[Nfbofsc] Positive Note 1500

[David Houck]

May 13, 2015

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

From:  Parnell Diggs, President

Positive Note 1500

Dear Fellow Federationists:

 

              Pre-registration for the National Convention is open for just
over two more weeks.  I pre-registered last week, and it was easy.  It took
me about five minutes online, and I will save $10 and avoid the long lines
at the Convention hotel.  Please visit www.nfb.org and pre-register for the
2015 Diamond Anniversary Convention.

              Computer Science and Technology Division President Steve Cook
asks that I give you the following announcement.  "The Computer Science and
Technology Division is having an IOS class on May 30, 2015, from 10:00 to
3:30 at the Federation Center of the Blind at 119 S Kilbourne Road.  The
morning session will be using GPS with voice over.

              After lunch, we will be assisting participants with any apps
they have questions about.  If you have specific apps you have questions
about, let us know in advance to prepare for the class.  We are asking for a
$5 donation and you are responsible for your own lunch.  If you have any
questions or to sign up for the class, contact Steve Cook at
cookcafe at sc.rr.com or 803 254-0222."

              At the April meeting of the NFB of SC Board of Directors, it
was decided that the NFB of SC should offer sponsorship opportunities for
organizations, agencies, and companies in the blindness field.  This
arrangement could be a great fundraiser for the NFB of SC as well as a
valuable resource for blind South Carolinians who want to know about goods
and services available to the blind of the state.  Watch for more
information coming soon.

              The NFB of SC is delighted that a young lady from South
Carolina has been named as a 2015 National Scholarship finalist.  Miriam
Lozneanu is a student at Clemson University, who wants to be a Computer
Programmer.  Please be sure to introduce yourself to Miriam at the
Convention in Orlando.

              The following announcement is from President Mark Riccobono.
"Guinness World Record" Join us for an exciting 75th anniversary experience!
Be a part of history as the National Federation of the Blind breaks a world
record for the largest umbrella mosaic. To participate, you'll need only to
open an umbrella on cue and hold it aloft. Our umbrellas, when viewed from
above, will form a recognizable mosaic image. Get in on the excitement by
going to https://nfb.org/gwr. We will be sending details as they develop to
those that have signed up, as well as posting them on our website."

              The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is
not the characteristic which 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.  Joining me for comments in
this Positive Note is the President Emeritus of the NFB of SC.  Here is Dr.
Capps.

              This is a very special edition of the weekly Positive Note.
It is the 1500th issue, the first being nearly 29 years ago on August 22,
1986.  The idea of the weekly Positive Note was to provide some positive
experiences to federationists across the state.  A well informed member is a
better member.  This Positive Note has become popular as others in the
federation including the national office has a similar Positive Note.  In
recent years the Positive Note has become an effective tool for
disseminating information statewide concerning national, state and local
information regarding special events.  The Positive Note keeps our members
up-to-date as it's helpful to know what's going on.  It's not helpful to
have a member express an attitude of not knowing important things happening
locally, statewide and nationally.  I'm confident that no one organization
has had a weekly Positive Note for 1500 consecutive issues that we have
achieved.  President Diggs does a wonderful job with the Positive Note and
I'm grateful for the opportunity of chipping in with a variety of topics.  

              Last week was a very important anniversary for the blind of
the state as it represented the 49th anniversary of the signing of the bill
adopted by the 1966 legislature with Gov. Robert E. McNair signing the bill
into law on May 6, 1966 creating the Commission for the Blind.  I was
pleased to be present in Gov. McNair's office on May 6, 1966, and after
signing the bill into law creating the Commission, Gov. McNair handed the
pen he used to me.  The pen is now featured in the NFB of SC Legislative
Hall of Fame in the Federation Center.  Others attending the signing
ceremony were Rep. Robert L. McFadden, Sen. Earle E. Morris, Jr., Sen. H. H.
Jensen, and Sen. Walter J. Bristow, Jr.  Those of us who were personally
involved in working with the legislature on this special legislation will
always remember the experience.  In 1966 the NFB of SC was still a
relatively small state organization and no one was supporting the
legislation except the federation which came under attack by the SC
Department of Public Welfare/Division for the Blind and the leadership of
the sheltered workshop.  Our motives were impuned but in the end the NFB of
SC was triumphant.  We can now look back with pride as the Commission for
the Blind has resulted in better service to the state's blind.  The Columbia
facilities of the Commission were developed through the efforts of the
federation.  The first Commissioner, Dr. Fred L. Crawford, was highly
involved in the construction of these facilities and the programs of the
agency for the first seven years of the new agency.  Dr. Crawford was also
instrumental in providing testimony during legislative hearings.  At the
1964 state convention of the NFB of SC in Charleston, Marshall Tucker made a
powerful presentation in support of a separate state agency.  In the Summer
2014 edition of the Palmetto Blind Marshall's word-for-word presentation is
featured.  That presentation was made 51 years ago.

              A few days ago we learned of the death of longtime
federationist John Fulmer in March who was involved in the Laurens Chapter
from its beginning.  John was an outstanding educator and served as
Principal of several different schools.  He was also a successful coach,
winning several state championships in baseball.  He was a faithful member
of the federation.  We extend sincere sympathy to his wife Vivian and other
family members.  

              We are glad to report that another chapter - Anderson - has
made a donation of $100 to the Lawton Hall repair fund.  The Anderson
Chapter which is among the oldest in the state has excellent leadership in
President Marlene Hamby and longtime federationist Carey Burriss.  I have
dictated this Positive Note from the Conference Center at Rocky Bottom where
I attended a successful Advisory Board meeting.

 

Final Thought:  "Just think:  1,500 consecutive weeks of Positive Notes
which began on August 22, 1986!"

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