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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>August 5, 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 1460<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> Convention week is finally here! Everything is set, and NFB of SC enthusiasts are prepared to arrive in Columbia within days for the 2014 event. Don’t forget door prizes (we need lots of prizes). Get in touch with Lenora Robertson if you would like to donate door prizes of at least $5 in value.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Here is an announcement from Steve Cook. “The Computer Science & Technology Division (CSTD) will have a drawing for an Apple TV at the NFB of SC 2014 State Convention the weekend of August 8 - 10! Drop by and see us in the exhibit hall Friday afternoon for a demo of the Apple TV, and you will be able to ask questions as well. Tickets are extremely affordable for this wonderful device! You must be present to win and the winning ticket will be drawn during our division report.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you currently own an iPhone, iPod or iPad this will be another great tool to have in your hands! Be sure to come by and purchase plenty of tickets, which will be on sale all weekend up until the drawing! You can purchase tickets from Steve and Shannon Cook, Thom and Tracey Spittle, Parnell Diggs, Larry and Valerie Warrington, David Bundy, Marty McKenzie, or Charles Black, for $2 each or 3 for $5.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You may want to dress up for 50’s-60’s night at the Friday Reception. I plan to do this myself and enjoy the dancing, food, and fellowship with Federationists from across the state. Remember, we will be having breakfast in the meeting hall this year, not the Presidential Suite. Coffee will be available as well as various continental items to choose from.<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. Everyone can give something. Kim and I always do, as I would not ask others to do what I am not willing to do myself.<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. The Rocky Bottom Board Retreat will occur during the weekend of December 12 through 14. Please mark your calendar and note this change accordingly. See you Friday! 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>Having been blessed to serve 30 years as President of the NFB of SC, I know something about planning and participating in annual conventions. President Diggs has now served 14 years as President of the NFB of SC and he has become one of the best state Presidents in the NFB. I’m confident this will be an excellent convention and historical in as much as the NFB of SC is celebrating its 70th anniversary. Since it seems appropriate to do so, I have taken a look at our very first state convention held on April 27 and 28, 1957. I see only one who participated on the first agenda other than myself who is still alive which is Lois Boltin Tucker. Although my wife Betty was certainly there participating, others who attended and participated in the very first convention included Marshall Tucker and Ruth Weeks who are still active in the federation today. The following is a narrative of what happened at our first state convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The first annual convention of the South Carolina Aurora Club of the Blind (NFB of SC) occurred on April 27 and 28, 1957 in Charleston at the Fort Sumter Hotel. At that time there were only 43 state affiliates of the National Federation of the Blind and only 120 members of the Aurora Club in South Carolina. This convention made history and it was fitting that it happened in such an historical city as Charleston. Hotel rates were $5 for singles, $8 for doubles and $9 for three in a room. The local YMCA and YWCA were also used at about half the hotel rates. The Columbia Chapter used a bus to get to the convention which was entitled the “Aurora Express.” Scouts were used as sighted guides during the convention. Congressman Mendel Rivers was a featured speaker. The convention agenda also featured Fred Workman from the Lions International, J. M. Cherny, from the Division of Blind Services, Dr. Laurens Walker, Superintendent of the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind and Dr. Josiah Smith a Charleston Ophthalmologist. Saturday afternoon included a luncheon followed by a bus tour of Charleston. The Saturday evening Banquet featured among other items a Legislative Report by Dr. Samuel Lawton (Aurora Founder), reports from Chapters around the state, a White Cane Committee Report by John Cooley, a Resolutions Committee Report by Archie Nunnery, a Publicity Committee Report by Coleman Moore and a Nominating Committee Report by Lois Boltin. The keynote Banquet address was made by myself as state President. As you can see, state conventions have grown in size, in exhibits, divisional meetings, and agenda items over the years but early on the NFB of SC was well on its way to shaping future goals for blind South Carolinians to better their independence, productivity and status in a sighted world. This week’s convention also celebrates our 70th anniversary, being founded in 1944 under an apple tree in Spartanburg by Dr. Samuel Miller Lawton.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I agree with President Diggs that everyone in the NFB of SC is able to contribute something so that we can better support the funding of the organization. Betty and I will be making a contribution.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “Tough times don’t last but tough people do.” – Trace Adkins<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>