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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>January 27, 2015<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 1485<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> Greetings from Washington, DC! We are on Capitol Hill today meeting with members of South Carolina’s Congressional delegation about our priorities for the First Session of the 114th Congress. Consider this our special, pre-seminar Positive Note, as we are just four days away from the long-awaited, and much anticipated, 2015 Statewide Seminar starting at 10:00 AM this Saturday.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We will adjourn no later than 4:00 PM to allow those who are traveling from out-of-town to get back home before the hour grows too late. I hope you are planning to bring your bus tickets with you to the Seminar if you have not yet sent them in: for they may not reach us if you mail them now. We are raising money through the sale of $1 raffle tickets to help cover the cost of the chartered bus to the Orlando National Convention!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The jackpot is $300 for the seller of the winning ticket, $300 for the purchaser of the winning ticket, and $300 for the chapter which sells the most tickets. We need more tickets, so please either sell or buy your tickets in these final few days.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Speaking of the National Convention, it is time to make reservations for the Seventy-fifth Anniversary Convention of the National Federation of the blind occurring this year from July 5 through July 10 in Orlando, Florida. To do this, you should write directly to the Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Drive, Orlando, Florida 32819. You can also call the hotel at (800) 204-7234.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The 2015 room rates are singles, doubles, and twins, $82; and triples and quads, $89. In addition to the room rates there will be a tax, which at present is 13.5 percent. No charge will be made for children under seventeen in the room with parents as long as no extra bed is requested.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The hotel is accepting reservations now. The hotel will want a deposit of $95 for each room and will want a credit card number or a personal check. If you use a credit card, the deposit will be charged against your card immediately, just as would be the case with a $95 check. If a reservation is cancelled before May 28, 2015, half of the deposit will be returned. Otherwise refunds will not be made.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have an announcement from the President of the NFB of SC Blind Seniors Division, Shelley Coppel, who says the following: “Dear Friends, The Senior Division is having a drawing at our on Statewide Seminar, January 31. The tickets may still be purchased for $2 per ticket, or $5 for 3 tickets.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I will be at the Seminar ready to sell tickets to anyone who has not purchased them and would like a chance to win. For those who may still have tickets out, I would appreciate you returning any blank ones that you might have, and to turn in any money to me the day of the Seminar. I will be sitting at a strategic place so that I am easy to find. The Senior Division appreciates all of the support given to us by our affiliate. Thank you.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic which 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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Don’t forget to bring auction items and your State Dues this Saturday! 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> I am dictating this portion of the Positive Note Tuesday morning having just returned from spending four days and nights at RBRCCB participating in the transition of the Resident Manager’s position. We made a lot of contacts while in RBRCCB but nothing final developed with respect to employing a Resident Manager. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Janice Taylor who lives on Rocky Bottom Road was Resident Manager of RBRCCB in the 1980’s and early 1990’s. She has very graciously agreed to serve as Resident Manager for a week. She wasted no time as she immediately pitched in Monday, cleaning the buildings which are now ready for occupancy. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Janice is a member of Rocky Bottom Baptist Church and she arranged for me to participate in the Sunday morning service talking about RBRCCB including the purpose of the program to serve the blind of the state. I also emphasized the fact that RBRCCB and the church are good neighbors and I told the congregation we were extending to them the use of the Conference Center dining hall for one day for Easter and Christmas without charge. We will receive a donation or love offering for the service. This was excellent PR and I could tell by the congregation which gave a round of applause. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sunday morning, as we were preparing to depart for church, we noticed that some people were on the grounds and it turned out that our longtime friend and supporter Ralph M. Ellenburg, Sr.’s granddaughter and great-granddaughter were there and there will be a wedding the last of May for their great-granddaughter, Megan Ellenburg to be held in the Conference Center with rooms being used. Mr. Ellenburg called me later to confirm the reservation for his great-granddaughter. I also talked with Mr. Ellenburg’s caregiver confirming the reservation. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>There is now a weather station at the top of Sassafras Mountain which reports on weather conditions in that area. On January 8 the station reported that the temperature was one degree below zero on top of Sassafras Mountain. The lowest temperature recorded in the state was in 1985 when the temperature dropped to 19 degrees below zero on top of Caesar’s Head. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are still accepting applications for the Resident Manager’s position at RBRCCB. This is an excellent office and we are doing our best to employ the best possible candidate for the position. You may phone (803-254-3777) or email (nfbsc@sc.rr.com) at the Federation Center for an application and we urge anyone interested to get in touch with us as soon as possible. I can be reached at 803-787-0462. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am looking forward to participating in the Statewide Seminar Saturday. We have been having Statewide Seminars for 45 years. Initially these seminars were utilized to develop local and state leaders but over the years this program has expanded and is an excellent one-day conference. I look forward to seeing you this Saturday.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “When the shadow covers you it cannot hurt you; however, the shadow does keep you from receiving the benefit of the sunlight.”<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>