[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1822

[jennifer at successforlives.org]

July 12, 2021

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

From:  Jennifer Bazer, President

Positive Note 1822

803-960-9977  

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

Greetings Fellow Federationists:

 

I hope you all had an opportunity to attend as much of the national
Federation of the Blind national convention virtually as possible. Our
Palmetto affiliate took the national stage a few times during the week.
Kristopher Crawley from our Columbia chapter opened the convention with
prayer during opening session; I was honored to speak in favor of the
medical nonvisual accessibility Act during the Resolution's Committee
meeting; and our banquet party was chosen, along with others, for nationals
to drop in on during the national banquet Saturday night. Twenty-five
Federationist enjoyed a catered meal from Olive Garden, noise makers,
decorated facility and bowls of candy on each table. We enjoyed the banquet
while spending time with our Federation family for about five hours Saturday
evening. I hope all of you will plan to join us as we travel to New Orleans
next July for our national convention. Let's plan to have a large delegation
from the Palmetto affiliate.

 

Update 65th Annual State convention, Price goes up for Registration After
11:59 PM Eastern on July 15, 2021

Please note, registration for our state convention will go up after 11:59 PM
Eastern on July 15 to the following rates:

Adults $85 to $100

College and grad students $55 to $60

Students 18 and younger $25 to $30

Virtual $25 to $30

We currently have 93 individuals registered for the state convention
in-person and 33 registered virtually! I want to thank all of you who have
registered for our convention. We are going to have an amazing event, and we
want everyone to be a part of it. Please remember, your name is not
confirmed unless you have paid for the registration and also completed the
form. We have several individuals who have sent money but have not completed
the form, or, have completed the form for registration but have not paid.
Please insure both are complete to insure your final registration. If you
have not registered for our NFB of SC state convention which will be held
hybrid at the North Charleston Marriott august 20-22 (many of us are
arriving August 19), please consider attending with us virtually or
in-person. Specific details about the convention, hotel rates, registration
rates and more can be found later in this Positive Note. Also, thank you to
our chapter and division presidents for insuring your members know the
latest happenings in our affiliate and about our state convention. Let's
give everyone who wishes to attend our convention an opportunity, through
transportation, Palmetto Grant for first-timers (see details later in the
PN), and other creative ways, we want everyone who wants to attend to be
with us August 20-22. Let's get your registrations in as soon as possible as
they will increase after 11:59 PM on July 15. We have increased our room
block for Thursday, August 19, but please do not delay, once this block is
full for this night, we may not be able to increase again. If you have ideas
about convention agenda items, please let me know.

 

NFB of SC Fund-raiser, Marriott Raffle

Ten tickets were sent to all chapter and division presidents for our NFB of
SC fund-raiser for the Marriott. Two nights and breakfast for two valued at
$500 to be used by September 1, 2022. The drawing will be held during
Palmetto Connects on November 18. One ticket for $10 or three tickets for
$25. Please call David Houck at the Center at 803-254-3777 if you need
tickets. You may send a check to the Center at 119 S. Kilbourne Road,
Columbia, SC 29205 or pay using Pay Pal on our site.

www.nfbofsc.org <http://www.nfbofsc.org> 

Put it on Face book, ask your friends and family to purchase, sell to places
you go.

Let's work together to make this a successful fund-raiser for the Palmetto
affiliate. We have currently only sold 13 tickets. Great odds for those
individuals; however, not a successful fund-raiser with only 13 tickets sold
at this time. This was a generous offer the Marriott gave to the NFB of SC
for a fund-raiser valued at $500. This is a drawing a lot of individuals in
our community will enjoy!

 

State Convention Transportation

We are looking to partner with Lion Vision Services (LVS) to work out
transportation for everyone interested in attending convention in person.
LVS is asking me to identify how many folks in each region will need
transportation. The only way I can accurately tell them is for you to let me
know. If the only reason you have not registered for the state convention is
due to lack of transportation or uncertainty about transportation, please
register for the convention in person and we will insure you have a ride.
Once you register and you need transportation, please text, call or email me
so I can let LVS know accurate numbers for each region. Those chapters with
vans, I am hopeful that you will offer folks a ride and partner with other
chapters to assist as well. Transportation will not be a deterrent. If you
are looking for a roommate for the state convention, please let me know so
that we can spread the word. Let's try to work together so that everyone who
wishes to attend the convention, can attend. There will be a van leaving
from Columbia on Thursday, August 19 around mid day. Please contact me if
you wish to ride that van(s). Another van will be leaving Friday from the
Federation Center. Please contact Steve Cook to be added to that list. 

 

2021 Awards, Please get your Nominations in!

We are accepting nominations for employer of the year, educator of the year
and the Donald C Capps award. Nominations for Educator of the year will be
sent to Marty McKenzie, Employer of the Year to Steve Cook and the Donald C
Capps to David Houck.

The Donald C Capps will recognize a sighted or blind member in our affiliate
since we no longer distinguish between the two. A member is a member and the
most important role in our organization.

Please get your nominations in by August 2!

Please include why you feel this individual or business deserves these
awards.

 

New Palmetto Convention Grant Program!

The Palmetto Convention Grant Committee met and decided on the requirements
and process for applying for convention assistance for first-time in-person
state convention attendees. Three grants will be awarded in the amount of
$200 each. 

To qualify for a Palmetto Convention Grant, one must be 

*       A dues paying member in good standing,

*       Registered for the NFB of SC state convention,

*       Registered to stay at the Marriott

*       A first time in-person attendee 

Requirements to Apply:

Submit a completed application electronically.

*       Submit a letter of recommendation from an NFB of SC chapter or
division president.

*       Submit an applicant  letter.

More details of what is required is included on the application. The
deadline is July 15, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. At this time, we only have one
application submitted so please if you are attending in-person, this is your
first time, you have paid your hotel and convention registration, don't
delay, complete your application today, before July 15 at 11:59 PM Eastern.

 

Sponsorship Letter for State Convention and updates on Sponsorships

If you need sponsorship letters sent out, please contact David Houck and he
will be happy to assist. Please do not forget about our contest. The chapter
or divisions who obtains the most sponsorship donation in dollar amount will
receive a percentage of the total donations raised. Our goal is $15,000.
Sponsorships will help defray costs of the convention for the affiliate.
Currently, the Columbia chapter has raised $4,300, The Sumter chapter $600,
the At Large chapter has raised $250 and the Senior Division has raised $200
for a total of $5,650. What an awesome start all of you! Let's send out
those sponsorship letters, make phone calls, add to Face Book and other
social media, and other creative ways. 

 

Masks

If you plan to attend the state convention and plan to wear a mask, Linda
Dizzley has offered to make masks for those wearing one at no charge. Please
call or text her at 803-459-4585.

 

Cooper River Bridge Run

Our Sports and Recreation Division will be coordinating the Cooper River
Bridge Run held the last Saturday in September. We plan to rent an Air BNB
the night before in the Charleston/MT. Pleasant area to prevent early
Saturday driving. After you have registered with Shree from the information
provided below, please contact me or David Rebocho to let us know if you
wish to stay in the Air BnB the night before. All individuals staying at the
Air BnB will need to pay their part in the rental of the house by August 15,
2021. Please remember you can get friends and family to sponsor you to run
or walk during this event to cover registration and housing costs.

Here is a message from our contact:

You can direct participants to Shree.  I'll include all the contact info at
the bottom of this email. Shree can help them sign our waiver and then she
can collect the information necessary to help them register.  

After looking at the CRBR website, it appears that the registration fee goes
up as the date draws closer.  Until June 15 the registration fee is $50.
After that the fee jumps to $55, then it jumps again to $60 after August 15.


Shree Gobin

Volunteer Coordinator, Adaptive Expeditions 

(317) 682-8222

Shree at AEOutdoors.org <mailto:Shree at AEOutdoors.org> 

 

Scholarship Announcement 2021

On behalf of the NFB of SC Scholarship Committee, I would like to thank the
Chesterfield Chapter, Grand Strand Chapter, Federation Center of the Blind,
the Sumter Chapter, the Columbia Chapter, and the Greenville Chapter for
their contributions to the 2021 Scholarship Program.    No amount is too
small.  Our students are the next generation of Federation leaders, so let's
show them that we stand with them in their educational journey!!  Donations
can be made online at www.nfbofsc.org <http://www.nfbofsc.org> , click
donate, and put scholarship in the comment field.  You can also send checks
to the Federation center in Columbia.  We have $2,025 in the scholarship
fund at this time. Let's have a goal of $5,000. Thank you. Shannon Cook,
Scholarship Committee Chair.

 

Sympathy

We extend our deepest sympathy on the loss of Beland Brooks, a long-time
member of the Sumter Chapter. Please keep this family in your thoughts and
prayers.

 

Patricia Tuck Memorials

Neil Tuck requested Memorials for Patricia go to the NFB of SC and then
given as a scholarship at the 2021 convention. Please make memorials to the
NFB of SC and note Patricia Tuck Memorial. You may also use Pay pal at

www.nfbofsc.org <http://www.nfbofsc.org> 

Please note Patricia Tuck Memorial in the comment section.

 

              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 month. All
meetings are on the main Federation ID of 803-254-3777, unless noted.

Dates & Times of meetings are subject to change. All times are Eastern.

 

 


Monday, July 12, 2021


Braille Literacy Committee 6:00 PM

 


Tuesday, July 13, 2021


Get Fit 5:30 PM Rocky Bottom

At Large Chapter 7:00 PM

Sumter Chapter 7:00 PM Rocky Bottom

 


Wednesday, July 14, 2021


Sports & Rec Division 6:00 PM Rocky Bottom

 


Thursday, July 15, 2021


Columbia Chapter 6:15 PM Rocky Bottom

Florence Chapter Meeting 7:00 PM

Clarendon Chapter 8:00 PM

 


Friday, July 16, 2021


Movie Night 8:00 PM

 


Saturday, July 17, 2021


Get Fit 9:00 AM Rocky Bottom

 


Sunday, July 18, 2021


Support group for recently blind members 5:00 PM

 


Monday, July 19, 2021


Membership Committee 7:00 PM

 


Tuesday, July 20, 2021


Get Fit 5:30 PM Rocky Bottom

Diabetes Action Network 7:00 PM

 


Wednesday, July 21, 2021


Advocacy Committee 6:00 PM

Public Relations 8:00 PM

 


Thursday, July 22, 2021


Social Media 7:30 PM

 


Saturday, July 24, 2021


Get Fit 9:00 AM Rocky Bottom

 


Monday, July 26, 2021


Doing Our Fair Share 7:00 PM

 


Tuesday, July 27, 2021


Get Fit 5:30 PM Rocky Bottom

Computer Science Meeting 7:00 PM

Diversity & Inclusion 8:00 PM

 


Saturday, July 31, 2021


Get Fit 9:00 AM Rocky Bottom

 

 

              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)

 

 

NFB of SC 65th Annual State Convention!

I encourage you to register for our 65th annual state convention and attend
the way that best fits your comfort level at this time. We currently have 33
virtual registrants and 93 in-person registrants .Our goal is  fifty
in-person participants and we have exceeded that goal. Can we reach 100
in-person participants? We will be running a contest for the chapter or
division who obtains the most money in sponsorships. Let's work to exceed
our $15,000 sponsorship goal to defray the cost of the convention. If you
will need transportation or a roommate during the convention in North
Charleston, please call/text me at 803-960-9977 or email me at 

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

This information will go on the listserv. The transportation requests will
help us in determining pick-up points around the state. I am hopeful that
chapters with vans will assist in the transportation process as well as,
others in the community.

 

Let's talk about our state convention in detail.

We will be having our sixty-fifth NFB of SC state convention August 19-22,
2021 at the North Charleston Marriott, 4770 Goer Drive, North Charleston,
SC, 29406. It is time for all of us to begin making our reservations and
registering for our hybrid convention. You may contact the hotel directly at
843-747-1900 and let them know you are registering for the NFB of SC state
convention to receive the discounted rates.

Room rates are as follows:

Singles and doubles, $115.00 per night. Until July 29

Triples, $125.00 per night. Until July 29

Quads, $135.00 per night. Until July 29

You will also need to add sales tax which currently is 14%.

The NFB of SC block of rooms at the above rates will be good until July 29,
2021 until 5:00 PM Eastern time. After that date, the hotel will release the
rooms to the general public and we will not be guaranteed our group rate.

The NFB of SC board voted on Thursday, April 22, 2021 on the following rates
for convention registration. The prices include reception on Friday night,
boxed breakfast Saturday and Sunday, and banquet Saturday night. There will
not be a luncheon on Saturday afternoon.

Adults, $85.00 per person until July 15; $100.00 after this date.

College, graduate and doctoral students, $55 per person until July 15; $60
after this date.

Individuals 18 and younger, $25.00 per person until July 15; $30 after this
date.

Virtual, $25.00 per person until July 15; $30 after this date.

In order to have a hybrid event so that as many individuals can attend as
possible, we are charging a small registration fee for virtual attendance to
cover the cost of broadcasting from the Marriott; the hotel charges the NFB
of SC around $1,000 for audiovisual equipment and broadcasting.

You may register using a paper registration form, complete and enclose
payment and send to the Federation Center, 2021 NFB of SC State Convention,
119 S. Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29205.

You may also register online and submit payment through Pay Pal or you may
send in your payment to the Center at the above address. Registration will
not be confirmed until payment has been received through the mail or Pay
Pal. If using Pay Pal, please remember to add 3% to your total to cover Pay
Pal's administration fees and so that NFB of SC receives the entire amount.

Let's have a large in-person and virtual turn-out for the NFB of SC
Sixty-Fifth state convention!

Register online at

2021 National Federation of the Blind of SC Sixty-Fifth State Convention
Registration Form

https://forms.gle/JUxemkCKcjiWdC827

You may obtain a printed  form from David Houck at the Federation Center.
Those letters and registration forms will be in the mail this week.

Questions about the convention, please call me at 803-960-9977 or email me
at

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

 

Fascinating Facts


 


North Korea and Cuba are the only places you can't buy Coca-Cola.


 

Final Thought

"Life keeps throwing me stones. And I keep finding the diamonds."- Ana
Claudia Antunes

 

If you have read to the end of this Positive Note, what is your favorite
meal, not type of food, but meal, not breakfast or lunch or dinner, meal?
Email me your responses to  <mailto:Jennifer at successforlives.org>
Jennifer at successforlives.org

 

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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