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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>June 21, 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 1610<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> Excitement is beginning to build for the upcoming 2017 NFB of SC state convention which will be held August 18-20 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Greenville. I spoke with our events coordinator at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and she informed me room reservations are increasing significantly. Room rates are very affordable. Rates for this year’s convention are $99 per night for up to four in a room. In addition to the room rates there will be a tax, which at present is 12 percent. There will also be a limited number of rooms available for the $99 rate Thursday, August 17. I would suggest if you have not made your room reservation as yet you may want to do so by calling the Hyatt Regency Central Reservations at 402-592-6434 and inform the reservationist you are reserving a room for the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina state convention. The hotel has also made available a dedicated website to book your hotel rooms online. Reservations can be made at this web address: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>https://aws.passkey.com/go/natfedblind.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Remember, you need to make your room reservation at the Hyatt Regency no later than July 27. If you wait until after July 27, it may be extremely difficult to reserve a room. I would also encourage you to go ahead and pay your $80 preregistration for the convention which will cover the Friday evening reception, the Saturday luncheon and the Saturday evening banquet as well as a continental breakfast Saturday and Sunday morning. After August 9, the registration will increase to $100. The program for the convention is shaping up nicely. We are working very hard to have a surprise or two for Saturday morning which hopefully will create excitement and set the tone for the convention. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have an announcement from Krystal Reece, President of our Anderson Chapter. “The Anderson Chapter of the NFB OF South Carolina will host their first fundraiser dance affair on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at the American Legion in Anderson at 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p. m. The dress attire will be casual. The evening of fun will include lots of give-a-ways. The tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. If you plan to attend please mail money orders or cashier checks to, Krystal Reece, 3515 Wilmont Street, Anderson, South Carolina, 29624. Please contact Krystal Reece if you have any questions about this event.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Finally, I like to this time to recognize all the Dads in the NFB of SC and I hope all of you had a wonderful Father’s Day this past Sunday. <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> We are honored to spotlight one of our leaders in the Pee Dee area. I’m referring to Ronald Benjamin who is President of our Florence Chapter. Ronald Benjamin was born in Bishopville and raised in Lamar, both towns along I-20 going toward Florence. He enrolled in the School for the Blind in Spartanburg and completed high school at the South Florence High School. He received the Presidential Academic Award in high school and following graduation he attended Spartanburg Technical College, majoring in Marketing. Ronald Benjamin’s academic education paid off as he landed a Customer Service job with a Health Care Facility where he worked there until 2006. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> His hobbies include singing and he is an avid sports fan. His favorite college team is the Florida State Seminoles. Professional sports teams include the Dallas Cowboys football team, the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team and the Boston Celtics basketball team.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Ronald Benjamin who resides in Florence joined the Florence Chapter in the 1980’s when Butch Compton was a member. He served a few years as the Florence Chapter Vice President beginning in 1993. He served as Florence Chapter President from 1997 to 2005 and again from 2010 to the present. He attended the 2002 Louisville NFB convention and he has attended ten NFB of SC conventions. His service to the blind in the federation spans about four decades.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Ronald Benjamin is a member of the First United Pentecostal Church in Florence. As you will note, Ronald Benjamin has led a full life with extensive service in the federation and with enjoyment in the sports world. Congratulations to Ronald who is our spotlight member for this week.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Betty and I will celebrate our 68th wedding anniversary this Sunday, June 25. We were married in our hometown of Mullins. The wedding was performed by the Pastor of the First Baptist Church. We have been blessed with a wonderful marriage and we still deeply love each other. From this union we have been fortunate to have two children, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; the last one, Juliet, having been born in April. Betty and I have appreciated the recognition accorded to us in the federation, including on a local, state and national level.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “In your everyday, tightly packed schedule, be certain to schedule some time off for yourself.”<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>