[Nfbofsc] Positive Note 1646

[David Houck]

February 28, 2018 

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

From:  Frank Coppel, President

Positive Note 1646

Greetings Fellow Federationists:

 

              You can now begin to make your reservations for the upcoming
2018 Orlando National Convention.  The date of this year's national
convention will be July 3, to July 8, 2018 and will be held at the Rosen
Shingle Creek Resort.  The 2018 room rates are singles and doubles, $88; and
triples and quads, $93. In addition to the room rates there will be a tax,
which at present is 12.5 percent. No charge will be made for children under
seventeen in the room with parents as long as no extra bed is requested.
Please note that the hotel is a no-smoking facility.

              For 2018 convention room reservations you can call the hotel
at (866) 996-6338. You may also write directly to the Rosen Shingle Creek,
9939 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32819-9357. The hotel will want a
deposit of $100 for each room and will want a credit card number or a
personal check. If you use a credit card, the deposit will be charged
against your card immediately, just as would be the case with a $100 check.
If a reservation is cancelled before Friday, June, 1, 2018, half of the
deposit will be returned. Otherwise refunds will not be made.  The schedule
of the convention is as follows; Tuesday, July 3, Seminar Day, Wednesday,
July 4, Registration and exhibits, Thursday, July 5, National Board Meeting
and division and committee meetings, Friday, July 6, Opening General
Session, Saturday, July 7, General session, Sunday, July 8, Banquet.

              The Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship committee is now accepting
applications for the 2018 National conventional in Orlando Florida.  The
Jernigan scholarship program is sponsored by the NFB and is designed to
financially assist first time attendees to attend the NFB National
convention.  To apply, you must complete the necessary paperwork with a
letter of recommendation from your state president and submit this
information to the Jernigan Scholarship committee by April 15, 2018.  If you
are selected, you will be notified by the committee by May 15, 2018.  For
more information, please read the article  in the December issue of the
Braille Monitor which describes the process in more detail.  

              Unfortunately, I have been informed there continues to be
quite a few chapters who have not submitted their state dues for 2018.
Please send in your state dues as soon as possible since the deadline for
accepting dues was January 31.  Submitting your $10 state dues is extremely
important as it helps us to continue to carry out the programs of the NFB of
SC.  When you submit your state dues, please provide current contact
information such as, address, phone number and email address if you have
one.  These things do change and if we do not have updated information, we
cannot keep you up to date on what's going on.  

              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.  

              This week we are placing the spotlight upon one of the NFB of
SC's most versatile and talented members.  I am speaking of none other than
Valerie Warrington, longtime President of our Newberry Chapter.  Valerie was
born and raised in Newberry.  Many of you know her mother Elizabeth Farr of
Newberry who also supports Valerie's efforts in the federation.  

              After completing her high school education, Valerie received
her Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Clemson University and her Master's
in Accounting and Information Technology form the University of Maryland,
University College.  She has put her education to good use.  Valerie began
her career in the private sector in the manufacturing industry and later
accepted a position with SCANA services. She also worked briefly in public
accounting before taking time off to help raise her daughter. Valerie
returned to work a few years later with the State Treasurer's Office where
she is currently employed.  Of course, Valerie did receive her CPA
designation.  Valerie has been married for 16 years to her wonderful
husband, Larry, and they have a 4 year old daughter, Ali, who is an absolute
handful. She keeps her parents busy playing outdoors and with her toys. She
attends preschool at Newberry Academy. Valerie and Larry both enjoy
attending her school music programs and other school events.  Valerie
learned of the NFB of SC while attending the teen program at the Commission
for the Blind.  Someone mentioned the NFB and the programs the organization
offered. Since there was no Chapter in Newberry at that time, it was
suggested that she contact Dr. Capps which she did and the rest is history.
Valerie organized a Chapter in Newberry and she was elected president. She
has been actively involved in the NFB of SC ever since. Valerie has attended
every state convention since 1989 and she has attended five national
conventions over the years.  I do not want to neglect to state that Valerie
and Larry do stream our state conventions live on the internet in their
capacity as members of the Computer Science and Technology Division.
Valerie is currently president of the Newberry Chapter and is Treasurer of
the NFB of SC and Rocky Bottom. She also serves as Treasurer of the Computer
Science and Technology Division.  Valerie and Larry are active member of St.
Phillips Lutheran Church. In her spare time Valerie enjoys being with her
family and making crafts with her daughter.  With the inception and
expansion of the NFB of SC's Successful Transitions program and all the work
required to keep Rocky Bottom operational financially, she has applied her
accounting and CPA knowledge well in her Treasurer's duties in the
federation.  Her hard work and dedication are truly to be commended.

 

Final Thought:   "In youth we learn; in age we understand." - Marie Von
Ebner-Eschenbach

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