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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>May 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 1500<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> Pre-registration for the National Convention is open for just over two more weeks. I pre-registered last week, and it was easy. It took me about five minutes online, and I will save $10 and avoid the long lines at the Convention hotel. Please visit www.nfb.org and pre-register for the 2015 Diamond Anniversary Convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Computer Science and Technology Division President Steve Cook asks that I give you the following announcement. “The Computer Science and Technology Division is having an IOS class on May 30, 2015, from 10:00 to 3:30 at the Federation Center of the Blind at 119 S Kilbourne Road. The morning session will be using GPS with voice over.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> After lunch, we will be assisting participants with any apps they have questions about. If you have specific apps you have questions about, let us know in advance to prepare for the class. We are asking for a $5 donation and you are responsible for your own lunch. If you have any questions or to sign up for the class, contact Steve Cook at cookcafe@sc.rr.com or 803 254-0222.“<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> At the April meeting of the NFB of SC Board of Directors, it was decided that the NFB of SC should offer sponsorship opportunities for organizations, agencies, and companies in the blindness field. This arrangement could be a great fundraiser for the NFB of SC as well as a valuable resource for blind South Carolinians who want to know about goods and services available to the blind of the state. Watch for more information coming soon.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The NFB of SC is delighted that a young lady from South Carolina has been named as a 2015 National Scholarship finalist. Miriam Lozneanu is a student at Clemson University, who wants to be a Computer Programmer. Please be sure to introduce yourself to Miriam at the Convention in Orlando.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The following announcement is from President Mark Riccobono. “Guinness World Record” Join us for an exciting 75th anniversary experience! Be a part of history as the National Federation of the Blind breaks a world record for the largest umbrella mosaic. To participate, you’ll need only to open an umbrella on cue and hold it aloft. Our umbrellas, when viewed from above, will form a recognizable mosaic image. Get in on the excitement by going to https://nfb.org/gwr. We will be sending details as they develop to those that have signed up, as well as posting them on our website.”<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> This is a very special edition of the weekly Positive Note. It is the 1500th issue, the first being nearly 29 years ago on August 22, 1986. The idea of the weekly Positive Note was to provide some positive experiences to federationists across the state. A well informed member is a better member. This Positive Note has become popular as others in the federation including the national office has a similar Positive Note. In recent years the Positive Note has become an effective tool for disseminating information statewide concerning national, state and local information regarding special events. The Positive Note keeps our members up-to-date as it’s helpful to know what’s going on. It’s not helpful to have a member express an attitude of not knowing important things happening locally, statewide and nationally. I’m confident that no one organization has had a weekly Positive Note for 1500 consecutive issues that we have achieved. President Diggs does a wonderful job with the Positive Note and I’m grateful for the opportunity of chipping in with a variety of topics. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Last week was a very important anniversary for the blind of the state as it represented the 49th anniversary of the signing of the bill adopted by the 1966 legislature with Gov. Robert E. McNair signing the bill into law on May 6, 1966 creating the Commission for the Blind. I was pleased to be present in Gov. McNair’s office on May 6, 1966, and after signing the bill into law creating the Commission, Gov. McNair handed the pen he used to me. The pen is now featured in the NFB of SC Legislative Hall of Fame in the Federation Center. Others attending the signing ceremony were Rep. Robert L. McFadden, Sen. Earle E. Morris, Jr., Sen. H. H. Jensen, and Sen. Walter J. Bristow, Jr. Those of us who were personally involved in working with the legislature on this special legislation will always remember the experience. In 1966 the NFB of SC was still a relatively small state organization and no one was supporting the legislation except the federation which came under attack by the SC Department of Public Welfare/Division for the Blind and the leadership of the sheltered workshop. Our motives were impuned but in the end the NFB of SC was triumphant. We can now look back with pride as the Commission for the Blind has resulted in better service to the state’s blind. The Columbia facilities of the Commission were developed through the efforts of the federation. The first Commissioner, Dr. Fred L. Crawford, was highly involved in the construction of these facilities and the programs of the agency for the first seven years of the new agency. Dr. Crawford was also instrumental in providing testimony during legislative hearings. At the 1964 state convention of the NFB of SC in Charleston, Marshall Tucker made a powerful presentation in support of a separate state agency. In the Summer 2014 edition of the Palmetto Blind Marshall’s word-for-word presentation is featured. That presentation was made 51 years ago.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> A few days ago we learned of the death of longtime federationist John Fulmer in March who was involved in the Laurens Chapter from its beginning. John was an outstanding educator and served as Principal of several different schools. He was also a successful coach, winning several state championships in baseball. He was a faithful member of the federation. We extend sincere sympathy to his wife Vivian and other family members. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We are glad to report that another chapter – Anderson – has made a donation of $100 to the Lawton Hall repair fund. The Anderson Chapter which is among the oldest in the state has excellent leadership in President Marlene Hamby and longtime federationist Carey Burriss. I have dictated this Positive Note from the Conference Center at Rocky Bottom where I attended a successful Advisory Board meeting.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “Just think: 1,500 consecutive weeks of Positive Notes which began on August 22, 1986!”<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>