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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>April 13, 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 1496<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 apologize for the length of this edition, but we have so much to say after the Board meeting. We are releasing the Positive Note on Monday this week in advance of the 2nd Annual Advocacy Day for Access and Independence at the Statehouse this Thursday with registration beginning at 9:30 AM. I am honored to serve as Community Keynote Speaker in my capacity as President of the NFB of SC. I am scheduled to deliver this address at 11:20 AM.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please join us on the Statehouse grounds this Thursday morning for the celebration of access, independence, and equality for all people with disabilities. If you live close to the Columbia area, please make an effort to be there, as we need a huge turnout to make a statement to our leaders that we in the disability community insist on access, independence, and equality.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You know, this is a great time to hold chapter fundraisers to provide financial assistance for members who want to attend the State Convention. At Saturday’s State Board meeting, Columbia Chapter President Tiffany Mitchell reported on what her Chapter is doing to assist members to attend the Convention. Likewise, State Board member Levern Wilson talked about his efforts to bring all of his Conway members to the State Convention every year.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The State Board has set the 2015 State Convention registration rates at $70 for those who pre-register. We will open pre-registration on May 1 (rather than June 1) and run it through August 14 because some of our members at Saturday’s meeting asked for it. The registration rate at the door will be $75. You can also call the hotel at 803-771-7000 for room reservations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Computer Science and Technology Division President Steve Cook asks that I give you the following announcement. “Come see what is happening in the NFB of SC! We have a new website for everyone to visit! The new web address is www.nfbofsc.org. We currently have information posted pertaining to NFB Scholarships, Chapters and Divisions, Upcoming Events. The Federation Center of the Blind and more! We are in the process of adding material to the site, so check back often. If your chapter or division currently has its own website, we can link to your website from the NFB of SC main page if you send us the link. Be sure to visit www.nfbofsc.org and give us feedback on the site.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I also have an announcement from Scholarship Chairperson, Shannon Cook. Here is what she says. “It is that time of year again: Scholarship Time! If you or someone you know will be attending college or graduate school in the fall of 2015 and is blind, please encourage them to apply for a 2015 NFB of SC Scholarship. The web address is nfbofsc.org. They can click on the Scholarship link and complete the application. Scholarships will be awarded at the state convention the weekend of august 21-23.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We also want to remind our chapters and divisions that we are taking donations, in any amount, for the Metro Fund, which allows the Scholarship Committee to supplement worthy recipients with a little extra funding.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you attended the Board meeting on Saturday afternoon, and many of you did, you enjoyed the excellent report from Jennifer Duffell-Hoffman and Jamie Allison regarding the 2015 BELL program, scheduled for July 20-31, 2015. Information about this paramount initiative benefiting young blind children in South Carolina is included at the end of this Positive Note <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> Last Saturday morning’s RBRCCB board meeting was excellent. We shared with the board communications from our new Resident Manager Brooke West who is enthusiastic about her new position. Brooke has been Resident Manager for some 0ne and one-half months and has already grasped her different responsibilities. She has hosted several groups and has handled this important activity in an excellent fashion. Brooke is especially protective of Rocky Bottom’s property. In addition Brooke has personally done all of the cleaning and household chores as she enjoys this part of her responsibilities. The Labor Day Fun Day Festival was also discussed. There will be a charge of only $30 for the Labor Day Fun Day Festival and this will include seven meals; three on Saturday, three on Sunday and breakfast on Monday. These well-established activities feature an auction and we need to start securing items for the auction. Also, it’s not too early to make your reservations for the Fun Day Festival by contacting the state office at 803-254-3777. Reservations will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis. In 2014 we utilized all the overnight accommodations and still were unable to accommodate chapters who wanted to attend including both our Lancaster and Charleston Chapters. Frank Coppel reported that senior camp will once again have full capacity. This is an important program and Frank does an excellent job. I am grateful that our chapters are supporting the Lawton Hall project as we need to make repairs to this historic facility as soon as possible. Our thanks to four chapters which gave $100 each at the board meeting. These chapters include Greenville, Belvedere, Conway and Cherokee. We have now raised $1,635 for this fund and I’m confident that we will hear from others in the near future. We regret to report that Don League, after a long illness, passed away on Sunday, April 5. Don was the first Director of the Conference Center in 1991. We extend our sincere sympathy to his wife Mary as well as to other survivors.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “In 2015 we celebrate New Year’s Day on January 1, the Chinese celebrated it on February 19, and the Jews celebrate it on April 15. Three times the charm!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BELL Program Information<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The webpage for NFB BELL is www.nfb.org/bell and general information can be found on this page. The direct link to the application is: https://nfb.org/bell-summer-program-form. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The information from the flyer specific to NFB BELL in SC 2015 is here: July 20 - 31, 2015 • 8:15 AM - 3:15 PM Program Location: Hughston Transition Living Center (TLC) South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind 355 Cedar Springs Road, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29302 State Coordinator: Jennifer Duffell-Hoffman jaduffell@yahoo.com • 803-287-5391 501 Gillsbrook Rd, Lancaster, South Carolina 29720 Highlights: $40.00 fee please contact program coordinator if this is cost prohibitive. Please apply online by June 8. Applications received after June 8, 2015 not guaranteed to receive program give-a-ways. Lunch will be provided for students daily. Transportation is not provided. NFB BELL of SC is offered, for its second year, by two volunteers who are passionate about Braille literacy. One is a certified teacher who is blind and Braille literate and the other is the mother of two visually impaired sons. We will provide Braille instruction to your child and information to you, so you can support your child’s Braille literacy. NFB BELL in SC will host participants ages 4-12 in 2015. For those ages 13-18, up to entering grade 12, please call the program coordinator at 803-287-5391. Do not complete the online registration for participants ages 13-18.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The general information from the flyer is here: What is the NFB BELL Program? The NFB Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) program provides children, ages four through twelve, with two weeks of concentrated Braille instruction through fun, hands-on learning. This program is for all blind children who could benefit from Braille enrichment over the summer. This includes low-vision children, children who have recently lost their vision, children who have been blind since birth, and children who have additional disabilities. The program is designed to run Monday through Friday for approximately seven hours each day. In addition to Braille instruction, projects, games, and other engaging activities, children may also enjoy field trips to local attractions. The NFB BELL program has grown exponentially since its inception in 2008. Beginning as one site in the state of Maryland, the program is now offered in numerous states around the country! The NFB BELL program uses time-tested lessons and proven techniques to build self-confidence, positive attitudes, and skills in blind children; characteristics that are essential to ensuring blind children can live the lives that they want now and in the future. What parents are saying: “Besides Braille exposure, the most valuable thing my child gained at the NFB BELL program is increased confidence. I can’t believe the change in her attitude and initiative since attending the program.” “This was the most positive program/experience we have ever been involved in. This program was an incredible resource for us both.” “The NFB BELL program changed our lives this year. My daughter learned more in two weeks at NFB BELL than she did in a two-month program last summer!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jennifer A. Duffell-Hoffman, NFB BELL in SC, State Coordinator<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SC Parents of Blind Children, State President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Lancaster, South Carolina Mobile: 803-287-5391<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>E-mail: jaduffell@yahoo.com<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>