[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1820

Wed Jun 30 16:44:40 UTC 2021

Dear President Bazer:

I hope you are doing well today.  I must apologize but there continues to be
an issue with the positive note as I continue to be unable to open your
email with the subject line "positive note".  I hope you have a good day.

From: NFBofSC <nfbofsc-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jennifer Bazer via
NFBofSC
Sent: Monday, June 28, 2021 9:48 PM
To: 'NFB of South Carolina Mailing List' <nfbofsc at nfbnet.org>
Cc: jennifer at successforlives.org; 'David Houck' <nfbsc at sc.rr.com>
Subject: [NFBofSC] Positive Note 1820

June 28, 2021

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

From:  Jennifer Bazer, President

Positive Note 1820

803-960-9977  

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

Greetings Fellow Federationists:

Currently, I am at rocky Bottom directing children's camp with 11 campers
ages 7 to 12 and nine volunteers. We are having a blast and just returned
from a full day of kayaking at Table Rock State Park and swimming in the
lake. The kids were having a blast playing Marco Polo in the water, turning
flips, and splashing and laughing. It has been so much fun seeing the kids
receive white canes; some for the first time. One camper even said, "I am so
happy. I get to keep it. I will hold onto it forever!" I will see you all
when I return on Friday evening. Since we have our talent show and dinner
for families on Thursday evening, we will not have Palmetto Connects on
Thursday at 6:00. Instead, we will have it Friday night at 7:00 PM Eastern
just before our audio described movie night.

In this PN, you will find updates on our national virtual convention July
6-10 and a schedule of events. We are also having a banquet party at the
Center in Columbia, Saturday night, July 10 from 5:00 PM until. All are
welcome. We will bring food in from the outside. The cost is $10 per person
to assist with food. Please call, text or email me if you plan to attend.
You will also find updates attendees in-person and virtual for our state
convention, sponsorships and which chapter is in the lead, Cooper River
Bridge run, NFB of SC Marriott ticket fund-raiser, zoom events this week,
scholarship contributors,  and much more.

Update 65th Annual State convention

We currently have 66 individuals registered for the state convention
in-person and 21 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. 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. Remember, there are
two additional monetary drawings in June. Those who register from June
1-June 30 11:59 PM in-person or virtually will have their name entered into
a $50 drawing. Those who make the hotel reservations between June 1-June 30
at 11:59 PM will b entered into a second $50 drawing. Let's get your
registrations in by June 30 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.

Also, please remember to pay your 2021 dues by June 30 so that you may vote
in our 2021 elections during state convention. If you are not sure you have
paid, please contact Thom Spittle at 803-331-3344. The deadline to pay these
dues and vote is 11:59 PM Eastern on June 30.

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. 

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.

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.   

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 At Large chapter has
raised $250 and the Senior Division has raised $200 for a total of $5,050.
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.  Thank you. Shannon Cook, Scholarship
Committee Chair.  

Sympathy

We extend our deepest sympathy on the loss of MS. Patricia Tuck. Please keep
this family in your thoughts and prayers.

              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.

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Get Fit session 5:30 PM Rocky Bottom

Rocky Bottom

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8648789090?pwd=QTVQd2RzN3l6QnNmZ0FmSnp6NG8vQT09

Meeting ID: 864 878 9090 Passcode: 124578

One tap mobile +19292056099,,8648789090# US (New York)

Computer Science & Tech Division 7:00 PM

Federation Center

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

Meeting ID: 803 254 3777 Passcode: 124578

One tap mobile +19292056099,,8032543777# US (New York)

ROOKIE ROUNDUP 

All convention attendees are cordially invited to attend a welcoming Zoom
meeting the week before convention starts. President Riccobono and Board of
Directors Chairperson Pam Allen will be on hand to preview convention
activities and provide a historical perspective of the organization and how
it grew into the leading voice in the blindness field. If you are new to the
NFB, come learn a little more about our dynamic organization and the
extended family that could become your own.  Join us Tuesday, June 29, from
8:30 to 9:30 p.m. EDT (Zoom meeting ID  <https://zoom.us/j/99605070015> 996
0507 0015). We cannot wait to welcome you! In anticipation, check out our
First Timer's Guide at
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/first-timers-guid#e>
https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/first-timers-guid
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/first-timers-guid#e> e.

Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at 8:00 PM EST

Greetings colleagues and friends, 

You read the subject line right. It's a Mountain Time at 6 Zoom event. This
Wednesday evening at 6 pm mountain time you can get all of your NFB National
Convention access questions answered by our experts. Join NBFCO President
Scott LaBarre, Curtis Chong, and Paul Sandavol to learn about all the ways
you can customize your virtual convention. Learn about the various platforms
on which the convention will be available. If you registered prior to the
deadline? Learn how to vote, win door prizes, and more! How do you get the
most out of our 2021 exhibit hall, visit the presidential sweet, find your
special interest, committee, and division meeting throughout the week. The
agenda for the convention is available in a number of places in a number of
formats. So, customize the convention to make it easy, flexible, joyful, and
powerful for you and your fellow conventioneers. Please share this info with
your chapter and division members. Please invite blind students, parents,
teachers, non-members, and members to join our Mountain Time at 6, and
please invite everyone you know to come to the convention, free! Anywhere
and everywhere! We are also inviting our brothers and sisters from the NFB
of Georgia. Please make them feel welcome. For our Georgia colleagues, this
will be an eastern time at 8 event. Greetings to NFB GA President Dorothy
Griffin and our Georgia family.  Your all-important Zoom coordinates are
below.

A special welcome to our Colorado Center for the Blind staff and students.
They are receiving similar training at the Center. But staff and students
who may wish to build additional connections may wish to join us. After all,
you never know what our gurus Curtis and Paul might have to teach us to make
this convention easy and special. 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/97417562247.

Meeting ID: 974 1756 2247

One tap mobile

+14086380968,,97417562247#

Dial in

        +1 253 215 8782

Meeting ID: 974 1756 2247

https://nfb.org/2021-national-convention-agenda.
<https://nfb.org/2021-national-convention-agenda> 

July

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Darlington Chapter 7:00 PM

Friday, July 2, 2021

Meet the Blind Committee 6:00 PM

Palmetto Connects 7PM

Movie Night with the NFB 8:00 PM

Saturday, July 3, 2021

Get Fit 9:00 AM Rocky Bottom

Green Ville Chapter 11:00 AM

Student Division 8:00 PM

Monday, July 5, 2021

Fund Raising 7:00 PM

Please note, no chapter, division or committee meetings will be held Tuesday
through Saturday of this week starting at this point.

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

NFB National convention virtual

https://nfb.org/tuesday

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

NFB National Convention Virtual

https://nfb.org/wednesday

Thursday, July 8, 2021

NFB national Convention Virtual

https://nfb.org/thursday

Friday

NFB National Convention Virtual

https://nfb.org/friday

Saturday, July 10, 2021

NFB National Convention Virtual

https://nfb.org/saturday

Sunday, July 11, 2021

Lee County Chapter 7:00 PM

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

Palmetto Connects

Columbia Chapter 6:15 PM Rocky Bottom

Florence Chapter Meeting 7:00 PM

Clarendon Chapter 8:00 PM

Friday, July 16, 2021

Trivia Night 8:00 PM

Saturday, July 17, 2021

Get Fit 9:00 AM Rocky Bottom

Cherokee Chapter 10:00 AM

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 21
virtual registrants and 66 in-person registrants .Our goal is  fifty
in-person participants and we have exceeded that goal. Can we reach 100
in-person participants? We have several contests listed below for those
registering in-person or virtually between June 1 and June 30 will be
entered into a $50 drawing, and those registering at the hotel in Charleston
will be entered into a separate $50 drawing so please insure your name is in
one of those drawings. Also, 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.

Triples, $125.00 per night.

Quads, $135.00 per night.

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.

If you plan to vote in this year's election for the NFB of SC, you will need
to be a member of the NFB of SC in good standing as of June 30, 2021 by
11:59 PM Eastern Standard time. 

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> 

Nationally:

Thank you to those who have registered for the National virtual convention.
NFB of SC currently has 85 individuals registered!

Registration

Registration is now open and free! Get access to the latest information as
it is made available and more. While there is no registration fee to attend
the National Federation of the Blind 2021 National Convention, please
consider a donation if you are in a position to do so. There is a donation
option available during the registration process. Your support is greatly
appreciated.

 <https://www.nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=432> Register for
the NFB 2021 National Convention now!

<https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/files-pdf/2021-national-convention-regi
stration-form-fillable-web.pdf> 2021 National Convention Registration Form
(Fillable PDF)

Let's have a large showing from the Palmetto affiliate for the national
convention starting July 6! Many activities will be held before that date
including Rookie Round-up for first-time convention attendees.

Below, you will find links to the national convention schedules for each
day.

I request that our chapter, division and other meetings not happen during
this week. This is a time to attend the national convention and learn about
the NFB and its resources. All meetings can be postponed to other months,
days, or times.

I appreciate you adhering to this request. Nationals does not want other
things going on this week during convention.

BTW, I did send in our banquet request so hopefully, they will drop into our
party which will be held at the Federation Center, Saturday night, July 10
from 5:00 until the banquet is over. We invite everyone. Food will be
brought in from the outside. If you plan to attend our banquet party at the
Center, please RSVP to me via email or phone/text. The cost is $10 per
person for this event at the Center.

All about National Convention Site

https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention?q=get-involved%2Fnational-c
onvention

Welcome

https://nfb.org/2021-national-convention-agenda

National Convention Tuesday:

https://nfb.org/tuesday

Wednesday

https://nfb.org/wednesday

Thursday

https://nfb.org/thursday

Friday

https://nfb.org/friday

Saturday

https://nfb.org/saturday

Convention Notes

https://nfb.org/convention-notes

Fascinating Facts

The  <http://redtri.com/french-fry-facts-and-trivia/> world's longest French
fry is 34-inches long.  

Final Thought

"Strength doesn't come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the
things you once thought you couldn't." - Rikki Rogers

If you have read to the end of this Positive Note, what would you do or try
if you knew you wouldn't fail? 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> 

-- 
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG.
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