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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 – FEBUARY 8, 2018<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>ORLANDO NFB CONVENTION 2018, $1 BUS TICKETS & CONVENTION INFORMATION<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> You still have time to sell your 2018 Orlando Bus Tickets! Since some chapters were prevented from attending last Saturday’s Seminar, the drawing will be extended to March 17 at the annual Leadership Seminar. Remember, the winning ticket drawn will yield the purchaser $300, the seller $100 or if you bought your own ticket, $400. The chapter which sells the most bus fund tickets will receive $300 for its treasury. Let’s work hard so that the Columbia Chapter wins again!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> You can now begin to make your reservations for the upcoming 2018 Orlando National Convention. The date of this year’s national convention will be July 3, to July 8, 2018 and will be held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort. The 2018 room rates are singles and doubles, $88; and triples and quads, $93. 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. For 2018 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 $100 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 $100 check. If a reservation is cancelled before Friday, June, 1, 2018, half of the deposit will be returned. Otherwise refunds will not be made. The schedule of the convention is as follows: Tuesday, July 3, Seminar Day - Wednesday, July 4, Registration and exhibits - Thursday, July 5, National Board Meeting and division and committee meetings - Friday, July 6, Opening General Session - Saturday, July 7, General session - Sunday, July 8, Banquet.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>THIRD ANNUAL SWEETHEART DANCE ON FEBRUARY 17<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The third annual Sweetheart Dance will be held at the Federation Center of the Blind on Saturday evening, February 17. Fun, food and music to dance by will be featured and door prizes will abound! Door prizes can be given to Jennifer Bazer. The event runs from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. The cost is affordable as single tickets are $25 and couples are $45. Checks are to be made payable to NFB of SC. See David Houck or Debra Canty about payment. This is an NFB of SC fundraiser you will not want to miss!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>PERSONAL USE OF FEDERATION CENTER FACILITIES<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Members wishing to reserve the Federation Center for their own personal use may do so by contacting David Houck to schedule a reservation which costs $75 per use. This amount helps to cover the cost of member’s use regarding utilities, etc. The member is responsible to do their own setup and clean up afterward so that all tables and chairs are stacked where they belong, trash is taken out, floors are swept and mopped where needed and in general the Center should be left in good condition as the Center is used much for training purposes and a church uses the Center for which they pay a monthly rental fee. A personal use reservation will not be made without paying the $75 fee. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>ROCKY BOTTOM NEW RULES AND PROCESSING FEES<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> In keeping up with necessary rental fees which have not changed much in years, updated rules and processing fees have been established. David Houck can provide you with a large print or braille copy upon request.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>FEBRUARY 8 COLUMBIA CHAPTER MEETING<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> President Tiffiny Mitchell gaveled the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. Steve Cook welcomed everyone attending the meeting and monthly birthdays and visitors were recognized. Isaiah Nelson has April 6-8 NFB Baltimore Trip applications. Cost is a $25 deposit with the remaining $75 being due by March 15. Darlene Houck gave the devotional on A Valentine From Jesus. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Free BINGO next Thursday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m. Meal provided costs $5.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> February 20 barbecue committee meeting at Federation Center begins at 5:30 p.m. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Chapter fellowship begins at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 2. Bring a covered dish.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Dr. Capps introduced Leonard Vaughn from the National Weather Service, Columbia office who spoke about the weather and what we can do about it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Frank Coppel addressed the members about the Washington Seminar trip, the NFB Orlando Convention and the NFB of SC Columbia convention August 9-12 at the Marriott Hotel. It’s not time to make Columbia convention reservations yet. Dorcas Campbell, President of the Chesterfield County Chapter is moving to Las Vegas and Nancy Reyes is the new chapter president. The Leadership Seminar will be on March 17. Please RSVP with David Houck at the Center if you plan to attend.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Kattie Jackson gave the Treasurer’s Report. There was $1,418.59 in the checkbook. The 50-50 drawing was for $45 and was won by Isaiah Nelson. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tiffiny Mitchell, President, Columbia Chapter, NFB of SC<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>