[Nfbofsc] Positive Note 1562

[David Houck]

July 20, 2016 

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

From:  Frank Coppel, President

Positive Note 1562

Greetings Fellow Federationists:

 

              This week two very important programs are taking place in the
NFB of SC.  One of the programs occurring this week is Children's Camp which
is being held at RBRCCB.  The camp began July 17, and will conclude on July
23.  The camp is under the direction of Jennifer Bazer who appears to have
assembled an excellent staff of blind and sighted volunteers who are
assisting her in providing a meaningful and fun filled camping experience
for the approximately twenty children attending camp.  The other important
program occurring this week is the South Carolina Braille Enrichment
Learning and Literacy (BELL) Academy which is being held in Spartanburg at
the SC School for the Deaf and Blind.  This program began July 18, and will
conclude on July 29.  This is the third year the NFB of SC is hosting a
(BELL) Academy.  Jennifer Duffell Hoffman as coordinator and Jamie Allison
as lead instructor continue to do an outstanding job planning and
implementing this program.  

              The winners of the 2016 Writer's Division contest were
recently announced, and congratulations go to Jamie Allison, President of
our Cherokee County chapter and State Board member, for winning first and
second place in the adult poetry competition.  Way to go Jamie!  

              We have an announcement from Tiffany Mitchell, President of
the Columbia Chapter.  "On Saturday, September 24 between 11:00 a.m. and
3:00 p.m., the Columbia Chapter will host the Taste of Columbia.  Bring your
best recipe and enter it for $25.  We will have judges and a first, second
and third prize.  Those attending and wishing to taste of these culinary
delights will be charged $10.  

              We have an announcement from Dr. Edward Bell, Director,
Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness at Louisiana
Tech University.  "Adult Rehabilitation and Employment Survey - We are
looking for you!  If you are blind or visually impaired, reside in the
United States, and are at least 18 years of age, we cordially invite you to
participate in this survey. The purpose of this survey is to gain a better
understanding of your experiences as an adult who is blind or visually
impaired, including your experiences with education, employment, training,
and vocational rehabilitation. 

              This survey should not take more than ten minutes of your
time. If you complete this survey, you will be entered into a drawing in
which 5 individuals will win a $100 VISA gift card. We offer you three ways
to complete the survey:  Go to: www.pdrib.com/ares or you may Email:
pdrib2016 at gmail.com or you may call:  318-257-2029.

             Thank you for taking the time to better help us understands the
lived experiences of adults with visual impairments."  

              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.  Joining me for comments in this
Positive Note is the President Emeritus of the NFB of SC.  Here is Dr.
Capps.  

              "Dare to succeed!"  This is the theme for the 2016 Children's
Camp which is taking place this week.  We arrived in Rocky Bottom Sunday
afternoon at about 5:30 p.m.  Soon thereafter we were greeted by Jennifer
Bazer who is the Director of Children's Camp and is doing a fabulous job.  I
particularly enjoyed dinner with Jennifer.  Dinner featured wonderful hot
dogs and hamburgers with all the trimmings.  I was able to observe
Jennifer's leadership who kept things under control with the children
showing great respect.  Jennifer stated that she had purchased furniture (a
couch and love seat) for Ellenburg Lodge as Children's Camp wanted to do
something special for Rocky Bottom.  Jennifer presented me with a gift bag
featuring a bracelet, stress ball, water bottle, key chain and T-shirt
bearing "Dare to Succeed" and the Rocky Bottom logo.  These gift bags are
being sold as a fundraiser.  It was one of the most impressive dinner
meetings I ever attended thanks to Jennifer's planning and implementing the
program.  There were 18 happy children with about 27 volunteers who were
very responsive, carrying out their assignments with precision.  Braille was
thoroughly appearing on all of the T-shirts along with the Rocky Bottom
logo.  I was pleased to be the recipient of a wonderful T-shirt featuring
braille on the back and the logo on the front.  I will wear it with pride.
After dinner we enjoyed a visit by our Resident Manager Brooke Rivers and
her husband Jami.  An outstanding breakfast was served on Monday morning.
However, before breakfast there was a devotional service delivered by Dupree
McKenzie, a strong supporter of Children's Camp.  I appreciated his
excellent message.  

              The noontime luncheon was also outstanding.  Jennifer called
on me for the invocation and she led everyone in the pledge of allegiance.
Near the close of the luncheon Jennifer recognized Mr. John Sarpy, Chairman
of the Advisory Board.  Mr. Sarpy reminded the campers that that this
experience would always be with them as a camping experience is very
important.  We then retired to the board room.  Mr. Sarpy recognized
Jennifer who introduced two campers, Derique Simon and Miss Riley Crawford,
who were impressive.  I called upon Jennifer to give the board some
information about herself which was well received.  The primary issue
discussed during the Advisory Board meeting was some long range planning for
a countywide fundraiser.  This was taken under advisement with Chairman
Sarpy agreeing to do some background work in this regard.  It was a brief
visit to Rocky Bottom but a lot was accomplished.  We are happy to advise
you that Jennifer has made a commitment to serve as Children's Camp Director
for 2017.

 

Final Thought:  History of NFB of SC Legislative Victories:  #14:  1972 -
General Appropriations Bill - $70,000 in increased cash assistance to the
needy blind.

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