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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>September 1, 2020<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: Jennifer Bazer, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Positive Note 1777<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 positive note is being sent out a day early so that you have the information to attend the presidential release live tonight, September 1 at 8:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Presidential Release #497 - Live<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The September presidential release (#497) will be delivered live by NFB President Mark A. Riccobono. The monthly message provides important updates and perspectives of the organized blind movement.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tuesday, September 1, 2020 | 8:00 p.m. ET<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> After the remarks, Pam Allen, First Vice President, will moderate questions. Members of the Federation are encouraged to attend and non-members are warmly welcomed. Submit questions in advance to cdanielsen@nfb.org and put PR497 in the subject line, or call 410-659-9314, extension 2473.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> To learn more, visit<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>https://www.nfb.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=400<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Join the Zoom<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Join the event on September 1 via the web, mobile app, or dial in. Use the link below to join the webinar:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>https://zoom.us/j/95976618299<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Or one tap mobile:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>US: +16699006833,,95976618299#<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Or telephone; dial then enter the corresponding webinar ID:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>+1 669 900 6833 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Webinar ID: 959 7661 8299<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I enjoyed listening to some of New Mexico’s virtual convention this past weekend. A lot of other states participated in our virtual convention, and I would encourage all of you to check out conventions this fall. A list of them can be found at the following link:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>https://www.nfb.org/about-us/state-affiliates/state-conventions<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> During the evening of August 31, the Computer Science and Technology Division hosted an open meeting to examine the procedures and systems used in our convention the weekend of August 21-23. During this hour long forum, 27 individuals participated from New Jersey, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and other state affiliates. Affiliates had excellent questions for their future conventions and offered many positive comments about attending our virtual convention. The CSTD encouraged affiliates to reach out with any technical questions as they plan their fall conventions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I will be working on committees for the 2020-2021 year. If you wish to serve on a committee, please text or call me at 803-960-9977 or email me at jhipp25@sc.rr.com by Friday, September 11.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have a lot of talent in the Palmetto State. Please consider what committee or committees you would like to work on. Unless it is a committee giving out an award, or there is a reason not to meet on a regular basis, suggesting each month, please be active on that committee which goes along with our NFB pledge as being an active participant in this organization. Let’s find your strengths and add them to our pool in this state.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I would like these committees to begin meeting in or before October once members have been added and a final list has been sent out. I would encourage committee meetings to be the same day each month to encourage consistency and not overlap with other committee meetings so members can be a part of more than one committee.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Committees include:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> PAC: probably will be combined with SUN and Dream Circle for the “Doing our Fair Share” committee or some title similar<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> White Cane Awareness Day/Walk-A-Thon Committee: probably will be changed to meet the blind month committee<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Public Relations<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Social Media<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Employer of the Year Award<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Educator of the Year Award<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Donald C Capps Award<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Braille Literacy<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Membership<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Scholarship <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Finance<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Legislative<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Resolutions<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> SUN: probably will be combined with PAC and Dream Circle for the “Doing our Fair Share” committee or some title similar<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Fund Raising<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Diversity and Inclusion (new) <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Diabetes Action Network (new)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Thank you to those who donated and made pledges during our banquet fund raiser during our state convention. We raised $10,000 in a very short time. If you were not able to make a donation or pledge during that hour, we welcome your contributions to build the Federation in the Palmetto State. Tax deductible donations can be mailed to the Federation Center of the Blind, 119 S. Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29205.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> There will be a South Carolina Connects meeting this Thursday, September 3 at 5 pm on the Zoom platform, the information is below.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Join Zoom Meeting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>https://zoom.us/j/8032543777 Meeting ID: 803 254 3777 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> If you have a smart phone, just click below and it will dial in for you:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>+19292056099,,8032543777#<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Or, you can dial in from your land phone:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>929 205 6099<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Meeting Id no. 803 254 377<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Thank you for sticking with me to the end of this positive note. I know there was a lot shared in this edition. I will insure reminders are also sent out via email to the listserv. Information is critical to grow and learn. Make it a great week and let’s go build the Federation!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Final Thought: "When nobody else celebrates you, learn to celebrate yourself. When nobody else compliments you, then compliment yourself. It’s not up to other people to keep you encouraged. It’s up to you. Encouragement should come from the inside." - Jay Shetty / @jayshetty<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB Pledge<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its constitution.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB One Minute Message<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.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>