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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'>October 12, 2016 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'>Memo To: Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter &Division Presidents & Others<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'>From: Frank Coppel, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'>Positive Note 1574<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'>Greetings Fellow Federationists: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'> The 60th annual State Convention of the NFB of SC which will be held at the Sands Resort/Ocean Dunes Hotel in Myrtle Beach October 28-30 is shaping up to be one of the best ever! We are in the process of finalizing the program for the weekend, as well as finalizing many other details which will insure us to have a successful convention. Along with the usual division and committee meetings which are held on Friday, we are also holding a BELL X work shop and a drop-in for Chapter Presidents. Both of these activities will begin at 2:00 and conclude at 3:30 p.m. Remember, we are planning a “Beach Party” theme for our Friday evening reception. I am very excited to announce we have secured a band for this event, so bring your dancing shoes and let’s “shag on the beach”! Saturday promises to be a very busy day filled with a variety of informative and interesting program items. The theme for the convention this year is “Raising Expectations”. To promote this theme, the NFB of SC will be selling t-shirts which will have the NFB logo imposed on a beach scene on the front of the shirt and with the phrase “Raising Expectations” written in both Braille and print on the back. The t-shirts were designed by our own Jamie Allison and I am told they look very sharp. The t-shirts will sell for $13 or $15 depending on the size of the shirt. Also, we will be conducting our annual banquet fundraiser Saturday evening, October29, to help fund the Federation Center and the NFB of SC. We need individuals as well as chapters to step up and contribute during the banquet to both of these extremely important programs. As you can see, the 2016 NFB of SC State Convention is a convention you do not want to miss. It is not too late to make hotel reservations for the state convention. However, I strongly suggest you do so immediately 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. I am being told by the hotel that there are plenty of ocean view rooms for $87 per night including tax, however, ocean front rooms for $99 per night including tax are becoming limited. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'> There is only approximately one week remaining (October 14) to accept your $70 preregistration fee for the State Convention. The $70 preregistration for the convention 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 October 14, the registration will increase to $85. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'> Governor Haley has proclaimed October 15, 2016, as White Cane Safety Day. Below, is her proclamation. State of South Carolina - Governor’s Proclamation<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'> WHEREAS, the white cane is a simple yet effective tool of independence that contributes to the self-sufficiency of the blind and visually impaired by allowing them to navigate through their environment safely, avoiding physical barriers and hazards; and <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'> WHEREAS, the white cane is a symbol of dignity and determination as well as a tangible reminder that individuals with impaired eyesight are able to go, to move, to be, and to compete with all others in society and to lead full, independent, and productive lives; and <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'> WHEREAS, established by the National Federation of the Blind, the annual observance of "White Cane Safety Day" emphasizes the need for all Americans to be aware of the presence of disabled persons in our communities and to work together to keep the streets, highways, sidewalks, walkways, public buildings and facilities, and places of public accommodation, amusement, and resort safe and functional for the disabled; and <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'> WHEREAS, the 2016 observance of "White Cane Safety Day" provides an opportunity for people across the Palmetto State and the nation to renew their dedication to eliminating barriers for the blind and visually impaired. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'> NOW, THEREFORE, I, Nikki R. Haley, Governor of the great State of South Carolina, do hereby proclaim October 15, 2016, as WHITE CANE SAFETY DAY throughout the state and encourage all South Carolinians to show respect for those who carry the white cane, to honor their many achievements, and to reaffirm our commitment to improving access to basic services for blind and visually impaired persons. NIKKI R. HALEY, GOVERNOR, STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'> 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></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'> All of you across the state, especially those in the path of Hurricane Matthew, have been in our thoughts and prayers. I believe that some of you sustained some loss. As you know, I grew up in Mullins which is only seven miles from Nichols where the great flood is causing tremendous hardship. My sister Loretta lives in Mullins and continues to be without power. I had a tree in the backyard to be partially uprooted by the hurricane and this is complicated by electrical wires leaning against the tree. I’ve contacted SCE&G which has hundreds of trees and wires to be handled. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'> In listening to the sound of the rain and wind last Friday night, I was reminded of Hurricane Hugo which occurred in 1989 and was also a very serious hurricane. During that hurricane Betty and I were at the SC School for the Deaf and Blind where we were attending a weekend board retreat of the Board of Commissioners. We were assigned an upstairs bedroom in Walker Hall which has twin beds which we did not like as we were not used to twin beds. Well after midnight I thought I heard some noise. I wasn’t afraid but I know that tradition has it that people have seen Mrs. Walker at the head of the stairs who died several decades ago. Soon I realized the noise was coming from the direction of Betty’s bed. I got up and learned that she was listening to the radio which was tucked under the covers of her bed and when I asked her what she was doing, she replied that she was listening to the radio to keep up with the damage being done by Hurricane Hugo. I told her to turn off the radio and go to sleep. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'> As I attended NFB conventions from over 50 years, I didn’t realize how much I would miss the conventions when I was no longer able to attend. My last NFB convention was in 2011 in Orlando. Five years have now passed since I have been prevented from attending NFB conventions. I continue to miss these meaningful annual conventions. I look forward to receiving the August/September issue of the Braille Monitor as it contains excellent convention information. Last week I received this annual edition of the Braille Monitor and wasted little time in reading a good portion of the Monitor. Gary Wunder who visited South Carolina some two years ago does an excellent job in editing the Monitor. I enjoyed his coverage of the convention activities which were very interesting and informative. NFB President Mark Riccobono gave a wonderful Presidential Report. He enumerated the many accomplishments of the NFB during the past year. As federation members we have every right to appreciate the work done by the NFB on behalf of the nation’s blind. I particularly enjoyed the presentation of awards to deserving individuals including the tenBroek Award which was bestowed upon our own Jerry Whittle. Dr. Maurer presented the award to Jerry and Marilyn and did an excellent job. I enjoyed Jerry’s response which included some comments about our longtime association. I’m very pleased that our RBRCCB Resident Manager Brooke Rivers has received relief from the kidney stones which were very painful to her.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'>Final Thought: History of NFB of SC Legislative Victories: #29: 1996 - Proviso in General Appropriations Bill to provide $50,000 to the University of South Carolina to retain the Chair for the Vision Teacher Program. & #32: 2000 - A proviso was passed through the General Assembly moving the Vision Teacher Program from USC-Columbia to the USC-Spartanburg campus.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>