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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>September 21, 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 1780<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>As I get to know each of you, I would love for you to also get to know my children. My daughter, Kaylin, is seven and in the second grade. She is a Brownie in Girl Scouts, enjoys gymnastics and cheering her brother on at baseball games. My son, Cade, is ten and in the fifth grade. He is in his last year of Cub Scouts, loves to play the drums, and you can find him on the baseball mound several days a week.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Speaking of baseball, Kaylin and I spent the weekend at a baseball tournament cheering on Cade as he was a pitcher, a catcher and stole multiple bases. The weather couldn’t have been better as we enjoyed fall temperatures. Fall will be here Tuesday and is my favorite time of year!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As we turn to local information in the South Carolina affiliate, I am sad to announce that the sister of Vernon smith passed away September 10 and services were held September 16. Vernon is the president of our Union chapter. Please keep Vernon and his family in your thoughts and prayers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The following message is from Jamie Allison, President of our Cherokee chapter.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>It is with deep sadness that I am writing this to let you know that one of our more recent yet beloved associate members, Carl Mickels, has passed away. Carl was the cousin of both our blind member Grady Dawkins and associate member Iv Dawkins. Arrangements have not yet been made, but are forthcoming. The family appreciates very much being in our thoughts and prayers. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our next South Carolina Connects meeting will be next Thursday, October 1, at 5 pm on the Zoom platform. Please invite your chapter members, friends and anyone interested in learning more about the NFB of SC.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chapter and division presidents, if you have not already, please text, call or email me with your monthly meeting days and times so that we can coordinate committee or other affiliate business.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> If you know of any chapter meetings happening via Zoom, conference call ETC and you would not mind others joining you, please post the information on the listserv or send the information to Steve Cook at <a href="mailto:cookcafe@sc.rr.com">cookcafe@sc.rr.com</a> or call him at home at 803-254-0222. ! This would be a great way for others outside your chapter to view how other meetings are conducted. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you would like to use Call-Em-All to notify your chapters or divisions of upcoming meetings, please contact Thom Spittle at 803-331-3344 or email him at <a href="mailto:nfbsc.lab.4@gmail.com">nfbsc.lab.4@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Committee chairs and vice chairs, please contact Thom Spittle to make arrangements for your committee days and times. He will cross reference chapter and division meetings to hopefully prevent overlap.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Positive Note will continue to go out on Monday mornings. If you have an item of interest for the good of the affiliate, please contact me by Sunday evening at <a href="mailto:jhipp25@sc.rr.com">jhipp25@sc.rr.com</a> or text or call me at 803-960-9977 and I will be happy to add it to that week’s Positive Note.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Rocky Bottom Board of Directors has a new Chair<span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The RBRCCB Board met on Thursday, September 17, 2020 to vote on a new chair for the board. With the end of Frank Coppel’s term as NFB of SC state president, his position on the RBRCCB Board ended as well, his position was filled by newly elected state president Jennifer Bazer. That did not mean that she would step in as board chair. In fact, with the growth of the NFB of SC programs, it is not feasible for someone to hold two major leadership roles. Mr. Coppel had done so as a quick remedy when Mr. Capps stepped down as chair of the Rocky Bottom Board a couple of years ago. Mr. Capps asked Mr. Coppel to take on the chair in his place. A new amendment was proposed after the state convention that would add another blind member at large spot on the Rocky Bottom Board. After ten days passed from the first reading of the amendment, the board met again to vote on it. The amendment passed without any opposition. Then the next step was to find a new chair. Since no one on the current board was in a position to take on such a daunting task, it became evident that whoever was chosen for the new member at large position would need to be a serious candidate for the chair too. The board discussed several people, but during the September 17 meeting, elected Thom Spittle as the new board chair. Thom has extensive first-hand experience, having been the resident manager of the camp for several years. He brings a lot of new ideas that can potentially help the camp raise funds and find innovative ways to stay in operation at first, and be a successful business in the long run. Thom, we are excited to have you on board. Ed Bible was reelected vice chair, Shannon Cook Secretary and Valerie Warrington Treasurer. I want to thank all of you who serve on this important board.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>From Shannon Cook<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Shelly and I want to give a huge Note of appreciation to those who helped make the fall Virtual Senior Camp Day held this past Friday a hit. Thanks to Jim Jackson for creating a virtual background of his picnic sounds that accompanied our virtual picnic lunch. Thanks also to Tracy Spittle for reading questions during our 5 Second Rule game. Congratulations to Melanie Torrance. She was the winner of the game, and has bragging rights until we meet again. We also appreciate Rhonda Thomson chiming in to lend her support from the SC Commission for the Blind. Other SCCB staff members in attendance were Toni Davis from the Greenville Office and Barbara Thompson, Older Blind Counselor from the Columbia Office. I thank Shelley for facilitating the discussion time too. As you can see, it takes all of us working together to accomplish our goals.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We have access to masks that are available to affiliates, chapters, and divisions to order. They are split with the right half of the mask being royal blue and the left side being yellow/gold. There is an NFB logo on the yellow side showing the circular Whozit symbol in full color. Just below the logo are the letters “NFB of SC.” That can be altered to fit your needs. Katy in Colorado is the designer and maker of these masks. They feature a wire sown in at the top to keep the mask in place. They also have a pocket on the inner layer for anyone who may need to use a filter with their mask. The cost is $5 each, regardless of quantity. Katy recommends selling the masks for $10 to make a profit for your affiliate, chapter, or division. You can reach Katy by using either of the following methods: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <a href="mailto:rohdekaty@gmail.com">rohdekaty@gmail.com</a> (720) 636-1581.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Also, if any one in SC would like a mask, limited quantities are available.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Contact Shelley Coppel at (803) 796-8662.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We are getting ready to stock our gift shop at Rocky Bottom retreat and Conference Center of the Blind. The gift shop will include items that are made by the blind, represent the blind, or that people who rent Rocky Bottom ask for on a regular basis. If you would like to contribute items to sell in the shop, please let me know. Do you crochet? Do you make specialty items? Do you just want to donate items for the shop that others may wish to purchase, we would love to hear from you!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Most of the items for the first opening of the gift shop will be in Columbia September 23. We are planning a packing, labeling, and work party at the Federation Center, 119 Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29205 on Thursday, September 24 beginning at 10:00. We will have individuals labeling index cards in print, then labeling them in Braille, placing the items in clear zip lock bags, and then stapling the print and Braille labels on the packages.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We welcome all hands on deck to join this time together, working as a team to bring something new to Rocky Bottom! If you are in Columbia and would like to help and need transportation, please text or call me at 803-960-9977 or email me at <a href="mailto:jhipp25@sc.rr.com">jhipp25@sc.rr.com</a> by Tuesday September 22. If you are out of town and wish to assist, we welcome you to join us at the Center by 10:00, Thursday morning, September 24.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> We will all be wearing masks and there is a station with hand sanitizer on your right as you enter the center from the parking lot to use liberally when you are there.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Rocky Bottom is yours, Rocky Bottom is ours. Rocky bottom is owned and operated by the blind of South Carolina. Let’s work together to build a gift shop that we are proud of, and that guests are excited to visit. Come join us on Thursday, September 24th at 10:00, at the Federation Center. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Because of how much the NFB of SC has been using the Zoom account we signed up for last year, we find the need to add another meeting space. The Zoom account our affiliate has been using over the past year is adding a second meeting ID. Now, in addition to the existing room we have been using, 803 254 3777, we are adding a second room with a familiar number, 864 878 9090. This is the number to Rocky Bottom. We wanted to use numbers that everyone was already familiar with to make it easier for us all. If you need to use Zoom for a meeting, please contact Thom Spittle at (803) 331-3344. He is scheduling the meetings. He can let you know which meeting ID you will need to use for your meeting. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> If your chapter, division, board, or you personally have something for the good of the affiliate to announce, please send the information to me via email by Sunday night so I can add it to the Positive Note.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Below is a list of committees and members. If you emailed, texted or called me, but you do not see your name, please forgive me and gently let me know. You are welcome to join any of these committees, even if, your name is not listed. Once we have a list of when chapters and divisions meet, we will put out a list of when committees will meet in hopes of not overlapping.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I would like committees to meet once per month, unless, it is a committee that gives out awards. Committees will send updates to me each month with activities, events, and information. We have so much talent in our state. Let’s find your strengths, your gifts and add to our Palmetto pool!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you all for your willingness to serve and build the Federation in SC. I look forward to working and getting to know all of you!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Meet the Blind, Blindness Awareness<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Demetrius Williford, Chairperson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>J.W. Smith, vice-chairperson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Carrie Burris<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Debra Canty<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Linda Dizzley<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Loretta Green<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Constance Miller<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Courtney Rone<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Melissa Staley<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cheri Euton<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Employer of the year<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Steve Cook, chairperson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marty McKenzie<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Debra Canty<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Casey Rose<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>David Bundy<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Educator of the year<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marty McKenzie Chairperson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Steve Cook<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Debra Canty<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tracy Spittle<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Casey Rose<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Carolyn Cooley<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Diabetes Action Network DAN:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Melanie Torrance, Chairperson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Shelley Coppel<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Steve Cook<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Kimberly Williford<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Loretta Green<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Angie Rachal<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Melissa Staley<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cheri Euton<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Charlis Borodin<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Finance:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jennifer Bazer, Chairperson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pam Schexnider<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Valerie Warrington<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Larry Warrington<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>David Houck<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fund Raising:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Debra Canty, Chairperson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Matthew Duffell-Hoffman, Vice Chair<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Trista Hubbs<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pam Schexnider<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Valerie Warrington<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Steve Cook<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Laverne Addison<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Frank Coppel<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Garrett Mosley<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Brookelynn Raulerson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ed Bible<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Public Relations<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Derique Simon, chairperson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Trista Hubbs<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Janice Bright<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jamie Allison<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sarah Massengale<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Steve Cook<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Debra Canty<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dominic Calabrese<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Malaya Reece<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ed Bible<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Loretta Green<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Linda Dizzley<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Shannon Cook<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Valerie Warrington<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thom Spittle<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Diversity and Inclusion:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Derique Simon, Chairperson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Linda Dizzly, Vice Chair<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Janice Bright<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Debra Canty<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Shannon Cook<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Laverne Addison<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Melissa Staley<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bailey Hightower<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Neel Sheth<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ivan Hegent<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pathronda Anderson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Allontate Ellerbe<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cheri Euton<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Matthew Duffell-Hoffman<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Geneva Bailey<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Belinda Banks<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Social Media<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Steve Cook, Chairperson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jamie Allison<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Debra Canty<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Lori Anne Coley<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Malaya Reece<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Allontate Ellerbe<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>David Bundy<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sarah Massengale<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Valerie Warrington<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Larry Warrington<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Braille Literacy<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tracy spittle, Chairperson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jamie Allison<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Meredith Boyce<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Malaya Reece<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cheri Euton<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Shelley Coppel<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dorothy Barksdale<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pat Wolthoff<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Donna Jean Miller<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Scholarship<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Shannon Cook, Chairperson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jamie Allison<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Debra Canty<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tracy Spittle<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Linda Dizzley<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Membership<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thom Spittle, Chairperson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jamie Allison<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Steve Cook<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Debra Canty<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Courtney Rone<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Laverne Addison<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pat Waltoff<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Frank Coppel<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Charles Black<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Donna Jean Miller<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bekah Breece<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ed Bible<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Doing our Fair Share<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Frank Coppel, Chairperson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Steve Cook<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Debra Canty<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Shannon Cook<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cheri Euton<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dale Wolthoff<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Legislative<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ed Bible, Chairperson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Debra Canty<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Shannon Cook <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bekah Breece<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Trista Hubbs<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Donna Jean Miller<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jeff Bazer<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dominic Calabrese<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Frank Coppel<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bailey Hightower<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Neel Sheth<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cheri Euton<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Charles Black<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Valerie Warrington<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Resolutions<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Valerie Warrington, Chairperson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Parnell Diggs<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Debra Canty<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Shannon Cook<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>David Bundy<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Charles Black<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Frank Coppel<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Donald C. Capps<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>David Houck, Chairperson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Julie Bible<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cheri Euton<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Charles Black<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Valerie Warrington<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Nationally:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h1><strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind Applauds Report of United States Commission on Civil Rights</span></strong><o:p></o:p></h1><p><strong><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Baltimore, Maryland (September 17, 2020):</span></strong><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> The National Federation of the Blind, America’s civil rights organization of the blind, issued the below statement regarding a report from the United States Commission on Civil Rights entitled <a href="https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=18456&qid=4148231"><em><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:blue'>Subminimum Wages: Impacts on the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities</span></em></a>:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>“Ever since our founding eighty years ago, the National Federation of the Blind has opposed the payment of subminimum wages to blind and disabled Americans under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “We commend the report of the United States Commission on Civil Rights issued today and applaud the Commission’s call for the end of the antiquated and discriminatory 14(c) program. While we will further review the report to assess its details and recommendations, the Commission’s work is a giant step toward eliminating the historic injustice of subminimum wages and creating true equality of opportunity for workers with disabilities. We urge the general public to actively join us in standing against this injustice and to work meaningfully toward its elimination from our local communities.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><h2 style='margin-top:31.7pt;line-height:24.0pt;background:white'>Final Thought: <span style='font-size:19.5pt;font-family:"Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif;color:#292929;letter-spacing:-.25pt'>“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” — Mary Engelbreit<o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB Pledge - 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 - “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.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> If this message was forwarded to you and you would like to receive it directly in your inbox, as well as, receive messages regarding the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, please email Steve Cook at <a href="mailto:cookcafe@sc.rr.com">cookcafe@sc.rr.com</a> or call him at home at 803-254-0222 and he will be happy to add you to the listserv and the Positive Note.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>