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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>April 22, 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 1497<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> As I sit down to write the Positive Note, I observe that the State Convention will be here before we know it. Thus, I am beginning this Positive Note with an announcement from Shannon Cook, who says the following. “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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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. 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>The Columbia Marriott is now accepting reservations for the 2015 NFB of SC State Convention during the weekend of August 21 through 23! Reservations for the Event should be made directly with Marriott reservations at (800) 593-6465 or (803) 771-7000. You can also make your reservations online using the following link.<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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I also want to say something about the chartered bus trip to Orlando. If you are planning to use NFB of SC transportation, please get your reservations in by May 15. After that date, we will need to make arrangements depending on the number of passengers being served. While we may not fill the bus by May 15, it would be unreasonable to use a fifty-six passenger bus for twenty-five people. In other words, we may use a smaller vehicle. Get your reservations in now.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Speaking of Orlando, it is time to make hotel reservations (as I have done) for the 75th Anniversary 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>It was a pleasure to participate in last Thursday’s Advocacy Day for Access and Independence on the Statehouse grounds, as the disability community, including many members of our Federation family, were on hand to observe the approaching 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and to increase public awareness about issues that still must be resolved to give all people with disabilities access, independence, and equality.<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> The 62nd annual barbecue sponsored by the Columbia Chapter will take place this Thursday. The first barbecue held at the Federation Center was in 1962 or more than 50 years ago. This has become a huge project but the proceeds are highly profitable and help us to assist the blind in various ways. I am especially proud of the members who participated in the three night canvas. The weather was not good for canvassing. One evening the members who participated found it necessary to brave a chilly drizzle. There were also tornado warnings but thankfully this did not prove to be harmful to the canvassers. This project has been ongoing since the middle of March consuming a lot of time and effort. I have found it necessary to work harder this year than in the past in order to meet the goal I established. This Thursday more workers will begin to arrive early to get set up for the serving lines, etc. Both our blind and sighted members give considerably of their time and energy in this undertaking. There was an impressive event which occurred during the Columbia Chapter meeting on Thursday, April 9. In 1969 a young lady went to work for the Rogers Law Firm which has represented the NFB of SC beginning in the 1950’s. In that same year, 1969, we approached this lady about selling barbecue tickets. She readily agreed to do so. Her name was Jackie Hearn. For 45 years Jackie worked for the law firm and also participated in the sale of barbecue tickets. Jackie retired a couple of weeks ago. It is estimated that during the 45 years she participated in the barbecue sales, Jackie sold well over 1,000 tickets, raising hundreds of dollars in profits for the Columbia Chapter. Upon retirement, she enlisted the service of another Rogers Law Firm employee. It seemed appropriate to honor Jackie for her 45 years of service to the blind. At the recent chapter meeting we presented the chapter’s Distinguished Service Award to Jackie. The award reads as follows: “Distinguished Service Award Columbia Chapter, National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, Presented To: Jackie Hearn for 45 years of outstanding service to the blind in the Greater Columbia area with regard to the annual barbecues. This serves as an example of one’s good deeds and is an inspiration to all people. Our Friend, Our Sister in Service, April 9, 2015.” In addition to presenting a certificate to Jackie, we also presented her with a large bouquet of red roses. Jackie was most appreciative of this recognition. She wrote as follows: “Dear Mr. Capps and NFB of SC Columbia Chapter: It was sure a pleasure being with you all on Thursday evening. Thank you again for the Distinguished Service Award honor and for the lovely roses! With my kindest regards to all, Jackie Hearn.” There are other people who have participated in the annual barbecue who merit recognition. This includes Frank Coppel, Chairman of the barbecue and a participant in this annual project going back to the 1970’s. Dorothy Barksdale has participated in the barbecue for more than 40 years. David Houck has also participated in the annual barbecue for more than 30 years. To the best of my knowledge, I was the only person who has participated in the barbecue from its beginning in 1954. Our thanks to Columbia Chapter members Doug Hudson and Kate Spradley who each contributed $60 to the Lawton Hall Fund.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “It is a miracle that barbecue survives formal education.” – Albert Einstein<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>