<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>December 12, 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 1687<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> On Saturday, December8, I traveled to Hartsville, SC for the purpose of revitalizing the Darlington County chapter of the NFB of SC. I am very pleased to announce, Garrett Mosely, NFB of SC state board member from the sixth district and one of our assistive technology instructors at the Federation Center was elected president of the chapter. Although the turnout was small because of the inclement weather, I feel certain under the leadership of President Mosley, the chapter will grow significantly and represent the blind well in Darlington County. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The spirit of the holiday season is very apparent throughout the NFB of SC as many chapters are holding their Christmas parties during this month. On Friday evening, December 7, NFB of SC state Treasurer, Valerie Warrington and her husband Larry represented the state organization as they attended the Anderson Chapter Christmas party. Valerie reported there were approximately thirteen people in attendance and she was very pleased to spend time with Jenny Smith, who along with her late husband Jimmie Smith founded the Anderson Chapter approximately forty-five years ago. On Saturday, December 8, David Houck, Director of the Federation Center and his wife Darleen represented the NFB of SC as they attended the Spartanburg chapter Christmas party. David reported the Spartanburg Chapter meeting was attended by 18 members. Milton Tant, chapter president could not be there because of the cold and rain; however, he did speak to the chapter by telephone during the meeting. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Last evening, December 11, Shelley and I had the pleasure of attending the 45th Annual Christmas Banquet Gala hosted by the Sumter Chapter. Approximately 400 people attended this year’s banquet and Debra Canty, President of the Sumter chapter again did an excellent job presiding over the festivities. As usual, the program for the evening was extremely impressive. It was great to see NFB of SC leaders Loretta Green, President of the Upper Dorchester County chapter and her husband Henry, Linda Dizzly, President of the Lee County chapter, and Jennifer Bazer, Director of the Successful Transition Program at the gala as well. Also, last evening, Ed Bible and his wife Julie represented the NFB of SC as they attended the Laurens County chapter Christmas party. Ed stated there were 50 individuals in attendance which included members of the Laurens Lions Club and officials from the City of Laurens. He further stated the gathering was entertained by a blue grass band and Helen McNuer did an excellent job presiding over the meeting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I am very sad to report Carolyn Bagwell, a charter member of our Laurens Chapter, passed away this past weekend. I first met Carolyn in the late 1970’s at the Commission for the Blind where she was receiving training at the Ellen Beach Mack Rehabilitation Center. Since that time, whenever I would see Carolyn, whether it was at the state convention or at one of the Laurens chapter meetings, she would always give me a hug. All of us in our federation family need to keep the Bagwell family and the Laurens Chapter in our thoughts and prayers. <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> Christmas is just around the corner. Actually there are only two weeks remaining from today, December 11 until Christmas. I believe that Christmas brings out the very best in everyone. It is a beautiful season. The NFB of SC and its affiliates participate in the Christmas season which is consistent with the spiritual purpose of the federation. Federation Christmas parties are in full swing. I am sure some chapter is holding Christmas this very evening. The Christmas Board Retreat at Ro0cky Bottom is regarded as the beginning of the Christmas season. I remember that my first federation Christmas experience occurred in 1953. I attended the Columbia meeting at that particular time. I’ve seen so many federation successes in the NFB of SC. We don’t generally think of the NFB of SC as affiliates owning and operating seven different facilities including five at Rocky Bottom consisting of the Osterneck Cottage, Oglesby Cottage, the Dr. Samuel Miller Lawton Memorial Hall, the Ellenburg Lodge and the Conference Center. Throw in an Olympic sized swimming pool and you have quite a complex. The sixth NFB of SC facility is the Robert R. Bell Federation Center of the Blind in Laurens. Last, but not least, the Federation Center of the Blind in Columbia was dedicated on October 15, 1961. These fine facilities are not for sale but they certainly add a great deal to the NFB of SC programs. The first Christmas I remember occurred in my hometown of Mullins in 1933 when I was five years old. We lived in a large two story plantation facility where we operated a tobacco farm. After opening the doors that 1933 Christmas morning, my sister Loretta who was 23 months older than I, walked around the side of the house and we decided we had located Santa’s footsteps where he had entered the house. No one could have questioned this major decision. Both our children, Craig and Beth really enjoyed Christmas. In 1958 Craig received an electric railroad track and train as well as a piccolo. Both of these items are still in excellent shape and in storage in our current residence. Craig does not want anyone to disturb the railroad and piccolo. Beth loved her dolls. This year let’s try to make it the best Christmas ever in the federation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: Christmas is the time to think of giving to others as we see the joy in them because of your thoughtfulness.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>