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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>August 24, 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 1567 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings Fellow Federationists: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>30th Anniversary Positive Note! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fun Day Auction: Carolina Panthers Signed football!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> On Saturday, August 20, the NFB of SC Board of Directors summer meeting was held and a variety of topics were discussed. The board heard reports from two committees which have been established this year. Debra Canty, Chairperson of the fund raising committee, reported the NFB of SC has raised approximately $2200 thus far this year and she and her committee would like to plan another fundraiser in the fall. Jamie Allison, Chairperson of the Youth Recruitment committee, reported to the board the NFB of SC will again have a student chapter at the SC School for the Deaf and Blind beginning this fall. Both of these individuals are doing an outstanding job chairing their respective committees and I look forward to continue hearing positive reports from them during the months to come. In an effort to generate more funds for the National Convention charter bus fundraiser, the board voted to increase the cost of the ticket to $2 each or three tickets for $5. The board also voted to award an individual $300 for the winning ticket, $100 to the seller of the ticket, and $300 to the chapter selling the most tickets. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We are very excited to have Jeannie Massay as the national representative to our state convention this year. Ms. Massay is the treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind and she are also is the state president of the Oklahoma affiliate. Plans are under way to have two important activities taking place Friday afternoon, October 28, at our convention. Tiffany Mitchell, Columbia chapter president, will be heading up a “meet and greet” for chapter presidents. The “Meet and Greet” will provide chapter presidents the opportunity to become more acquainted with each other and the opportunity to discuss a variety of topics in an informal setting. The other activity which will be held Friday afternoon at the convention is a BELL x workshop under the direction of Jennifer Duffell Hoffman and Jamie Allison. The workshop will work specifically on slate and stylus and white cane skills. This will be a good time for children and parents to meet with each other and to meet with blind South Carolinian adults. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> As you can see, the 2016 NFB of SC state convention which will be held October 28-30 in Myrtle Beach at the Sands Resort/Ocean Dunes Hotel is an event you do not want to miss! I would suggest if you have not made your room reservation as yet you may want to do so by calling 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. Amenities include in-room safes, refrigerators, microwaves, coffee pots, irons, ironing boards, hair dryers, electronic door locks, wireless Internet connections, and telephones with voice mail in all sleeping rooms. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I would also encourage you to pay your $70 preregistration for the convention which will cover the Friday evening reception, the Saturday luncheon and the Saturday evening banquet as well as a continental breakfast Saturday and Sunday morning. After September 23, the registration will increase to $85. The program for the convention is shaping up nicely. We are working very hard to have a surprise or two for Saturday morning which hopefully will create excitement and set the tone for the convention. <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> This is a very historic week and a special program which had its beginning 30 years ago this week. I’m referring to the Positive Note, the first commencing on August 22, 1986. The primary purpose of the Positive Note is to have communication each week across the state consisting of positive occurrences from that particular week. To the best of my knowledge we have not missed a Positive Note at any time during the past 30 years. Here are some statistics: The 1,567 Positive Notes have generated much information on both the local and statewide federation. Many important issues affecting the blind of the state over 30 years have been covered by the Positive Note.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> There has been an important scheduling change with the auction during the Fun Day which has been switched from Sunday to Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Jeff Bazer is in charge of the auction. This auction was discussed during last Saturday’s board meeting as we want to accommodate as many chapters as possible and felt that there would be greater participation on Saturday for all concerned. We will adjourn the auction just before 3:00 p.m. just prior to the performing of Neal McJunkin’s benefit concert in Lawton Hall. If we do not complete the auction by 3:00 p.m., we will reconvene the auction immediately after 4:30 p.m. which is after the concert would be completed. There will be BINGO after lunch on Sunday which will be handled by Elizabeth Farr, the mother of our own Valerie Farr. Other activities to be emphasized Sunday afternoon include the Old Country Store, the Yard Sale, RBRCCB hats, T-shirts, etc. for sale, and the sale of Fun Day tickets with the drawing that afternoon. I am grateful to many of our people who have agreed to manage important areas of responsibility. Again, speaking of the auction, it appears some very nice things have been gathered and we want everyone to pitch in and secure some items as this will help to generate some profits. You need to get your Neal McJunkin concert tickets which are only $10 each. Both David Houck and Brooke Rivers have tickets to the concert. You may also secure concert tickets at the main door of Lawton Hall and for those needing accessibility, someone will also be at the rear of Lawton Hall who can handle your ticket needs. We have experienced a good turnout for this year’s Fun Day Festival as it is apparent the facilities will be filled to capacity. We will need to have some sharing of the facilities.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have reached the $1,000 needed to cover the Center’s power bill thanks to federationists who contributed including the Sumter, Grand Strand, Lee, Georgetown, Anderson, Belvedere, Charleston, Cherokee, Upper Dorchester, and Clarendon Chapters as well as Jamie Allison and Isaiah Nelson. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> These are exciting times as we have been celebrating Fun Day for some 35 years which is the only annual funding campaign to assist in the funding of the RBRCCB program.<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: #19: 1981 - A bill mandating the service of a blind person on the Board of Commissioners of the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>