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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>August 5, 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 1512<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings Fellow Federationists:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The month of August is finally here, and with it comes the much talked about, the much awaited, and the much anticipated State Convention. I hope you have made your hotel reservations because we have exceeded our room block. By now, you know the dates and the location. You know that the Columbia Chapter is working on the Reception, you are aware that we are building another outstanding program, and you have been informed that your pre-registration fees cover meals from Friday evening through Sunday morning.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In this Positive Note, therefore, I want to give you some other logistical details so you will know everything you want to know about the NFB of SC Convention, and then some. Lenora Robertson is handling door prizes for us in 2015. Please bring door prizes of at least $5 in value, give them to Lenora at the hotel, and then sit back and enjoy all of the many door prizes she will be giving away during the weekend.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Have you thought about a banquet gift or pledge? This Convention Banquet presents an opportunity to help the NFB of SC carry out its mission throughout the year; namely, promoting the economic, social, and spiritual quality of life for blind South Carolinians. I plan to make a donation as well, as I would not ask others to do what I am not willing to do myself. Please give some thought to this in terms of a chapter, division, or a personal gift or pledge.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>What about the scholarship program? Have you thought about the students pursuing educational goals in the upcoming academic year? Those chapters with plans to donate named scholarships should get in touch with Shannon Cook at cookcafe@sc.rr.com. You can also make donations to the Metro Scholarship fund and join with other chapters and individuals to supplement the scholarship awards this year. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I also have an announcement from Shelley Coppel, who serves as President of the NFB of SC Seniors Division. Here is what she says. “We are looking forward to seeing all of the members of the Senior Division and new folks too! Our meeting will be on Friday, August 21, at 2:30 PM. We did this so that we could have more time to discuss our happenings, elect 2 new officers, talk about drawings which we are going to be selling tickets for both over the weekend, and for next year’s convention! Please come and join us; we have lots to tell you!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>There is other business in the Federation which is ongoing as we approach the August State Convention. In the August Presidential Release, President Riccobono mentioned the problem around the country, still in some thirty-eight states, where blind parents are having their right to parent threatened because there is a provision in the law stating that disability is a factor to be considered when determining custody rights.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am reminded that (on this issue) South Carolina was out front having been one of the initial states to adopt “The Blind Persons Right to Parent Act”. Congratulations to the NFB of SC, Jennifer Bazer, Debra Canty, Frank Coppel, and all of those involved in claiming the right to parent for blind people in the State of South Carolina.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that 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> We have just about exhausted our room accommodations for the Fun Day Festival. However, you need to go ahead and get your reservations in as I’m confident there will be a sell-out as we get closer to the Fun Day Festival. Most of us will be arriving on Friday evening, September 4 and stay over until Monday, September 7. Plans are going forward to ensure the best possible results. There will be very good food and an auction as well as T-shirt sales as the inventory is being updated. We also will enjoy fellowship, utilizing the Conference Center deck as evenings are cool beginning in September at RBRCCB. Others will enjoy the screened-in porch at Osterneck Cottage and still others will enjoy the living room in the Ellenburg Lodge. I suspect some will enjoy the Oglesby Cottage deck as well. RBRCCB has enjoyed having several rental groups this summer. This week RBRCCB is enjoying a group from Spartanburg High School under the direction of Jack Todd who is a friend of mine dating back to the time I was on the Board of Commissioners of the SCSDB. Mr. Todd was a staff member there. Other groups are booked for August. We are grateful that good rental groups have patronized RBRCCB this summer as this program needs operating revenue derrived from rentals. Some members from the Columbia Chapter will be visiting RBRCCB this weekend under leadership provided by President Tiffiny Mitchell. We’re glad to report that Ed Bible who is a member of the Board of Directors of the NFB of SC and on the Federation Center’s board will be heading up a group from his church who will be providing volunteer service at RBRCCB in September. Our Resident Manager, Brooke West will be working with Ed and his church members who will enjoy staying in the Ellenburg Lodge for several days. I cannot emphasize enough to everybody the need to secure items for the auction sale as Parnell Diggs has agreed to once again serve as the auctioneer and he will need items to auction off. We need to sell the $5 Fun Day tickets. Alma Lee Doyle will be heading up the yard sale and we will need items to sell. We need to hear from some of you across the state to head up the Old Country Store. For many years, chapters, divisions and members have made contributions toward the purchase of food and Lenora Robertson will be grateful for this assistance as she needs funds to purchase food supplies on a wholesale basis. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> From time to time, each of us enjoys a special blessing and I want to share this special blessing. Betty was involved in a fall Sunday night and injured her right hip. Although it did not appear to be real severe, to be safe she was taken to a local urgent care center where X- rays were done and there appeared to be a slight fracture. However, she was referred to the hospital emergency room and after some six hours of waiting, a CAT scan was done and it was concluded that she did not have a fracture but it revealed she had some arthritis. She is now recovering and can walk with assistance. We have a wonderful live-in caregiver, Debbie Manning who is taking excellent care of Betty. We are thankful to God for this special blessing which we wanted to share with all of you.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: NFB of SC Convention Pre-registration ends August 14, have you sent in your $70?<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>