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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>February 14, 2018 <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 1644<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> Happy Valentine’s Day! Speaking of Valentine’s Day, I hope to see many of you at the third annual Sweetheart Dance which will be held at the Federation Center of the Blind on Saturday, February 17, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. The evening promises to be a fun and enjoyable experience with a professionally catered dinner, door prizes, music and dancing. Tickets to this event will only be $25 for an individual and $45 per couple. Please make checks payable to the NFB of SC and please note the memo line for Sweethearts Dance. You can purchase your tickets for the dance at the door Saturday evening, however, if you are planning to do this, we ask that you contact David Houck at (803) 254-3777 prior to the event to confirm your reservation. Please contact Jennifer Bazer at 803-661-6622 or jhipp25@sc.rr.com if you would like to contribute a door prize. If you have any questions regarding this fundraising event, please contact Debra Canty, NFB of SC fundraising Chairperson, at 803-775-5792 or via email at debra.canty@frontier.com. Remember, this is a fund raiser for the NFB of SC so let’s have a great turnout this Saturday evening. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have an announcement from Shelley Coppel, President of the NFB of SC Seniors division. “Since the inclement weather prevented some chapters and individuals from attending the Statewide Seminar on January 6, the Seniors division drawing for the power air-fryer XL, and a $50 Visa gift card will be held some time during the Sweetheart Dance. If you have money or ticket stubs, please bring them with you to the dance Saturday evening. Thank you and good luck!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have an important announcement from Steve Cook, President of the Computer Science and Technology division. “The Computer Science & Technology Division needs your assistance! Our website www.nfbofsc.org is for everyone to use. We can use this for recruiting new members, posting upcoming events pertaining to your chapter or division, election results, updated contact information, newsletters, material designed especially for your chapter, applications, etc. Please contact Steve Cook at (803) 254-0222 or cookcafe@sc.rr.com to have information posted on our website. Let’s all work together to keep each other well informed! (Please note: if you would like to send any photos to go along with your information, please identify each and describe the photo with any relevant names, places, or events.) Thank you for your participation.” <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> Today is Valentine’s Day, the one day of the year when we demonstrate our appreciation to those we love. In elementary schools across the country children are exchanging Valentines cards with each other along with those candy hearts that have sayings like, “Be mine” on them. Young people and adults show their love for each other by giving flowers, candy or by going out to dinner. Throughout the Federation similar things are going on today as well. However, we as federationists demonstrate our love for each other in many ways. Locally in chapters statewide the blind in our communities reach out in service to our fellow blind by planning activities, programs and opportunities for learning and leadership for their fellow blind, offering independence, productivity and fellowship. This Saturday the Federation Center of the Blind is hosting a Sweetheart Dance for the NFB of SC as a fundraiser, providing a romantic evening for federationists to have a fine dinner, dancing, door prizes and fellowship. The Federation Center also offers adaptive computer training for the blind and Successful Transitions provides for blind high school students preparing to go to college or to enter the work force. Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind shows its love for the blind statewide with annual fishing expeditions, camps for the senior blind, camps for blind children, the Labor Day Fun Day weekend fundraiser, Christmas board retreats and many opportunities to visit and enjoy the pristine mountainous atmosphere. The NFB of SC shares its love for blind South Carolinians by passing 44 pieces of legislation through the General Assembly affecting all the state’s blind whether or not they are federationists. This is also true with the annual Washington Seminar concerning federal legislation affecting the blind nationally. Our NFB of SC Statewide Seminars, Leadership Seminars and state conventions, not to mention statewide divisions, scholarships and awards are designed to recognize the accomplishments and challenges faced by the blind continuously. Nationally, the NFB offers much support, programs and conventions, etc. which give back to the nation’s blind, enriching all of our lives. As you can see, Valentine’s Day is demonstrated not just today as we show our love for each other but it is demonstrated every day by our federation growth, philosophy and outreach to all the blind.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: The 2017 hurricane season devastated areas from Texas to Florida and from Puerto Rico to the US Virgin Islands. A common theme from those who lost everything was, “Tough times don’t last but tough people do.”<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>