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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>January 9, 2019<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 1691<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> I want to thank all of you who attended the 49th annual Statewide Seminar this past Saturday. When Shelley and I walked into the Federation Center at 9:30 Saturday morning, both of us could feel the energy and enthusiasm permeating throughout the meeting hall. 165 Federationists from across the state were in attendance which is probably one of the largest gatherings we have had for the statewide seminar in many years. I was told every seat in the room was filled when the Seminar was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Ed Bible did an excellent job moderating a panel discussion entitled, “How Assistive Technology has increased my independence.” The audience heard from three students, Connie Davis of Lexington, Lauren Martin of Fort Mill, and Brieanna Haney of Red Bank who discussed their experiences receiving virtual training in the use of assistive technology from the instructional staff of the Federation Center. All three heads of agencies who provide services to the blind, Kyle Walker, Director of VR services of the SC Commission for the Blind, Dr. Paige McCraw, President of the SC School for the Deaf Blind, and Sandy Knowles, Director, of Talking Book Services gave presentations. We wished Kyle Walker the best of luck as he will be leaving the Commission for the Blind on January 11, to accept a position with Stout University in Wisconsin. We also wished Sandy Knowles the best of luck as she will be retiring from Talking Book Services on January 11. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Thom Spittle did an excellent job as auctioneer as we raised $765 for Rocky Bottom. Rocky Bottom also received $141 from a 50/50 raffle conducted by Isaiah Nelson. At the NFB of SC Board of Directors meeting which was held during the two hour lunch break, the Board elected Frank Coppel to serve as the official delegate and Lenora Robertson to serve as alternate delegate to the NFB National convention in Las Vegas. The board discussed the 2019 state convention which will be held at the Columbia Marriot onn August 9-11. The cost of a room will be $112 per night for up to four in a room. There will be an additional 14 percent tax added to each room. During the RBRCCB board of Directors meeting a suggestion was made to designate a specific work day at Rocky Bottom for chapters. Details and a date regarding this work day will be announced during the next few weeks. During the afternoon session of the seminar, the audience heard excellent reports from Rocky Bottom and the Federation Center. Jennifer Bazer did an excellent job reporting on the progress of the Successful Transition program and the audience heard from several of the students who participated in a Mentoring program which was held at the Federation Center. Congratulations to James Byers, a member of the Cherokee County chapter who was the seller of the winning ticket and his nephew Tommy who purchased the winning ticket. Also, congratulations to the Columbia Chapter for selling 1,555 Las Vegas national convention tickets and finishing in first place. The Sumter Chapter finished second selling 707 bus tickets and the Cherokee County Chapter finished third selling 172 tickets. A grand total of 3,707 tickets were sold. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I want to take this opportunity thank Isaiah Nelson and his group of volunteers for preparing and serving a delicious lunch. I also want to especially thank David Houck for all of his hard work prior to the Seminar and all day Saturday to ensure the meeting was a success. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have an announcement from Debra Canty regarding the 2019 NFB of SC Sweetheart dance. “The NFB of SC Sweethearts Dance will be hosted at the Federation Center, Saturday, February 16, 2019 from 5:00 p.m.---9:00 p.m. Tickets are $25.00 in advance. Please email, Debra Canty at (debra.canty@frontier.com) or call me at (803) 775-5792 for ticket information.<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, to start off the New Year on the right foot, we are spotlighting a longtime federation member who has made a difference in the lives of blind South Carolinians in all parts of the state. I am speaking of Thom Spittle of Columbia.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Thom Spittle was born in Massachusetts and traveled around the country, working in Florida and California, until moving to South Carolina about 20 years ago. This is when Thom's retinal disease, called retinitis pigmentosa started to gradually take his sight.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Thom was introduced to the National Federation of the Blind while a consumer at the South Carolina Commission for the Blind. Thom was a Chapter President in Darlington County and the Easley Chapter President, while working as the Resident Manager at Rocky Bottom. In 2010, Thom met his current wife, Tracy, and moved to Columbia in 2011, where they formed a family with step sons Jonathan and Nicholas Bundy. Thom also has a son, Tommy, from a previous marriage.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Thom joined the Federation Center team in 2013 as a JAWS instructor, and currently holds certifications in JAWS as well as Zoomtext. Thom is starting his first term on the Columbia Chapter Board, as he was elected to the office of Treasurer at the October meeting. At last Saturday’s January 5 Statewide Seminar Thom was the Auctioneer, raising $765 for Rocky Bottom.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> As a Computer Technology Instructor, Thom has touched the lives of many blind adaptive technology students including two blind veterans he has performed evaluations for in 2018. Placing the world at their fingertips opens new avenues of personal computing, career development and access to the outside world, helping the blind to “Live the Life They Want!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Final Thought: The Statewide Seminar recharges our federation batteries so use the power to make a difference!<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>