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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>July 30, 2014<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Memo To: Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>From: Parnell Diggs, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Positive Note 1459<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dear Fellow Federationists:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I have just returned from Spartanburg, where I participated in the first NFB BELL program in South Carolina. Valerie Bouler Johnson and I arrived on the Campus of the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind on Sunday evening and spent the entire day with the children on Monday: taking- in a full day of BELL activity. Valerie was wonderful with the children volunteering her time to assist throughout the day. We departed Spartanburg on Tuesday morning.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The first day included a skit about the importance of using good blindness skills such as traveling with a long white cane. I presented Federation canes to the children, who were delighted to receive them. And yes, I played the role of “Captain Whozit” in the skit: reminding children that it is respectable to be blind. We also spent some time in the gym playing goalball, jumping rope, and running.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I want to give credit to Jennifer Duffell-Hoffman and Jamie Allison, who have worked so well together to make the NFB BELL program in South Carolina possible. We also appreciate President Maggie Park, of SCSDB, who has been a great host. We look forward to continuing our excellent relationship with the school under the new administration. This year’s NFB BELL program will conclude on Friday, August 8.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have some announcements from Frank Coppel and Shelley Coppel. Ladies first, so here is what Shelley says. “I would like to remind everyone to come by the Senior Division booth in the Exhibit Hall!! We will have raffle tickets to purchase, you can look over the items which will be raffled off at the next Statewide Seminar, and there will be literature for the taking about being a blind senior. We are also going to conduct a silent auction of an afghan made by Emily McKenzie.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here is what Frank Coppel says. “Our entertainment for the reception Friday evening will be a 50’s-60’s theme starring Elvis himself! Are You Lonesome Tonight? Join us for a starlit, fun-filled evening of dancing, singing, and celebration of the music of Elvis Presley. “<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>At the Saturday evening Banquet, we will be conducting our annual fundraiser. Please pray about it and think about what you can do, in any amount to support the programs of the NFB of SC. Some chapters and individuals have already pledged to make donations. I know we all have different means, but everyone can give something. This is the only fundraiser for the NFB of SC Treasury held all year.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Remember that we will be conducting a Devotional and Memorial Service during the State Convention on Sunday morning at 8:30. Please let us know if you want to remember someone who has passed away since last Convention. Doug and Patsy Roberts will be handling the Devotional and Memorial Service this year. Patsy can be reached at 843-516-0094, or talk with her at the Hotel.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ed Bible would like to remind you to get in touch with him if you have anyone you believe should be recognized as “Employer of the Year”. We present awards when recognition is warranted. We do not give them away for the sake of having an award. Please call Ed at 803-796-1954 if you have suggestions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Lenora Robertson asks that members bring door prizes, of at least $5 in value, to the Convention Hotel and find Lenora. We also need more academic scholars for the deserving blind students who will be attending our entire State Convention. Please do what you can to support this worthwhile initiative.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I end my portion of the Positive Note with an important word about the December Board Retreat. Because of a scheduling conflict involving the World Blind Union and the National Federation of the Blind Board of Directors, President Riccobono has told me that the National Board will meet during the first weekend of December. This means that the Rocky Bottom Board Retreat will occur during the weekend of December 12 through 14. Please mark your calendar accordingly. Joining me for comments in this Positive Note is the President Emeritus of the NFB of SC. Here is Dr. Capps.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> It was our pleasure to spend the weekend at Rocky Bottom. Unlike the time we were there some two months ago, repairs have been completed on our facilities. We’re indebted to the contractor Chris Merck and to Gwen Ellenburg for her service rendered on this project. We were not alone for the weekend as a Spanish church group located in the Walhalla area had rented the facilities including the Conference Center kitchen and dining hall. The Pastor of the church could not speak English, relying upon his school age son who could speak English and Spanish to translate for discussions between the church group and our Resident Manager Elsie Duncan. Incidentally, Elsie celebrates her third anniversary this Friday, August 1 as Resident Manager of RBRCCB. Congratulations Elsie and thank you for your service. It was my privilege to meet with Elsie and review areas of interest. We’ve updated our T-Shirt inventory. Thom Spittle reports the following: During the Summer 2014 Children’s Camp the counselors and children campers wore neon yellow RBRCCB T-Shirts with “2014 Children’s Camp” on the front and a tactile braille alphabet on the back. The shirts were purchased by the Dacusville Lions Club and used specifically for those attending Children’s Camp. However, RBRCCB has just purchased a wide variety of the usual RBRCCB T-Shirts in a variety of colors and sizes. These will be available for sale at the state convention in the Exhibit Hall where you can get yours.” Thom and Tracy Spittle will be in charge of selling the T-Shirts at the state convention. We continue to receive proceeds for $5 Fun Day tickets including $105 for 21 Fun Day tickets sold by our Conway Chapter under the excellent leadership of Levern Wilson. All of us of course are looking forward to the state convention and our efforts are understandably linked with the convention. We have written chapter and division presidents and others for annual financial assistance to cover food purchases for the Fun Day Festival. You do need to make reservations for the Fun Day Festival at RBRCCB as the response to date has been greater than usual. A platform has been constructed at the summit of Sassafras Mountain. If the weather is very clear it is possible to see four states, South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee while standing on the platform. This is an added attraction that no doubt will result in greater numbers going to the top of Sassafras Mountain for the view just described.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.” ~James Dent<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>