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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'>November 2, 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 1577<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'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'> This past weekend, the sixtieth annual State Convention of the NFB of SC was held for the first time in Myrtle Beach and from all indications it was very successful. 175 individuals attended this year’s convention which began Friday afternoon with an outstanding BELL X workshop sponsored by the NFB of SC BELL Academy and other division and committee meetings. Many thanks go to Tiffiny Mitchell, President of the Columbia Chapter and her team who got the festivities off to a resounding start Friday evening with a wonderful reception. This year we were honored to have Jeanie Massay, Treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind, as our National Representative for the convention. Mrs. Massay gave a thorough National Report and her Banquet Speech Saturday evening was outstanding. The NFB of SC recognized Dorcas Campbell of the Chesterfield County Chapter, as the recipient of the Donald C. Capps Award and John Nelson of Columbia as the recipient of the Associate Member of the Year Award. Another highlight of the banquet was the awarding of scholarships totaling $5,350 to three outstanding college students. I also like to thank the membership of the NFB of SC for their awesome generosity which was demonstrated during the Banquet fundraiser. We were able to quickly raise $7,410 which will be divided equally between the NFB of SC and the Federation Center. Elections were held Sunday morning and the following individuals were elected as officers unanimously; President, Frank Coppel, 1st Vice President, Lenora Robertson, 2nd Vice President, Debra Canty, Secretary, Dorothy Barksdale, and Treasurer, Valerie Warrington. Individuals elected unanimously to five board positions were; district two, Shannon Cook, of Columbia, district four, J.W. Smith of Greenville, district six, Ronald Benjamin of Florence, and Members-at-large Jamie Allison of Cherokee and Loretta Green of Upper Dorchester. As all of you know, many details need to be considered when planning and presiding over a state convention. This was a learning experience for me and I would like to especially thank David Houck who assisted me a great deal by answering many questions I had regarding the convention. David also did a great job coordinating registration, the exhibit hall, and taking care of many other details of the convention. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'> The National Federation of the Blind will be hosting an Election Day hotline for blind and visually impaired voters, poll workers, and voting rights advocates to call when problems with accessible voting technology or other barriers are preventing a blind voter from casting a private and independent ballot. The hotline will be available November 8, 2016, from 7:00 a.m. Eastern to 10:00 p.m. Eastern (7:00 p.m. Pacific). The number is (877) 632-1940. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'> I am very sad to report the death of Furman Dean Marchbanks who passed away at his home on Monday morning, October 31. Dean was doing an outstanding job as President of the Anderson Chapter prior to becoming seriously ill a few months ago. His energy and enthusiasm for the NFB will be greatly missed. We all need to keep his family and the Anderson Chapter in our thoughts and prayers. <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'> Congratulations to all of the officers of the NFB of SC who were unanimously elected at last weekend’s convention. Also, congratulations to the board members elected. It is apparent from President Coppel’s part of the Positive Note that the convention was very successful. I’m impressed with the 175 persons attending the convention as this is a significant increase over recent years. I couldn’t be happier to learn that Dorcas Campbell was the recipient of the Donald C. Capps Award. She is very deserving and an outstanding lady. Also, I want to congratulate Jon Nelson who was the recipient of the Associate Member of the Year Award. Jon is one of several Nelson family members who are rendering outstanding service to the federation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'> Several days before the convention I had a wonderful meeting with President Coppel about my future. The topic of our meeting was primarily for me to cover with Frank my wishes for the future with respect to my involvement with RBRCCB. I suggested to Frank that I would appreciate the RBRCCB board electing Frank as Chairman of the Board of Directors replacing me, but that I would continue as Chairman Emeritus which would give me some official standing. Frank was also agreeable for us to continue utilizing the apartment but at the same time I will be working closely with Frank on this matter as well. I think the election of Ed Bible to fill my position on the board was a wise decision. Frank and Ed work closely together. Also, there will need to be a transition period as Frank Coppel and I will work closely together to carry out the operation of RBRCCB. There will be no interruption in the day to day operation of RBRCCB with Brooke Rivers working closely with Frank and myself. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'> I hesitate to mention this as humility is far more important than arrogance but since I am stepping down as board Chairman I want to warmly thank all of you across the state who referred to the apartment in the Conference Center as “the Capps apartment,” especially since I did not create that name. Also, the action the board took in Myrtle Beach will make Betty very happy, especially since she decorated the Capps apartment. Congratulations to Cheryl Mott-Sims from the Lee County Chapter who won the Fun Day TV set auction at the convention with the winning bid of $200.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#006600'><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: #35: 2001 - Concurrent Resolution commending Donald C. Capps upon his being conferred an honorary Doctorate in the area of Public Service from the University of South Carolina - Spartanburg<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>