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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>March 20, 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 1701<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 would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended the 2019 Leadership Seminar sponsored by the NFB of SC this past Saturday. Approximately seventy-five people were in attendance at the seminar representing the entire state from Greenville to Charleston. The morning session began with a brief discussion of my thoughts regarding the seven “R’s of good leadership”. The next agenda item was presented by Salena Black who discussed with the audience the importance of effective communication in an organizational setting. The last agenda item of the morning was “Programs offered by Protection and Advocacy” and it was presented by David Zoellner, Managing Attorney for P&A. Mr. Zoellner primarily discussed the changes in the Client Assistance Program (CAP) during the past few years. Many thanks goes to Isaiah Nelson, Lorreta Green, Jennifer Bazer and the Successful Transitions Program for covering the expense of the lunch. The afternoon session primarily dealt with fund raising proposals to assist Rocky Bottom and the NFB of SC. Loretta Green, District one Board member, presented Rocky Bottom $825 from contributions raised by chapters in her district. These chapters were Charleston, Grand Strand, Conway, Upper Dorchester, and Georgetown. Mrs. Green stated the goal of her district was to raise $1,000. To accomplish this goal, the audience quickly raised an additional $200, making the final total raised for Rocky Bottom by District One chapters $1,025. Loretta challenged the other district board members to encourage their chapters to raise money for Rocky Bottom. The audience also heard from Valerie Warrington regarding Midland Gives which will take place on May 7. This will be another great way for our state wide membership to support Rocky Bottom. It was suggested each state board district and state wide divisions compete among themselves to see who can secure the most unique contributions for Rocky Bottom. A trophy will be presented to the district or division who secures the highest number of unique contributions during Midlands Gives on May 7. The remainder of the afternoon dealt with the importance of signing up businesses who will consider being a sponsor for our state convention which will be held August 9-11. A sample sponsorship letter was read and each individual was given a copy of this letter in their packet of information distributed during the seminar. The remaining portion of the afternoon was spent discussing chapter issues such as chapter fund raising and ways to recruit new members. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have an announcement from Debra Canty, President of the Sumter Chapter. “Hello Federation Family! The Spring meetings of the Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind Board of Directors and the NFB of SC Board of Directors will be held at the Federation Center of the Blind on Saturday, April 6, 2019. This is an excellent opportunity to share with the Federation Family. Please let me know if you are interested in ordering a 5-dollar barbecue chicken or a 6-dollar pork sandwich.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Sumter Chapter, National Federation of the Blind, 14th Annual BBQ Fundraiser, Saturday, April 6, 2019, $6.00 BBQ Pork Sandwich, $5.00 BBQ Chicken Sandwich (Leg Quarter). All sandwiches must be paid upon delivery on Saturday, April 6 at the Federation Center. We gladly accept cash or checks made payable to: NFB Sumter Chapter as well. These proceeds will assist NFB members and volunteers to attend the national convention this summer as well. Mega thanks for supporting the Sumter Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina.”<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> The spotlight this week falls upon another NFB of SC Associate member. If it were not for our many sighted members who support the work of the blind, it would be much more difficult to accomplish our many successes in the federation. Helen Burriss is an Associate member of the Anderson Chapter and is married to Carey Burris, a longtime voting member of the Anderson Chapter. Born and raised on a cotton farm in Anderson County, Helen Burriss knew how to plow and raise cotton. She attended the public schools of Anderson. Following her schooling, she did housekeeping work before going on to work in the Anderson Hospital and later at NHC Home Health Care for 35 years. She met and dated Carey Burriss for some time before they got married. On December 23, 2019 they will celebrate 30 years of marriage. Since Helen was raised on a cotton farm and Carey was a Clemson University Horticulturalist, they were a great fit as a couple. Working with Carey over the years she became knowledgeable about blindness and began working in the Anderson Chapter. Back in the days when Jimmie (deceased) and Jenny Smith were leaders in the Anderson Chapter, Helen Burriss would sell a lot of candy for the chapter while working at NHC. In fact, Jimmie Smith gave her a plaque for her steady candy sales. Helen liked working with Carey, especially when they were visiting and recruiting new members. Over the years, Helen worked with Demetrius Williford’s mother trying to recruit him into the Anderson Chapter. Demetrius not only joined the chapter (as we spotlighted him a few weeks ago) but he is now the new Anderson Chapter President. One of Helen Burris hobbies is cleaning. Whenever the chapter would go to Rocky Bottom, Helen would spend much of her time cleaning wherever it was needed. As many of you know, Carey heads up the annual Walk-A-Thons and Helen works with that project as well as with Anderson Chapter yard sales. Helen and Carey attended many state conventions but Helen dropped off after experiencing neck surgery. They are members of Open Arms Outreach Church in Anderson. Helen says they try not to miss a chapter meeting and they try to be of service in any way they can. Let’s salute Helen Burriss and Carey too for their long years of service in 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: Spring has arrived this week…so spring into action!<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>