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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>April 8, 2020<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 1756<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> As we have done for the past two years, the NFB of SC and Rocky Bottom will be participating in Midland Gives which is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. As was done last year, if you would like to donate to the NFB of SC please do so, however, this year we will again want to concentrate heavily on raising funds to meet the ongoing needs at Rocky Bottom. If you are uncomfortable using a computer to make a donation or do not have one, you can call the Federation Center, (803) 254-3777 on Tuesday, May 5, and we will assist you with your donation. 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 $2,000 for their group. If you recall, last year Rocky Bottom collected the most unique contributions during the “power hour” and was awarded an additional $2,500. As we did last year, I am asking the six state board districts and state wide divisions to compete among themselves to see who can secure the most unique contributions for Rocky Bottom. A trophy will be presented to the district or division who secures the highest number of unique contributions during Midlands Gives on May 5. Recognition of this accomplishment will be announced at our 2020 state convention in North Charleston. Last year, we recognized district five for securing the most unique contributions and Successful Transitions for raising the most money. I am asking all chapter presidents to please work closely with your district board representative and share this information with your members. I fully understand this is a very difficult time financially for many people. However, I would like to strongly encourage all of us to do what we can to spread this information to neighbors, friends, and family an effort to financially support Rocky Bottom and the NFB of SC with this wonderful fund raising opportunity! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have an announcement from Shannon Cook, chairperson of the NFB of SC Scholarship committee. “Scholarship Announcement 2020. It is now Scholarship Season in the NFB of SC! With the state convention being August 21-23, the deadline for scholarship applications is 11:59 p.m. June 19, 2020. The committee will select the top three applicants, and they will be notified approximately one month prior to the state convention. The updated scholarship application is now available at www.nfbofsc.org. Please also remember that the scholarship program operates on donations exclusively. If you or your chapter would like to contribute a scholarship or make a donation to the Metro Fund, please get in touch with me, Shannon Cook, and Valerie Warrington, NFB of SC Treasurer. Also, please help us get the word out about the program. If you or someone you know is in school full time, please encourage them to apply for a scholarship! Thank you.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> On Sunday evening, April 5, I again participated in a telephone conference for state affiliate and division leaders. President Riccobono reported our national board of directors have decided the current policy regarding the suspension of in-person Federation events has been extended through May 31, 2020, or later if local conditions require it. As a result of this policy, chapters of the NFB of SC will not conduct any in-person events during this time. Also, Spring Senior camp scheduled for May 17-21, the upstate fishing scheduled for May29-30, at Rocky Bottom and the NFB of SC state picnic scheduled for May 30 at Saluda Shoals State park in Columbia have all been canceled. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> In closing, I sincerely hope all of you are healthy and are remaining safe. As more restrictions are put on our state and our nation, it is extremely important we continue to reach out and remain connected as a Federation family. I strongly encourage chapters, if at all possible, to conduct their monthly meetings virtually via the Zoom platform. If you need technical assistance in this area, please contact Thom Spittle at (803) 331-3344 or at nfbsc.lab.4@gmail.com.<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 dreams into reality: 50 ways to beat this virus;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Stay away from the pack, Jack; Don’t visit your Gran, Stan; Wipe down every toy, Roy; to keep virus free.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Don’t hop on the bus, Gus; Don’t listen to Jon, Ron; Don’t hoard the TP, Lee; Just stay virus free.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Sneeze into your sleeve, Steve; Stop touching your face, Grace; Keep back to six feet, Pete; Heed the CDC.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Just use the Purell, Mel; Keep wipes in your purse, Nurse; Take care of your stock, Doc; You need PPE.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> This isn’t Spring Break, Jake; Stay home if you’re sick, Dick; AS COVID leaps peeps; Just follow the rules, fools; And stay virus free.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>