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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>August 12, 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 1513<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> I have received some inquiries about how to commemorate our record-breaking umbrella mosaic spelling out our tagline, “Live the Life you want”, achieved during the 2015 National Convention in Orlando in July. Here is an announcement from President Riccobono regarding how to order your certificate of participation if you would like to keep a treasure to remember your involvement in this historic event.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Order Your Own Personalized GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Certificate of Participation: Remember that time we made history and broke a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the largest umbrella mosaic?! Well, now you can order proof of your accomplishment. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For an accessible ordering process, please contact the NFB Independence Market at (410) 659-9314, extension 2216 or IndependenceMarket@nfb.org, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The Market will be taking orders for certificates until September 30, 2015.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You can also order certificates using the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ online store, but please note that there are accessibility issues with this site. If you would like to use this option, go to http://store.guinnessworldrecords.com. Click on the “Records” link to reach certificates for purchase. Use ID# 140602-13928 and the code moeq5230MO. Certificates cost $25 apiece, plus a shipping (via UPS) and handling fee.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please help us spread the word about the availability of this certificate so that all of our members who are interested in remembering their participation in this world record-breaking endeavor will have a chance to secure a certificate of participation by the deadline.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As I write this Positive Note, our much-anticipated State Convention is only one week away. On Thursday, August 20, many of us will be arriving at the Columbia Marriott including our own Chris Danielsen, who will be serving as National Representative to the NFB of SC Convention. Chris has served for the past several years as Director of Public Relations for the National Federation of the Blind. We are very proud of Chris and look forward to his contributions to the Convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We have acceded our room block, which means the Convention will be well-attended, but we need other pre-registrations from those who are planning to be there. Based on the number of rooms reserved, we should have a good number of pre-registrations to be submitted. Please help us out by getting your pre-registrations in to the State Office.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have a call-to-action for members across the state. As you know, we are working on the TIME Act, which stands for Transitioning to Integrated and Meaningful Employment, which is H.R. 188 in the House of Representatives. We need you to call your Congressman and ask him to cosponsor this initiative. I have contacted Joe Wilson, and Debra Canty has contacted Jim Clyburn, but one contact per office is not enough. They need to hear from lots of South Carolinians. Please call your Congressman; or better yet, visit your Congressman’s office during the August Recess which is happening as we speak.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For the first time, the TIME Act has also been introduced in the Senate as the companion bill, which is S. 2001. The TIME Act continues to gain support, and the balance is beginning to tip in our favor. Eventually, we will see the day when disabled Americans are also guaranteed a minimum wage. I look forward to telling you all about it at the State Convention next week.<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 their 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 celebration of the 75th anniversary of the National Federation of the Blind is truly spectacular. The NFB has been responsible for tremendous improvements in the well-being of the blind and should have the appreciation of every blind person in the country. There’s another impressive federation anniversary. How many of you have paused to realize that this is the 60th anniversary convention of the NFB of SC, 1956-2015. The NFB of SC has accomplished a great deal in its service to the blind of the state. While we are proud of the facilities we have in Columbia, Laurens and in Rocky Bottom, we also are proud of the 44 pieces of legislation we initiated and passed through the legislature which is just as important than any other of our accomplishments. This work that has been ongoing for over 70 years has resulted in a highly influential organization of the blind dating back to 1944 when the organization was founded. The first NFB of SC convention was held in Charleston at the Fort Sumter Hotel which no longer exists. To give you some idea as to hotel rates in 1956, here they are: Double bed, 1 person, $2.50; 2 persons, $3.50; with connecting bath 1 person $3.00; 2 persons, $4.00; private bath, 1 person, $3.50; 2 persons, $5.00; 2 persons, 2 double beds without bath, $4.50; 3 persons in a room, $6.00; 4 persons, $7.00; 2 persons, 2 double beds with connecting bath, $5.00; 3 persons, $6.00; private bath, 2 persons, $6.00; 3 persons, $8.75; 4 persons, $10.00. Many years ago when there was a reference to “Father Time” I gave it very little thought. However, the term certainly applies to me now. For just about all of the 60 state conventions, I attended every convention function. This is no longer the case. Three of us have pre-registered for the state convention including myself, Betty and our expensive live-in caregiver Debbie Manning. For two years now it has been necessary to have a full-time live-in caregiver as Betty requires this service. It is no longer feasible for us to try to stay at the hotel as much as I’d like to. I will be relying on Debbie and Craig to assist us in attending as much of the convention as possible. The bond I have had with the blind of the state spanning more than 60 years has influenced me to give this information so that the convention will understand why I am no longer able to be present for every activity or every program item. I still do a lot of work on behalf of the federation and RBRCCB as my den or living room area virtually serves as a federation office. I’m grateful to David Houck for working with me in all of my federation responsibilities as we spend a good bit of time on the telephone. I also appreciate working very closely with Brooke West who is making much progress having now served as Resident Manager of RBRCCB for nearly six months. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As Frank Coppel explained in his August 6 letter, the Federation Center is faced with a financial crisis. Our Sumter Chapter President Debra Canty has sent a $100 contribution but we disparately need to hear from more of you as well to not allow the Federation Center which is the hub of the NFB of SC and RBRCCB activity to close. We have to raise $900 by Friday, August 14 to keep the Center operating. Please help us now. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> A couple of days ago we received $100 from our longtime friends, Emily and Padgett McKenzie as a memorial gift to the Lawton Hall repair fund. I have known Padgett and Emily for several decades and they have been loyal federationists during that extended period. Its good people like Padgett and Emily who have now given enough funding to enable us in the near future to commence with the repairs to Lawton Hall. It has taken a lot of time and effort to generate enough funding to cover repairs on Lawton Hall but it would not be possible without your help across the state. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>While it will be a special pleasure to have President Diggs and Chris Danielsen at next week’s convention, I also look forward to seeing all of you across the state.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “A spectator watches an event take place, a participant takes part in the action, and a leader directs the action being taken – which are you?”<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>