[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1814
Jennifer Bazer
jhipp25 at sc.rr.com
Mon May 17 10:26:59 UTC 2021
May 17, , 2021
Memo To: Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents &
Others
From: Jennifer Bazer, President
Positive Note 1814
803-960-9977
Jhipp25 at sc.rr.com <mailto:Jhipp25 at sc.rr.com>
Greetings Fellow Federationists:
It is halfway through may and just four months until our 65th annual NFB of
SC state Convention. Currently, we have 16 individuals registered to attend
in-person at the North Charleston Marriott and three individuals attending
virtually. We also have 40 nights booked August 19-22. Our goal is 150
nights during the three days. Room rates are good three days prior and three
days after the convention based on availability if you wish to come early or
stay later or both! Please consider getting your registration for the
convention in via online or mail, and don't forget to make your hotel
reservations if you will be in-person. Lots of convention details can be
found near the end of this Positive Note. Check out the contests we are
running for those registering for the convention by May 31, your name will
be entered into a $100 gift card drawing for all registered attendees.
Additionally, if you are attending in-person and have booked your room at
the hotel and paid your in-person registration fee, your name will be in
another $100 gift card drawing. We are going to have an outstanding state
convention! Come join us!
Sponsorship Letter for State Convention
At the end of this Positive Note, you will find our state convention
sponsorship letter not on letterhead. If you wish copies on letterhead, they
can be found on our listserv or you may call David Houck at 803-254-3777 to
obtain copies. Presidents of chapters and divisions will receive a copy in
the mail. 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.
NFB of SC Board Meeting May 27
The NFB of SC will have a board meeting on Thursday night, May 27 at 8:00 PM
Eastern on the Federation zoom platform. We will continue to make decisions
about the state convention. I will assume that all board members will be in
attendance, unless, I hear from you!
Midlands' Gives Omission
I want to thank Melanie Torrance for giving to the NFB of SC during
Midlands' Gives. Her name was accidentally left off the list of donors.
Thank you Melanie for your contribution to the Palmetto affiliate!
Name that tune!
Back by popular demand! The National Federation of the Blind of SC will have
another game night on Friday, May 21, 2021 at 8:00 PM eastern! We will be
playing Name That Tune again! The music chosen will be from the 50's to
current. We are asking people to register by contacting Steve Cook at 803
260 1292 via Text/call in order to place people on teams! See zoom
information in the weekly schedule below.
SC Commission for the Blind Board Meeting
SCCB will be holding its board meeting on Tuesday, May 18 at 1:30 PM
Eastern. I hope all of you will plan to attend this important meeting!
Join below
http://www.sccb.state.sc.us/board/meetings.php
Zoom Call-in Number: 1 301 715 8592
Zoom Meeting ID: 989 8625 6778
Palmetto Connects
We will have our next palmetto connects meeting on Thursday,
May 20, 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! All are welcome from everywhere!
Palmetto Blind
It is once again time to publish our Palmetto Blind for the Palmetto
affiliate. Please send in your Newsletter submissions NOW! Leaders please
submit items for your chapters and divisions and update meeting information
if needed. Individual members may also submit any information you feel will
be beneficial to our NFB of SC family, including articles, tips and trivia.
Please get your submissions to me no later than -May 28th. You may send
them to
Jhipp25 at sc.rr.com <mailto:Jhipp25 at sc.rr.com>
Scholarship Announcement 2021
Hello Federation Family from the Scholarship Committee. In an effort to
encourage more timely application submissions for the 2021 Scholarship
Program, we are challenging students to apply early . If your application
is received *in full* by 11:59 p.m. on May 31st, your name will be entered
in a drawing for a $25 gift card. The application can be found on the
affiliate's website at www.nfbofsc.org <http://www.nfbofsc.org> . Don't
keep this to yourself; pass this along to anyone who may qualify. Federation
members may recall that in the past, the three scholarship finalists will
have their hotel room and registration paid for by the NFB of SC. Please
consider making a donation to the Scholarship Program. No amount is too
small. If every member gave just $10, we could double the dollar amount
awarded in years past. Together, we can build the Federation.
Braille Literacy Committee
Starting in July, the Braille literacy committee will start a basic Braille
class. It is geared to those who need to learn the Braille alphabet, and
numbers.
If you are interested, please contact Shelley Coppel at 803-796-8662.
There are only 5 spaces available, so please don't delay.
Tracy Spittle
Chairman
Braille Literacy Committee
Submissions for the Positive Note:
If you have an item to include in the Positive Note about your chapter,
division, something that would interest the affiliate, please send to me via
email by Sunday night to include in the next day's PN.
Jhipp25 at sc.rr.com <mailto:Jhipp25 at sc.rr.com>
PAC Plan Challenge!
We are drawing near to our contest for the PAC Plan. Our drawing will be
held on June 3 during Palmetto Connects for those who have increased their
PAC and those who have jumped on the PAC Plan. This can be individuals,
chapters, and divisions. Here is more about the PAC and our contest which
ends May 31.
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!
Thank you to the following individuals, chapters and divisions who have
gotten on PAC or who have increased their PAC amount each month:
New contributors (6):
Cheri Euton
Lori Coley
At Large Chapter
Lancaster Chapter
Melanie Torrance
Lynn Hornsby
Increases:
Frank and Shelley Coppel
David Bundy
Debra Canty
NFB SC Sumter Chapter
Steve and Shannon Cook
Jennifer Bazer
Rank: 12
Average given per month: $960.75
Monthly totals:
December 2020 - $898.00
January 2021- $953.00
February 2021- $991.00
March 2021- $1,001.00
Total given in 2020: $10,731.00
Total given in 2021 so far: $2,945.00
Virtual Senior Camp
There will be another South Carolina virtual Senior Camp Day on May 21, 2021
from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. If you are 55 or over - or just want to
participate - and would like to join us for fun, discussions, games, and
more, you can join on the Federation Center Zoom platform. (That is the
normal one used for most NFB of SC meetings.) As Senior Camp co-directors,
Shelley Coppel and I are co-hosting this event. Please join us the day of
the event. We would love for you to RSVP by calling me, Shannon Cook at
803.605.4250. Just leave a message. We want to be sure we have a good idea
of the number of people who will be attending. Let us know if you have any
questions. My number was given above. Shelley Coppel can be reached at
(803) 796-8662. We would love to have a large group of participants.
Please share this announcement throughout the state to encourage all of
those interested to join us.
NFB of SC 65th Annual State Convention!
As of Sunday, May 9, we have ten participants in-person including an
individual from Arizona and three virtual participants. I encourage you to
register for our 65th annual state convention and attend the way that best
fits your comfort level at this time. Our goal is fifty in-person
participants and I am confident we can exceed that goal. We have several
contests listed below for those registering before May 31 and between June 1
and June 30 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.
The NFB of SC board met on Sunday, May 2 to discuss further details about
the state convention.
Sponsorships
The board voted to have a competition among chapters and divisions to see
which team can acquire the largest sponsorships in dollar amount. The
chapter or division that raises the most money with sponsorships will
receive 10% of the total amount raised. We are hoping a company, individual,
or group will donate a trophy to this chapter or division to be passed
around each year like we do with Midlands' Gives. Remember, all sponsorships
help defray the cost of the convention and does not drain the state
affiliate treasury.
Scholarships to First Timers to the State Convention
The board voted to give out three $200 scholarships to be used for those who
are first timers to the NFB of SC state convention. The applicants must be
members of the NFB of SC in good standing, have registered to attend the
convention in-person, and submit their application by June 30, 2021 which is
the same day one must have dues paid to the state organization.
Drawings for Registered Attendees
There will be several drawings before the convention to encourage
individuals to register early. The board voted to have a drawing for those
who register by 11:59 PM Eastern on May 31, 2021 for the state convention
virtually or in-person. The winner of that drawing will receive a $100 gift
card. Those that register between June 1 and 11:59 PM Eastern on June 30,
2021 will be entered into a $50 gift card drawing.
Those that register before May 31 and pay your deposit on a room at the
North Charleston Marriott by the same date will be entered into an
additional $100 drawing donated by an anonymous donor. If you register for
the state convention and pay your room deposit at the hotel between June 1
and June 30, 2021, you will be entered into an additional $50 gift card
drawing donated by the senior division
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>
We Care
Columbia Chapter members Princetta Goodwin and Gwen lost everything in a
house fire according to Maggie Floyd. Anything contributed (money,
clothing, household items, etc.) should be given to Maggie Floyd at 1643
Albritton Rd., Columbia, SC 29204, phone 803-920-4433. You may also drop off
gifts card at the Federation Center for this family. Grocery and restaurant
gift cards are much appreciated at this time.
Please notify Dorothy Barksdale, Chair of the We Care Committee of praise
and prayer reports as well as birthdays, anniversaries and more so that the
committee can remember you.
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, May 17, 2021
Membership Committee 7:00 PM
Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Get Fit with the Sports & Rec 5:30 PM Rocky Bottom
Diabetes Action Network 7:00 PM
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Advocacy Committee 6:00 PM
Public Relations Committee 8:00 PM
Thursday, May 20, 2021
Palmetto Connects 6:00 p.m.
Florence Chapter Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Clarendon County Chapter Meeting 8:00 PM
Friday, May 21, 2021
Name that tune 8:00 PM
Saturday, May 22, 2021
Get Fit with the Sports & Rec Division 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)
Random Fact of the Day:
Stomach acid is strong enough to dissolve metal.
Final Thought:
"Logic will take you from A to B. Imagination will take you
everywhere."-Albert Einstein
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>
Sponsorship letter
May 19, 2021
Dear Friends:
The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina is a non-profit,
private organization of the blind working together to improve the quality of
life for all blind people in South Carolina. The NFB of SC is an affiliate
of the National Federation of the Blind, the nation's oldest and largest
organization of the blind, and for the blind. The NFB advocates for the
rights and abilities of blind South Carolinians.
With approximately 500 members, the NFB of SC consists of approximately 20
chapters. The divisions in the NFB of SC are the SC Association of Blind
Students, the Blind Merchants Division, the Computer Science & Technology
Division, the Senior Blind Division, the Parents of Blind Children Division,
and the Sports and Rec Division.
The NFB of SC is an energetic organization dedicated to serving and teaching
the blind in the state and nation. Its ongoing programs are designed to
empower blind people to improve the economic, social, and spiritual aspects
of their lives. Blind people can live the lives they want. Blindness is not
what holds them back.
The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina will be holding its
65th annual state convention August 19-22, 2021 both in-person at the North
Charleston Marriott and via Zoom. It is extremely important to look at
alternate ways to raise funding to reduce the cost to the blind who attend.
These annual conventions provide exhibits, a Friday evening Reception,
Saturday and Sunday morning continental breakfasts, and an evening Banquet.
With six division meetings including blind students, seniors, merchants,
computer science, parents of blind children, sports and rec, numerous
committee meetings, and three convention general sessions, it is no wonder
that hosting a convention today requires well thought out planning, and
detailed budgeting. Because our state organization had to postpone the
in-person convention from 2020, this year, there are hotel fees that will be
charged regardless of the number of attendees. This is where you can help.
As a convention sponsor, you can help defray the cost of these conventions.
By agreeing to contribute to one of the sponsorship levels below, you will
help to lower registration costs and better cover other convention related
expenses for the people who attend.
Platinum Level: $2500 or higher
* Full page ad in the agenda for all to review
* One year of publicity in newsletter, publications, on social media
page and website
* Table reserved at Saturday evening Banquet and five minutes to
announce your sponsorship during the Banquet
* Twenty minutes on the agenda during the convention
* One complementary night at the North Charleston Marriott Friday
August 20 or Saturday, August 21
* Complementary tickets to the reception on Friday night, August 20
* Exhibit hall space if desired
GOLD Level: $1000
* Three- quarter page ad in the agenda for all to review
* Nine months of publicity in newsletter, publications, on social
media page and website
* Two seats reserved at Saturday evening Banquet
* Fifteen minutes on agenda during convention
* Complementary tickets to the reception on Friday night, August 20
* Exhibit hall space if desired
SILVER Level: $500
* Half page ad in the agenda for all to review
* Six months of publicity in newsletter, publications, on social media
page and website
* Ten minutes on the agenda during convention
* Exhibit hall space if desired
BRONZE Level: $250
* One quarter page ad in the agenda as a Bronze Level Sponsor for all
to review
* Three months of publicity in newsletter, publications, on social
media page and website
WHITE CANE Level : $100
* Listed in the agenda as a white cane sponsor
* One month of publicity in newsletter, publications, on social media
page and website
If you would like to help, please make checks payable to the NFB of SC and
mark as "convention sponsor." Get your name out there to the blind
community! You can make the difference in defraying these ever increasing
costs and at the same time make it possible for many more blind South
Carolinians to attend this very informative state convention. Your
sponsorship is tax deductible and the value to the blind is priceless.
The goal this year is $15,000. A list of sponsorship levels is below. Please
choose a sponsorship level that is comfortable for your business, and send
your contribution in the enclosed addressed envelope. You may also submit
your sponsorship donation via PayPal. Click on the Donate button on the NFB
of SC website <http://www.nfbofsc.org> www.nfbofsc.org. Please put
"convention sponsor" in the comment field. Otherwise, the donation will not
be used for its intended purpose.
If you have questions, please contact me, Jennifer Bazer, President of the
NFB of SC at 803-960-9977 or email
<mailto:Jennifer at successforlives.org> Jennifer at successforlives.org
The NFB of SC, with your support, can continue to build the Federation and
change lives!
Kind Regards,
Jennifer Bazer
President, National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbofsc_nfbnet.org/attachments/20210517/da148940/attachment-0001.html>
More information about the NFBofSC
mailing list