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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>April 14, 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 1757<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> We have an announcement from the National Federation of the blind regarding the 2020 National convention. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, the national convention of the National Federation of the Blind, originally scheduled for Houston, Texas, from July 14-19, is going virtual. The organized blind movement will connect blind Americans for the largest gathering of the blind in history!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The 2020 national convention will include most of the elements conventioneers expect, with some new twists. Details about registration for the convention, as well as details of the convention schedule and logistics as they become available, can be found at www.nfb.org/convention. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Message from President Riccobono: “The National Federation of the Blind is delighted to celebrate our eightieth year by expanding the circle of participation to create what will surely be the largest gathering of the blind in history,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “Through this unique event, we will connect blind Americans from anywhere to build opportunities everywhere. We look forward to spreading the 2020 view on blindness to the entire nation and beyond.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Register now at no cost and stay tuned for more details. We look forward to your participation in the 2020 NFB National Convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> On Thursday afternoon, April 9, I participated in a Zoom meeting of the Cherokee County chapter of the NFB of SC. Jamie Allison, chapter president, did a great job putting together this meeting. it was very clear to me listening to the enthusiasm of her members who were present on the teleconference, holding chapter meetings during these uncertain times is greatly needed and extremely important. Kudos to Tiffiny Mitchell who held a Zoom meeting of the Columbia chapter Saturday evening and to Demetrius Williford who tells me he will be holding a Zoom meeting of the Anderson chapter on Monday evening April 27. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have an announcement from Shelley Coppel, President of the NFB of SC Seniors division. “Hello Everyone, Navigating the Healthcare system, is our topic for April's nationwide call which is sponsored by the NFB National Seniors Division. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Date: April 22nd <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Time: 4:00 pm ET; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Phone: 1-515 603-3166<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Access code: 759633 pound<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Topic: Deborah Kendrick has recently written a book that many of us should read. It is one of the free downloadable books from National Braille Press- Navigating the Healthcare system, When All They Can See Is That You Can't. We will discuss this common situation that so many of us have found ourselves in.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Finally, this is a friendly reminder, the Spring meetings of the Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind Board of Directors and the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Board of Directors will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2020. The RBRCCB Board of Directors meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. and the meeting of the NFB of SC Board of Directors meeting will begin at 1:00 p.m. In an effort to decrease transportation expense by board members and because of the current uncertainty regarding the coronavirus situation, both board meetings will be held via the Zoom platform. I look forward to having all board members present for each meeting. Of course, these meetings are always open to our membership. I strongly encourage Federation members to attend both meetings via the Zoom platform and to actively participate in the discussions. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> If you are a board member, please call the Federation Center (803) 254-3777) or email the Center at nfbsc@sc.rr.com if you are planning to attend. If you cannot attend, please contact me at (803) 796-8662 or email me at frankcoppel@att.net prior to April 18. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Instructions for RBRCCB and NFB of SC board Zoom meetings <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> If you have the phone app, click on the below link: Join Zoom Meeting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>https://zoom.us/j/8032543777 Meeting ID: 803 254 3777 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> If you have a smart phone, just click below and it will dial in for you:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>+19292056099,,8032543777#<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Or, you can dial in from your land phone at any of the below numbers:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>US (New York) 16699006833,,8032543777# US (San <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>+Jose)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dial by your location <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Meeting ID: 803 254 3777<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aeFWRgWyAj<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: If you take good care of yourself, living a healthy lifestyle, you greatly increase your ability to transform your dreams into reality.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>