[Nfbofsc] Positive Note 1456

[David Houck]

July 9, 2014

Memo To:  Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents &
Others

From:  Parnell Diggs, President

Positive Note 1456

Dear Fellow Federationists:

 

              We are fresh off of another excellent National Convention,
where the NFB of SC placed seventh in attendance with 87 South Carolinians
at the Convention.  I appreciate the excellent work of Dorothy Barksdale,
our bus captain for 2014.  This is a difficult and thankless job (I know
because I have done it).  The Convention high light was the election of a
new National President, Mark Riccobono.

After Dr. Maurer delivered the final Banquet Address of his Presidency, I
walked onto the stage and told him that I believed he had saved the best one
for last.  You should be sure to read or listen to it once it is available
at www.nfb.org.  Speaking of the Banquet, we were so proud of Dr. and Mrs.
Capps, as a major scholarship was awarded in their honor.

Dr. Capps was acknowledged as being responsible for establishing over one
hundred of the Federation's seven hundred chapters nationwide: talk about
doing your fair share and then some.  This is an amazing accomplishment
considering an organization with fifty thousand members.  As you know, young
people are very important to Dr. and Mrs. Capps, as was clear when I came
into the movement.  It was also observed that Dr. Capps was first elected to
the National Board in 1959 and served until 2007 and that he served as State
President in South Carolina for a total of thirty years between 1956 and
2000.  Congratulations to Dr. and Mrs. Capps for this most distinguishing
honor.

Computer Science and Technology President, Steve Cook says the following.
"The Computer Science & Technology Division (CSTD) of the NFB of SC is
planning to stream this year's state convention in August.  In years past,
the CSTD has funded the cost of the streaming of the convention.  In order
for us to maintain this tradition, we need your assistance.  If you, your
chapter, division or business would like to make a donation to the CSTD to
assist in deferring the cost, make your tax deductible check out to CSTD and
send it to Valerie Warrington, ATTN: CSTD Convention Streaming, at 384
Cannon Ridge Lane, Newberry, SC 29108.  We appreciate your continued
support!!"

We are delighted that President Riccobono will be our National
Representative at the upcoming NFB of SC Convention during the weekend of
August 8 through 10.  Get your reservations in now by calling 803-771-7000.
The hotel is not obligated to take room reservations after July 10 so please
call immediately.

I have an announcement from Dorothy Barksdale and Isaiah Nelson.  Here is
what it says.    "During the 2014 N.F.B. Convention the organizing of the
National Federation of the Blind Cancer Survivors Division was launched. If
you are a Blind Cancer Survivor or a Supporter of a Cancer Survivor, WE WANT
YOU!!!  Please forward your $10.00 membership check or money order and
contact information to N.F.B. BLIND CANCER SURVIVORS, P. O. BOX 12063
Columbia, SC. 29211.  For more information send your contact information to
nfbnabcs at gmail.com or call (803) 735-0821 or (803) 765-1622.   "TOGETHER WE
CAN SAVE LIVES!"  Joining me for comments in this Positive Note is the
President Emeritus of the NFB of SC.  Here is Dr. Capps.

              Betty and I appreciate President Diggs kind words.  Some years
ago the NFB of SC, RBRCCB and the Federation Center of the Blind established
a living memorial program.  This has proven to be a very good program.
First it enables an individual wishing to make a living memorial
contribution to one of the three aforementioned entities to honor the memory
of a deceased loved one.  Secondly, such contributions help underwrite
federation and Rocky Bottom programs.  Frequently our own family makes
living memorial contributions and also recommends to their friends to make
these type contributions.  For example, the daughter of Penrose "Pinky"
Stogner recommended that everyone wishing to make living memorial
contributions do so remembering the NFB of SC.  Although Penrose perished
only some two weeks ago, we have already received several living memorial
contributions including a bank in Hartsville where Penrose lived and a
physician who lives in Montana.  Just a few weeks ago Doris Bell recommended
that those wishing to remember Bob do so by recommending living memorial
contributions be made to RBRCCB.  Rocky Bottom has received nearly $1,000
because of Doris' thoughtfulness and influence.  David Houck has the
necessary living memorial forms available to anyone and we strongly
recommend your involvement in this program if you have never done so.  

              As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NFB of SC it is
normal for us to take pride in our history.  The NFB of SC is the most
influential state organization of the blind in the country today and our
successful history proves it.  No doubt we will have an excellent state
convention this year but let me share with you some of the happenings at the
1997 Charleston state convention which had 377 delegates attending.  Please
join me as we travel down memory lane together.  This was the 50th
Anniversary convention of the NFB of SC held at the Northwoods Atrium Inn
during August 8-10.  The Maurer family attended as President Maurer was the
national representative.  Friday's events were consumed with Exhibits,
convention registration, divisional and committee meetings and the evening's
reception to top it all off.  The huge gathering overflowed the meeting
space as Dr. Donald Capps gaveled the Saturday session to order.  Following
the opening ceremonies, the various state agencies serving the blind made
their presentations as well as the Department of Vision Education at USC and
the SC State Department of Education which was capped off with the NFB of SC
Presidential Report by President Capps.  The noontime luncheon honored Ralph
Ellenburg and the keynote speaker was Earle E. Morris, Jr. who was
instrumental in many successful efforts with NFB of SC issues and things
related to the progress at RBRCCB.  An employment panel kicked off the
afternoon session followed by the NFB national report by Dr. Marc Maurer.
The Federation Center and Rocky Bottom reports revealed the variety of
services provided by these two important entities.  National convention bus
funds and ticket sales were discussed which finances the chartered bus to
national conventions since the early 1970's.  At the evening Banquet,
charters were presented to the newly formed North Greenville, York/Clover
and Easley Chapters.  Guynell Williams, Director of the State Library for
the Blind received the Presidential Citation.  Other awards were as follows:
John Laurens Sanders received the Associate Member Award, Josephine Simmons
received the Ellen Beach Mack Home Award, Pat Wilson received the Educator
of the Year Award, APAC received the Employer of the Year Award, Lenora
Robertson received the Donald C. Capps Award and 16 deserving blind students
received NFB of SC scholarships.  Hon. Gary Simrill received the
Distinguished Service Award and Dr. Marc Maurer presented the keynote
address which was the highlight of the evening.  The Sunday morning session
featured a devotional and memorial service, chapter and division reports,
financial reports, resolutions, national stewardship and elections.  Mary
Middleton, Bob Bell and Hattie Duncan were elected to the odd numbered
districts and Edsel Doyle and Ed Bible were elected as members-at-large.
When the packed convention adjourned, members went home enthusiastic and
ready to spread the word of the federation among their chapter members and
others.

Final Thought:  News Anchor David Brinkley stated in 1969, "This is the
first convention of the space age - where one can promise the moon and
actually deliver it."

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