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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>May 1, 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 1707<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> Only six days to go until May 7, when we will be primarily raising much needed funds for Rocky Bottom through the Midlands Gives program. As stated earlier, the emphasis this year is to raise funds for Rocky Bottom; however, contributions to the NFB of SC will be greatly appreciated. If you would like to donate to Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center, click on the below link. https://www.midlandsgives.org/rockybottom.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> If you would like to donate to the National Federation of the Blind of SC (NFB of SC), click on the below https://www.midlandsgives.org/NFBOFSC.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> If you are uncomfortable using a computer to make a donation or do not have one, you can come by or call the Federation Center, (803) 254-3777 on Tuesday, May 7, and we will assist you with your donation. We will also be having a “watch party” with refreshments sponsored by the NFB of SC Seniors Division at the Federation Center on May 7, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for those individuals who would like to make a donation to Rocky Bottom. We will be especially working hard to raise the most unique contributions between 12 noon and 1:00 p.m. The non-profit organization who receives the most unique contributions during this hour will also receive an additional $2500 for their group. The six state board district and state wide divisions will be competing among themselves to see who can secure the most unique contributions for Rocky Bottom. A trophy will be presented at this year’s state convention to the district or statewide division who secures the highest number of unique contributions during Midlands Gives on May 7. During the few days remaining, I am asking all of us to make a concerted effort to spread this information to members of our family, local businesses, neighbors, and friends. By all of us throughout the state working together, we can all help to financially support Rocky Bottom and the NFB of SC with this wonderful fund raising opportunity! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> You can now begin to make your hotel reservations for the 2019 NFB of SC State Convention which will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Columbia August 9-11. Room rates are very affordable. Rates for this year’s convention are $112 per night for up to four in a room. In addition to the room rates there will be a tax, which at present is 14 percent. The deadline to make reservations will be July 15, 2019. There will also be a limited number of rooms available for the $112 rate Thursday, August 8, for those individuals wanting to arrive to the hotel a day prior to the official start of the convention. If you pay in advance, your reservation will be guaranteed: however, you will not have to pay as long as you arrive by 6:00 p.m. Any amount you pay, of course, will be applied toward your bill. The Marriott Hotel has given the NFB of SC a block of rooms to reserve until July 15. If you wait until after July 15, to make your hotel reservation, the hotel may not have an available room for you and you will not be eligible for the convention room rate of $112. You can make your room reservations by calling the Marriott toll free reservation telephone number (800) 593-6465 or (803) 771-7000 and inform the reservationist you are reserving a room for the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina state convention. At this year’s state convention, we will be celebrating the seventy-fifth anniversary of our organization. We are planning special activities throughout the weekend to commemorate this wonderful milestone. We are expecting a large turnout for this convention so you may want to make your hotel reservations early. This will be a very special and historic convention you do not want to miss! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> You can also begin to preregister for the NFB of SC 2019 state convention. The total preregistration package is $80 which includes a very special Friday evening reception, continental breakfast Saturday and Sunday morning of the convention, the Saturday Luncheon and the Saturday evening Banquet. The preregistration period will end August 2, after which time the cost to register for the state convention will be $100. We will again offer a discount for families with children during the preregistration period. Parents will pay the $80 preregistration fee and each child eighteen years of age and younger will pay $20. There will also be a discount to college students in the amount of $50 during the preregistration period. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I am sad to report Phil Patterson, a longtime member and leader of our Pickens chapter passed away on Monday, April 29, due to diabetic complications. I am also sad to report Rhonda Thompson’s mother passed away late last week. Rhonda Thompson is the Director of the SC Commission for the Blind’s Older Blind program and she has been very instrumental in the success of the two Senior Camps held annually at Rocky Bottom for many years. All of us in the NFB of SC need to keep both of these families 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> This week we are spotlighting a longtime member of the Spartanburg Chapter. As this is our 75th anniversary year, the Spartanburg Chapter is where it all began in 1944. As the spotlight turns to Betty Phillips we note that she was raised in the Walterboro area in Colleton County. She attended the public schools there until eighth grade where she then did attend the SC School for the Blind. At the School for the Blind she received training in Braille literacy, cooking and homemaking skills. It was one of her teachers who referred her to the NFB and she has been a Spartanburg Chapter member for over two decades. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Betty Phillips then got married and has resided in Spartanburg ever since. She used her training at SCSDB to do babysitting and to be a good homemaker. She has two children and two grandchildren. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> In the Spartanburg Chapter Betty Phillips has been a Social Director, organizing trips and activities with the membership. She hopes to attend the NFB of SC’s 75th anniversary celebration convention in Columbia this August. Her hobbies include walking, reading, and doing chapter fundraisers like selling tickets, coupon books, etc. for the chapter. She especially loves Rocky Bottom and is planning to attend the Spring Senior Camp in a few weeks. She also likes to attend the RBRCCB fishing trips and has caught the biggest fish one year which gave her the opportunity to participate in the North Carolina Lions Outer Banks Regional fishing tournament. Betty is also active in her church assisting with Vacation Bible Schools and other youth activities. Let’s salute Betty Phillips of the Spartanburg Chapter for her longtime service and dedication to the blind of the Upstate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: If you think you can, or if you think you can’t, you are right.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>