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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>COLUMBIA CHAPTER NEWSLETTER<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>MARCH 10, 2017<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SELF-DEFENSE CLASS<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> There will be a self-defense class at the center on Saturday, April 1 from 1:00 until 3:00 with snacks after the class. The charge is only $10 for two hours of self-defense and food refueling. You may make checks payable to Nanci Francis (please note the spelling of her name) along with cash is welcome. You may mail checks to Jennifer Bazer, leave with David at the center with Jennifer’s name on the envelope, or provide cash or a check at the January 12 Columbia chapter meeting. Checks or cash can be sent to: Jennifer Bazer, 155 Derby Drive, West Columbia, SC 29170. Checks are to be made out to Nanci Francis. Please contact Jennifer Bazer if you would like to participate at 803-661-6622 or jhipp25@sc.rr.com. If you need transportation, please contact Tiffiny Mitchell. I look forward to a large participation as we learn how to keep ourselves safe and defend ourselves in various situations!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB ORLANDO 2017 CONVENTION DETAILS<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> You can now begin to make your hotel reservations to attend the upcoming 2017 Orlando National Convention. The dates for this year’s national convention will be July 10, to July 15, 2017 and will be held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort. The 2017 room rates are singles and doubles, $83; and triples and quads, $89. In addition to the room rates there will be a tax, which at present is 12.5 percent. No charge will be made for children under seventeen in the room with parents as long as no extra bed is requested. Please note that the hotel is a no-smoking facility.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> For 2017 convention room reservations you can call the hotel at (866) 996-6338. You may also write directly to the Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32819-9357. The hotel will want a deposit of $95 for each room and will want a credit card number or a personal check. If you use a credit card, the deposit will be charged against your card immediately, just as would be the case with a $95 check. If a reservation is cancelled before Thursday, June 1, 2017, half of the deposit will be returned. Otherwise refunds will not be made. The schedule of the convention is as follows; Monday, July 10, Seminar Day, Tuesday, July 11, Registration and exhibits, Wednesday, July 12, National Board Meeting and division and committee meetings, Thursday, July 13, Opening General Session, Friday, July 14, General session, Saturday, July 15, Banquet. Convention pre-registration is open mow through May 31.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Bus funds will be distributed equally at the NFB Orlando convention among those registered and attending sessions. The Columbia Chapter van will go to the NFB convention leaving on July 9. The chapter will cover the cost for gas and the cost per person is $75 non-refundable and non-transferrable. We will only take 6 to 10 passengers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB of SC 2017 GREENVILLE CONVENTION SET<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The NFB of SC 2017 convention will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Greenville the weekend of August 18-20. Room rates are $99 per night plus a 12% tax for one to four in a room. Watch for more details concerning when to make your reservations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>APRIL 7 & 8 SANTEE FISHING TRIP<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Applications are available at the Federation Center. One van will run with 12 passengers. Already 8 have signed up. Deadline is March 15. BC will be the van driver. The van will leave the Center on Friday, April 7 at 1:30 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>MARCH 9 COLUMBIA CHAPTER MEETING<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> President Tiffiny Mitchell gaveled the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. Our visitors were Heyward Woodward and Tyler from the Career BOOST Program. Ike Nelson and his kitchen crew served a delicious dinner at no charge to the members. Loretta and Sam from the DART and bus service in Columbia spoke on their respective systems and had applications for service on hand. They also answered questions from the audience. David Houck gave the devotional on the book of Jonah. BBQ tickets were distributed during the meeting. Chicken dinner tickets were passed out and a limited number of 6 ounce chopped barbecue with a bun dinner tickets will be distributed which are both $10 each. BBQ day is Thursday, April 27. Canvas nights are Tuesday, April 18, Thursday, April 20 and Monday, April 24. Flyers and posters were also made available. All BBQ funds must be turned in by May 31.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> On Saturday, March 18 there will be a fundraising breakfast at the Federation Center. Time is from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. and the cost is $12 per person. Frank Coppel spoke concerning the Greenville 2017 NFB of SC convention. He explained how Tyler, a Career BOOST participant interned at an auto body shop and got hired. He also spoke about the Greenville Chapter assisting Linda Bible at Rocky Bottom as Interim Resident Manager and he encouraged other chapters to go to Rocky Bottom and help keep our camp beautiful. A group from Mt. Hebron Methodist Church in Lexington will be going up for a work weekend soon.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Kattie Jackson gave the Treasurer’s report and there was $2,222.68 in the treasury. There was a 50-50 drawing. Gail Nelson won $52.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Have a happy and green St. Patrick’s Day!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tiffiny Mitchell, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Columbia Chapter, NFB of SC<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>