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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>April 26, 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 1602<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> I am very pleased to announce on Saturday morning, April 22, at the Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind Board of Directors meeting, the Board voted unanimously to hire Linda Bible as the permanent Resident Manager for Rocky Bottom starting immediately. Linda’s previous work history consists of a great deal of experience in the area of grounds keeping, as well as, commercial and residential cleaning. During the time Linda has filled in as the interim Resident Manager, she has done an excellent job managing our facilities and she has worked very hard to improve our relations in the Rocky Bottom community. She is very excited and willing to do whatever she can to help us and I know everyone will enjoy working with her for years to come. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The RBRCCB Board of Directors and the NFB of SC Board of Directors discussed during their meetings Saturday our participation in the Midlands Gives fund raising program. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> What is Midlands Gives? Hosted by Central Carolina Community Foundation, Midlands Gives is a 24-hour online giving event that brings the region together as one community, raising money and awareness for local nonprofits in 11 Midlands counties.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> When is Midlands Gives? Midlands Gives will take place online on Tuesday, May 2, 2017, from 12:00 am to 11:59:59pm, Eastern Time. How does it work? Central Carolina Community Foundation has set up an online giving platform at MidlandsGives.org with searchable profiles of participating nonprofits. All donations will be processed through this website, which allows nonprofits and donors to track the giving on May 2nd via the site’s leaderboards.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> If you would like to donate to Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center, click on the below link. https://www.midlandsgives.org/rockybottom<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> If you would like to donate to the National Federation of the Blind of SC (NFB of SC), click on the below. https://www.midlandsgives.org/NFBOFSC<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Let’s make a strong effort to spread this information to our neighbors, friends, and family and help to financially support Rocky Bottom and the NFB of SC with this wonderful fund raising opportunity! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have an announcement from Shannon Cook, Chairperson of the NFB of SC Scholarship committee. “Below is the link to access the 2017 scholarship information and application for students wishing to apply for a scholarship from the NFB of SC.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>http://nfbofsc.org/scholarships/<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> There’s hardly sufficient time to dictate the Positive Note this week because Thursday is barbecue day and everything is revolving around this tremendous project. Columbia Chapter members are working hard to sell their barbecue tickets. Some of the profits go toward the expense members will experience in attending both the national convention coming up in July and the state convention in August. Ever since the tickets were distributed to the chapter members the middle of March, this has pretty much occupied my time as well but other established events must go on as well including the Positive Note. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I find it difficult to realize this will be the 64th annual barbecue, the first occurring in 1954. I was 25 years old when the first barbecue was held in 1954. Our two children were born in 1955 and 1958. I was not living in my present home until 1959. This will give you some idea just how long ago this project has existed. Eisenhower was in office in the decade of the 50’s. We think of John F. Kennedy being President in the decade of the 60’s but also Lyndon Banes Johnson served in the 60’s. Nixon served in the 70’s as well as President Ford and President Carter. Most of the decade of the 1980’s was the time Ronald Reagan was President. Later there was the father and son team of George H. W. Bush and his son George Walker Bush. Then there was President Bill Clinton. Until recently, President Obama served for eight years and presently Donald Trump. If I had missed some President since the 1950’s, please forgive me as I’m tired of selling barbecue tickets. Early this Thursday morning members and volunteers will gather at the Federation Center to get things ready for our faithful customers. I am grateful for the friends I have and also my business acquaintances who enable me to have a good year without fail. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Congratulations to Linda Bible as at last Saturday’s board meeting the board voted to appoint her as Resident Manager at RBRCCB. I feel that Linda will do a good job and I look forward to working with her.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: Raising Expectations: “Make it a habit to tell people thank you, to express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return.”<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>