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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>June 20, 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 1662<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> Congratulations to the Columbia chapter for sponsoring another successful BBQ fund raiser. At the chapter’s monthly meeting this past Thursday evening, members were given a thorough breakdown of the top ten ticket sellers and the net proceeds for this year’s fund raiser. Kudos to Tiffiny Mitchell, Chapter President, the chapter board and other members who assisted in making this project a tremendous success. By the way, the sixty-fifth annual BBQ fund raiser of the Columbia chapter raised over $8,200 in net proceeds. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Excitement is beginning to build for the upcoming 2018 NFB of SC state convention which will be held August 10-12 at the Marriott Hotel in Columbia. I spoke with our events coordinator at the Marriott Hotel and she informs me room reservations are increasing significantly. Room rates are very affordable. Rates for this year’s convention are $109 per night for up to four in a room. In addition to the room rates there will be a tax, which at present is 14 percent. After speaking with our events coordinator yesterday, There are a limited number of rooms still available for the $109 rate Thursday, August 9. I would suggest if you have not made your room reservation as yet you may want to do so by calling the Marriott Hotel’s toll free Reservations number at (800( 593-6465 or you can call (803) 771-7000 and inform the reservationist you are reserving a room for the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina state convention. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Remember, you need to make your room reservation at the Marriott no later than July 15. If you wait until after July 15, 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. Please send your $80 preregistration fee to the Federation Center of the Blind, 119 S. Kilbourne Rd. Columbia, SC 29205. We are offering 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 or younger will pay $20. We are also offering a discount to college students in the amount of $50 during the preregistration period. After August 3, 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> I like to this time to recognize all the Dads and Granddads in our federation family 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> This week’s spotlight shines on another longtime federation member from the Upstate area. I am speaking of Vernon Smith, President of the Union County Chapter. Vernon was born in Greenville and lived for a short while in Ketton, SC until his family settled in Jonesville in Union County. Vernon graduated from Jonesville High School where he then worked as a janitor for a time. There is not much in Jonesville as even shopping requires a trip to Union. Vernon heard about the federation while at the Commission for the Blind. He attended the Union Chapter organizing meeting in 1979. Since that time Vernon Smith has served as Social Director, Vice President and President off and on until 1993 when he was elected the Union Chapter President until now. Vernon has attended all but five national conventions and he plans to be in Orlando in a few weeks. He has attended most every state convention since becoming a member. The Union Chapter may be small with fewer than a dozen members but they do get their name out just about every year in the local media. Vicki Trammel, one of their longtime members, is helpful in the chapter. Vernon tells me that she just got back from a cruise and she is going to visit the country of Norway. You may recall Mary Maness, a longtime member who was active in the chapter, passed away recently. The NFB of SC has received several living memorials in her memory totaling $360 to date. Vernon Smith attends Bethel Baptist Church in Jonesville where he serves on their Trustee Board and Usher Board. He says blind people can certainly be church ushers. Vernon’s hobbies include watching the news and he is an avid NASCAR fan of Ford drivers like Kevin Harvick and Joey Lugano who are currently ranked second and third in NASCAR points standings. Having become diabetic, Vernon Smith takes walks to control his blood sugar and to keep in shape. Let’s salute Vernon Smith who “lives the life he wants” by serving others.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “Your history does not determine your destiny."<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>