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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>February 28, 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 1646<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> 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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> 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> The Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship committee is now accepting applications for the 2018 National conventional in Orlando Florida. The Jernigan scholarship program is sponsored by the NFB and is designed to financially assist first time attendees to attend the NFB National convention. To apply, you must complete the necessary paperwork with a letter of recommendation from your state president and submit this information to the Jernigan Scholarship committee by April 15, 2018. If you are selected, you will be notified by the committee by May 15, 2018. For more information, please read the article in the December issue of the Braille Monitor which describes the process in more detail. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Unfortunately, I have been informed there continues to be quite a few chapters who have not submitted their state dues for 2018. Please send in your state dues as soon as possible since the deadline for accepting dues was January 31. Submitting your $10 state dues is extremely important as it helps us to continue to carry out the programs of the NFB of SC. When you submit your state dues, please provide current contact information such as, address, phone number and email address if you have one. These things do change and if we do not have updated information, we cannot keep you up to date on what’s going on. <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> This week we are placing the spotlight upon one of the NFB of SC’s most versatile and talented members. I am speaking of none other than Valerie Warrington, longtime President of our Newberry Chapter. Valerie was born and raised in Newberry. Many of you know her mother Elizabeth Farr of Newberry who also supports Valerie’s efforts in the federation. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> After completing her high school education, Valerie received her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Clemson University and her Master’s in Accounting and Information Technology form the University of Maryland, University College. She has put her education to good use. Valerie began her career in the private sector in the manufacturing industry and later accepted a position with SCANA services. She also worked briefly in public accounting before taking time off to help raise her daughter. Valerie returned to work a few years later with the State Treasurer’s Office where she is currently employed. Of course, Valerie did receive her CPA designation. Valerie has been married for 16 years to her wonderful husband, Larry, and they have a 4 year old daughter, Ali, who is an absolute handful. She keeps her parents busy playing outdoors and with her toys. She attends preschool at Newberry Academy. Valerie and Larry both enjoy attending her school music programs and other school events. Valerie learned of the NFB of SC while attending the teen program at the Commission for the Blind. Someone mentioned the NFB and the programs the organization offered. Since there was no Chapter in Newberry at that time, it was suggested that she contact Dr. Capps which she did and the rest is history. Valerie organized a Chapter in Newberry and she was elected president. She has been actively involved in the NFB of SC ever since. Valerie has attended every state convention since 1989 and she has attended five national conventions over the years. I do not want to neglect to state that Valerie and Larry do stream our state conventions live on the internet in their capacity as members of the Computer Science and Technology Division. Valerie is currently president of the Newberry Chapter and is Treasurer of the NFB of SC and Rocky Bottom. She also serves as Treasurer of the Computer Science and Technology Division. Valerie and Larry are active member of St. Phillips Lutheran Church. In her spare time Valerie enjoys being with her family and making crafts with her daughter. With the inception and expansion of the NFB of SC’s Successful Transitions program and all the work required to keep Rocky Bottom operational financially, she has applied her accounting and CPA knowledge well in her Treasurer’s duties in the federation. Her hard work and dedication are truly to be commended.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “In youth we learn; in age we understand.” – Marie Von Ebner-Eschenbach<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>