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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>July 3, 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 1716<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 suggest if you have not made your room reservation as yet for the upcoming 2019 state convention, you need to do so by calling the Marriott Hotel’s toll free Reservations number at (800) 593-6465 or you can call (803) 771-7000. Inform the reservationist you are reserving a room for the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina state convention which will be held August 9-11. 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. There are a number of rooms still available for the $112 rate for Thursday, August 8. Remember, you need to make your room reservation at the Marriott no later than July 15. If you wait until after July 15, it may be extremely difficult to reserve a room. For those of you who will be attending the NFB National convention from July 6-13, I would strongly encourage you to go ahead and make your room reservations for the state convention now and not wait until you return from Las Vegas. If you wait until July 13, to make your room reservation, you could forget to do it, and thereby, miss the July 15 deadline. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> In the next few days, many of us will be traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada to attend the 2019 NFB National Convention. It is gratifying to know that many of you across the state are making the necessary sacrifices to attend the National Convention, as we are expecting to have approximately 100 people in attendance from South Carolina. Although I am quite certain a good time will be had by all of us during our time in Las Vegas, I cannot stress enough, the importance for all of us to participate fully in the convention, especially attending all general sessions which are extremely important in our Federation growth and service. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you did not pre-register, please be sure to register for the convention on Monday morning, July 8. At this time, more than half of our delegation still needs to register ($30 fee) for the convention. If you do not register and do not have a convention badge, you may not be eligible to receive the special hotel rates. It is also very important to register for the convention as the final registration numbers are used to recognize the attendance rankings for state affiliates. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> For those of you who are unable to attend this year’s national convention, The convention will be streamed during the Board of Directors Meeting, General Sessions, and the Banquet. Find the media players available to access and the sessions scheduled to be broadcasted at https://www.nfb.org/livestream. Agenda and other convention documents available on NFB-NEWSLINE: To read the agenda or the other convention-related documents using the telephone access method, go to Option Five for Newspapers in Different State, then Option Five for National Meetings of Interest to the Print Disabled and follow the prompts to select the item of your choice such as the 2019 NFB Convention Agenda, the 2019 NFB Convention Exhibitors, 2019 NFB Convention First Timers Guide, or the 2019 NFB Convention Restaurant Guide. If you're using NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile, choose Publications, Publication Options, and All Publications to maneuver to the documents. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Let’s have a great 2019 National Convention and I look forward to seeing many of you in Las Vegas! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><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> South Carolinians have been attending National Federation of the Blind conventions beginning in 1956. This year is no different as about 100 South Carolinians will leave on Friday, July 5 for Las Vegas, Nevada where this year’s NFB convention will be held. State President Frank Coppel will serve as our official delegate with Lenora Robertson serving as the alternate delegate. In 1956 the NFB convention was held in San Francisco. Lois Bolton Tucker, her sister, my wife Betty and I were present for that historic convention. In this Positive Note I thought you’d like to hear about some of the experiences I’ve had. Some are significant experiences while others are not. In 156 at the San Francisco convention our four member delegation enjoyed steam heat which was the usual for the Fourth of July week. This is an important anniversary as the national convention was held 50 years ago here in Columbia in 1969. Incidentally, in 1969, Gov. Robert E. McNair hosted the national convention at the Governor’s Mansion. Lt. Gov. John West attended the Banquet. At the 1969 convention the air conditioning went out. NFB conventions have utilized the Fourth of July as no better deal can be had at a cheaper rate than at that particular time. My son Craig and my daughter Beth attended several conventions with us. I remember Craig was looking for the recording, “Bye, Bye Birdie” and found it in 1967 in Los Angeles. He “nursed” his recording all the way home to Columbia and still has the recording which has been recorded onto a CD. In the early 1960’s on our return trip we went by Yellowstone National Park. With great excitement, Beth said to me, “Daddy, there’s a teddy bear in that tree!” At one of the California conventions we noted the hotel drained its swimming pool and when asked why, they replied there was a leak which caused a problem. However, when the convention concluded and everyone was leaving, we noted the hotel started filling the pool. At the 1976 convention Beth attended the convention and bought a chain for me which I still use on a daily basis. The 1970 convention was held in Minneapolis. Ten South Carolinians were present. I noted many states had more than we did and that troubled me. I determined at that time we would do better in 1971 regardless of where the convention was held. The 1971 convention was held in Houston, Texas and South Carolina had some 45 members attending. This was the first time we chartered a bus to an NFB convention. We have continued this program which greatly improves convention attendance. During the 1960’s we held several conventions in Chicago. On one occasion we saw the President and his staff in the hotel. It was Bill Clinton. His suite was the one above our accommodation and there was a tremendous staff which served the President. The NFB of SC ranks high in convention attendance and this year is no different. I attended NFB conventions from 1956 to 2011 when I had to terminate my attendance because of Betty’s declining health. When you depart on Friday, July 5, all of you will be in our thoughts. We are very proud of each and every member who makes the effort to attend these conventions. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: We fought for freedom and we cherish liberty as we pursue happiness tis Fourth of July.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>