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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>September 19, 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 1675<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> Since 2015, during the third week in September, I have been dictating the Positive Note from Rocky Bottom where Shelley and I would normally be directing the fall session of senior camp. However, due to travel and uncertain weather conditions this past weekend caused by Hurricane Florence, a decision was made Thursday afternoon, September 6, by the Commission for the Blind and RBRCCB to cancel the fall senior camp. Monday, I contacted chapter presidents along the coast to determine if they were safe or needed any assistance as a result of the hurricane. I was informed although most of them lost power anywhere from 15 to 26 hours, their damage from the storm was minimal and power had been restored by Sunday evening or Monday morning. Our Federation family needs to continue to keep our members living on the coast in our thoughts and prayers as this part of the state may encounter issues as a result of potential flooding. We also need to especially keep those individuals living in North Carolina who have experienced hardship from the storm in our thoughts and prayers as well. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> It is time to turn our attention toward Meet the Blind Month which is held during the month of October. This is an extremely important event, because it provides our members the opportunity to educate the public of the programs and services offered by the National Federation of the Blind. Meet the Blind Month activities can also be used as a recruitment tool to introduce blind individuals to our organization. It is my hope many of our chapters and divisions are planning activities in their respective communities to promote this worthwhile event. Let me know if your chapter or division will be having a Meet the Blind Month activity and I will be glad to share this information in the Positive Note. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I have been told by Tiffiny Mitchell, Chairperson of the 2019 Las Vegas national convention transportation committee, we have fulfilled our obligation of securing twenty seats for the current contract with American Airlines. In an effort to maximize the largest possible turnout of South Carolinians wanting to attend the Las Vegas national convention, I have asked Tiffiny to continue to monitor on a weekly basis American Airlines’ nonstop group rate airfare from Charlotte to Las Vegas. Remember, as with this current contract, a minimum of ten people are needed to qualify for a group rate. Once a new contract is signed, individuals will again have two weeks to make a $50 deposit to reserve and hold their seat. If you are interested in attending the 2019 National convention but were unable to sign up for this current contract, I would encourage you to contact Tiffiny Mitchell at (803) 603-2098. I would also strongly encourage chapter presidents and others to share this very important information with all of your members. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> During the next few days or so, all of you should be receiving your 2019 Las Vegas national Convention tickets. Let’s do all we can to raise the necessary funds to financially assist as many of our members as possible to attend the National Convention in Las Vegas. As we have done previously, tickets will cost $1. Remember, the winner of the winning ticket which will be drawn on January 5, 2019 at the Statewide Seminar will win $300, the seller of the winning ticket will receive $100, and the Chapter selling the most tickets will win $300. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I am sadden to report Jan Crosby, a member of our Columbia chapter, brother, William age 63, passed away unexpectedly Monday, September 17. All of us in our Federation family need to keep Jan and her family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. <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 spotlighting a valued Associate member. Our Associate members do everything they can to support the blind and the federation in many ways locally, statewide and nationally. Without their kind assistance, many of us might be hard pressed to get some things accomplished. This week we are spotlighting the wife of JW Smith, our Greenville Chapter President, Mrs. Ora Bell Smith. Born and raised in Laurens County, Ora Bell attended public school there as well, completing her education at Bryson High School. She later moved to Greenville. She was raised by her grandparents on a farm where they raised chickens and hogs as well as vegetables and potatoes. You can imagine the canning of vegetables and making of jams like blackberry preserves. Ora Bell became a good cook and has used this talent among others extensively. September 1, 2018 marked JW and Ora Bell Smith’s 28th wedding anniversary. JW had a degenerative eye disease but that never bothered Ora Bell. They have 8 children, 25 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. I am sure that their family reunions are quiet large gatherings. JW and Ora Bell have attended 5 national NFB conventions and every state convention since they joined in 2001. Ora Bell drives the van for the Greenville Chapter and Senior Camps. She also cooks for the chapter, works as part of the kitchen crew at Senior Camps, RBRCCB Fun Day weekends, and the Rocky Bottom Christmas Board Retreats. She also helps the chapter Treasurer and in any other way she can be of service. Her hobbies include baking cakes and cookies and sewing. The Smith’s attend Old Shady Oak Baptist Church in Simpsonville where Ora Bell likes to cook for church events. I have heard that Ora Bell’s vanilla cake which David and Darlene Houck won at the Center auction was very delicious and did not last long. Let’s salute Ora Bell Smith for her help to President JW Smith, the Greenville Chapter, Senior Campers, Rocky Bottom visitors and guests and to others like her church and extended family members for all her hard work and love in doing all that she accomplishes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “Have white cane will travel. Got Braille? Have good blindness skills, will live well. Got Federation spirit, you will go far and help others to do so.”<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>