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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>May 22, 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 1710<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> This week at Rocky Bottom, nineteen seniors from throughout the state are participating in the 2019 spring edition of Senior Camp. I have been told the weather thus far this week has been great and the seniors have enjoyed activities such as walks, BINGO, group discussions, individualized blindness skills training, a field trip to the Chattooga Belle Farm, and visiting with each other on the deck of the Conference Center. As usual, Lenora Robertson and her “food crew” are doing an outstanding job and most of the campers and staff will probably gained a few pounds this week. This year, Senior Camp is under the able leadership of Shelley Coppel and Shannon Cook and I am told these ladies are doing an outstanding job. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our Belvedere chapter for allowing us to use their van during the week of Senior Camp. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> It is not too late 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. We have been informed by our national office this week, the hotel has agreed to charge against your card a $200 deposit (rather than $400) to cover incidentals during the time you are staying at the hotel. This deposit will be credited back partially or in full to your card soon after you check-out from the hotel. If a reservation is cancelled before Friday, June 1, half of the deposit will be returned. Otherwise refunds will not be made. It is my understanding room reservations for the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino are going quickly, so I suggest you make your room reservations as soon as possible. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> There are only nine days remaining to Preregister for this year’s national convention. Preregistration will close on May 31, 2019. Additionally, registration will be available on site in Las Vegas. When purchased online by May 31, the preregistration fee for convention is $25 ($30 on site) and the cost of a banquet ticket is $70 ($75 on site). For more information regarding preregistration and other details, please visit https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention. Please note all preregistration and banquet sales are final. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The following announcement appeared in this week’s NFB President’s Notebook. “Membership Calls for Chapter Presidents: “The NFB Membership Committee invites and encourages all chapter presidents to one of our upcoming quarterly conference calls. Bringing in new members is one of our top priorities as an organization. The topic is building membership in our local chapters. We will discuss new ideas for attracting new members, programs and projects that have successfully brought new members to the Federation, and what to do when a new member visits for the first time. If you have organized and implemented an innovative program or activity that has been successful in building your chapter, please email us a description of the program, activity, or event membership@nfb.org, and tell us about it. You may find your strategy promoted on this call.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>All chapter presidents are encouraged to attend one of the conference calls (all times eastern): Wednesday, May 29, 9:00 p.m., Friday, May 31, 6:00 p.m. ET, or Sunday, June 2, 4:00 p.m.”<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 Federationist who travels extensively in his work with the blind. I am speaking of Jeff Bazer who resides in the Greater Columbia area. Jeff was traveling out of state and called in his interview while riding in the car. Jeff Bazer was born in Williston, North Dakota and attended the public schools there. Born blind, his parents did not want him to travel across state to attend the residential school. However Jeff did attend a summer camp at the School for the Blind where he had a good time and even learned how to shoot a gun among other things. At age five, his family moved to Fargo, ND for a year where Jeff had an excellent teacher of the visually impaired who taught him braille. Then his father’s job took him to Sioux Falls, SD where he lived for 20 years. He had good teachers of the visually impaired. Jeff has a younger brother who is sighted.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Jeff attended Southwest Minnesota State College and studied Radio and TV broadcasting. You see, he had been broadcasting on the radio since he was seven years old and loved the business. While attending college Jeff worked at KKCK FM which played Top 40 songs and Rock and Roll. He worked there for five years. After college he announced on a country music station and almost hit the big time. While this career path was most enjoyable, Jeff realized it did not pay much when it came to settling down to raise a family. In 2000, Freedom Scientific began and Jeff realized they sold the technology he used every day. Shunning the cold climate he moved to Florida and began working with Freedom Scientific (now Vispero). He did work for a time with Dolphin products and other technologies but for the last 19 years Jeff Bazer has worked with Vispero as a field representative where his territory covers several states.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Jeff Bazer likes to find and create solutions for blind people. He finds that the Federation helps the blind to find the confidence they need to live the life they want. He has been to NFB national conventions since 2001, has been a member since 2008 and by the way, he loves Newsline. His hobbies include following the Minnesota Twins baseball team and Gamecock football. He follows Clemson as well. Most of all, he loves spending time with his children. Being a field representative is rewarding but you find yourself spending 75% of your time on the road. Let’s salute Jeff Bazer for broadcasting in both radio and adaptive technologies proving that he and other blind persons can live the life they want!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: Time to make plans for the Summer, like attending the NFB Las Vegas Convention in July, the NFB of SC Convention’s 75th Anniversary celebration at the Columbia Marriott on August 8-11 and the Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind’s Fun Day on Saturday of Labor Day weekend!<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>