[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1877

Mon Aug 1 12:18:30 UTC 2022

August 1, 2022

Positive Note 1877

President Jennifer Bazer

803-960-9977

  Jennifer.H.Bazer at gmail.com <mailto:Jennifer.H.Bazer at gmail.com> 

          Greetings Fellow Federationists:

We have come to August, the eighth month of the year, previously the sixth
month before January and February were added. August is known for the dog
days of summer where the temperatures are warm, even hot, last minute
vacations before school starts, most vegetables and fruits are at their
prime, and where no other month starts on the same day in a regular calendar
year, except during Leap Year when February will start on the same day like
August.

For years, August is also when the NFB of SC has its state convention. For
as long as I can remember, the Palmetto State was the first affiliate to
hold its state convention after our national convention, until, this year.
Both New Mexico and North Carolina will hold its state conventions during
the same weekend as the NFB of SC, August 25-28. We welcome President
Riccobono to our 66th annual state convention at the North Charleston
Marriott.

Speaking of state convention, our room block at the North Charleston
Marriott will be released to the general public at 5:00 PM EDT on August 5,
2022 and room rates and availability will not be guaranteed. We are just shy
of meeting our 80% of our contracted 207 nights so please call central
reservations at 888-236-2427 if you still need to make your room
reservations.

Also, please remember your registration for the convention is not complete
until a completed registration form and payment both have been received. Our
state board meeting will be held Thursday, august 25 at 7:00 PM EDT at the
North Charleston Marriott. This is also the only meeting that will be hosted
on zoom. If your division wishes to use zoom during the convention to hold
your meeting on Friday, you will need to host those yourself once the agenda
has been finalized either on the Federation zoom or Rocky Bottom. There will
not be an official host for these meetings. The general sessions and banquet
will be streamed with no interaction by the virtual participants. It will
still give individuals at home an opportunity to listen to most of the
convention.

 Ask and it shall be given to you. I want to thank SCDHEC and The SC
Emergency team for donating 200 KN95 masks and over 50 COVID-19 tests for
our state convention.

The health and safety of our members and guests are paramount.

Registration is still open  for our 66th annual state convention. The
pre-registration period has ended, so prices have gone up slightly, but we
encourage you to register and join us. We currently have 134 nights booked
at the North Charleston Marriott. We need 166 nights to meet our 80%
contracted percentage without paying for rooms we do not use. NFB of SC
state convention room rates are good until 5:00 PM EDT on August 5. After
that date, rooms will be released to the general public and room rates are
not guaranteed. The number for central reservations is

888-236-2427.  Please refer to the additional information further down in
this Positive Note about state convention registration and making hotel
reservations.

We Care Concerns

Please keep the following individuals in your thoughts and prayers and
please let Dorothy Barksdale, chair of the We Care Committee know of prayers
and praises.

The family of Herbert Boykin of the Sumter Chapter

Ernest Gallman of the Columbia Chapter

Marshall and Lois Tucker in Columbia

Dale and Pat Wolthoff of the Columbia Chapter

Beverly Allison of the Cherokee Chapter

Derique Simon and Allontate (Tank) Ellerbe on the loss of their grandmother,
both of the Spartanburg Chapter

John Williams, husband of Casey (Rose Williams both of the Columbia Chapter

Dorothy Barksdale, member of the Columbia chapter

Charles Alex Reynolds of the Sumter Chapter.

Harriet Tucker of the Columbia Chapter.

The family of Juanita Frink on her passing of the Conway Chapter.

Those who are not on this list but need our thoughts and prayers for
sickness, loss, recovery and other concerns that are not mentioned or
unspoken.

August Birthdays!

Happy birthday to our members born in August!

Derrick Simon    1

Ann Reece          2

Pam Schexnider 2

Keesha Caldwell               4

Lillie Wilson        4

Catina Dingle      6

Terrill Banks       7

Ronald Benjamin              9

Brookelynn Raulerson    9

Courtney Rone  10

Wilhelmenia Fulwood    10

Dora Pressley    11

Jerry Simon         11

Beatrice Gadson               15

Helen Burris        16

Ike Nelson           17

Grady "Bill" Dawkins       17

Jay Allison           17

Clifford long        17

Lula Bailey           20

Margaret Rae Cunningham          20

Janice Smith       22

Laura James       22

Stacey Fulwood 22

Carolyn Jackson 23

Eric Hilton            23

Jennifer Bazer   25

John Willis           25

Diane Railton     26

Summer Swayngham     27

Amber Paxton   30

Carey Burris        31

Neal Dorsey       31

Passings since 2021 State Convention, Please Let Dorothy Know

Please contact Dorothy Barksdale at 803-765-1622 to let her know of
losses/home goings  from the time our 2021 state convention was held until
present so they can be remembered during the memorial service of our 2022
state convention.

Division Meetings at State Convention

If you are the President of one of the below Divisions and will be meeting
at the State Convention in August. Be sure to send Jennifer Bazer a message
at jennifer.h.bazer at gmail.com <mailto:jennifer.h.bazer at gmail.com>  by
Friday, August 5, 2022 at 6:00 Pm Eastern. All Division meetings will be
held on Friday, August 26, 2022, through out the day. If Jennifer does not
receive a message from you, she will assume the Division is not meeting and
a room will not be reserved.

Computer Science & Technology

Seniors

Sports & Rec

SC Association of Guide Dog Users

Communities of Faith

Blind Merchants

Students 

Resolutions for 2022 State Convention

>From Elizabeth Rouse

Miss Valerie and myself are excited to get to work on this year's
resolutions, and we are also hoping this year will serve as an opportunity
for us to reorganize and rededicate the committee to follow-through and
successful implementation.

With this goal in mind, we would love to get as much work done regarding the
composition and revision of resolutions before the start of convention on
Thursday, August 25. We ask that you send any resolution draft you have to
both Valerie and myself at vwarrington at att.net <mailto:vwarrington at att.net>
and elizabethrouse.nfb at gmail.com <mailto:elizabethrouse.nfb at gmail.com>  no
later than noon on Monday, August 22.

We will still be open to new ideas and suggestions for resolutions after
this date; however, providing this initial deadline will allow for a great
deal of respect to be shown to Valerie's time, my own, and that of our
committee members.

Senior Division Wants to Warm you Up

The Senior Division of the NFB of SC is ready to warm you up and get you
going! We will be selling coffee and hot chocolate in whatever form you like
(Ground, whole bean or K-Cups). 

The name of the company is "White Cane Coffee", founded by a blind woman.
All the boxes are brailled, as are the individual K-cups. There are numerous
flavored coffees to choose from, and the hot chocolate comes in either plain
or a mint flavor. All coffee comes in regular or decaf and a variety of
roasts are available as well. From a mild roast to "High Octane", there is
surely a coffee which will be right for you. Please visit our website at
https://whitecanecoffee.com/ref/NFBSC-Seniors/

to order your coffee or hot chocolate today! 

     The ordering process and selection of coffee types are simple. You may
order on-line only at this time, but we will expand it for ordering without
a computer or smartphone later in the fall. 

     We will also have samples for you to taste at the State Convention, so
stop by and visit us at the Senior Table. We will also be giving some out to
lucky door prize winners there.

News From Spartanburg Chapter! 

The Spartanburg Chapter announces a Fund Raising Drawing contest with the
drawing to be held on August 27, 2022 during State Convention. How much for
the entry ticket? The cost of the chance to win a prize is a donation of
$5.00 and we hope you will enter as many times as you would like, the more
entries the better your chances! 

What do you win? The donation of $5.00 gives you a chance to win a 

first prize :sixty-five inch  Smart TV

Second prize: Air Fryer

Third prize : fourth generation Echo

We are also excited to announce a second Fund Raising event to be offered at
State Convention. One of our Chapter members has designed an incredibly
special logo honoring the blind movement in South Carolina. 

What are the colors? Pink, yellow and white are the current offered colors
in sizes ranging from small to 2X with more colors and sizes available upon
your order. 

 How much for this unique t-shirt? The cost is one for $20 and two for
$35.00.

What is on the t-shirt which makes it so special? Our designer has provided
the details:

The Logo on front is an Apple tree  and arched across the top of the apple
tree will be the following quote: "That which is Essential is never
invisible in our eyes"

On the left side of the tree trunk is NFB and the right side is SC

Below the tree are the words : Under the apple tree" and :Spartanburg
Chapter" .

What if all the t-shirts are gone before you can purchase one or more? Do
not fear, we can take orders in assorted colors and sizes, and we will ship
to your home address. If you have any questions or wish to place an order,
email the Spartanburg Chapter at spartanburg.chapter.nfbsc at outlook.com
<mailto:spartanburg.chapter.nfbsc at outlook.com> 

Pat Wolthoff Seeks Roommate for State Convention and Assistance

Pat Wolthoff is attending the upcoming state convention and would like to
room with another lady to help split the cost.  She would also like someone
with some sight to wheel her to and from convention sessions in her
wheelchair.  Pat says she will pay someone well to help out in this manner.
Please let us know if you or someone you know may be interested.

Anniversary Celebration for Marshall and Lois  Tucker

Marshall and Lois Tucker's fiftieth wedding anniversary was July 29. The
Tuckers were members of the NFB of SC in its earliest days.  They have both
been long-time leaders of this affiliate.  Marshall is still not out of the
woods from his recent fall and injuries and is recovering from Covid, so
please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Lois is also recovering from Covid. We would like the NFB of SC family to
help them celebrate their  fiftieth anniversary all across SC and beyond.

There are two things we wish to do.

The first is to make an audio collage of folks wishing them a happy fiftieth
anniversary. You may send a short audio clip to Steve Cook at

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

Please make sure to include your name on the audio clip so the Tucker's know
who it is coming from.

the second is to put anniversary messages in Braille from individuals.

You may send those to me at

Jennifer.h.bazer at gmail.com <mailto:Jennifer.h.bazer at gmail.com> 

You may also text them to me at 803-960-9977. Or, call me and I will write
them down.

Please include your name and the message so we can add it to the Braille
text.

Those messages will be compiled to a booklet for them in Braille.

The deadline to submit all texts or audio files has been extended to August
12 at 8:00 PM EDT. This gives us time to put into Braille and make a quality
recording for them on a thumb drive.

If you have questions, please give me a call at 803-960-9977.

Thank you all for making this special for Marshall and Lois Tucker.

2022 NFB of SC Scholarship Program

This week, the Scholarship Committee thanks Janice Smith for her generous
donation to the scholarship program.  In addition, we thank Ed and Julie
Bible for their donation to the Metro Fund.   

Immense gratitude to the Greenville Chapter for the scholarship donation
that was received last week.  Thanks goes out to the following who have
contributed to this year's scholarship amounts.  The Federation Center of
the Blind, Belvedere Chapter, Chesterfield Chapter, Grand Strand Chapter,
and the Computer Science and Technology Division.  Other awards have been
given in Jimmy Smith's name. At this point, our amounts are critically low
as compared to other years.  We accept donations from individuals, not just
chapters and divisions.  Years ago, Carey Burris established the Metro Fund
to allow for smaller donation amounts that can be added to named
scholarships  to supplement the award amounts for individual students.
Please consider passing the hat at your chapter meeting or sending in a
donation to help these students to offset their educational expenses.
Donations can be made via PayPal or by check   Please call me, Shannon Cook
if you have questions or want to let me know of a donation.  Thanks in
advance for your assistance.

Questions for State Agencies Presenting at Convention

Last year, Darline Graham, Commissioner of the SC Commission for the blind
updated us on their current events and initiatives. This year, we hope that
the Talking Books service new director Jennifer Falvey and new president of
SC School for the Deaf and Blind will both join the Commission in updating
us. If you would like to submit your questions for any of these agency
directors in advance, you may do so.  They will each have approximately ten
minutes on the agenda, with a few minutes reserved for the questions. Please
email your questions to Elizabeth Rouse and Anna Price, co-chairs of
Legislative and Advocacy committee at

Elizabethrouse.nfb at gmail.com <mailto:Elizabethrouse.nfb at gmail.com> 

State Convention Banquet Fundraiser

Each year at our state convention, we raise money for the NFB of SC at our
banquet on Saturday night. We usually raise around $10,000 in less than an
hour which is impressive and shows the dedication to our affiliate by all of
our members, chapters and divisions. Please consider what you may wish to
contribute during our banquet. Contributions can be sent ahead of time to
the Federation Center made out to NFB of SC. Please insure you write banquet
fundraiser in the memo line so we can recognize the contribution. You may
also send your donations through Pay Pal on our NFB of SC website. Please
write banquet fundraiser in the comment section. Pledges can be made at the
banquet. These should be fulfilled by December 31, 2022. All contributions
by members, chapters and divisions will be recognized at the banquet.

Sports and Rec Division Fundraiser 50/50 Drawing  

The Sports and Rec Division is having a 50/50 Drawing  

Prizes:

*       First prize is half/50% of the cash raised in ticket sales. 

*       Second Prize is a gift basket. 

The drawing will be held during the banquet at the NFB of SC State
Convention on August 27, 2022.  .  You do not have to be present to win.
Tickets: 1/$5, 3/$10, 7/$20.

To purchase in advance of the state convention, you can pay via our Sports
and Rec PayPal. The info is below. Please put in the memo line the money is
for the S & R 50/50 Drawing.

https://www.paypal.me/sportrecnfbsc

If you have any questions, please email the Sports and Rec Division at
srnfbsc21 at yahoo.com <mailto:srnfbsc21 at yahoo.com> 

Thank you all. 

Sports and Rec Division 

National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina 

Braille Afghan Fundraiser

Do you or a family member read, write, or just simply have an appreciation
for Braille? If so, the Braille Literacy Committee, in partnership with the
NFB of SC Fundraising committee and the NFB of SC have a special
announcement! A special Braille-themed Afghan has been  lovingly created by
our very own Glenda Culick, featuring yarn from the personal collection of
our beloved late Ellen Taylor. This one-of-a-kind, handmade item features a
white background with hunter green Braille dots that are visual and
touchable and a hunter green border. The Afghan is large enough to cover a
twin size bed, but would also look great as an overlay on a full or queen
sized bed. Coincidentally, the color scheme matches with that of the School
for the Deaf and Blind, which has many alumni in the area. The cost to enter
will be $10 per entry or you may purchase 3 entries for $25. The drawing to
determine the winner will take place during the late fall season. If you'd
like to examine the piece, it will be on display at the NFB of SC table
during the state convention in August. The Braille Literacy Committee wishes
to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Glenda for taking the time to create such
a beautiful piece and to the fundraising committee, along with the NFB of SC
for partnering with us to extend this special opportunity statewide. 

 You may enter the drawing by using Pay Pal on our affiliate website and
please insure you put Braille Afghan in the comment section. You may also
mail a check to the Federation Center made out to NFB of SC and write
Braille Afghan in the memo line. One entry for $10 or three for $25.

NFB of SC State Convention Registration is Open

Registration is still open for the National Federation of the Blind of South
Carolina's 66th State Convention! This year's state convention will be held
at the North Charleston Marriott 4770 Goer Drive, North Charleston, SC
29406.  The phone number is 843-747-1900. The dates are August 25, 2022
through August 28, 2022. Below is the link to the registration form for the
state Convention. Just a reminder that your registration is non-refundable
and non-transferable. Once you fill out the 2022 NFB of SC state convention
registration form. You will need to also submit your payment in order to
complete the registration process.

Acceptable payment methods include NFB of SC PayPal. Please  put in the
message field "State convention registration" and include the names of those
whose registration you are paying. You can also make a check payable to the
NFB of SC and mail it to the Federation Center of the Blind (see below) and
include the same info as stated above. 

Registration Rates:

Standard Registration: $100.

Student Registration: $60.  This includes college, graduate or doctoral
students.

Children's and Youth Registration: $30. This rate is for people 18 and
under.

Click here for the 2022 State Registration Form

We look forward to seeing you there!

Door Prize Collection:

It is time to begin gathering door prizes to distribute during the general
sessions of the convention. Names for door prizes will be drawn
electronically like last year. We are keeping consistent with our NFB
national as they also draw electronically.  We like for the prizes to be
worth $10 or more.  Only new items please.  Keep in mind that men, women,
blind, and sighted all will be in the running to receive them, so a variety
of prizes is greatly appreciated. If you will be at the convention, you can
bring them with you.  If not,

You can send them with someone or mail them to the Federation Center.
Address is provided later in the Positive Note.   If anyone has questions,
please contact Steve and Shannon Cook who are coordinating door prizes again
this year.  Their info is below.  Home: (803) 254-0222; his cell: (803)
260-1292; her cell: (803) 605-4250; email: cookcafe at sc.rr.com
<mailto:cookcafe at sc.rr.com> . 

Exhibit Hall Registration

Forms are available for exhibiting on August 26-28 at our 66th annual state
convention in North Charleston. For non-members, agencies, businesses and
other organizations, the cost is $125 per table. The cost for members,
chapters and divisions is $40 per table. The forms are on our NFB of SC
website, have been sent out on the list serve, or can be obtain from David
Houck or me, Jennifer Bazer. We look forward to many reserved tables in our
exhibit hall at this convention.

Sponsorships for State Convention

It is time again to seek sponsorships for our NFB of SC state convention
held August 25-28 at the North Charleston Marriot. The chapter or division
with the most money in sponsorships will receive 10% of the total
sponsorship money raised. Last year, we raised over $6,200, the largest
amount of sponsorships for one convention. Let's see if we can reach
$15,000! All funds raised will help defray the cost of a $25,000 to $30,000
convention. Thank you to the Sumter chapter who obtained the first
sponsorship.

You may obtain an electronic sponsorship letter from the convention planning
committee by contacting Melinda Jones or Andrew Adams or contacting me
directly. If you need printed copies mailed, please contact David Houck at
the Federation Center. Sponsorships should be paid using our NFB of SC pay
pal link on our site.  Individuals or companies may also mail a check made
payable to NFB of SC with "state convention sponsorship" in the memo line
and mailed to the Federation Center. We had a large number of White Cane
level sponsors last year at $100 from individuals in our own affiliate,
chapters, divisions and other individuals in the community. Let's work
together to exceed last year's goal!

          Zoom Events for the upcoming week!

Below is the list of NFB SC Zoom events for the month of August. Please read
over them and let me know of any changes. Also, if you are a Division
President and plan to meet in person at the NFB of SC State Convention, let
me know in order to note this on the Google Calendar.

August 2022

Monday, August 1, 2022

We Care Committee 6:00 PM Federation Center Zoom

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

President Mark Riccobono Presidential Release 8:00 PM

Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Cooking with the At Large Chapter 6:30 PM Federation Center Zoom 

Legislative & Advocacy Committee 8:00 PM Federation Center Zoom 

Thursday, August 4, 2022

Student Division 8:30 PM Federation Center Zoom 

Friday, August 5, 2022

Movie night with the NFB of SC

This month's presentation is A Star Is Born

Saturday, August 6, 2022

SC Tech Talk 3:00 PM Federation Center Zoom 

Do you have a smart phone or tablet? How would you like to be able to look
at your calendar on your smart device for upcoming events for the NFB of SC?
Well, we have something that you will really like! Below is a link to the
NFB of SC Google Calendar that you can subscribe to for upcoming events
without having to visit our fabulous NFB of SC website to check the Events
Calendar. Below is the link in which you will need to subscribe to the
Events Calendar on your smart phone or computer.

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/nfbsouthcarolina%40gmail.com/priva
te-4df60c862f41a1d9bf2e25ed4a6af1f2/basic.ics

          Federation Center Zoom Info

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

Meeting ID: 803 254 3777 Passcode: 124578

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

          Rocky Bottom Zoom Info

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

Meeting ID: 864 878 9090 Passcode: 124578

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

FCB Address:

Federation Center of the Blind

119 S Kilbourne Road

Columbia, SC 29205

NFB of SC PayPal:

Go to  <http://www.nfbofsc.org> www.nfbofsc.org and  click on the "Donate
with PayPal" button.  Enter the required info.  PayPal charges a 3% fee.  To
ensure that the total amount you are paying is received, kindly add 3 cents
for every dollar that is being paid.  We thank you for your support. 

NFB of SC State Convention Board Meeting:

Because of the increase in the number of divisions and committees, it is
much harder to fit everything in on Friday, and still include time for the
reception.  The board decided to have its meeting on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. 

State Convention Voting:

Voting for the state convention will be in person only.  If someone wants to
register and arrive at the hotel on Sunday for voting, the board decided
that will be acceptable.  This will keep the spirit of the in person voting
intact, and will help to accommodate those who may wish to lessen their
face-to-face interactions.   As a side benefit, it could give more
transportation options to members across the state for returning to their
respective homes.

Voting Cards:

Everyone who votes at the state convention will receive one index card in an
envelope. Once they make their selection, and tear the card accordingly,
they will put the card back in the envelope for it to be collected.  This
will give a higher level of secrecy to the votes.  Only the counters will be
allowed to see the cards.  They will not know who gave which card.

Joke of the Week

 How much dirt is there in a hole that measures two feet by three feet by
four feet?

Fascinating Facts about the month of August!

It was on August 28th, 1963 that Martin Luther King Jr. gave his
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Have_a_Dream> "I Have a Dream" speech on
the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.

An astonishing 250,000 people showed up to listen to the speech which called
for the end of racial discrimination and equal rights for all.

       Final Thought -

A good leader is a person who takes a little more than his share of the
blame and a little less than his share of the credit. -John Maxwell 

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."

NFB of SC PSA

Click here to view the National Federation of the Blind of SC 2021 PSA!

More NFB of SC Information

          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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