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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>July 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 1770<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 161 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. 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. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> It is hard to believe that our 2020 National NFB convention starts today with a variety of seminars being offered to kick off the week. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Wednesday afternoon, at 2:00 will be the National Board of Directors meeting which is open to everyone. One of the highlights of the board meeting, is the introduction of the 2020 national scholarship class. We are very excited to have Matthew Duffell Hoffman, who is currently attending USC Honors College, as one of the thirty student finalists who will be receiving a scholarship at this year’s convention. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Thursday afternoon, July 16, from 1:00 to 5:00, you will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of division meetings. Shelley and I will be participating in the National Seniors Division meeting which will be from 2:00 to 4:00. Thursday evening, from 6:30 to 9:30 will be the official opening ceremonies of the convention. Please make every effort to join this very special event as we will have exciting activities throughout the evening such as the “Celebration of Freedom” to honor our military veterans, and the “roll call of states” where I will be recognizing the NFB of SC and our delegation. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I want to strongly encourage all of you to join us Friday morning, July 17, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the state affiliate caucus. We will be discussing a variety of national issues as well as issues on the state level. To join the NFB of SC caucus, dial 929-205-6099, meeting id number, 803-254-3777. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> General sessions will begin Friday afternoon from 1:30 to 5:00 and from 6:30 to 9:30 Friday evening. Of course, the highlight of the general sessions will be the Presidential report by President Riccobono which will be around 1:30 p.m. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Saturday afternoon July 18, we will have the business session of the convention from 1:00 to 4:00 and from 4:30 to 6:30 which will include the reading of the financial report, voting on resolutions, and the election of national officers and six board positions. Saturday evening from 7:30 to 9:30 will be the banquet which has always been the highlight of the entire convention. We will have the banquet address given by President Riccobono, awards, and the handing out of scholarships to the 2020 scholarship winners. You can find further details of the convention and the meeting id numbers for various meetings and activities by reading the convention agenda which can be found on the NFB of SC listserv or at nfb.org/convention. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I realize participating in a virtual national convention will be a new experience for all of us, however, it is extremely important we try to participate in as much of the convention as possible as the knowledge and information we receive from the convention are extremely important in our Federation growth and service. <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: The dreamer uses imagination to see the answer and employs determination to make it reality.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>