[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1792

Mon Dec 14 11:40:14 UTC 2020

December 14, 2020

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

From:  Jennifer Bazer, President

803-960-9977

Jhipp25 at sc.rr.com

Positive Note 1792

Greetings Fellow Federationists:

What a action packed week full of Christmas celebrations from various
chapters! I was thrilled to participate in and speak during most of them.
You all know how to party zoom style! It was very different and somewhat
difficult not be in-person to hug and shake hands with our Federation
family. I am blessed and thankful we have technology that allows us to keep
meeting and celebrating.

Monday, we had a Florence interest meeting and 15 individuals attended
in-person. Jameika Cooper is the new Florence chapter president. Please
welcome her, support her and reach out to her. Please also encourage those
in that area to join the Florence Chapter.

Saturday, about 17 individuals met at the Federation Center in Columbia to
have an open Christmas celebration. We ate chicken soup, chili, grilled
cheese, fresh fruit, banana pudding, cookies and cupcakes. The tables were
decorated with table cloths and runners and bowls of candy along with
centerpieces covered each table. We had a white elephant Christmas exchange
and from 2:00 until 3:00, we broadcast live through zoom so those who could
not attend in-person could participate. We heard a Christmas selection from
Janice Crosby, shared Christmas traditions and sang Silent Night and We Wish
You a Merry Christmas. We also gave thanks to those who generously donated
to our Thanks for Giving box. Items filled one six foot table and lined the
carpet in the lounge in front of the table. We will be distributing these
items to our members in need. Thank you to all who participated to make this
a huge blessing!

As 2020 draws closer to a close, just a few things we all need to do as
active members in our Palmetto affiliate.

Dates to remember; please mark your calendars. See more specific details on
these action items further in this Positive Note.

Submit our 22021 state dues of $10 by December 31.

Notify David Houck at the Center by calling 803-254-3777 if you plan to
attend the statewide seminar on January 9, 2021.

Chapter and division presidents, submit your financial reports for 2020 by
January 31 2021 to the state office.

Notify David Houck at the Center by calling 803-254-3777 if you plan to
attend the leadership seminar on April 10, 2021.

Increase or hop on the PAC plan by May 31, 2021 to have your name entered
into a $100 gift card drawing.

Submit new chapter and division officers to Steve Cook, Thom Spittle and me
by December 31, 2020 so that it can be updated on the website and membership
roster.

Attend the Palmetto Connects on Thursday, December 17, 2020 via zoom.

Do you sell items like jewelry? Do you bake? Do you crochet? Do you like
supporting local businesses? Would you like to support your fellow
Federationists in their small business?

Are you willing to donate at least 10% of your earnings for each sale to the
national Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, NFB of SC?

If you said yes to these questions, please email me at jhipp25 at sc.rr.com
<mailto:jhipp25 at sc.rr.com>  and Steve Cook chair of our social media
committee at cookcafe at sc.rr.com <mailto:cookcafe at sc.rr.com>  so that we may
include it on our website and on Face Book. We will also include your
information on our listserv periodically for those who are not on social
media or not able to reach our www.nfbofsc.org <http://www.nfbofsc.org>
website.

Please send an announcement including your business name, your contact
information and what you sell to Jennifer Bazer and Steve Cook and we will
add it to the website and to our listserv.

Thank you for supporting your fellow Federationist in their small
businesses.

PAC Plan Challenge:

We will be running a contest from December 5, 2020  through May 31, 2021 for
our NFB of SC affiliate. We are currently 13 and would like to be in the top
10 or higher. One of our members would like to see us as an affiliate
contribute $1,500 to PAC each month between chapters, divisions, individuals
and our NFB of SC affiliate. If you join PAC, your name will be entered into
a drawing for a $100 visa gift card. If you increase your PAC donation, your
name will be entered into a different $100 visa gift card drawing. I have a
list of chapters, divisions, and individuals who are on PAC at this time. On
June 1, I will ask the national office for another list which I will use to
have the two drawings on June 1. There are many ways to give. Below, is a
little about PAC.

Thank you for your interest in the National Federation of the Blind's
Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) program. This program allows you to
contribute to the NFB through recurring monthly donations. These can be
direct withdrawals from a checking account or charges to a credit card.
Please contact  <mailto:PAC at nfb.org> pac at nfb.org with any questions. Thank
you for your generosity.

You can go to

https://www.nfb.org/pac

to complete the online form.

You may also call the national office at 410-659-9314 extension 2622 or
email PAC at nfb.org <mailto:PAC at nfb.org>  with questions.

There are several chapters and divisions within our state who are on PAC and
we are grateful for  those contributions. There are individuals who are on
PAC and we are appreciative of those members who give each month. As an
affiliate, we are averaging $17.41 per person and less than 10% of our
members are on PAC. Let's see if we can increase those percentages to over
$20 per month and have at least 20% of our members on PAC. I appreciate you
considering to get on the PAC plan or increasing your donation each month!

              We will have our next SC connects meeting  Thursday, December
17 at 5:00 p.m. Please encourage your chapters, divisions, committees to
attend to learn about the latest happenings in the NFB of SC!

              Our statewide seminar will be held January 9 at the Center in
Columbia from 10:00 until 4:00. This will be a hybrid seminar meaning you
can attend in-person and over Zoom so as many individuals can participate as
possible. Please make plans to attend in-person or through Zoom. Please
call, text or email me with suggested agenda items. Please also call David
at the Center at 803-254-3777 to let us know if you will be attending in
person. First come, first serve as we have limited seats to effectively
promote social distancing at the Center. Chapter and division presidents
along with FCB, NFB of SC, and Rocky Bottom board members are required to
attend via zoom or in-person.

Leadership Seminar:

Our next leadership seminar will be April 10, 2021 at the Federation Center.
All presidents of divisions and chapters along with Federation Center board
members, Rocky Bottom board members and NFB of SC board members are required
to attend in-person or through zoom. Others who are interested are welcome
to attend via zoom or in-person as well.

We plan to have door prizes at each of these seminars on January 9 and April
10. Calling David Houck at the Center at 803-254-3777 will guarantee your
name entered into a separate drawing for registered in-person and zoom
attendees of a $50 gift card for each seminar that will be drawn at an
undisclosed time during each seminar and you must be present to win. .
Anyone who attends via zoom or in-person will be eligible for door prizes
and must be present to win, even if, you do not register prior to the
seminars. Only registered individuals who call David Houck to let us know
how you will be participating either in-person or zoom will be entered into
the $50 gift card drawing for each seminar.

              The following meetings are scheduled on the Zoom platform this
week. You are welcome to attend any of these meetings, even if you are not a
member of the chapter or committee.  All Committee meetings are open to the
public for listening. Contact President Bazer if you would like to be added
to any NFB of SC committee so that information stays current on our website
and membership list.

              Here is  what is coming up on Zoom for the week of December 14
2020. All meetings are on the main Federation ID of 803-254-3777, unless
noted.

Monday, December 14, Braille Literacy, 6pm

Tuesday, December 15, Diabetes Action Network, 7pm

Thursday, December 17, Palmetto Connects, 5pm

Thursday, December 17, Clarendon County Chapter, 8pm

Friday, December 18, Meet the Blind Committee, 6pm

Saturday, December 19, Charleston chapter, 1pm

              NFB of SC Federation Center is inviting you to a scheduled
Zoom meeting.

Topic: NFB of SC Chapter and Committee meetings

Times are in  Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8032543777?pwd=QTVQd2RzN3l6QnNmZ0FmSnp6NG8vQT09

Meeting ID: 803 254 3777

Passcode: 124578

One tap mobile

+19292056099,,8032543777# US (New York)

The South Carolina Commission for the Blind SCCB will be having its board
meeting Tuesday, December 17 at 1:30 pm. I encourage all of you to attend so
we will know what is going on and so we can ask questions.

The link to the information is

http://www.sccb.state.sc.us/board/meetings.php

Tuesday, December 15, 2020 . 1:30 pm

<http://www.sccb.state.sc.us/downloads/board/agenda/Board_Agenda_2020-12-15.
docx> Agenda

The Board Meeting will be conducted via phone/web conference call. Beginning
at 1:20 pm, participants may join the meeting:

*	With a smart phone / mobile device:

*	 <tel:1%20646%20876%209923,,996%204916%208519> Tap to join

*	Or by phone:

*	Dial ONE of the following numbers:
     <tel:1%20646%20876%209923> +1 646 876 9923 (primary)
     <tel:1%20301%20715%208592> +1 301 715 8592 (backup)
*	Enter the Meeting ID: 996 4916 8519
*	Press #

Message from Debra Canty, President of the Sumter Chapter of the NFB of SC.

On behalf of the Sumter Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of
South Carolina , please know that your presence, participation and donations
on Zoom last Tuesday evening for our 47th Annual Fundraiser Christmas Gala
are greatly appreciated. Wishing all of you, "A MERRY CHRISTMAS and Happy
New Year!!!

              From Linda Dizzley, Lee County Chapter President

              If you are looking for a special gift for that special
loved-one, friend,  co-worker, chapter members etc., help is just a call
away.  Below is a list of a few ideas that may interest you Make your
Holiday shopping easier and safe this year by shopping from home.  Many
ideas may be personalized: Please place your orders by December 8, 2020

              Edible Gifts, Milk Chocolate Dark Chocolate White Chocolate,
(your choice of color).  Business cards.  Ladies High Heel Shoes.  Men dress
shoes.  Sneakers.  Boots.  Purse.  Hats.  Champagne Glass.  Basketball Goal,
footballs, golf clubs, bowling ball and pin.  Chocolate covered pretzels.
Chocolate roses.  Personalized Gifts.  T-shirts.  Sweatshirts .  Hoodies.
Face Masks.  Socks.  Scarves.  Coffee Mugs.  Key Chains.  Coasters.  Mouse
Pads.  Caps.  Hats.  Face clothes.  Hand Towels.  Bath Towels.  Photo
Plates. 

              If interested, contact Linda Dizzley, Lee County Chapter
President.

LDIZZLEY at HOTMAIL.COM <mailto:LDIZZLEY at HOTMAIL.COM>   Home: 803 442 84273
Cell: 803 459 4585

              From Frank Loza

              Support the Federation Center by buying a jacket with our
national logo on the back of the jacket and under that it says National
Federation of the Blind and under that it says, live the life you want.  On
the left upper part of the front it says, NFB of SC.  There are two kinds of
material you can get them in.  One is microfiber and the other one is
polyester blend.  The microfiber costs $80.00 and the polyester blend cost's
$75.00.  The microfiber comes in blue or black and the polyester comes in
blue, black and gray.  If you can call Frank Loza at 803-617-8016, with your
information, such as color and size.  Join  your fellow Federationists and
get your jacket.  It will show unity when your chapter has a function.

              If you made a pledge at our state convention banquet in
August, those tax -deductible contributions are due at the Center no later
than December 31, 2020. If you did not make a pledge, but wish to donate to
the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, please send
donations to 119 S. Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29205. You may also pay on
our website at www.nfbofsc.org <http://www.nfbofsc.org>  and look for the
donations link to pay through pay Pal. Thank you to all of those
individuals, chapters, and divisions who have fulfilled their pledges. I
will list all donors in the first Positive Note of 2021.

              Big News! The National Federation of the Blind of SC now has
an online enrollment membership form to pay your 2021 state dues. You will
be able to fill out the form online to provide the state office with updated
personal and contact information. You will also be able to pay your $10
state dues via secure Pay Pal. You will still need to pay your
chapter/division dues on the local level. After submitting the membership
form, you will be provided with a link to pay your $10 state dues through
Pay Pal. Your membership will not be confirmed until payment has been
received. After paying your $10 state dues via Pay Pal, we will receive a
message stating you have paid your state dues to confirm your membership.
Then you will be sent a message with a copy of your receipt for confirmation
later in the day. Please retain this confirmation for your records and proof
of payment.  Also, Pay Pal charges the NFB of SC a percentage for each
transaction. We would greatly appreciate you adding an extra $0.30 for every
$10 to your donation to offset this charge. So, $10.30, $20.60 and so on.

              If you need assistance completing the online form, you are
welcome to call Steve and Shannon Cook to help at (803) 254-0222. Leave a
message with your name and contact number if we are unavailable to answer
the phone.

              Thank you to those who have already paid your state dues! We
hope to see close to 100% of dues paid by December 31. Our membership
committee along with the help of our district reps will follow-up as we get
closer to the end of the year to assist those in completing their membership
form so that we can have all completed documentation to the national office
in a timely manner. This has normally been due at the end of January to pay
your state dues; however, that does not give me time to submit all necessary
data to the national office by January 31. We want to be prompt in our
membership dues and information to President Riccobono.  https://forms.
gle/MGYktJPG3SatVBFWA

              Nationally:

Code of Conduct

On an annual basis, and sometimes more frequently, the board of directors
examines the National Federation of the Blind Code of Conduct and makes
revisions based upon feedback we receive, thoughts of how best to implement
the code on a practical and operational basis, and best practices that
emerge in other organizations. On December 5, 2020, the board approved
revisions that are now reflected on the code of conduct page
https://www.nfb.org/about-us/history-and-governance/code-conduct. 

The current revisions clean up some language, tighten up the application of
this policy to employees and contractors of the organization, and emphasize
the multiple ways that grievances might be filed and dealt with by the
leadership in consultation with the Code of Conduct Committee.

I strongly urge you to read this update to ensure you completely understand
it. We have a call for all affiliate presidents on December 17. If any of
this is not clear or you have any questions, please send them in advance of
that call, if you can, and we will make sure they are addressed on the call.
I also urge you to share the link with your boards and chapter and division
leaders so they can refresh themselves on the code.

Please remember these things about our code of conduct. 

*	While affiliates are asked to carry out the work of the movement
consistent with this code to create the most welcoming and inclusive
environment possible, some people may still feel uncomfortable bringing
issues to the leadership of a given affiliate. Under no circumstances should
anyone be discouraged from reporting potential violations through the
national code of conduct process. 
*	Leaders of the Federation should never discourage individuals from
involving law enforcement when they feel that is appropriate and necessary.
*	Federation leaders should recognize that certain situations, such as
potential violations related to minors, may require mandatory reporting to
law enforcement in your state. When in doubt, please contact the national
Code of Conduct Committee for assistance at coc at nfb.org <mailto:coc at nfb.org>
, or by calling our dedicated voicemail box at 410-659-9314, extension 2475.

*	Federation leaders must take extra care to ensure that all members
understand the importance of the code and the ability of members to file
grievances. When Federation leaders take actions like making jokes about
what is or is not a violation of the code of conduct, it creates the
perception that issues are not taken seriously. Please be a strong example
of what is intended by the code and ensure that your words, as well as your
actions, reflect the values of our movement and our code of conduct.
Moreover, the code of conduct should never be used as a weapon to advance
personal agendas or settle scores with other members.  

In the next month the code of conduct page will be updated with a Frequently
Asked Questions page to address questions about the code, the process of
investigations, and the priority of keeping information confidential to
protect those who may have been harmed by the actions of others. If there
are questions you often answer about the code, please send them to our code
of conduct email address so we can incorporate them. And if you have
recommendations regarding tools or other training that would help you more
effectively reinforce and reflect the organization's code of conduct, please
send those to coc at nfb.org <mailto:coc at nfb.org> .

Final Thought:

The World Needs ...
A little more kindness and a little less creed,
A little more giving and a little less greed;
A little more smile and a little less frown,
A little less kicking a man when he's down;
A little more "we" and a little less "I",
A little more laugh and a little less cry;
A few more flowers on the pathway of life,
and fewer on graves at the end of our strife.

Author: Unknown

NFB Pledge - I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the National
Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for
the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to
abide by its constitution.

NFB One Minute Message - "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." 

If this message was forwarded to you and you would like to receive it
directly in your inbox, as well as, receive messages regarding the National
Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, please email Steve Cook at
cookcafe at sc.rr.com <mailto:cookcafe at sc.rr.com> .

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