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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>May 3, 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 1603<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 want to take this opportunity to thank those of you who participated in the Midlands Gives fund raising event which was held in Columbia yesterday. I want to especially thank Valerie and Larry Warrington for all of their hard work during the past few months with this project which made it possible for the NFB of SC and Rocky Bottom to participate in this program. I also want to thank the Rocky Bottom Board of Directors for their financial support in this endeavor as Rocky Bottom received $500 for being one of the first sixty organization’s board of directors to financially support Midlands Gives. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> At the April 22, NFB of SC Board of Directors meeting, the board voted unanimously to roll over the $3,000 raised during the Orlando bus fund this year to the 2018 national convention bus fund rather than dispersing the funds equally ($30 per person) to those individuals who will be attending the national convention this year. In other board business, the board voted to set the preregistration fee for the 2017 state convention which will be held in Greenville at the Hyatt Regency Hotel August 18-20 at $80. The deadline for preregistration is August 9, 2017. After August 9, registration will increase to $100. This year the NFB of SC board of directors voted to offer a discount for families with children regarding the preregistration fee. Parents will pay the $80 preregistration fee and each child eight teen years of age and younger will pay $20. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have an announcement from Jamie Allison, Chairperson of the Youth Recruitment committee. “Calling all members! The Youth Recruitment Committee of the NFB of SC Board of Directors seeks to start a mentoring program within our state affiliate. The purpose of the program is to bring in and strengthen new members within our organization of all ages, as well as to reach out to the younger generation to impart guidance as they move into leadership roles within it. We are going to have a phone-in on Tuesday, May 16th at 8 pm to begin planning the program. If you are interested in helping to get this program off of the "drawing board" and into reality, please call in at the number below. The call is free. 1-218-339-7815, access code 6524057”<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> Greetings from beautiful Rocky Bottom! We are enjoying some leisure time. I am advised by those with me that it has never been more beautiful as the month of May brings out all of the greenery and beautiful flowers. Shortly after our arrival on Sunday afternoon our new Resident Manager Linda Bible paid us a visit, enabling us to get acquainted. I believe that Linda will make a good Resident Manager as she certainly has the right attitude about this program. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I am sad to tell you that all of the resident ducks in the Eddie Mae Lucas Memorial Pond have vacated with the exception of their leader “JJ” who has the entire pond to himself. We will be returning to Columbia later this week and we will be celebrating Betty’s 86th birthday this Saturday. Craig will be providing a birthday lunch for this special occasion. Already Betty is receiving birthday cards. Our dear friend, Dr. Sheila Breitweiser who was President of the School for the Deaf and the Blind for a dozen years, always remembers Betty’s birthday. This year is no exception. After retiring as School President, Dr. Breitweiser moved to Durham, North Carolina where she lives with her loved ones. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> With the 64th annual barbecue now history, no longer will I have to write about this special event. I know that this year’s barbecue was highly successful. It will be a source of profits which will help sponsor a variety of Columbia Chapter initiatives. It is good to get this project behind us and move on. I’m proud of my fellow members who worked hard to make this outstanding event successful. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Speaking of being in Rocky Bottom, it has been five months since our visit dating back to the Christmas Board Retreat. Linda has been making things special and I want to commend our new Resident Manager Linda Bible for the positive things she has done during her short tenure. She’s a very pleasant lady and all of us wish her well.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: Raising Expectations: In May, nature brings forth her flowers, new leaves and growth; a refreshing of the season and a forecast of the summer to come.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>