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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Parnell, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I just participated in the first of the conference calls hosted by the Senior Division. I found out that my topic to teach on Braille, is actually March 11 at 4 p.m., not March 4 at the same time. I will ask Steve Cook to put this on the list serve, but if you make any announcements by email, maybe post this change.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Frank is doing well!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Thanks so much,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Shelley<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> Nfbofsc [mailto:nfbofsc-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>David Houck via Nfbofsc<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, February 24, 2015 3:07 PM<br><b>To:</b> nfbofsc@nfbnet.org<br><b>Subject:</b> [Nfbofsc] Positive Note 1489<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>February 25, 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 1489<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> 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>Beginning on March 1, 2015, you will be able to pre-register for the National Convention. Pre-registration will be open through May 31, 2015. I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to miss the long lines at the Convention because there are so many things to do other than stand in those time-consuming registration lines.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have an announcement from the lovely and talented Shelley Coppel, President of our Blind Senior Division. Here is what she says. “The National Federation of the Blind Senior Division proudly sponsors the following conference calls on specific topics and moderated by active members of the NFB.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tuesday, February 24, 2015, Cane Travel-Can I truly be an efficient cane user as a senior if I've never learned before? Moderators: Jeff Altman, NE; Maurice Peret, BISM, MD; Wednesday, march 4, 2015, Braille Can I learn Braille as a senior? Moderator: Shelley Coppel, SC Secretary of the NFB Senior Division; Wednesday, April 8, 2015, Organizing Paperwork-keeping track of banking, labeling, sorting and filing necessary documents; moderator: Ruth Sager, MD, president, NFB Senior Division; Wednesday, May 13, 2015, Hobbies-Pursuing favorite hobbies and crafts; moderator: Marguerite Woods, MD; Wednesday, June 10, 2015, Getting About--Leisure Time--dining out, movies, museums, enjoying favorite pastime activities; moderator: Shelley Coppel, SC. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Time of Calls: All calls will be held at 4:00. The conference call numbers are as follows for all calls: 712-432-1500; Access code: 759633pound. Also note: You do not have to be a senior to be involved with these calls. Feel free to call Shelley Coppel for more information at 803-796-8662.”<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. 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’s a winter wonderland here in Rocky Bottom this Tuesday morning. We woke up to four inches of snow on the ground and it’s still snowing. It is thirty degrees and we don’t anticipate the snow melting rapidly. It is always pretty here in Rocky Bottom but four inches of snow makes it even more beautiful. We arrived in Rocky Bottom Thursday afternoon (February 18) and there was a very hard freeze with the temperature hovering just above zero which played havoc with just about everybody’s pipes freezing over and breaking. RBRCCB sustained some major damage, especially with one large pipe having to be replaced in the well. We were without water for four days and nights (from Thursday through Sunday). Our neighbors were very good about furnishing us with water utilizing our large pots which came in handy. Our neighbor told me that she had lived in Rocky Bottom for 25 years and she had never seen anything like the brutal weather which affected most everyone as ACE Hardware in Pickens sold a record breaking amount of pipes. We are attempting to get an estimated price for winterizing all our facilities and hopefully avoid the problems caused by unusually cold weather. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I have been spending time with our new Resident Manager, Brooke West. I’m impressed with this young lady. Included in our meetings was a review with Brooke of the rules and regulations which cover Rocky Bottom’s job description, use by the blind and immediate family members (spouses, children, grandchildren and driver), and use by the general public. We have also spent time with Brooke going over the calendar showing the reservations. We need to produce more revenue for RBRCCB and rentals to large groups are the major revenue producers. Already we have confirmed reservations with two groups and I’m emphasizing to Brooke the importance of making telephone calls to create more rental income. We’re also spending time updating our reservations as follow-up and good service is a key in this area. From a review of the files it was clear that some groups which had used our facilities in the past have not done so in the last two or three years and some longer. One was a large church group in Spartanburg and our current contact with the church resulted in a large rental this season. We also gave Brooke a tour of the different facilities. We cited her with the names of friends who can assist in a variety of situations where a need might develop. Incidentally, her fiancé Jamie Rivers has advised us that he will be able to do some maintenance work as a volunteer which will be helpful. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The Columbia Chapter had a very good meeting on Thursday evening February 12. This is Black History Month. I believe our diversity makes for a stronger organization. It was my good fortune to be able to have Mr. James T. McLawhorn, Jr., President and CEO of the Columbia Urban League to speak at our meeting. He was excellent. Mr. McLawhorn told our Columbia Chapter President Tiffany Mitchell that he was going to assist us in improving our financial situation. Everyone enjoyed his presentation. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Finally, while we missed having water for four days, we are grateful for the electricity which provided good heat which has been needed up here in RBRCCB.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “The Eskimos had fifty-two names for snow because it was important to them: there ought to be as many for love.” - Margaret Atwood<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>