[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1876

Mon Jul 25 05:15:41 UTC 2022

July 25, 2022

Positive Note 1876

President Jennifer Bazer

803-960-9977

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

          Greetings Fellow Federationists:

I read a quote by Drew Barrymore recently that said, "I have always loved
butterflies because they remind us it's never too late to transform
ourselves." The NFB of SC can become a beautiful example of the power of
transformation, if we let it.  There will always be those individuals who
will never be team players; who will always be divisive; who will constantly
be trying to sink the ship because they are not the captain. As we approach
our state convention and consider the leadership we will elect for the next
two years, let's consider who will be a good captain.  Let's ask ourselves
who will be good crew members.  During the gale force winds in a storm, who
will remain on deck to make sure the ship remains strong, undamaged, and
safe.  Are there people who want to be on the crew, but instead act as
passengers, not taking on the responsibility they agreed to when elected?
Do they know how to operate the ship's wheel, navigational systems, and know
how to call for help when it is needed.  Are they willing to pitch in and do
any and every job asked of them to keep the ship in tip top shape?  Do they
stand back and let others do the work, but take the credit as if they did?
Do they help keep the crew motivated, offering suggestions for improvement,
or just poke holes in suggestions made by others with no other viable
solutions?  Our leadership, much like our organization, needs people who
will work consistently  and tirelessly to raise the level of progress we
make in our affiliate. We need to really think of who is up to the
challenge; who will put in the hours; and who strives to uphold and learn
the philosophy and knowledge of the NFB of SC. At times, it may be people
who are familiar to us, who are already in leadership roles.  Other times,
those in leadership do not do the work asked of them, and need to be
replaced by those who will carry out their duties.  Let's surround ourselves
with those who bring joy, who mean what they say, who follow through, who
don't have an ulterior motive, and who believe in and are committed to the
Federation.

Thanks to donations from our Federation family, I was able to deliver 124
bottles of boost to Dale Wolthoff's caregiver in Hopkins. Dale had fallen in
the middle of the night and was readmitted to the hospital for observation
due to elevated blood pressure. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts
and prayers. I visited with Pat while there.  She is out of the hospital.
Good news, she did not have a heart attack; they were worried about fluid
around her heart.

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.

Debra Canty on the loss of her mother Ruth Pressley, member of the Sumter
chapter.

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

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.

Anniversary Celebration for Marshall and Lois  Tucker

Marshall and Lois Tucker's fiftieth wedding anniversary is 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, so please keep him in your thoughts
and prayers.

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 is Thursday, July 28 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.

Latest Episode of NFB of SC Podcast 

Luke simianer and Steve Cook recorded a podcast about his company Clusive!
This podcast can now be found using your favorite podcast platform by
searching for the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina
podcast. Be sure and listen and contact Luke if you have any further
questions. 

"Clusiv is the world's first accessible e-learning platform built for & by
people who are blind or visually impaired. We solve the global problem of
blind inclusion in the workforce and society as a whole by empowering the
blind learner through accessible education and up-skilling."

Direct Link to the Clusive Podcast!

<https://anchor.fm/national-federation-of-the-blind-of-south-carolina/episod

es/Clusive-e1lga6g> 

2022 NFB of SC Scholarship Program

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.

July Birthdays!

Happy birthday to the following members who have birthdays in July!

Barbara Martin  19

Jackie Cousar     20

Rosa Lee Wells  20

Rogers Nelson   21

Franklin Johnson              21

George Johnson               22

Mary Rose Hagan             22

Katherine Loza  23

Collette Bradley 23

Frank Loza           24

David Rebocho  25

Edwin Gerace    25

Albert Graham  28

Bernice Thames Wheeler              29

Valerie Warrington          29

Susanne Bryant 30

Taiwan Johnson 31

Kerry "Butch" Thompson              31

Palmetto Convention Grant

The NFB of SC board voted to award three Palmetto Convention Grants in the
amount of $200 each. If you are a current NFB of SC member and you have not
attended a state convention and wish to attend our state convention August
25-28, please contact Shannon Cook, chair of this committee to obtain an
application. Both sighted and blind members are eligible.  The deadline is
quickly approaching on July 30, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.

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

Monday, July 25, 2022

SC Association of Guide Dog Users 8:00 PM Federation Center Zoom  

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Diversity & Inclusion Committee 8:00 PM Federation Center Zoom  

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Communities of Faith 6:00 PM Federation Center Zoom  

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Computer Science & Tech Division 8:00 PM Federation Center Zoom 

Saturday, July 30, 2022

SC Tech Talk 3:00 PM Federation Center Zoom  

          Zoom Events for the upcoming month!

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 

Fund Raising Committee 7:00 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  

Monday, August 8, 2022

Convention Planning Committee 8:00 PM Federation Center Zoom  

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

At Large Chapter 7:00 PM Federation Center Zoom  

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Sports & Rec Division 6:00 PM Rocky Bottom Zoom  

Saturday, August 13, 2022

SC Tech Talk 3:00 PM Federation Center Zoom  

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Diabetes Action Network 7:00 PM Federation Center Zoom   

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Diabetes Action Network 7:00 PM Federation Center Zoom   

Friday, August 19, 2022

Trivia Night: send David Bundy a message at bundy at pobox.com
<mailto:bundy at pobox.com>  in order to preregister

Saturday, August 20, 2022

Technology Presentation 10:00 Federation Center Zoom  

Cherokee Chapter Conference Call 10:00 AM Conference Call in #:
1-605-475-4120 Access code: 6524057 

SC Tech Talk 3:00 PM Federation Center Zoom  

Monday, August 22, 2022

SC Association of Guide Dog Users 8:00 PM Federation Center Zoom  

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Diversity & Inclusion Committee 8:00 PM Federation Center Zoom  

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Communities of Faith 6:00 PM Federation Center Zoom  

Thursday, August 25, 2022

State Board Meeting from the State Convention at 7:00 PM Federation Center
Zoom 

Friday, August 26, 2022

State Convention in person, will not be streamed on Zoom

Computer Science & Technology Division will be meeting in person, time to be
announced later. 

Saturday, August 27, 2022

State Convention in person 

General sessions and Banquet will be streamed on the Federation Center Zoom
platform

Sunday, August 28, 2022

State Convention in person 

General sessions will be streamed on the Federation Center Zoom platform

Monday, August 29, 2022

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

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

<https://www.riddlesandanswers.com/v/232295/riddle-me-this-i-come-in-differe
nt-shapes-and-sizes-part-of-me-are-curves-others-are-straight/> I come in
different shapes and sizes. Part of me are curves, others are straight. You
can put me anywhere you like, but there is only one right place for me.
What am I? 

Jigsaw Puzzle Piece

Fascinating Facts about July 25th!

2007 India gets its first female president

1984 Svetlana Savitskaya becomes the First Woman to Walk in Space

1978 World's first test tube baby is born

1976 The famous Face on Mars photo is taken

1956 Tunisia gains its independence from France

       Final Thought -

I think we need more love in the world. We need more kindness, more
compassion, more joy, more laughter.
Ellen DeGeneres

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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