[Nfbofsc] Positive Note 1699

[David Houck]

March 6, 2019

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

From:  Frank Coppel, President

Positive Note 1699

Greetings Fellow Federationists:

 

              Please continue to contact David Houck at the Federation
Center of the Blind either by phone or by email, if you are planning to
attend the Leadership Seminar which will be held on Saturday, March 16, from
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  We need to have this information by Wednesday,
March 13, in order for us to have an accurate head count for lunch which is
free of charge.  We are expecting a good turnout to be present for the
seminar as we already have approximately fifty people to sign up thus far.  

              We have an announcement from Chris Danielsen, Director of
Public Relations, of the NFB.  "Dear Fellow Federationists:  It's hard to
believe, but the annual National Convention of the National Federation of
the Blind is only a little over four months away. We look forward to seeing
everyone at the beautiful Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas from
July 7 to July 12, 2019!

              We wanted to let you know that preregistration for the
convention is now open. You can preregister from March 1 to May 31, 2019 at
convention.nfb.org https://convention.nfb.org/. The cost to register for the
national convention is currently $25 and the cost of a banquet ticket is
$70.  After May 31, preregistration will close, and you will need to
register on site at the convention.  See you in Las Vegas!  

              On Friday morning, March 1, the Federation Center staff hosted
Dr. Julian Brinkley, an Assistant Professor at Clemson University's School
of Computing, and his students who were taking a class on Inclusive Design
and Accessible Technology.  The morning consisted of excellent presentations
made by Jeff Bazer, Thom Spittle, and Jim Jackson regarding the benefits and
variety of assistive technology that is available to the blind.  The staff
answered many questions regarding the assistive technology demonstrated and
answered many questions regarding blindness in general.  Ed Bible, Chairman
of the Federation Center's board, is to be commended for taking the
initiative to establish a working relationship with Dr. Brinkley who prior
to coming to South Carolina worked closely with our Florida affiliate and
the NFB national office in the area of technology accessibility.  

              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 spotlighting a chapter President in his first
year of being in this position.  I am speaking of Demetrius Williford,
President of the Anderson Chapter.  Demetrius was born and raised in
Anderson and attended the Anderson public schools.  He had a close knit
family which was very supportive as he was raised by his mother.  He has two
older sisters and a daughter.   When he turned 15 years old he worked in the
Quincy's Steak House in Anderson. After graduating from high school,
Demetrius enrolled at Spartanburg Tech where he majored in business
management focusing in marketing.  While at Spartanburg Tech he stayed at
SCSDB and was employed as a tutor for the high school students.  He enrolled
in the Business Enterprise Program in 2013 and he has been operating the
I-85 North Vending facility for the last six years.  

              Demetrius has known Carey Burriss of the Anderson Chapter most
of his life and respects him very much.  Carey invited him to join the
chapter four years ago.  Demetrius Williford has now attended three state
conventions and three NFB national conventions.  He is getting married to
Kimberly Banks on June 29 and they will be attending the NFB Las Vegas
convention in July.  As stated before, Demetrius is in his first year as
Anderson Chapter President and is getting into the swing of things.
President Frank Coppel was just at their most recent Anderson Chapter
meeting and Demetrius says he wants to help out wherever he can in the
federation.  His hobby is listening to talking books and he plans to be
involved in a church ministry soon.  Demetrius wants more members to attend
federation meetings and he is looking to take a group of members to the NFB
National Center in the not too distant future.  Let's salute Demetrius
Williford who has stepped up to the plate as a leader in the federation.

 

Final Thought:  March 14 is known as "Pi Day" for 3.14.as a never ending
division figure (Example Pi X radius squared equals the circumference of a
circle).  Some have also called it "Pie Day" and encourage people to make
and share in their favorite pies.

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