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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>April 24, 2019<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: Frank Coppel, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Positive Note 1706<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> Only two weeks to go until Midlands Gives which will occur on Tuesday, May 7, 2019! As you recall, we discussed the Midlands Gives program extensively during the Statewide and Leadership seminars as well as in the April 10, Positive Note. This year, we want to concentrate heavily on raising funds to meet the ongoing needs at Rocky Bottom. Jennifer Bazer and staff from the Successful Transitions program will be stationed in several locations around the Columbia area (downtown East Bay Deli on Main St., Crossing Deli in Northeast Columbia and the West Columbia Chick-fil-a on Augusta rd.) on May 7, to raise funds through Midland Gives to assist Rocky Bottom. If you would like to assist Jennifer and the staff of Successful Transitions at one of these locations, you can contact Jennifer Bazer at (803) 960-9977 for further information. If you are uncomfortable using a computer to make a donation or do not have one, you can come by or call the Federation Center, (803) 254-3777 on Tuesday, May 7, and we will assist you with your donation. We will also be having a “watch party” with refreshments sponsored by the NFB of SC Seniors Division at the Federation Center on May 7, from 11:00a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for those individuals who would like to make a donation to Rocky Bottom through Midland Gives. We will be especially working hard to raise the most unique contributions between 12 noon and 1:00 p.m. The non-profit organization who receives the most unique contributions during this hour will also receive an additional $2500 for their group. As was discussed at the Leadership seminar on March 16, and the NFB of SC Board of Directors meeting on April 6, the six state board district and state wide divisions will be competing among themselves to see who can secure the most unique contributions for Rocky Bottom. A trophy will be presented at this year’s state convention to the district or statewide division who secures the highest number of unique contributions during Midlands Gives on May 7. I hope all chapter presidents are working closely with their district board representative and you are sharing this information with members in your chapter. I am strongly encouraging all of us to make a concerted effort to spread this information to members of our family, local businesses, neighbors, and friends. By all of us throughout the state working together, we can all help to financially support Rocky Bottom and the NFB of SC with this wonderful fund raising opportunity! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> If you have not done so already, please make your reservations for the upcoming 2019 Las Vegas National Convention. The date of this year’s national convention will be July 7, to July 12, 2019 and will be held at the beautiful Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Unlike in years past, the same enviable rate of $99 per night applies to singles and doubles as well as triples and quads. Hotel and sales taxes are 13.38 percent and 8.25 percent, respectively. The resort fee (normally $37 a night) will be waived for NFB convention attendees. However, fees for internet access, local and toll-free calls, and fitness center access may apply. To make reservations for the 2019 convention, you can call the hotel at 877-632-9001. The hotel will take a deposit of the first night’s room rate for each room and will require a credit card or a personal check. If you use a credit card, the deposit will be charged against your card immediately. It is important to note, the hotel will charge against your card a $400 deposit to cover incidentals during the time you are staying at the hotel. This deposit will be credited back partially or in full to your card soon after you check-out from the hotel. If a reservation is cancelled before Friday, June 1, half of the deposit will be returned. Otherwise refunds will not be made. It is my understanding room reservations for the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino are going quickly, so I suggest you make your room reservations soon. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> There is only five weeks remaining to Preregister for this year’s national convention. Preregistration opened online March 1, and will close on May 31, 2019. Additionally, registration will be available on site in Las Vegas. When purchased online by May 31, the preregistration fee for convention is $25 ($30 on site) and the cost of a banquet ticket is $70 ($75 on site). For more information regarding preregistration and other details, please visit https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention. Please note all preregistration and banquet sales are final. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have an announcement from Shelley Coppel, president of our Seniors Division. “Calling all Seniors! I want to announce the next national senior division conference call to be held on: April 30. Time: 4 p.m. eastern time. Topic: Staff from the Colorado Senior program will be discussing technology, phone apps, etc. The phone number is: 1-515-603-3166; access number: 759633 pound.”<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> This week’s spotlight falls upon former NFB of SC President, Parnell Diggs, who in 2019 is celebrating 30 years of membership in the National Federation of the Blind. While Parnell has held positions of responsibility at the national, state, and local levels in the Federation, he will tell you that you don’t have to hold a title to be a leader in the organized blind movement.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> In April of 2017, Parnell accepted an appointment to the prestigious position of Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) within the federal government and was initially assigned to the Social Security Administration’s Office of Hearings Operations in Cincinnati, Ohio. There, he rose to the position of Acting Hearing Office Chief Administrative Law Judge within 18 months, or in October of 2018. But Parnell’s ultimate goal was to one day return to South Carolina as an ALJ; and he got his chance when he was offered a reassignment to the Office of Hearings Operations in Charleston, South Carolina beginning on April 1, 2019. Thus, Parnell is once again in South Carolina and continues to be a dedicated member and leader in the Federation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> As a Social Security ALJ, Parnell hears matters arising under the Social Security Act (such as claims for SSDI and SSI benefits, overpayments, Etc.) and will conduct hearings in Charleston and Myrtle Beach. Parnell attended the recent State Board and Rocky Bottom Board meetings in Columbia and plans to attend the National and State Conventions this summer.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Kim plans to relocate to Charleston in the near future, but Jordan (now 19-years-old) may decide to reside in Myrtle Beach. Charleston and Myrtle Beach are separated only by approximately 90 miles, which makes it convenient for the family to travel between the two cities. In May, Parnell and Kim will celebrate their 26th Wedding Anniversary. As you can see, Parnell Diggs is right in that you do not have to hold an office to be a leader in this big program of work with the blind. Opportunities abound if you will just get in there and work hard with your fellow federationists in service to the blind. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: There is nothing like completing a big successful project as knowing it was a job well done!<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>