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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>April 12, 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 1600<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> Congratulations to Parnell Diggs who this past Thursday, April 6, moved to Cincinnati, Ohio for the purpose of assuming new job responsibilities as an Administrative Law judge for the Social Security Administration. Although Parnell has indicated to me on numerous occasions he enjoyed his work as the Director of Governmental Affairs for the NFB, he appears to be very excited regarding his new career path and I am certain all of us in the NFB of SC wish Parnell the best of luck in his new endeavors. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have an announcement from Phil Marret regarding the Upstate fishing trip. “The upstate Lions blind fishing tournament will be held May 5th and 6th. We will be going to Rocky Bottom that Friday afternoon for time together and a great supper supplied by the Easley Lions Club and cooked by Chuck Dawkins and his crew. Saturday morning, the same crew will cook another fantastic meal for breakfast before we go to South Cove Park in Seneca, S.C. to get on the pontoon boats for the fishing.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Visually Impaired Person (VIP) that catches the most fish and the VIP that catches the fish that weighs the most will win a trip to the Outer Banks of N.C. for the International VIP tournament. The third VIP will be the VIP that sponsors the most NEW VIPs that actually come and fish with us will win the third seat on the bus. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We have room for 50 fishermen and would love to see this program grow.” Phil Marret and his fellow Lions do an outstanding job organizing this event and I hope many of you in the Upstate will take advantage of this opportunity.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I am saddened to report the death of Ruth Jordan who passed away Wednesday evening, April 5. I have had the opportunity of speaking to Mrs. Jordan on numerous occasions and she always appeared to be an extremely kind and generous lady. Mrs. Jordan was a longtime associate member of the Greenville chapter and throughout the years she has made generous contributions to Rocky Bottom and the NFB of SC. I know the NFB of SC family will miss Ruth Jordan a great deal and we would like to extend our condolences to her friends and family. <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> Ruth Ellen Cox Jordan passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at the age of 89. She was a longtime and valued member of the Greenville Chapter of the NFB of SC. In fact, as a retired educator, an annual scholarship has been given in her name from the Greenville Chapter. Born in Pickens County, she was the daughter of the late Rev. John M. Cox and Carrie Cox King. She also taught piano lessons for free. Current Greenville Chapter President and NFB of SC and Federation Center board member JW Smith, stated that Ruth Jordan was an active Associate member, participating in all areas of the chapter’s activities, filling in wherever she could. She participated in fundraisers and attended the annual Fun Day Festivals at RBRCCB. Below is a reprint of the October 7, 2009 Positive Note Spotlight article authored by me concerning more background on Ruth Jordan:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> “It was just about the last thing I expected. An article on the beginning of RBRCCB was carried in the Greenville News about 27 years ago describing a new program for the state's blind. Shortly after this article was published, I received a letter from Mrs. Ruth Jordan of Greenville which included a check for $1,000 made payable to this new state facility. The author of this gift and letter explained she had a mother who was blind for 25 years. Her mother was Mrs. Carrie Lee Cox and Mrs. Jordan wanted to give a living memorial in memory of her mother and also wanted to help in a program conducted for blind students and their parents. Mrs. Jordan has continued to make contributions to both RBRCCB and the NFB of SC. For example, with Mrs. Jordan having taught school for 60 years, she is a noted educator. We suggested to Mrs. Jordan that she might like to contribute to the Dr. Sheila S. Breitweiser Scholarship as Mrs. Breitweiser was an educator and an administrator for 11 years at the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind. Mrs. Jordan promptly sent a check for $100 which is about 10% of the scholarship. In the late 1980's, RBRCCB officials made plans to erect an administration building. We approached Mrs. Jordan with our plan to name the library in the new facility in memory of Mrs. Carrie Lee Cox who was blind and a school teacher. This project was completed in July 1991 when the dedication of the facility was held. Some 500 persons filled the Jack Garrett Memorial Dining Hall to capacity featuring standing room only. The late Governor Carroll Campbell was the featured speaker. Mrs. Jordan stood at the entrance of the Carrie Lee Cox Memorial Library and greeted hundreds who had the opportunity to see this special room for the first time including a large picture of Mrs. Carrie Lee Cox. About 10 years ago Mrs. Jordan wrote to us and suggested that we contact Mrs. Maxine Bock who was the administrator of the Bock Foundation in Chicago. Following her husband's death, Mrs. Bock moved to Columbia and as Mrs. Jordan suggested, I contacted Mrs. Bock who met us at the Federation Center. She carefully listened to our proposal which consisted of financial assistance to renovate the Federation Center. Mrs. Jordan knew what she was talking about as Mrs. Bock promptly issued a grant of $50,000 to cover the renovations. The Board Room in the Federation Center is named in honor and in memory of Mrs. Bock who passed away a few years ago. Shortly thereafter, I requested Dr. Breitweiser, President of SCSDB to contact Mrs., Bock for assistance to the School. Shortly thereafter, the Voss Center at the School was created because of a large grant made by Mrs. Bock. Three years ago Mrs. Jordan joined the Greenville Chapter of the NFB of SC and is enjoying her membership. For the first time, Mrs. Jordan attended the Fun Day Festival at RBRCCB this year on Monday, September 7. We sincerely trust that this highly intelligent and charming lady will be with us for many years to come for there's no one who adequately measures up to this special lady. It's an honor to spotlight this special lady who is both a very good friend and benefactor.” Our sincere sympathy goes to her family and friends as she will be greatly missed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: Raising Expectations: Find one thing you are good at and give it your best shot, exceeding expectations. Then go on to the next thing you are good at and repeat the process.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>