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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>April 1, 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 1494<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 wonderful to be back in South Carolina after a trip to the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute for the 2015 Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium. Dr. tenBroek, the distinguished first President and principle founder of the National Federation of the Blind, was a great constitutional scholar and law professor who wrote extensively on the inclusion of blind people in society and their right to live in the world. Dr. Marc Maurer, who chaired the Symposium, made reference to Dr. tenBroek’s efforts to convince Congress to include people with disabilities in the 1964 Civil Rights Act. It did not happen in 1964, but it was considered.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In fact, it was not until 1974 that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Public law 94-142) was enacted and not until 1990 that the Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted. A man far ahead of his time, Dr. tenBroek died in 1968. The 2015 Symposium was the 8th Annual gathering of disability rights attorneys from across the nation at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute. It has now been twenty-five years since the ADA was enacted, and our focus was on “the ADA at Fifty”. What will life be like for people with disabilities in 2040: when the National Federation of the Blind is in its 100th year? While we have made significant progress as a movement thus far, the reality is that we still have far to go. But we are moving forward.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Columbia Marriott is now accepting reservations for what will no doubt be the best State Convention in NFB of SC history during the weekend of August 21 through 23! Reservations for the Event will be made by individual attendees directly with Marriott reservations at (800) 593-6465 or (803) 771-7000. You can also use this link to make your reservations online.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>http://www.marriott.com/meeting-event-hotels/group-corporate-travel/groupCorp.mi?resLinkData=Natl%20Federation%20of%20the%20Blind%5Ecaemh%60nfbnfba%6095%60USD%60false%608/20/15%608/23/15%608/1/15&app=resvlink&stop_mobi=yes<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The rates this year for a room accommodating up to four guests are $95 per night plus tax, which is currently 12 percent. The hotel will ask for a credit card number or a first night deposit. Rates are also good on August 20 for those who want to arrive early, but there are not as many rooms available on Thursday evening so hurry if you want to come in on Thursday. You should make your reservations now but no later than July 31. In fact, while we have a deadline of July 31, there is no guarantee that hotel rooms will last until then. Thus, it would be prudent to get this detail taken care of early. This is also a great time to hold chapter fundraisers to provide financial assistance for members who want to attend the State Convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The State Board will set the State Convention registration rates at its spring meeting on Saturday, April 11, 2015. You should plan to attend the Board meetings and express your opinion. Your input is needed at the State Board meeting as well as the Rocky Bottom Board meeting.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Let me say a quick word about the chartered bus trip. In recent years, as the Convention has repeatedly been in Orlando, members have begun traveling to the Convention by means other than the chartered bus; such as airplane, private car, or chapter van. In 2014, for example, the NFB of SC placed fifth in the attendance rankings. If we do not receive other reservations soon, we will begin to consider options other than a fifty-six passenger bus to accommodate the eighteen passengers signed-up thus far. This means that we may go with a smaller and more affordable source. You must get your reservations in now because we have never had a guaranteed reservation deadline. Those who sign-up will be transported to Orlando, but it makes no sense to reserve a fifty-six passenger bus if it is not needed. We need to hear from you if you are planning to ride the bus and you have not yet told us. This will help us complete the arrangements.<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> A joint meeting of the Board of Trustees and Advisory Board of the Federation Center of the Blind was held last Friday, March 27. The meeting was presided over by Frank Coppel who is the excellent Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Since the Federation Center of the Blind provides statewide service, its constitution was amended the first of 2014 changing the boards from a local agency to a statewide agency. Debra Canty, President of the Sumter Chapter and member of the Board of Directors of the NFB of SC was present for the March 27 luncheon meeting as well as JW Smith, President of the Greenville Chapter and member of the Board of Directors of the NFB of SC which reflects statewide participation. Included on the Advisory Board is the owner of a business equipment company, an official of Blue Cross Blue Shield, a retired official from the Square D Company, and a former state Senator. Incidentally, Blue Cross Blue Shield donated a new board room table, replacing the one which was demolished. David Houck, Executive Director of the Center reported on the upgrades to the Center including a new roof donated at a value of $15,000 by Crescent Construction. There was one extremely important decision made by the Board of Trustees. This involves the promotion of a luncheon in June, inviting Pastors of churches throughout the greater community area for the purpose of seeking financial assistance for the Center. The Federation Center is a private agency and its leaders are constantly seeking ways of underwriting the programs of the Center which is the hub of activity for our many services on behalf of the blind, including RBRCCB. Chairman Coppel asked me to address the joint boards concerning RBRCCB and I was pleased to give the history and origin of RBRCCB and its service to the blind of the state. I’m sorry to report that Clarence Hornsby passed away last weekend and we extend our sincere sympathy to his wife Lynn. Clarence was an associate member of the Rock Hill Chapter and of course, Lynn has been a chapter leader for many years. Clarence was supportive of Lynn who has worked with the NFB of SC Scholarship Committee, also giving annual $500 Hornsby Scholarships for many years. We also extend sympathy to Willodene Mims whose husband Tom passed away the first part of March. Tom was supportive of Willodene’s outstanding service to the Upper Dorchester County Chapter of the NFB of SC. Willodene was the first President of the chapter when it was organized several years ago. We are sorry to lose these two excellent associate members and extend sincere sympathy to the families. Our new RBRCCB Resident Manager, Brooke West has settled into her new position as she writes as follows concerning her first rental group, “I visited with the McCullum group and made sure the property was being used properly and was respected and thank goodness it was. I really enjoyed the good music and good food and hospitality and there was a young man who was blind who played and sang.” We are pleased that Frank and Shelley Coppel are giving $100 to the Lawton Hall Fund and we extend our appreciation to the Coppel’s who are very generous in their giving to programs serving the blind. This brings the giving to $1,100 as we are now in our second thousand dollars that has been given but we need further statewide support for this project. This is a reminder that the Board of Directors of RBRCCB will meet Saturday, April 11 at 10:00 a.m. in the board room of the Federation Center of the Blind. Sunday is Easter and no doubt our members across the state will be in their respective places of worship. When our two children, Beth and Craig were small we had Easter egg hunts at our residence. In those days we had a cocker spaniel (Penny) who would always run and lead Beth and Craig to where the Easter eggs had been hidden but Penny was up to the challenge in finding each and every Easter egg. Final Thought: “If Easter says anything to us today, it says this: You can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there. You can nail it to a cross, wrap it in winding sheets and shut it up in a tomb, but it will rise!” - Clarence W. Hall<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>