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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>April 29, 2020<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Memo To: Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>From: Frank Coppel, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Positive Note 1759<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Greetings Fellow Federationists:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> 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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>If you would like to donate to Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center, click on the below link.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><a href="https://www.midlandsgives.org/rockybottom"><span style='color:blue'>https://www.midlandsgives.org/rockybottom</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>If you would like to donate to the National Federation of the Blind of SC (NFB of SC), click on the below<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><a href="https://www.midlandsgives.org/NFBOFSC"><span style='color:blue'>https://www.midlandsgives.org/NFBOFSC</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> 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. As a result of the current pandemic, Rocky Bottom is experiencing an extremely limited cash flow at this time. For this reason, it is critical all of us need to do all we can to raise funds for Rocky Bottom. If you are uncomfortable using a computer to make a donation or do not have one available, you can call on Tuesday, May 5, between 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. and we will assist you with your donation. If you need assistance you can call Valerie Warrington at (803) 271-1937, or David Houck at (803) 254-3777. When you call, please have your credit card information readily available. 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. Midland Gives defines a unique contribution as “one contribution per credit card”. Although you can contribute as much as you would like, the minimum contribution you can give this year is $10. If you recall, last year Rocky Bottom collected the most unique contributions during the “power hour” and was awarded an additional $2500. As we did last year, I am asking the six state board districts and state wide divisions to compete with each other 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 in August at our 2020 state convention. 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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> This is a reminder 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></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> 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 <a href="http://www.nfb.org/convention"><span style='color:blue'>www.nfb.org/convention</span></a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> Registration is free, and so I strongly encourage all of you to go online and register for this year’s NFB National convention. If you do not register, you will not be eligible to receive a door prize during the general sessions of the convention. If you need assistance to fill out the online registration form, feel free to contact David Houck at the Federation Center at (803) 254-3777. Also, those of you who have already made room reservations at the Hilton Americas Hotel or the Marriott Marquis, you should have already received a room cancelation notice. The full refund on the room deposit should be forth coming during the next two weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> We have an announcement from the President’s Notebook of 4-20. “Attend the May Presidential Release (#494) of the National Federation of the Blind on May 1, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. eastern. After the remarks and updates from the elected President of the National Federation of the Blind, the organization's first vice president, Pam Allen, will moderate questions. Members of the Federation are encouraged to attend, and non-members are warmly welcomed. Send your questions in advance to <a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org"><span style='color:blue'>cdanielsen@nfb.org</span></a> and put PR494 in the subject line or call 410-659-9314, extension 2473. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Zoom meeting for Live Presidential Release<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Meeting ID: 935 0745 1766 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Web <a href="https://zoom.us/j/93507451766"><span style='color:blue'>https://zoom.us/j/93507451766</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>One tap mobile<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>+13126266799,,93507451766# US (Chicago)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>+16468769923,,93507451766# US (New York)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Dial by your location<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>When dialing via phone, you will be prompted to enter the meeting ID: 935 0745 1766<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>1 253 215 8782 US<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Meeting Id: 935 0745 1766<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> 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></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Final Thought: Transforming dreams into reality: Those who plan ahead for times of trouble will outlast those who did not plan, placing them into a much stronger position in the marketplace.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>