from some 50 members for Fun Day reservations and this represents almost full capacity attendance. As previously pointed out, it may be necessary to have multiple occupancy in a room but I am confident that everyone will understand the situation. If you must cancel out, please contact the state office immediately at 803-254-3777. Please remember to bring your linen and towels. Remember, when you arrive at Rocky Bottom, get in touch with our Resident Manager Brooke West and she will give you your room assignments and keys. Be certain to turn in your room keys to Brooke West before you leave for home on Monday.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>First thing Saturday morning we will enjoy a good southern breakfast as our food service Director Lenora Robertson and her kitchen crew does an excellent job. Remember that there will be a special luncheon on Saturday which will feature barbecue and all the trimmings. We hope we will have good community participation for the luncheon which is at only $10. This $10 payment will be made to an individual assigned by Lenora during the luncheon. The $30 payment will be made to our Treasurer, Valerie Warrington which covers breakfast and dinner on Saturday, three meals on Sunday and Monday breakfast. Remember to get your Fun Day tickets to David Houck in time for the Saturday afternoon drawing. You could win $50 as the seller, $500 as the buyer or $550 if you buy your own ticket and it is the winning Fun Day ticket drawn. Don’t forget that the chapter selling the most Fun Day tickets will receive $300 for their chapter’s treasury. Who will it be? Don’t forget to bring items for the auction sale which Parnell Diggs will be in charge. We need items for the yard sale which Alma Lee Doyle will be heading up. We need items for the Old Country Store (especially baked goods) that Brooke West will be selling on Saturday as well. I know that BINGO is very popular and Kim Diggs will be calling out BINGO for prizes. Darlene Houck will be selling Rocky Bottom T-shirts and caps so you will want to show your support for Rocky Bottom by getting your very own T-shirt and cap. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I hope several Upstate chapters as well as others from around the state will load up their vans and participate in Saturday’s activities. Let me conclude this part of the Positive Note by thanking all of you for your assistance, for without this support the Fun Day Festival would not be nearly as successful. See you at Rocky Bottom!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “There are two ‘i’s’ in Fundraising – they should stand for inspiration and innovation.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>