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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>April 27, 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 1550<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 Wednesday, April 20, I was honored to speak at the Volunteer Appreciation luncheon hosted by the Talking Book Services. Sandy Knowles and her staff did an excellent job putting the luncheon together. It was also good to see Dr. Marvin Efron, a longtime friend of the blind at the luncheon. It was evident the staff of Talking Book Services utilizes volunteers a great deal to provide services to their patrons and it was great to see these individuals being recognized for their hard work, commitment and dedication. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Yesterday morning, I along with Jennifer Bazer and Justin Williams spoke at the Advocacy Day for Access and Independence which was held on the steps of the State House. It was very exciting speaking to hundreds of people, legislators, and the media. Jennifer and Justin did a great job with their presentations. I spoke to the crowd regarding the fact that we have accomplished a great deal in our movement, but there was still much work to be done, if we are going to achieve our goal of first class citizenship. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Since there are currently seven individuals who have signed up to ride the bus to Orlando, the State Board at its April 9, meeting voted to have May 15, as a deadline for individuals to sign up for the bus list. If we do not fill the 47 passenger bus by May 15, we will need to consider the option of using fifteen passenger vans to transport our members to the Convention. The charter bus or vans will depart from the Federation Center in Columbia 8:00 a.m. Thursday, June 30, and the bus or vans will leave Orlando to return to the Federation Center 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6. We are now accepting your reservation fee of $100 to ride the charter bus or vans to Orlando. Remember, this reservation fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have an announcement From Ed Bible. “Computers for the Blind (CFTB) has received a grant from Delta Gamma Foundation to provide 85 consumers with fully accessible desktop computers & monitors for $50. Consumers must send award letter showing that they are on SSI, not SSDI to be eligible. Previous grant recipients are not eligible. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> For $10 a state agency or consumer can also obtain the license key to obtain Talking Typing Teacher (TTT) from MarvelSoft. Note: $10 offer is only good for license keys to be installed on CFTB computers. Basic training is available for free at Lighthouses for the Blind in Texas and may be available at similar facilities throughout the US if the consumer does not qualify for state funded training. For details go to our recent enhancements or contact us at: 214-340-6328, info@computersfortheblind.net, or www.computersfortheblind.net.”<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> “Big Thursday” also known as “the barbecue” is now history and I’m grateful it is. The barbecue was a success. More than 2,200 plates were sold. It was my best year in several years. I was blessed to be able to sell more than 600 plates. I was able to increase my sales because I made more contacts. It’s my understanding that the caterer did an excellent job on the day of the barbecue. I believe our members and others worked very hard to be sure our service to customers was top flight. I want to complement our Columbia Chapter President Tiffiny Mitchell for organizing the barbecue and seeing it to completion.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Monday morning I welcomed our newly married Resident Manager of RBRCCB, Brooke West-Rivers. The following is Brook’s response to my welcoming her back: “Thank you for your kind words welcoming me back! I'm excited for the start of our busy season next month and I am so grateful to have the Salem Lions Club and the Mt. Hebron Church to help me get the grounds and facilities looking their best. I was delighted to receive the beautiful wedding card and gift of the Resident Manager's name plaque for my desk. Working with you and the NFB of SC here at RBRCCB is such a special privilege and I am so grateful to have such a rewarding vocation in life. It means the world to me that you are so pleased with my work that you would have a resident manager plaque made for me in my name. It looks just wonderful on the desk in my office and gives me such pride to see it there. Last year my focus was on renovations, donations for repairs and maintenance, and getting the facilities in good working order. This year my focus is on seeking large funding for operational costs. Now that the wedding planning is finally behind me I can spend all of my energies and talents on seeking and raising funds for RBRCCB.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We could have the Salem Lions Club work on painting the rooms in Ellenburg, there are quite allot of scuff marks and dings on the walls in most of the bedrooms. So far we have only repainted the kitchen, common area walls, and stair railing. We already have the paint and rollers so all they would need to do is show up and paint. Jami and I are looking forward to visiting with you this weekend and hope you have a safe trip.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Commission for the Blind to be held on Friday, May 6.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: Literacy for the blind: “Got Braille?”<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>