[Nfbofsc] Positive Note 1706

[David Houck]

April 24, 2019

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

From:  Frank Coppel, President

Positive Note 1706

Greetings Fellow Federationists:

 

              Only two weeks to go until Midlands Gives which will occur on
Tuesday, May 7, 2019!  As you recall, we discussed the Midlands Gives
program extensively during the Statewide and Leadership seminars as well as
in the April 10, Positive Note.  This year, we want to concentrate heavily
on raising funds to meet the ongoing needs at Rocky Bottom.  Jennifer Bazer
and staff from the Successful Transitions program will be stationed in
several locations around the Columbia area (downtown East Bay Deli on Main
St., Crossing Deli in Northeast Columbia and the West Columbia Chick-fil-a
on Augusta rd.) on May 7, to raise funds through Midland Gives to assist
Rocky Bottom.  If you would like to assist Jennifer and the staff of
Successful Transitions at one of these locations, you can contact Jennifer
Bazer at (803) 960-9977 for further information.  If you are uncomfortable
using a computer to make a donation or do not have one, you can come by or
call the Federation Center, (803) 254-3777 on Tuesday, May 7, and we will
assist you with your donation.  We will also be having a "watch party" with
refreshments sponsored by the NFB of SC Seniors Division at the Federation
Center on May 7, from 11:00a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for those individuals who would
like to make a donation to Rocky Bottom through Midland Gives.  We will be
especially working hard to raise the most unique contributions between 12
noon and 1:00 p.m.  The non-profit organization who receives the most unique
contributions during this hour will also receive an additional $2500 for
their group.  As was discussed at the Leadership seminar on March 16, and
the NFB of SC Board of Directors meeting on April 6, the six state board
district and state wide divisions will be competing among themselves to see
who can secure the most unique contributions for Rocky Bottom.  A trophy
will be presented at this year's state convention to the district or
statewide division who secures the highest number of unique contributions
during Midlands Gives on May 7.  I hope all chapter presidents are working
closely with their district board representative and you are sharing this
information with members in your chapter.  I am strongly encouraging all of
us to make a concerted effort to spread this information to members of our
family, local businesses, neighbors, and friends.  By all of us throughout
the state working together, we can all help to financially support Rocky
Bottom and the NFB of SC with this wonderful fund raising opportunity!  

              If you have not done so already, please make your reservations
for the upcoming 2019 Las Vegas National Convention.  The date of this
year's national convention will be July 7, to July 12, 2019 and will be held
at the beautiful Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Unlike in years past, the
same enviable rate of $99 per night applies to singles and doubles as well
as triples and quads. Hotel and sales taxes are 13.38 percent and 8.25
percent, respectively. The resort fee (normally $37 a night) will be waived
for NFB convention attendees. However, fees for internet access, local and
toll-free calls, and fitness center access may apply.  To make reservations
for the 2019 convention, you can call the hotel at 877-632-9001. The hotel
will take a deposit of the first night's room rate for each room and will
require a credit card or a personal check. If you use a credit card, the
deposit will be charged against your card immediately. It is important to
note, the hotel will charge against your card a $400 deposit to cover
incidentals during the time you are staying at the hotel.  This deposit will
be credited back partially or in full to your card soon after you check-out
from the hotel.  If a reservation is cancelled before Friday, June 1, half
of the deposit will be returned. Otherwise refunds will not be made.  It is
my understanding room  reservations for the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
are going quickly, so I suggest you make your room reservations soon.  

              There is only five weeks remaining to Preregister for this
year's national convention.  Preregistration opened online March 1, and will
close on May 31, 2019. Additionally, registration will be available on site
in Las Vegas. When purchased online by May 31, the preregistration fee for
convention is $25 ($30 on site) and the cost of a banquet ticket is $70 ($75
on site). For more information regarding preregistration and other details,
please visit https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention.  Please note
all preregistration and banquet sales are final.  

              We have an announcement from Shelley Coppel, president of our
Seniors Division.  "Calling all Seniors!  I want to announce the next
national senior division conference call to be held on:  April 30.  Time: 4
p.m. eastern time.  Topic: Staff from the Colorado Senior program will be
discussing technology, phone apps, etc.  The phone number is:
1-515-603-3166; access number:  759633 pound."

              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's spotlight falls upon former NFB of SC President,
Parnell Diggs, who in 2019 is celebrating 30 years of membership in the
National Federation of the Blind.  While Parnell has held positions of
responsibility at the national, state, and local levels in the Federation,
he will tell you that you don't have to hold a title to be a leader in the
organized blind movement.

              In April of 2017, Parnell accepted an appointment to the
prestigious position of Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) within the federal
government and was initially assigned to the Social Security
Administration's Office of Hearings Operations in Cincinnati, Ohio.  There,
he rose to the position of Acting Hearing Office Chief Administrative Law
Judge within 18 months, or in October of 2018.  But Parnell's ultimate goal
was to one day return to South Carolina as an ALJ; and he got his chance
when he was offered a reassignment to the Office of Hearings Operations in
Charleston, South Carolina beginning on April 1, 2019.  Thus, Parnell is
once again in South Carolina and continues to be a dedicated member and
leader in the Federation.

              As a Social Security ALJ, Parnell hears matters arising under
the Social Security Act (such as claims for SSDI and SSI benefits,
overpayments, Etc.) and will conduct hearings in Charleston and Myrtle
Beach.  Parnell attended the recent State Board and Rocky Bottom Board
meetings in Columbia and plans to attend the National and State Conventions
this summer.

              Kim plans to relocate to Charleston in the near future, but
Jordan (now 19-years-old) may decide to reside in Myrtle Beach.  Charleston
and Myrtle Beach are separated only by approximately 90 miles, which makes
it convenient for the family to travel between the two cities.  In May,
Parnell and Kim will celebrate their 26th Wedding Anniversary.  As you can
see, Parnell Diggs is right in that you do not have to hold an office to be
a leader in this big program of work with the blind.  Opportunities abound
if you will just get in there and work hard with your fellow federationists
in service to the blind.  

 

Final Thought:   There is nothing like completing a big successful project
as knowing it was a job well done!

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