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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>November 4, 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 1525<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> This past Tuesday evening I participated in the NFB of SC Fundraising Committee meeting chaired by our Second Vice President Debra Canty. Although it would have been great to have 100 percent attendance for our first Fundraising Committee meeting, the eight members who did attend by teleconference actively participated with a great deal of enthusiasm and energy. Chairperson Canty did a great job presiding over the meeting. The two ideas which were primarily discussed were; 1. Selling a stainless steel thermos coffee mugs with the NFB one minute message and logo, and, 2. Holding a Sweetheart dance on February 13, 2016, featuring food, music and dancing. As further details become available regarding these two fundraisers, I will share them with you in future Positive Notes. Each of us needs to do all we can to help raise funds to support our State Organization. I would like to see us raise additional funds to improve our Scholarship program and other programs which are designed to improve the quality of life of the blind of this state. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I trust all of you are working very hard selling your 2016 Orlando National Convention bus tickets. I am hopeful ticket sales and what we charge for each seat will cover the approximate $8,000 cost for the chartered bus. Remember, the drawing will be held at the conclusion of the Statewide Seminar on January 9, 2016. The individual who purchases the winning tickets will receive $300, the seller of the winning ticket will receive $300 and the chapter who sells the most tickets will receive $300. If you are as lucky as Mr. Isaiah Nelson has been in previous years, and purchase bus tickets yourself, you could win a grand total of $600 as you would be the seller and purchaser of the winning ticket. <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 hardly seems possible that Thanksgiving is only three weeks away and the Christmas Board Retreat is only four weeks away from this weekend. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Continuing with information surrounding the creation of the Commission 50 years ago, the blind had completed visits with their personal legislators and a number of blind people cries-crossed the state contacting legislators in support of this legislation. So much interest had been generated which resulted in a Joint Hearing of the House and Senate which was held in the Senate chambers so that the more than 100 attendees could attend the hearing. Earlier our federation attorney Gene Rogers and myself had secured bills used in other states with the best portions of these bills used to create the Commission. Rep. Jami Lee from Marlboro County had traveled to Des Moines, Iowa to inspect the Iowa Commission for the Blind headed by NFB official Dr. Kenneth Jernigan. Rep. Lee was a member of the nine member Legislative Study Committee. The March 1965 Joint Hearing was not without its detractors. Gene Rogers presented our case and Mr. Jim Cherry, Chief of the Division for the Blind handled their case. We relied primarily upon our Founder, Dr. Samuel Miller Lawton who participated in the hearing as we felt he would be the most influential presenter. During his presentation Dr. Lawton stated that, “There was nothing well nor fair about the Welfare Department.” Some of us paid a high price in order to get this legislation passed. I was portrayed as the one individual who wanted to head up the Commission; never mind that I had been working with Colonial Life for nearly 20 years. Opponents of the bill recruited a disgruntled in-law who publicly attacked me. Dr. Fred Crawford who was born in the state, graduated from the SC School for the Blind, graduated from USC Law School and practiced law for some time in the Upstate, was described by opponents to the bill as a New Yorker who had come down to SC to interfere in the matter. Despite their attacks we were successful in getting support at the hearing which ultimately played a key role in the passage of the legislation. Louise London, a member of the Columbia Chapter, was at the hearing with her guide dog “Lady.” Someone accidentally stepped on Lady and she responded with a loud bark which brought the proceedings to a temporary halt.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “Motivation is what it takes to get you started. Your character shows what it takes to stop you.”<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>