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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>July 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 1563<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> In the summer edition of the South Carolina Living magazine, an article appeared recognizing LeVern Wilson and the Conway chapter along with other non-profit organizations as being recipients of the “Acts of Kindness Award” sponsored by the Horry Electric Cooperative. In accepting this award and a contribution of $500 to the Conway Chapter, Mr. Wilson stated in the article this generous contribution will be used to assist his members to attend the NFB of SC State convention which will be held in Myrtle Beach later in the fall. Kudos to the Conway chapter and its President, LeVern Wilson, for working hard to raise funds to assist chapter members to attend the State Convention. As a Chapter President, you also can work hard to contact civic organizations and businesses in your community in an effort to raise additional funds to assist members to attend this year’s convention. It is my hope all chapters are working diligently to ensure their members have an opportunity to come and participate in the 2016 NFB of SC state convention. By the way, the program for the state convention is shaping up nicely. If you would like to see a particular agenda item on the program, please contact me as soon as possible. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Speaking of the 2016 NFB of SC State Convention, it is hard to believe the convention is only three months away. If you have not done so already, please make your room reservations at the Ocean Dunes/Sands Resort hotel in Myrtle Beach the weekend of October 28-30. To make your room reservations call the Sands resort Central Reservations at 1-800-599-9872 and inform the reservationist you are reserving a room for the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina state convention. All reservations must be guaranteed by check or credit card and received within 5 days of reservation date. Advance deposits will be credited to the last night's stay as indicated by individual reservation request. Room rates for this year’s convention are very affordable. The price of rooms including taxes is $87 per night for ocean view and $99 per night ocean front and can accommodate up to four in a room. These room rates will be available three days before or three days after the convention. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Also, please send in your $70 preregistration fee for this year’s State Convention. Please send your $70 preregistration fee to the Federation Center of the Blind, 119 S. Kilbourne Rd. Columbia, SC 29205. All preregistration fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable. As in past years, the $70 preregistration fee will cover the reception on Friday evening, continental breakfast Saturday morning, luncheon, banquet, and a continental breakfast Sunday morning. The deadline to accept your $70 preregistration fee is September 23. If you wait until after the deadline of September 23, the registration will increase to $85. Save $15 and preregister early! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have an announcement from Steve Cook, President of the Computer Science and Technology Division. “President Tiffiny Mitchell of the Columbia Chapter of the NFB of SC asked me to set up an official Face Book page for our chapter. If you would like to join our group, look us up on Face Book as the “Official Columbia Chapter of the NFB of SC.” <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> Having participated in Rotary for some 40 years I’m familiar with the work of a service organization. I’m convinced that the Salem Lions Club is one of the finest civic organizations in the country. Throughout the years the Salem Lions Club has made considerable financial gifts to RBRCCB. This fine organization has also held “workdays” making repairs, etc. I’m reminded of attending a meeting of the Salem Lions Club last August where I was to be presented with a check in the amount of $3,000 to complete the funds needed to finalize repairs to Lawton Hall. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Incidentally, I have been advised by Jennifer Bazer, Director of Children’s Camp that Lawton Hall was used extensively for devotionals, meetings, group presentations and a talent show. Also, she arranged for a ramp to be made so that a camper could enter and enjoy Lawton Hall in a wheelchair. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Earlier, the Salem Lions Club had shampooed all of the seats in Lawton Hall. We are now advised that the Salem Lions Club is donating washing machines to RBRCCB and this is a major gift as we need this equipment.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Congratulations to Levern Wilson, the excellent President of the Conway Chapter on being presented with a check for $500 by the Horry Electric Cooperative to be used for their members assistance in attending the October 28 to 30 NFB of SC Convention. This presentation to Levern and the Conway Chapter was covered in the Horry Electric magazine. Also, our thanks to Levern who is on the Board of Directors of the NFB of SC for the chapter's gift of $200 to the Federation Center. Our statewide service is handled by the Federation Center and contributions are very much in order. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> It is only five weeks away that we will be celebrating the annual Fun Day Festival at RBRCCB. We have heard from a number of members who have signed up for Labor Day. If you have not yet made your reservations, you should do so now so that you can be assured of an accommodation. In order to make Fun Day a success you need to sell your $5 Fun Day tickets. Also, we need to secure auction items. It is not too early to purchase your $10 tickets to the Rickey Godfrey concert which will be held Saturday afternoon September 3 between 3:00 and 4:30 p.m. As you can see, there is considerable activity taking place. And then there is of course the statewide convention taking place between October 28 and 30.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: History of NFB of SC Legislative Victories: #15 & #31: 1972 - Bill #3071 gives rights to blind persons as to access to and enjoyment of public buildings, conveyances, housing facilities, use of guide dogs and to provide for an annual White Cane Safety Day each October 15, known as The Model White Cane Law. 2000 - Stopped legislative initiative which would "water down" the effectiveness of "The Model White Cane Law."<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>