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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>February 6, 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 1695<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> Before we turn our attention to other topics in this week’s Positive Note, I would like to make one last comment regarding the 2019 Washington Seminar. During the “great gathering in) meeting last Monday evening, President Riccobono received a live phone call from Scott LaBarre, President of our Colorado affiliate and the NFB’s representative on the negotiating team for the Marrakesh Treaty. Scott LaBarre announced to the audience President Trump signed the treaty earlier that day. This is a great victory for the NFB as we have been working on this treaty for many years. The Marrakesh Treaty will enable the cross-border exchange of accessible format copies of published works, thereby vastly expanding the availability of accessible foreign language literature to blind and otherwise print disabled Americans.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The National Federation of the Blind is pleased to announce our 2019 scholarship program! We offer thirty scholarships to blind students from across the United States and Puerto Rico who will be enrolled in full-time post-secondary degree programs during the 2019-2020 school year. These scholarships range in value from $3,000 to $12,000 and will be awarded at our 2019 national convention in Las Vegas, NV. The application period began November 1, 2018, and closes at midnight EST on March 31, 2019. Go to https://nfb.org/scholarships to apply during the five-month open period, read the rules and the Submissions Checklist, complete the official 2019 Scholarship Application Form (online or in print), supply all required documents, and request and complete an interview by an NFB affiliate president. Remember, the only way to win is to apply!. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> You can now begin to make your reservations for the upcoming 2019 Las Vegas National Convention. The date of this year’s national convention will be July 7, to July 12, 2019 and will be held at the beautiful Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Unlike in years past, the same enviable rate of $99 per night applies to singles and doubles as well as triples and quads. Hotel and sales taxes are 13.38 percent and 8.25 percent, respectively. The resort fee (normally $37 a night) will be waived for NFB convention attendees. However, fees for internet access, local and toll-free calls, and fitness center access may apply. To make reservations for the 2019 convention, you can call the hotel at 877-632-9001. The hotel will take a deposit of the first night’s room rate for each room and will require a credit card or a personal check. If you use a credit card, the deposit will be charged against your card immediately. If a reservation is cancelled before Friday, June 1, half of the deposit will be returned. Otherwise refunds will not be made. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship committee is now accepting applications for the 2019 National convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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, 2019. If you are selected, you will be notified by the committee by May 15, 2019. 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> I am very sad to report Leanna Hall, a longtime member of the NFB of SC, passed away on February 5. Miss Leanna, as she was lovingly called, was a very faithful member of the Columbia Chapter and to her church. When given the opportunity at chapter meetings, Miss Leanna’s devotionals were always very sincere and heart felt. Miss Leanna also was a very generous person as she supported the chapter to the best of her abilities. <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 devoted Associate member of the NFB of SC who is the husband of our Upper Dorchester County Chapter President, Loretta Green. I am speaking of none other than Henry Green. In April of 1966 Henry Green was born and raised in a small town called Reevesville, South Carolina. He is the oldest out of four children. Henry graduated from St. George High School in 1984. His greatest accomplishments while there was playing on the basketball team, he was also in the drama club and he was on the track team where he tied the school record for the highest high jump bar at a state meet that was held in Columbia.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Henry Green has been married to Loretta Green for 34 years. She is the Upper Dorchester County Chapter President of the NFB of SC. They have two boys, Henry and Andre Green who both live in Greenville, SC. They also have seven grand kids.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Henry is a 12 year veteran from the Army and one thing they taught him was how to serve others. He is the Praise & Worshipper Leader at UpStart Life Ministries in Branchville, SC where John Green, his brother is the Pastor.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The NFB of SC is a big part of Henry and his wife Loretta’s life. The organization has taken them under their wings since 2007 and they have learned so much from everyone. The Leadership in the NFB of SC, Rocky Bottom, and Successful Transitions are top notch; you cannot find any better. Since joining the NFB of SC in 2007 and becoming an Associate member Henry has gone to nine State conventions and six National conventions and loved every minute of it. He is employed by Successful Transitions as a Driver/Assistant under the leadership of Jennifer Bazer. Henry Green would like to thank Dr. Capps and President Frank Coppel for this opportunity to share his story and to serve others. God bless the NFB of SC! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: While “Punxsutawney Phil” in Gobbler’s Knob may have not predicted Winter to last for six more weeks but to have an early Spring up north; here in South Carolina the Dogwoods are predicted to bloom the first of March!<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>