<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>February 15, 2017 <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 1592<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> We have an announcement from JW Smith and Jamie Allison regarding the upcoming upstate seminar on March 4, 2017. “The 2nd Annual NFB of SC Upstate Seminar will take place on Saturday, March 4th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Walker Hall Habistreutinger Reception Area on the campus of SCSDB. Please also be mindful to the following details: cost of lunches is $10 and can be sent ahead to JW Smith or paid at the door upon arrival. There will be a time during lunch break for each chapter/division to do one to two brief fundraisers, such as auctions or a raffle there will also be a time for chapter/division reports. If your chapter or division has an officer or representative present, they may speak for no longer than 10 minutes during this time. There will be door prizes just before closing. Winners MUST be present in the room at the time of drawing in order to claim prizes. Agendas are being sent electronically along with this announcement. There will be a very limited number of large print agendas available upon request at the door (one per chapter or group, please). It is strongly suggested that attendees keep the electronic document handy or to print/emboss a hard copy for personal use.” I have had the opportunity to read the agenda and there appears to be a number of informative and interesting topics on the program. It is apparent JW Smith and Jamie Allison have worked extremely hard to put together this event and it would be great to have a large turnout at this year’s upstate seminar! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I am very sad to report two members of our Federation family passed away this past weekend. Martha Robertson, the mother of Mike Sutton, passed away on Saturday morning, February 11, and Cheryl Mott-Sims, 2nd Vice President of the Lee County Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind passed away on Saturday morning, February 11, as well. “Miss Martha” as most of her friends called her, was a longtime Federationist and extremely active in both the Columbia and Rock Hill chapters. Martha Robertson loved Rocky Bottom and as indicated by her family in her obituary living memorials should be made payable to Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind. I did not have the opportunity to know Ms. Mott-Sims that well. However, during the few times I met her, she appeared to be a strong believer in the NFB and a hard worker in her chapter. These two members will be greatly missed, and we need to continue to keep their families in our thoughts and prayers. <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> As we approach the 64th annual Columbia Chapter barbecue on April 27, I feel it is appropriate to quote a section from a lifetime Scouting leader, Mr. Todd Shaw in his book, “A Scout Is…” which deals with the Boy Scouts and the annual three-night barbecue canvas over the years. The following article is taken from Chapter 18, Good Turns, pages, 162-164: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> “Don Capps, Appreciation for Sighted Guides: It seems that being a Scout and being helpful are the same. When I was a youth, my Troop worked (and still works) with Mr. Don Capps of the Columbia Federation of the Blind on their annual BBQ fundraiser. Mr. Capps happens to be blind himself. The Scouts worked as sighted-guides as the federation clients went door-to-door selling tickets. During that time I assisted a man by the name of Marshall Tucker. Mr. Tucker was a piano tuner by trade and a great man who loved conversation. Later in life, he was honored when a country rock band from Spartanburg, South Carolina, named their band after him, “The Marshall Tucker Band.” Those times matured young boys into men, taught us many valuable lessons, and brought interesting people into our lives that we may not have met otherwise. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I recently reconnected with Don Capps who is now the President Emeritus of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, and reminisced with him about how the Boy Scouts served that organization. Here is what Mr. Capps said:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> ‘Having worked closely with your father Mr. M. B. Shaw, Jr., and his Boy Scouts for several decades, no doubt I have a wealth of information to share as the decades go by and soon we forget many of these important life experiences.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Without the assistance of your father, who dedicated his life of service to the Boy Scouts and young people, I would never have had the tremendous benefit of being served by the Scouts. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Since the late 1960’s I have had the great fortune of working with many Boy Scouts. In the three-night canvas just prior to the barbecue, the blind call upon the Federation center’s neighbors. I am proud to state that not one time did my much appreciated Bot Scout guide cause me to sustain any accident, as the Scouts were so careful and hard working.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Having worked in the private sector for forty years, and learning much about Columbia’s business community, I have realized the Boy Scouts contribute mightily with their time, energy and commitment in the annual three-night canvas.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Unfortunately the Boy Scouts I worked with beginning in 1968 have gone on to choosing their lifetime partners, having their own children, and working in many different career fields. While the years have gone by, frequently I recall these many federation initiatives resulting from Boy Scouts serving as sighted guides. Long ago, I realized the tremendous good the Boy Scouts do in our community. I deeply value their labor of love, as these wonderful boys are always so kind and helpful.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The Boy Scout project with the blind is exceptional. Boy Scouts and their leaders played a huge role in the success of this barbecue. Boy Scout programs not only exist to bring out the best in the boy, but they afford the Scoutmaster the opportunity to develop each Scout’s maximum potential with some becoming Eagle Scouts. One Columbia area Scout became an Eagle Scout by painting the Federation Center as a project. Many of our nation’s leaders became Eagle Scouts, which is the foundation for the greatest possible service to our country.’”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I extend sincere sympathy to Mike Sutton in the death of his beloved mother Martha Robertson on Saturday, February 11 at 7:30 a.m. Mrs. Robertson was an active member of the federation but in recent times was unable to attend but requests that memorial gifts be made to Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind. Visitation will be Saturday, February 18 at 1:00 p.m. with a Celebration of Life Service at 2:00 p.m. in the New Life Freewill Baptist Church at 1622 Spring Dale Rd. in Lancaster. We also extend sympathy to the family members of Cheryl Sims, Vice President of the Lee County Chapter who passed away last weekend as well. Services are on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the New Bethel A.M.E. Church, 400 Munnerlyn Street, in Bishopville, S.C. 29010.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: Raising Expectations: “In Scouting, Scouts are given a coin which reminds them to do a good turn every day. Perform this act daily and you will be raising expectations for yourself as well as for others.”<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>