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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>September 23, 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 1519<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> Hello from Rocky Bottom where the 2015 Fall session of Senior Camp is in full swing. Twenty-three campers from Georgetown to Greenville are participating in this year’s camp, enjoying such activities as walking, BINGO and a cooking activity. We also had a great time at the Sky Top Apple Orchard Tuesday morning purchasing apples, jellies and other goods. This afternoon campers are preparing for a talent show which is a highlight of the camp. Hats off to Ed Bible, Jennifer Bazer, David Bundy and the missionary group from Mt. Hebron Methodist Church for the outstanding work they did last weekend. Many repairs were done and plans are for the church to come back November 6-7 to complete this fine work.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Next week we will be mailing out 2016 Orlando Bus tickets to all chapters to raise money to charter busses to the NFB national convention. It is up to all of us to sell these tickets so that we can fund this worthwhile program.<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> It was our pleasure to spend the weekend at RBRCCB where we enjoyed visiting with the senior blind members and at Monday’s Advisory Board meeting. I don’t believe we could have a better Director of the Senior Blind program than Frank Coppel who does an outstanding job. As always, our food service expert Lenora Robertson was doing a wonderful job. Monday morning I had a conference with our Resident Manager Brooke West to review the progress of this unique program during the first nine months and look at ways we can improve for the balance of the year. Our distinguished Advisory Board Chairman John Sarpy called the board meeting to order at about 12:30 p.m. A half dozen Advisory Board members were present including those who had to drive from places like Anderson, Clemson and Inman, etc. Chairman Sarpy recognized our new member Ms. Kay Bradley who resides in Inman. Ms. Bradley is a Lions Club member and has served as club president. She and Mrs. Douglass give a good balance to the Advisory Board. Frank Coppel and two of the senior blind, Melanie Torrance and Dale Wolthoff made presentations to the Advisory Board concerning their appreciation of this unique service. Chairman Sarpy called upon me for a report and I was able to share with the board positive developments and challenges. I reported that during the year beginning in January we had rental income of approximately $19,000 with reservations in the last three months of the year totaling about $25,000 of rental income. I explained that this income source plus the Fun Day Festival and miscellaneous contributions will amount to more than $35,000. We have come a long way financially, now more than 50% self-supporting, but we have a long way to go which is a challenge. I reported the fine volunteer work done by Ed Bible and his church and gladly told them that Ed’s church will be coming back to RBRCCB November 6-7 for additional improvements. I also explained that groups which have enjoyed RBRCCB had signed up 100% for 2016. We discussed the repairs to be made beginning this Friday, September 25 by our contractor. This is an $8,000 job. This was made possible because of months of intense contributions to cover the cost of repairs to Lawton Hall. I reported that this summer was not a good year for our pool usage as there were difficulties including equipment breakdowns throughout the summer. I explained that Dr. Tom Bowen, resident member of our Board of Directors agreed to assist us, making sure the pool is ready for 2016. Our Advisory Board member Phil Marett reported that he would be involved in a gathering of Lions Club members and the blind in October to plan for the 2016 blind fishing expedition. Upon our return to Columbia Monday night we ran into a severe electrical rain storm which had flooded the streets and many cars were flooded out but our excellent driver and caregiver Debbie Manning drove her pick-up truck on the curbing and managed to get through the flood. Throughout the years I have heard about this type of weather but this is the first time I was personally involved. It was scary. Thankfully we arrived safely home and we gave a prayer of thanks to our Heavenly Father.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “A budget always looks great on paper, but planning for things like revenue shortfalls and unexpected expenses always seem to get in the way.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>