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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>December 11, 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 1739<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> The 40th annual Christmas Board Retreat held at Rocky Bottom this past weekend was extremely busy as many of us participated in two board meetings on Saturday (RBRCCB Board of Directors meeting which was held 9:30 a.m. and the meeting of the Board of Directors of the NFB of SC which was held at 2:00 p.m.). The 2020 edition of Children’s camp will be held June 6-13. The dates for the 2020 Senior Camps will be May 17-21 and the fall senior camp is tentatively scheduled for October 18-22. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Ed Bible, Vice Chairman of the RBRCCB Board of Directors, gave an extensive report regarding the overall operations of the camp. Mr. Bible stated there has been a great deal of work done regarding the infrastructure of our facilities at Rocky Bottom. Mr. Bible recognized Ted Brewer and Carl Halverson from the Salem Lions Club who were in attendance at our meeting for their contributions and hard work during the past year to upgrade our facilities. Mr. Bible also recognized many other individuals, church groups, and civic organizations who have volunteered their services in the area of building and ground maintenance during the past year. One of the groups that was spotlighted was the missions team from Mt. Hebron Methodist Church in West Columbia who came to Rocky Bottom October 17-19 and did extensive work in the Conference Center, Osterneck Cottage and the pump house. Mr. Bible pointed out that much work still needs to be done in Osterneck Cottage, the Conference Center, Lawton Hall, and the pond. The missions team from Mt. Hebron is scheduled to return to Rocky Bottom in late March with a much larger group of people to work on these much needed projects. The board had an extensive discussion regarding the need to raise much needed funds for Rocky Bottom. Jennifer Bazer, fundraising chair for Rocky Bottom and Valerie Warrington reported two grants were written this fall. It was reported to the board that a marketing consultant has been hired to assist us with the Rocky Bottom website as well as utilizing social media more effectively as a marketing tool. The board discussed ideas as to how we can significantly improve the overall proceeds for the camp at the Fun Day Festival scheduled for 2020. Suggestions were made to look at the feasibility of changing the date of the Festival to October or sometime in the spring. This will be further discussed and finalized at the first quarter board meeting in January. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> During the NFB of SC State Board meeting, a variety of topics were discussed. David Houck Federation Center of the Blind Director, gave an excellent report. It was reported the Center has expanded its assistive technology training programs this past year. It was also reported the Federation Center is continuing to undergo much needed renovations as funding is made available. The board also heard a report from Jennifer Bazer, Director of the NFB of SC Successful Transitions program. Ms. Bazer reported the program was doing very well as it is now entering its fourth year of existence. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The 2020 Washington Seminar was discussed and will officially begin with the “great gathering in” meeting 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 10. Room rates for the Washington Seminar are $198 per night plus a 14.95 percent room tax. Please call the Holiday Inn Capitol (877) 572-6951 and referencing booking code N2F to make your reservation. All reservations must be made by January 8. If you have questions regarding the Washington Seminar, please call me at (803) 796-8662. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The board discussed the possibility of chartering a bus to the 2020 national convention in Houston Texas. Depending upon bus ticket sales and the interest demonstrated by the membership, a final decision regarding this matter will be made at the Statewide Seminar on January 4. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> For the first time in 22 years, the 2020 NFB of SC state convention will be held in Charleston at the North Charleston Marriott Hotel the weekend of August 21-23. Further details regarding the 2020 state convention will be discussed at the statewide seminar on January 4. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The board also discussed the upcoming NFB of SC cruise scheduled for November 14-19, 2020. The cruise will depart from Charleston on the “Sunshine” Carnival Cruise line and travel to the Bahamas. Thus far, we have 58 people and 28 cabins signed up for the cruise. Remember, this is a fund raiser for the NFB of SC. For all booking questions and to make payments please contact:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Elizabeth Harvey, Travel Consultant <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(803) 767-6897 cell phone <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> To mail payments please send them to:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Elizabeth Harvey <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>300 Westridge Rd. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Elgin, SC 29045<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Saturday evening was spent celebrating the Christmas season with caroling, exchanging of gifts, and sampling a variety of delicious desserts. Thanks to everyone who contributed items for the gift bags which will be distributed to residents of a small assistive living facility in Pickens. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I want to take this opportunity to especially thank Lenora Robertson and her “food crew” for all of their hard work preparing the delicious meals throughout the weekend. I also would like to thank each of you who attended Rocky Bottom this weekend for making the Christmas Board Retreat an extremely enjoyable and pleasant experience for Shelley and myself. <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. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: Transforming our dreams into reality: Some people mistake life’s problems as dreadful experiences instead of as opportunities where we can shine.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>