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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>April 20, 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 1549<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> As many of you know, for the past few months I have been working with staff from the Commission for the Blind in an effort to plan a suitable program for the Fiftieth Anniversary celebration of the agency. During the time between January 13, and March 24, there were issues which needed to be resolved such as the “eating in the dark” activity and the apparent unwillingness of the Chairman of this committee , to communicate with me regarding times of meetings and how planning for this event was progressing. After the March 24 meeting, I did feel fairly confident plans were beginning to head in the right direction. However, I was informed at our last meeting which was held on April 12, only those individuals who were to participate in the program and Commission staff would not have to pay the $25 charge to attend the May 6, banquet being held at the Embassy Suites Hotel. Everyone else who wishes to attend the banquet must purchase a $25 ticket including the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina. I was extremely surprised hearing this statement since I had specifically asked the question at the January 13, meeting who were considered guests and who had to pay. I was told at that time the NFB of SC Board of Directors were going to be considered as guest for this event and therefore, these individuals would not have to purchase a ticket. It was explained to me on April 12, the reason why the agency reversed its position regarding this matter was because the chairman of the committee did not realize our State Board was “so large” and the agency could not justify this expense. The expense for our Board to attend the banquet on May 6, would be $300 or less. It is sad to me that, at a time when we should be celebrating our accomplishments in providing services to blind South Carolinians for the past fifty years, there always seems to be another issue to be resolved. It is my hope that we can genuinely celebrate this milestone and feel pride in what all of us have accomplished over the last fifty years. <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> For several decades the annual Carolina/Clemson football game was held on “Big Thursday” at the Fairgrounds. As a matter of fact, a bill designating “Big Thursday” was officially made a holiday on this special day. This arrangement continued until about 40 or 50 years ago. Virtually everything closed on Big Thursday as it was a festive occasion throughout the state. I believe one of the principle reasons Big Thursday was terminated was because Clemson understandably became unhappy with the game being held in Columbia every year with this curtailing much of the business in the Clemson area. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> That was Big Thursday but for 60 years there has been another “Big Thursday” with the Columbia Chapter’s annual barbecue being held either the third Thursday in April or the last Thursday in April. Big Thursday is this week. It certainly will be a festive time at the Federation Center as hundreds of plates of barbecue will be served at the Center with others picked up. Monday night was the last canvas night and the three canvas nights were successful. The canvasses resulted in over $4,000 in revenue which of course is an important part of this project. It provided $565 in donations with 393 tickets sold. Many of you will be receiving the Positive Note Wednesday afternoon by email and Thursday by direct mail. We are very proud of the preliminary report which includes members of the Columbia Chapter who worked hard to ensure good results. This Thursday members and others will be serving the barbecue. An approximate breakdown of member participation is about two-thirds with about one-third representing volunteers. There will be two serving lines which is necessary to accommodate our customers. Each plate will include one-half of a barbecue chicken, green beans, an ear of corn, bread and ice tea if eaten on the premises. One of Columbia’s best barbecue businesses will be in charge of preparing the food. While the proceeds of the barbecue will fund the many programs of the Columbia Chapter, this unique program also produces excellent public goodwill. With the barbecue being served until 8:00 p.m., you can imagine everyone will be very tired but at the same time very appreciative of the outstanding success of this long running project.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: Orientation and Mobility: Have White Cane, will travel.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>