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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>March 23, 2016 <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 1545<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings Fellow Federationists:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> For the past three weekends Shelley and I have been spending a great deal of time traveling throughout the NFB of SC. On March 5, Shelley and I traveled to Anderson where we participated in an Upstate seminar sponsored by the Anderson Chapter. Dean Marchbanks, the new President of the Chapter, did an excellent job putting the seminar together. Thirty-four individuals representing four chapters (Anderson, Greenville, Greenwood, and Cherokee) attended the daylong seminar. During the morning session, Shelley and I discussed with the group the history and the purpose of the NFB and the NFB of SC. We also discussed the importance of chapter growth and development. After lunch, David Bundy led the afternoon session demonstrating a variety of assistive technology. As I wrote in last week’s Positive Note, on March 12, Shelley and I traveled to Bishopville where we participated in the Black and White Banquet sponsored by the Lee County Chapter. This past Saturday, March 19, Shelley and I traveled to the town of Lancaster where we attended the second annual Spring Banquet of the Lancaster County Chapter. It was good to see and speak with Daisy Drakeford, Chapter President, and others at the banquet. It was also good to visit with Jennifer Duffell-Hoffman, who is the Coordinator of the NFB of SC’s BELL Academy and along with her family are members of the Lancaster County chapter. Finally, March 27, is Easter Sunday and Shelley and I would like to take this time to wish all of you a very happy and blessed holiday. <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> I believe all of you would agree that my long career in work with the blind includes beneficial experiences. Since we’re in the “BBQ season,” the funds raised are determined by working together to sell as many tickets as possible. I wouldn’t ask you to do anything I wouldn’t do. For about 40 years between the late 1950’s and the late 1990’s, I canvassed all three nights as the canvas is very worthwhile. The following are some things which may assist you. On a good three nights of canvassing over 600 tickets can be sold and hundreds of dollars in contributions can be made. In the late 1950’s Betty put together a list of desirable streets to work our canvas. Most streets are located near the Federation Center which is a beacon for this annual event. In more recent years Frank Coppel and David Houck have done the street assignments. Members canvassing board the van at the Federation Center and are dropped off at the street where the member will be canvassing. The Center’s neighborhood supports the canvas and is very nice to our people. Boy Scouts accompany the canvassers and are wonderful. Only rarely has a member strayed from their assigned street but they are always found. When I was canvassing there was a lady that I always seemed to call on and invariably she would say, ”It’s that time of year again!” She bought tickets. Since Yale Avenue runs down by the Center, it is a long walk, and as long as I was able to do so, I canvased Yale. Sometimes I could sell as many as 40 tickets on Yale Avenue. Speaking of Boy Scouts, the first Troop from my church, Kilbourne Park Baptist Church, served as guides in the late 1950’s. I can’t recall the Scouts ever causing injury to a canvasser as their service was valuable. The late Mr. M. B. “Red” Shaw secured Boy Scouts for several decades for the canvassing. Red also helped with the canvassers by riding on the van and helping to keep up with the different streets used by canvassers. Red was a wonderful person and we miss him. We miss many federationists identified with the canvas including Edsel Doyle. Edsel always worked Kilbourne Road and he talked to many residents and Edsel was good at starting up an interesting conversation. The Center plays a very important role in the canvas and is utilized for the food service after the canvas. Members are good about sponsoring the “canvas events.” I appreciate your traveling down memory lane with me as I treasure the experience.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “On Palm Sunday they wanted to crown Him King, a few days later they were ready to crucify Him, and on Easter Sunday He arose from the dead, paying for our sins and sitting at the right hand of the Throne of God!”<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>