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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>July 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 1769<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> I am very pleased to report 151 individuals have already registered for the upcoming NFB of SC state convention. Keep up the great work as the dead line to register for our state convention is July 31. I believe if we work extremely hard, we have a wonderful opportunity to register 300 people making this convention one of the largest gatherings we have had in many years. Remember, there is no cost for registration. To register online for the 2020 NFB of SC state convention, go to our website nfbofsc.org. If you need assistance with the online registration, call Steve and Shannon Cook (803) 254-0222 or David Houck at the Federation Center (803) 254-3777. If you do not register you will not be eligible for door prizes. More importantly, to be eligible to participate in the election of state officers and five board members, you must be registered for the convention and a dues paying member of the NFB of SC. I am currently working on the agenda for this year’s convention. If you have any thoughts regarding program items you would like to see on the agenda, please contact me at (803) 796-8662 or you can email me at Frankcoppel@att.net.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> This time next week, many of us will be participating in the first ever virtual national convention of the National Federation of the Blind which will be held July 14-18. Last evening, Shelley and I participated in the “Rookie Roundup.” Pam Allen, First Vice President of the NFB, presided over the meeting and did an excellent job. Greetings were given from the Riccobono’s, Maurer’s and two members who reminisced about attending their first convention. We practiced voting during the Roundup and it was extremely easy. President Riccobono announced that over 7,200 people have registered for the national convention this year, making this the largest national gathering of blind people ever. It is gratifying to know that many of you across the state are registered for the convention, as we will have 231 people registered from South Carolina. Although participating in a virtual national convention will be a new experience for all of us, I cannot stress enough the importance for all of us to participate fully in the convention, especially attending the National Board of Directors meeting, the Opening Ceremonies, the affiliate caucus, general sessions and the banquet which are extremely important in our Federation growth and service. Also, if you wish to vote during the upcoming national convention, you must go to nfbvote.org to enroll to vote. The dead line to enroll to vote is Sunday, July 12, at 12:00 p.m. Although registration for the 2020 National Federation of the Blind National Convention closed on June 15, those of you who did not register are still welcome and encouraged to participate in all convention events as listed in the agenda. You can still be a part of the convention at nfb.org/convention to see the agenda. Also the convention agenda is on the list serve in a Word format.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Find the latest information on national convention at nfb.org/convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Schedule for the 2020 NFB national convention: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tuesday, July 14, Seminar Day <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Wednesday, July 15, National Board of Directors meeting, Resolutions committee meeting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2:00 p.m., NFB Board of Directors meeting 5:00 p.m., Resolutions Committee <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thursday, July 16, Division meetings, Opening Ceremonies <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1:00-5:00 p.m., Division meetings <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>6:30-9:30 p.m., Opening Ceremonies<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Friday, July 17, General Session, Presidential Report, state affiliate caucuses <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., NFB of Affiliate Caucus<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1:30-5:00 p.m., General Session, Presidential Report <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>6:30-9:30 p.m., General Session <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Saturday July 18, Business Session, Resolutions, Banquet<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1:00-4:00 p.m., General Session (financial report, elections, resolutions) <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>4:30-6:30 p.m., General Session<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>7:30-9:30 p.m., Banquet<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><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: As your dreams become reality, set aside something for those “just in case” unexpected situations. If you do, you might well make it when others fail.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>