[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1799

Mon Feb 1 11:24:43 UTC 2021

February 1, 2021

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

From:  Jennifer Bazer, President

Positive Note 1799

803-960-9977

   Jhipp25 at sc.rr.com <mailto:Jhipp25 at sc.rr.com> 

Greetings Fellow Federationists:

“History is often reduced to a handful of memorable moments and events.  In
Black history, those events often include courageous stories like those of
The Underground Railroad and historic moments like the famous “I Have a
Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. But these are only a few of the
significant and important events to know and remember.

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African
Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. 

President  <https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/gerald-r-ford>
Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon
the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected
accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our
history.” Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United
Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history. Since that year,
every American president has designated February as Black History Month and
endorsed a specific theme.

The Black History Month 2021 theme, “Black Family: Representation, Identity
and Diversity” explores the African diaspora, and the spread of Black
families across the United States.

Before there was Rosa Parks, there was Claudette Colvin.

Most people think of  <http://www.pbs.org/black-culture/explore/rosa-parks/>
Rosa Parks as the first person to refuse to give up their seat on a bus in
Montgomery, Alabama. There were actually several women who came before her;
one of whom was Claudette Colvin.

It was March 2, 1955, when the fifteen-year-old schoolgirl refused to move
to the back of the bus, nine months before Rosa Parks’ stand that launched
the Montgomery bus boycott. Claudette had been studying Black leaders like
Harriet Tubman in her segregated school, those conversations had led to
discussions around the current day Jim Crow laws they were all experiencing.
When the bus driver ordered Claudette to get up, she refused, “It felt like
Sojourner Truth was on one side pushing me down, and Harriet Tubman was on
the other side of me pushing me down. I couldn't get up."

Claudette Colvin’s stand didn’t stop there. Arrested and thrown in jail, she
was one of four women who challenged the segregation law in court. If
Browder v. Gayle became the court case that successfully overturned bus
segregation laws in both Montgomery and Alabama, why has Claudette’s story
been largely forgotten? At the time, the NAACP and other Black organizations
felt Rosa Parks made a better icon for the movement than a teenager. As an
adult with the right look, Rosa Parks was also the secretary of the NAACP,
and was both well-known and respected – people would associate her with the
middle class and that would attract support for the cause. But the struggle
to end segregation was often fought by young people, more than half of which
were women.” 

As we continue to celebrate and honor Black History Month, I would love to
feature stories of Federationists with a story, with a voice for this
important month. Please email me with facts, clips of information, articles,
or stories that you feel our Federation family would like to hear regarding
black history and your personal experience. It is through stories, through
experience, through sharing, through open minds that we learn and grow and
become united!

              SC/Palmetto Connects, Time Change, Please Read

              We will have our next SC connects meeting on Thursday,
February 4, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern time.  Please encourage your chapters,
divisions, committees to attend to learn about the latest happenings in the
NFB of SC!

              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 expected to attend in-person or through zoom. Others who
are interested are welcome to attend via zoom or in-person as well.

              If you notify David Houck by April 5, 2021 whether you plan to
attend on zoom or in-person, your name will be entered into a $50 gift card
drawing. You must be present to win. There will be additional door prizes
throughout the seminar; only individuals who notify David by calling
803-254-3777 or emailing nfbsc at sc.rr.com <mailto:nfbsc at sc.rr.com>  about
your zoom or in-person attendance will be entered into the $50 gift card
drawing.

              The following meetings are scheduled on the Zoom platform this
month. 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
month. All meetings are on the main Federation ID of 803-254-3777, unless
noted.

Dates & Times of meetings are subject to change.

Monday, February 1, 2021

Pray with the We Care Committee 12:00 Noon Rocky Bottom

Fundraising Committee Meeting 8:00 PM 

 Presidential Release  8:00 PM 

1 669 900 6833

Webinar ID: 992 5597 4974

Tuesday, February 2, 2021 

Legislative Committee Meeting 8:00 PM 

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 

Cooking With the At Large Chapter 6:30 PM 

Washington Seminar Prep 8:00 PM 

Thursday, February 4, 2021 

Palmetto Connects 6:00 PM 

Darlington County Chapter Meeting 7:00 PM 

Friday, February 5, 2021 

Meet the Blind Committee Meeting 6:00 PM 

Movie Night with the NFB of SC Groundhog Day 8:00 PM 

Saturday, February 6, 2021 

Get Fit with the Sports & Rec Division 8:00 AM 

Greenville Chapter Meeting 11:00 AM 

 Student Division Meeting 8:00 PM 

Sunday, February 7, 2021

Support Group for those who have experienced abuse 3:00 PM

Support Group for recently blind members 5:00 PM

Monday, February 8, 2021 

Washington Seminar  

Braille Literacy Committee Meeting 7:00 PM 

Tuesday, February 9, 2021 

At Large Chapter Meeting 7:00 PM 

Sumter Chapter Meeting 7:00 PM Rocky Bottom

Wednesday, February 10, 2021 

Sports & Rec Division Meeting 6:00 PM 

Thursday, February 11, 2021 

Columbia Chapter Meeting 6:15PM 

Lancaster Chapter Meeting 7:00 PM Rocky Bottom

Friday, February 12, 2021

Cherokee Chapter Meeting 1:00 PM Rocky Bottom

Saturday, February 13, 2021 

Get Fit with the Sports & Rec Division 8:00 AM 

Technology Training 10:00 AM - noon 

Spartanburg Chapter Meeting 11:00 AM Rocky Bottom

Student Division Social 8:00 PM 

Sunday, February 14, 2021 

Support Group for those who have experienced abuse 3:00 PM

Support Group for recently blind members 5:00 PM

Lee County Chapter Meeting 7:00 PM 

Monday, February 15, 2021 

Membership Committee Meeting 7:00 PM 

Tuesday, February 16, 2021 

Diabetes Action Network Committee Meeting 7:00 PM 

Wednesday, February 17, 2021 

Public Relations Committee Meeting 8:00 PM 

Thursday, February 18, 2021 

Palmetto Connects 6:00 p.m.

Florence Chapter Meeting 7:00 p.m.

Clarendon County Chapter Meeting 8:00 PM 

Saturday, February 20, 2021 

Get Fit with the Sports & Rec Division 8:00 AM 

Charleston Chapter Meeting 1:00 PM 

Sunday, February 21, 2021

Support Group for those who have experienced abuse 3:00 PM

Support Group for recently blind members 5:00 PM

Monday, February 22, 2021 

Anderson Chapter Meeting 6:00 PM Rocky Bottom 

Doing Our Fair Share Committee Meeting 7:00 PM 

Tuesday, February 23, 2021 

Diversity & Inclusion Committee Meeting 8:00 PM 

Thursday, February 25, 2021 

Social Media Committee Meeting 7:30 PM 

Saturday, February 26, 2021

Get Fit with the Sports & Rec Division 8:00 AM 

Sunday, February 28, 2021

Support Group for those who have experienced abuse 3:00 PM

Support Group for recently blind members 5:00 PM

              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)

>From Jennifer Bazer

Support Girl Scouts, Support the NFB of SC!

My daughter Kaylin, age 7, is selling girl scout cookies again this year for
$5 per box.

Kaylin has a personal goal of 250 boxes. This will help her go to girl scout
camp and other girl scout activities. She has sold over 150 boxes so far.
She has sold to several affiliates in the NFB. Thank you all for your
support of Kaylin, girl scouts, and raising money for the NFB of SC

I will personally  give a donation to the NFB of SC for at least 10% of her
total dollar sales. Another way NFB of SC can raise money! If she sells
$1,000 in sales, I will give a donation of at least $100- to NFB of SC.

I will let you all know when cookie sales are over and what we donated to
the NFB of SC as a result.

You can call or text me at 803-960-9977 or email me at jhipp25 at sc.rr.com
<mailto:jhipp25 at sc.rr.com>  with your selections. 

Payment can be made with apple cash, Zell or pay pal direct or cash or check
to me.

Will ship, deliver or you can pick up in West Columbia!

Let’s raise money for NFB of SC! 

$5 per box

Lemonades

Shortbread

Thin mints

Peanut butter patties

Caramel delights

Peanut butter sandwich

Girl Scout S’Mores

>From Steve Cook

In order to cut down on traffic on our NFB of SC list serve. That I know I
am responsible for the majority of it. Smile! I have created a group called
Let’s Talk Tech that you can find a description and subscribe Email address
below if you wish to join. 

If you choose to join the Let’s Talk Tech list, just a note that your first
2 messages will have to be approved when posting to the list. After that,
your postings will go directly to the list. 

This group is for the discussion of any types of technology, sharing how you
perform different task, independent living, mobility devices, Android and
Apple devices, apps, Fusion, Zoom Text, JAWS, websites, podcast, and a lot
more! 

To subscribe send a message to the below Email address with the word
subscribe in the subject field.

Letstalktech+subscribe at groups.io <mailto:Letstalktech+subscribe at groups.io> 

Message from Debra Canty, Chairperson of the NFB of SC Fund-Raising
Committee which is asking you to participate in the virtual talent show on
Saturday, March 20th at 4pm. Please plan to showcase your talents or talents
of a child, family or friend and register soon. More information coming
soon.

>From Demetrius Williford

Kevin Cross is selling cane carriers for $25 each. They are leather in black
and brown. To order, please contact Kevin Cross at 443-226-6191 and his
email address is kmcessentials7 at gmail.com <mailto:kmcessentials7 at gmail.com> 

We thank Kevin for being on our Palmetto Connects call last month and look
forward to continued work with him!

              Cooper River Bridge 5K

              The Cooper River Bridge 5K will be held September 27, 2021 in
Charleston, SC. This is one of the largest runs in the country. If this is
on your bucket list, please contact President Bazer at 803-960-9977 or email
her at jhipp25 at sc.rr.com <mailto:jhipp25 at sc.rr.com>  if you wish to
participate. Cost is $60 to enter and participate in the race plus the cost
of housing the night before. We would love the NFB of SC to have a team and
race with team shirts showing our unity. The Sports and Rec division will be
heading this project up for the Palmetto state!

              Washington Seminar

              We are getting ready for the Washington Seminar 2021 which
will be virtual this year February 8-11. The great gathering in will be
February 8 at 5:00 p.m. We are currently scheduling appointments with our
legislators. We will have zoom meetings regarding NFB of SC at Washington
Seminar during the week of February 1. Our first meeting will be February 3
at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. If you have been asked to speak or if you are a
supporter, please join this call on the Federation main zoom platform. If
you wish to be a supporter of your representative from the House, please
call David Houck at 803-254-3777 or email him at nfbsc at sc.rr.com
<mailto:nfbsc at sc.rr.com>  and let him know that you wish to attend a house
meeting and please provide your full address so we assign you to the correct
representative and its meeting.

              Fun Friday Nights

              Our Name that Tune night on January 15, was a huge success. We
had 35 participants including members from NC, HI, NM, FL, SC and other
affiliates. We will be having a fun Friday night twice per month hosted by
the NFB of SC to include: audio described movie on the first Friday and an
interactive activity like Family Feud, Trivia, and more on the third Friday
of each month.. Our next fun Friday night will be Friday,  February 5, at
8:00 eastern as we watch Ground Hog Day in audio description! All are
welcome, come join your Palmetto affiliate!

              From Thom Spittle, Chairman of Rocky Bottom:

              Do you remember your days as a camper or councilor at
Children’s camp?

Do you have fond memories of visiting Rocky Bottom with your Chapter or
family?

If so, come spend a weekend with some of those same people, both sighted and
blind, as we put together a reunion weekend at Rocky Bottom during Memorial
Day weekend in May 2021. This will be a great time to catch up with others,
and hear some stories of other’s experiences from camp.

If you are interested, please contact Thom Spittle via email
RockyBottomInfo at gmail.com <mailto:RockyBottomInfo at gmail.com> , or call
803-331-3344.

              We will try to get a transportation plan in place if you
cannot get to the camp on your own.

There will be a $100 per person cost for food and other entertainment
expenses.

If you would like to bring a spouse or your immediate family, we should be
able to accommodate that. I hope to hear from you, 

Thom Spittle, Chairman, Board of Directors

Rocky Bottom Retreat & Conference Center of the blind

              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 pac at nfb.org <mailto: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!

              Support A Local Vender

              Would you like to support a local vender and the National
Federation of the Blind of SC (NFB of SC) at the same time? Well, here is
your opportunity to do both! When you purchase items from any of the below
venders, be sure to mention the NFB of SC in order for a percentage to be
donated to the NFB of SC. 

              If you know of any venders that are willing to donate a
percentage of each purchase to the NFB of SC and have their information
listed on www.NFBofSC.org <http://www.NFBofSC.org> , have them contact
Jennifer Bazer and Steve Cook at the below Email addresses.

jhipp25 at sc.rr.com <mailto:jhipp25 at sc.rr.com>  cookcafe at sc.rr.com
<mailto:cookcafe at sc.rr.com> .

              To access a list of venders, please go to www.nfbofsc.org
<http://www.nfbofsc.org>  and then click on the support a local vender link.
Your support of the local vender and the NFB of SC is greatly appreciated!

              From Steve Cook

              The upcoming weekly Zoom events can now be found on Newsline!
The article list the date, name of the event and the time. Also, listed is
the information you will need to call in using your phone. Thank you to MS.
Cummings for speaking out about a challenge she was having knowing when all
the zoom events took place. Since she does not use a computer and used
Newsline on her phone, we created a solution that will hopefully assist
others.

              Recipe Group via Email  From Steve Cook

              Do you have a favorite recipe that people always ask you for?
Do you enjoy learning about new recipes? Do you enjoying trying new food?
Here is your opportunity to all of the above an more! I have created a group
for people to Exchange Recipes and the discussion of recipes. Below is the
Email address for you to subscribe To this new group. Just a friendly
reminder to also put the word subscribe in the subject line. 

RecipeExchange+subscribe at groups.io
<mailto:RecipeExchange+subscribe at groups.io> 

              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 is 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.

              Nationally:

Join President Riccobono for the Latest Updates & Perspective on Our
Movement

Monday, February 1, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. ET via Zoom | En Español
<https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=19768&qid=4811477> 

Join President Mark Riccobono as he delivers the February presidential
release of the National Federation of the Blind. Members of the Federation
are encouraged to attend and non-members are warmly welcomed. Closed
captions will be provided on the Zoom platform, and you may also access the
closed captions/transcript through 1CapApp. There are several options to
attend the release. Submit questions in advance to cdanielsen at nfb.org
<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>  and put PR502 in the subject line, or call
410-659-9314, extension 2473.

Join the Zoom (English and Español)

Join the event via the web, mobile app, or dial in. Use the link below to
join the webinar which will include closed captions, Spanish interpretation,
and the Q&A feature.

 <https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=19769&qid=4811477>
https://zoom.us/j/99255974974

Or one-tap mobile: +13017158592,,99255974974#

Or telephone; dial then enter the corresponding webinar ID:

+1 669 900 6833

Webinar ID: 992 5597 4974

More Ways to Access

*	Closed Captions via 1CapApp
<https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=19770&qid=4811477> 
*	Shoutcast Stream
<https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=19771&qid=4811477> 
*	YouTube Stream
<https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=19772&qid=4811477> 

Save the Date: Upcoming Presidential Releases

Mark your calendars! Here are the upcoming 2021 presidential releases that
will be live events held at 8:00 p.m. ET. Closed captions will be available.

*	Monday, March 1
*	Thursday, April 1
*	Sunday, May 2
*	Tuesday, June 1

We look forward to your participation.

 <https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=19773&qid=4811477> 

 <https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=19774&qid=4811477> 

 <https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=19775&qid=4811477> 

 <https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=19772&qid=4811477> 

 <https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=19776&qid=4811477> 

 <https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=19777&qid=4811477> 

              Scholarship Program–Applications Open:

              Every year, the National Federation of the Blind awards more
than $120,000 to blind scholars across the fifty states, the District of
Columbia, and Puerto Rico in recognition of their achievements and
professional aspirations. Each scholarship winner is awarded based on their
academic excellence, community service, and leadership. The application
process is open and we encourage students to start the process now. Review
the scholarship application checklist and the scholarship program FAQs.
Share this opportunity that invests in the future of blind people. Learn
about the eligibility and requirements of the 2021 scholarship program.

              From John Olson, 3-DPhotoWorks

              Tactile Images and its parent company 3DPhotoWorks, are proud
to announce their partnership with Getty Images and the National Federation
of the Blind. Our goal is to make a vast variety of tactile image displays
available to the blind community. To help us, please join the movement and
provide your feedback! Please take a moment to fill out the survey at the
link below to vote for the people, places, and historical events that you’d
be most interested in seeing as traveling tactile exhibitions.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/tactileimages

Final Thought:

“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached
in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”
—Booker T. Washington

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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