[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1780

Mon Sep 21 11:31:54 UTC 2020

September 21, 2020

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

From:  Jennifer Bazer, President

Positive Note 1780

Greetings Fellow Federationists:

As I get to know each of you, I would love for you to also get to know my
children. My daughter, Kaylin, is seven and in the second grade. She is a
Brownie in Girl Scouts, enjoys gymnastics and cheering her brother on at
baseball games. My son, Cade, is ten and in the fifth grade. He is in his
last year of Cub Scouts, loves to play the drums, and you can find him on
the baseball mound several days a week.

Speaking of baseball, Kaylin and I spent the weekend at a baseball
tournament cheering on Cade as he was a pitcher, a catcher and stole
multiple bases. The weather couldn't have been better as we enjoyed fall
temperatures. Fall will  be here Tuesday and is my favorite time of year!

As we turn to local information in the South Carolina affiliate, I am sad to
announce that the sister of Vernon smith passed away September 10 and
services were held September 16. Vernon is the president of our Union
chapter. Please keep Vernon and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

The following message is from Jamie Allison, President of our Cherokee
chapter.

It is with deep sadness that I am writing this to let you know that one of
our more recent yet beloved associate members, Carl Mickels, has passed
away. Carl was the cousin of both our blind member Grady Dawkins and
associate member Iv Dawkins. Arrangements have not yet been made, but are
forthcoming. The family appreciates very much being in our thoughts and
prayers. 

Our next South Carolina Connects meeting will be next Thursday, October 1,
at 5 pm on the Zoom platform. Please invite your chapter members, friends
and anyone interested in learning more about the NFB of SC.

Chapter and division presidents, if you have not already, please text, call
or email me with your monthly meeting days and times so that we can
coordinate committee or other affiliate business.

             If you know of any chapter meetings happening via Zoom,
conference call ETC and you would not mind others joining you, please post
the information on the listserv or send the information to Steve Cook at
cookcafe at sc.rr.com <mailto:cookcafe at sc.rr.com>  or call him at home at
803-254-0222. !  This would be a great way for others outside your chapter
to view how other meetings are conducted.  

If you would like to use Call-Em-All to notify your chapters or divisions of
upcoming meetings, please contact Thom Spittle at 803-331-3344 or email him
at nfbsc.lab.4 at gmail.com <mailto:nfbsc.lab.4 at gmail.com> 

Committee chairs and vice chairs, please contact Thom Spittle to make
arrangements for your committee days and times. He will cross reference
chapter and division meetings to hopefully prevent overlap.

The Positive Note will continue to go out on Monday mornings. If you have an
item of interest for the good of the affiliate, please contact me by Sunday
evening at jhipp25 at sc.rr.com <mailto:jhipp25 at sc.rr.com>  or text or call me
at 803-960-9977 and I will be happy to add it to that week's Positive Note.

Rocky Bottom Board of Directors has a new Chair

The RBRCCB Board met on Thursday, September 17, 2020 to vote on a new chair
for the board.  With the end of Frank Coppel's term as NFB of SC state
president, his position on the RBRCCB Board ended as well, his position was
filled by newly elected state president Jennifer Bazer. That did not mean
that she would step in as board chair.  In fact, with the growth of the NFB
of SC programs, it is not feasible for someone to hold two major leadership
roles.  Mr. Coppel had done so as a quick remedy when Mr. Capps stepped down
as chair of the Rocky Bottom Board a couple of years ago.  Mr. Capps asked
Mr. Coppel to take on the chair in his place.  A new amendment was proposed
after the state convention that would add another blind member at large spot
on the Rocky Bottom Board.  After ten days passed from the first reading of
the amendment, the board met again to vote on it.  The amendment passed
without any opposition.  Then the next step was to find a new chair.  Since
no one on the current board was in a position to take on such a daunting
task, it became evident that whoever was chosen for the new member at large
position would need to be a serious candidate for the chair too.  The board
discussed several people, but during the September 17 meeting, elected Thom
Spittle as the new board chair.  Thom has extensive first-hand experience,
having been the resident manager of the camp for several years.   He brings
a lot of new ideas that can potentially help the camp raise funds and find
innovative ways to stay in operation at first, and be a successful business
in the long run. Thom, we are excited to have you on board. Ed Bible was
reelected vice chair, Shannon Cook Secretary and Valerie Warrington
Treasurer. I want to thank all of you who serve on this important board.

>From Shannon Cook

Shelly and I want to give a huge Note of appreciation to those who helped
make the fall Virtual Senior Camp Day held this past Friday a hit.  Thanks
to Jim Jackson for creating a virtual background of his picnic sounds that
accompanied our virtual picnic lunch.  Thanks also to Tracy Spittle for
reading questions during our 5 Second Rule game.  Congratulations to Melanie
Torrance.  She was the winner of the game, and has bragging rights until we
meet again.  We also appreciate Rhonda Thomson chiming in to lend her
support from the SC Commission for the Blind.  Other SCCB staff members in
attendance were Toni Davis from the Greenville Office and Barbara Thompson,
Older Blind Counselor from the Columbia Office. I thank Shelley for
facilitating the discussion time too.  As you can see, it takes all of us
working together to accomplish our goals.

              We have access to masks that are available to affiliates,
chapters, and divisions to order.  They are split with the right half of the
mask being royal blue and the left side being yellow/gold.  There is an NFB
logo on the yellow side showing the circular Whozit symbol in full color.
Just below the logo are the letters "NFB of SC."  That can be altered to fit
your needs. Katy in Colorado is the designer and maker of these masks.  They
feature a wire sown in at the top to keep the mask in place.  They also have
a pocket on the inner layer for anyone who may need to use a filter with
their mask.  The cost is $5 each, regardless of quantity.  Katy recommends
selling the masks for $10 to make a profit for your affiliate, chapter, or
division.   You can reach Katy by using either of the following methods:  

              rohdekaty at gmail.com <mailto:rohdekaty at gmail.com>
(720) 636-1581.

              Also, if any         one in SC would like a mask, limited
quantities are available.

Contact Shelley Coppel at (803) 796-8662.

              We are getting ready to stock our gift shop at Rocky Bottom
retreat and Conference Center of the Blind. The gift shop will include items
that are made by the blind, represent the blind, or that people who rent
Rocky Bottom ask for on a regular basis. If you would like to contribute
items to sell in the shop, please let me know. Do you crochet? Do you make
specialty items? Do you just want to donate items for the shop that others
may wish to purchase, we would love to hear from you!

              Most of the items for the first opening of the gift shop will
be in Columbia September 23. We are planning a packing, labeling, and work
party at the Federation Center, 119 Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29205 on
Thursday, September 24 beginning at 10:00. We will have individuals labeling
index cards in print, then labeling them in Braille, placing the items in
clear zip lock bags, and then stapling the print and Braille labels on the
packages.

              We welcome all hands on deck to join this time together,
working as a team to bring something new to Rocky Bottom! If you are in
Columbia and would like to help and need transportation, please text or call
me at 803-960-9977 or email me at jhipp25 at sc.rr.com
<mailto:jhipp25 at sc.rr.com>  by Tuesday September 22. If you are out of town
and wish to assist, we welcome you to join us at the Center by 10:00,
Thursday morning, September 24.

              We will all be wearing masks and there is a station with hand
sanitizer on your right as you enter the center from the parking lot to use
liberally when you are there.

              Rocky Bottom is yours, Rocky Bottom is ours. Rocky bottom is
owned and operated by the blind of South Carolina. Let's work together to
build a gift shop that we are proud of, and that guests are excited to
visit. Come join us on Thursday, September 24th at 10:00, at the Federation
Center. 

              Because of how much the NFB of SC has been using the Zoom
account we signed up for last year, we find the need to add another meeting
space.  The Zoom account our affiliate has been using over the past year is
adding a second meeting ID.  Now, in addition to the existing room we have
been using, 803 254 3777, we are adding a second room with a familiar
number, 864 878 9090.  This is the number to Rocky Bottom.  We wanted to use
numbers that everyone was already familiar with to make it easier for us
all.  If you need to use Zoom for a meeting, please contact Thom Spittle at
(803) 331-3344.  He is scheduling the meetings.   He can let you know which
meeting ID you will need to use for your meeting.  

              If your chapter, division, board, or you personally have
something for the good of the affiliate to announce, please send the
information to me via email by Sunday night so I can add it to the Positive
Note.

Below is a list of committees and members. If you emailed, texted or called
me, but you do not see your name, please forgive me and gently let me know.
You are welcome to join any of these committees, even if, your name is not
listed. Once we have a list of when chapters and divisions meet, we will put
out a list of when committees will meet in hopes of not overlapping.

I would like committees to meet once per month, unless, it is a committee
that gives out awards. Committees will send updates to me each month with
activities, events, and information. We have so much talent in our state.
Let's find your strengths, your gifts and add to our Palmetto pool!

Thank you all for your willingness to serve and build the Federation in SC.
I look forward to working and getting to know all of you!

Meet the Blind, Blindness Awareness

Demetrius Williford, Chairperson

J.W. Smith, vice-chairperson

Carrie Burris

Debra Canty

Linda Dizzley

Loretta Green

Constance Miller

Courtney Rone

Melissa Staley

Cheri Euton

Employer of the year

Steve Cook, chairperson

Marty McKenzie

Debra Canty

Casey Rose

David Bundy

Educator of the year

Marty McKenzie Chairperson

Steve Cook

Debra Canty

Tracy Spittle

Casey Rose

Carolyn Cooley

Diabetes Action Network DAN:

Melanie Torrance, Chairperson

Shelley Coppel

Steve Cook

Kimberly Williford

Loretta Green

Angie Rachal

Melissa Staley

Cheri Euton

Charlis Borodin

Finance:

Jennifer Bazer, Chairperson

Pam Schexnider

Valerie Warrington

Larry Warrington

David Houck

Fund Raising:

Debra Canty, Chairperson

Matthew Duffell-Hoffman, Vice Chair

Trista Hubbs

Pam Schexnider

Valerie Warrington

Steve Cook

Laverne Addison

Frank Coppel

Garrett Mosley

Brookelynn Raulerson

Ed Bible

Public Relations

Derique Simon, chairperson

Trista Hubbs

Janice Bright

Jamie Allison

Sarah Massengale

Steve Cook

Debra Canty

Dominic Calabrese

Malaya Reece

Ed Bible

Loretta Green

Linda Dizzley

Shannon Cook

Valerie Warrington

Thom Spittle

Diversity and Inclusion:

Derique Simon,  Chairperson

Linda Dizzly, Vice Chair

Janice Bright

Debra Canty

Shannon Cook

Laverne Addison

Melissa Staley

Bailey Hightower

Neel Sheth

Ivan Hegent

Pathronda Anderson

Allontate Ellerbe

Cheri Euton

Matthew Duffell-Hoffman

Geneva Bailey

Belinda Banks

Social Media

Steve Cook, Chairperson

Jamie Allison

Debra Canty

Lori Anne Coley

Malaya Reece

Allontate Ellerbe

David Bundy

Sarah Massengale

Valerie Warrington

Larry Warrington

Braille Literacy

Tracy spittle, Chairperson

Jamie Allison

Meredith Boyce

Malaya Reece

Cheri Euton

Shelley Coppel

Dorothy Barksdale

Pat Wolthoff

Donna Jean Miller

Scholarship

Shannon Cook, Chairperson

Jamie Allison

Debra Canty

Tracy Spittle

Linda Dizzley

Membership

Thom Spittle, Chairperson

Jamie Allison

Steve Cook

Debra Canty

Courtney Rone

Laverne Addison

Pat Waltoff

Frank Coppel

Charles Black

Donna Jean Miller

Bekah Breece

Ed Bible

Doing our Fair Share

Frank Coppel, Chairperson

Steve Cook

Debra Canty

Shannon Cook

Cheri Euton

Dale Wolthoff

Legislative

Ed Bible, Chairperson

Debra Canty

Shannon Cook 

Bekah Breece

Trista Hubbs

Donna Jean Miller

Jeff Bazer

Dominic Calabrese

Frank Coppel

Bailey Hightower

Neel Sheth

Cheri Euton

Charles Black

Valerie Warrington

Resolutions

Valerie Warrington, Chairperson

Parnell Diggs

Debra Canty

Shannon Cook

David Bundy

Charles Black

Frank Coppel

Donald C. Capps

David Houck, Chairperson

Julie Bible

Cheri Euton

Charles Black

Valerie Warrington

Nationally:

National Federation of the Blind Applauds Report of United States Commission
on Civil Rights

Baltimore, Maryland (September 17, 2020): The National Federation of the
Blind, America's civil rights organization of the blind, issued the below
statement regarding a report from the United States Commission on Civil
Rights entitled
<https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=18456&qid=4148231>
Subminimum Wages: Impacts on the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities:

"Ever since our founding eighty years ago, the National Federation of the
Blind has opposed the payment of subminimum wages to blind and disabled
Americans under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act," said Mark
Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind.  "We commend
the report of the United States Commission on Civil Rights issued today and
applaud the Commission's call for the end of the antiquated and
discriminatory 14(c) program. While we will further review the report to
assess its details and recommendations, the Commission's work is a giant
step toward eliminating the historic injustice of subminimum wages and
creating true equality of opportunity for workers with disabilities. We urge
the general public to actively join us in standing against this injustice
and to work meaningfully toward its elimination from our local communities."

Final Thought:  "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change
it, change the way you think about it." - Mary Engelbreit

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>  or call him at home
at 803-254-0222 and he will be happy to add you to the listserv and the
Positive Note.

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