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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>March 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 1493<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 begin this Positive Note with a huge announcement from the Director of Public Relations of the National Federation of the Blind, Chris Danielsen. Here is what he says.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Great news! There’s now another easy way to stay connected with the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) if you have an iPhone, iPad, or other iOS device. Our new mobile app, NFB Connect, is finally here! You can find it in the Apple App Store, or just use the following link on your iOS device to download it directly: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nfb-connect/id968434124.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>With NFB Connect, you can quickly and easily read the latest news about the NFB, find information about upcoming events, access the Braille Monitor and other publications, listen to presidential releases, find the NFB in your community, learn about ways to support the National Federation of the Blind, and more!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Note: We are aware of an issue that prevents the “Chapters and Regional Info” feature from functioning properly on some devices and are working diligently to fix the problem. Download the free NFB Connect app today, and don’t forget to use the Feedback button to let us know how you’re using it and to suggest new features.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I followed Chris’s link and downloaded the NFB Connect app myself and listened to President Riccobono on the March Presidential Release (as I do not ask others to do what I am not willing to do), and it works great! NFB Connect is free and provides a fabulous way to follow Federation activities. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chartered bus reservations are still coming in in anticipation of the long awaited Seventy-fifth Anniversary Convention of the National Federation of the Blind. The cost of a seat on the bus is $70, which is an excellent price for a round trip fare to and from Orlando, Florida. If you have not done so already, get your reservation in now to assure yourself of a seat and help us to plan for the logistics.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It is also time to make hotel reservations (as I have done) for the National Convention, which will occur this year from July 5 through July 10. 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 will ask for 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 also want to remind you of the upcoming meeting of the NFB of SC Board of Directors at 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 11 at the Federation Center of the Blind. We will be doing a great deal of planning about the State Convention at this meeting, and I need you there. If you are a chapter leader, or you see yourself as a chapter leader (regardless of your title, please consider this your invitation to come. Please help us plan for the 2015 State Convention!<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> In 1986, the weekly Positive Note had its beginning. Thus, in 2016 this weekly newsletter will celebrate 30 years of service to the state’s blind. A decision was made in 1986 to have some positive news distributed weekly across the state. David Houck tells me that all of the Positive Notes have been hard bound. In last week’s Positive Note I especially enjoyed information given concerning President Diggs information that he had attended a banquet meeting with the Lancaster Chapter. Daisy Drakeford is doing an excellent job as chapter President. Years ago I visited the Lancaster Chapter from time to time when Hattie Duncan was its President. Also, I enjoyed reading about Levern Wilson, President of our Conway Chapter and member of the NFB of SC board who traveled to Bishopville to attend a Black and White Banquet for the Lee County Chapter. I pleasantly recall visiting the Lee County chapter years ago when the meetings were held at the County Council on Aging where a Mrs. Garcia was hostess. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> For a week now I have been focused upon the sale of barbecue tickets for the Columbia Chapter. I’m proud to report that I’m making good progress toward my goal of selling 500 tickets. Each year I enjoy talking to my customers who represent banks, insurance agencies, law firms, construction companies, etc. I was talking with a customer who has been purchasing tickets from me for 45 years. I don’t believe that I have any other customer who has been purchasing from me in this annual project longer than 45 years. I have just about a 100% renewal rate but this does change as people move away, etc. This is the 62nd annual barbecue and I’m confident it is one of the longest running civic projects in Columbia. Each year I devote a great deal of my time and energy in selling barbecue tickets. My efforts are rewarded as profits from the barbecue directly impacts the extent of financial assistance to chapter projects including both the national and state conventions. The barbecue is a good buy for customers in that plates are sold for only $8.50 each and includes a half barbecue chicken, green beans, an ear of corn, bread and ice tea if meals are enjoyed at the Federation Center. I found my conversations with customers to be most pleasant with many who seem to appreciate this program which is a hand-up, not a hand-out. We have flyers which cover the ways profits are used to assist the blind which includes 1) alleviate distress cases, 2) maintain the operation of a van providing transportation to events, 3) provide wholesome recreational and social activities (including trips to Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind), 4) assist deserving members to attend state and national conventions of the National Federation of the Blind. In the late 1950’s, proceeds from this annual event were used to establish a special fund, which led to the erection of the Federation Center of the Blind in 1961, (formerly the Aurora Center) where these barbecues have been held since that time. In 1970, some of the proceeds from the barbecue were used to finance a much-needed expansion of the Federation Center. A second expansion of the Center was also supported in 1978. In 2011 the Federation Center of the Blind celebrated its 50th year of service to the blind. The Federation aids in development of the social, spiritual and cultural life of the blind throughout the Greater Columbia area. Thus, the annual barbecue is an excellent PR initiative. We are proud of our members who serve in different capacities. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Recently, Ed Bible announced that Gov. Haley had appointed him to another term on the Board of Commissioners of the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind. In this capacity, Ed represents the blind of the state and no doubt does an excellent job. Ed is an official with the Commission for the Blind. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Federation Center of the Blind as well as on the Board of Directors of the NFB of SC. Finally, I trust that you will agree that I have been “positive” in this Positive Note and I’m glad to participate each and every week. Our thanks to Marshall Tucker for his $100 contribution to the Lawton Hall Fund. Marshall was an important cast member when the Glass Menagerie was performed in Lawton Hall some 35 years ago. Also, thanks to my sister Loretta Capps-Collins for her giving $100 to the Lawton Hall Fund. We have now reached the $1,000 level but we need to hear from more across the state. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” - Henry Ford<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>