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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>December 17, 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 1740<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 last twelve days have been extremely busy for Shelley and myself as we have attended five chapter Christmas parties and the Christmas board retreat at Rocky Bottom. On Friday evening, December 6, we traveled to Anderson and had a wonderful time speaking to the chapter as part of their Christmas program. We also had a great time visiting with longtime Federationists Jenny Smith and Carey and Helen Burris. There were 45 people in attendance and it is very apparent Demetrius Williford is doing an excellent job as chapter President. On Tuesday evening, December 10, Shelley and I had the pleasure of attending the 46th Annual Christmas Banquet Gala hosted by the Sumter Chapter. Approximately 400 people attended this year’s banquet and Debra Canty, President of the Sumter chapter again did an excellent job presiding over the festivities. As usual, the program for the evening was extremely impressive. It was great to see Federation leaders Loretta Green, President of the Upper Dorchester County chapter her husband, Henry, and Linda Dizzley, President of the Lee County chapter at the gala. Jennifer Bazer, Director of the NFB of SC’s Successful Transitions Program was the keynote speaker for the event. Thursday, December 12, was a very busy day as Shelley and I traveled to Pageland, SC where we attended the Chesterfield County Chapter Christmas luncheon. Approximately 30 people were in attendance for the luncheon and it was very evident Nancy Reyes, Chapter President, is doing an outstanding job. The chapter treated everyone to a delicious lunch and everyone enjoyed a great deal of fellowship with each other. During the festivities, chapter members were thrilled to receive a telephone call from their longtime President, Dorcas Campbell, who is now living in Las Vegas as she extended Christmas greetings to everyone at the meeting. It was also great to see the First vice President of the NFB of SC, Lenora Robertson her daughter, Ellen Taylor and Rock Hill chapter member, Louise Watson. Thursday evening, Shelley and I had the pleasure of attending the Columbia Chapter Christmas party where everyone appeared to enjoy a delicious cover dish feast. Saturday, December 14, Shelley and I traveled to Charleston along with other Columbia members and President Tiffiny Mitchell to attend a delicious Christmas luncheon hosted by Mt. Moriah Baptist church. The Charleston chapter of the NFB of SC is on the “move” and this can be attributed to the strong leadership of its President, Lavern Addison. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> By now all of you should have received your Statewide Seminar Letter. Please fill out the form at the end of the Statewide Seminar letter and return it to the State Office as soon as possible. You can also call the State Office at (803) 254-3777 and let us know if you are planning to attend the Statewide Seminar on Saturday, January 4, 2020. Please notify the State Office of your intentions in order that we may have an accurate count for the luncheon which will be free of charge. For many years, we have conducted an auction throughout the day of the seminar and as we did last year, all the money raised from the auction will again be given to Rocky Bottom to help to offset the cost of much needed repairs at our camp. Be sure to bring items for the auction such as, cakes, pies, cookies, gift baskets, and electronics. Also, please continue to sell your Houston Texas National Convention bus tickets. You can either mail your ticket stubs and money to the Federation Center or bring them with you to the Seminar on Saturday, January 4. The drawing will take place at the conclusion of the Seminar. The winning ticket will receive $300, the seller of the winning ticket will receive $100 and the chapter selling the most tickets will receive $300. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> It is not too early to begin submitting your state dues of $10 for 2020 to the state office. It is imperative we have accurate contact information such as your name, address, phone number and email address if applicable. This information does change from time to time and if we do not have updated information, we cannot keep you up to date on what’s going on. Also, our national office is requiring each state affiliate to submit a list of members and their contact information by January 15, 2020. The deadline to submit your NFB of SC state dues is January 31, 2020, so why wait! <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: Goodwill is an intangible asset which means it is better to give than to receive.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>