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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>August 18, 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 1514<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> Convention week is finally here! On Thursday, a good number of NFB of SC members will arrive at the Columbia Marriott in advance of the festivities, which will commence on Friday. In fact, our State Convention has evolved through the years so that Thursday has become a popular day to get to the hotel. Some nineteen rooms have been reserved for Thursday evening.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Columbia Chapter President Tiffany Mitchell and her team have been working hard on the Friday evening Reception, and she has asked me to remind you that the theme for the Reception is “70s night”. Some of us will be “Kung Fu Fighting”, wearing bell bottoms, or moving to the disco beat, and you don’t want to miss out on the fun. The Columbia Chapter is also planning a great menu for us. If you have not pre-registered, you will need to forward $75 to the registration table please.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Again in 2015, the continental breakfast will be provided in the meeting room on Saturday and Sunday mornings before the start of the session. The cost of the Reception food as well as the continental breakfast is included in the price of your registration. You can have as much as you like while it lasts, but please do not take more than you need so that everyone can enjoy the items which will be available.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Saturday Luncheon will once again feature a delicious meal and the annual summer State Board meeting. Chapters and Divisions will be invited to report on their work over the past twelve months on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Please don’t forget door prizes, and remember that we need to have a super banquet fundraiser in 2015 to get the new Federation year off to a great start.<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:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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>As you know, I have relocated to the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute in Baltimore to take on the responsibilities of the Director of Government Affairs for the National Federation of the Blind. I will be resigning the Presidency on Sunday at the close of the Convention. I want to take just a moment to thank you for your support through the past fifteen years. If you can believe it, I am one of the longest serving state presidents in the nation having first been elected in 2000. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It would not have been possible to do the work of the Presidency in the NFB of SC without your support, I am also grateful to Dr. Capps for his continued wisdom, guidance, and friendship. I believe Frank Coppel will make a good President, but he will also need your support, energy, and enthusiasm. This will be my final Positive Note. If my math is correct, I have written 785 of them in a row without interruption. Next week, the responsibility of keeping the statewide membership informed about current events will be in other hands. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>While I am no longer in South Carolina on a fulltime basis, you know that I am only a phone call away from those who ask for my assistance. The 2015 State Convention will be my 27th consecutive NFB of SC Convention. Let’s make this Convention the best one in NFB of SC history. I look forward to seeing you in Columbia. <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 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> I am honored to devote this part of the Positive Note to our retiring state President, Parnell Diggs. For 15 years Parnell served the NFB of SC with distinction as state president. He has our admiration for serving as state president for 15 years as that’s a long time. During his administration he demonstrated strength and persistent determination in his years of service to the NFB of SC. Even before he was elected state president in 2000, he was a leader serving on the state board and in other ways. He traveled extensively across the state assisting chapters as his assistance was always in demand. President Diggs will continue to have our appreciation and support as he carries out the important responsibilities as Director of Governmental Affairs for the NFB. I’m glad you will be as close as your telephone and no doubt that from time to time your friends in the Palmetto State will be in touch with you including myself.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> At our Columbia Chapter meeting last Thursday, August 13, we were honored to have as a guest speaker the highly respected and much beloved Judi Gaston who has been with WIS TV the NBC affiliate in Columbia for 18 ˝ years. In my introduction of Judi, I proudly pointed out that she is one of the most recognizable TV personalities in the Midlands and throughout the state. She was a pillar of strength during the Charleston tragedy and provided coverage with grace, dignity and sensitivity. She gave coverage of her meeting at the Federation Center of the Blind on her 11:00 newscast. It was also my privilege to present Judi with an NFB kernel book concerning stories written by blind people. Additionally I presented her with a bouquet of roses as a tangible expression of love and appreciation for what she means to the community. Last week the Federation Center experienced a cash flow problem, urgently needing $1,000. We called upon two of the Center’s distinguished Advisory Board members, Mr. John Eckstrom , CEO of Carolina Business Equipment and Mr. Brian Clark, an official with Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Both Mr. Eckstrom and Mr. Clark came through in fine style and gave $1,100. We also want to express our gratitude to Brooke West for her contribution of $50. We also want to thank four chapters (Sumter, Greenwood, Loris & Chesterfield) which have given $50 for the food purchase for the Fun Day Festival. Remember the Fun Day Festival is only two weeks after the state convention. I misspoke in last week’s Positive Note that this is the 60th annual convention whereas it is only the 59th annual convention. However this is the 60th statewide meeting as there was a constitutional convention held in 1956 for the purpose of adopting a statewide constitution and to elect the first state officers and board members. I’m glad to clarify this matter.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: “While it’s nice to be important, it’s even more important to be nice.” Judi Gaston<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>