THE

PROGRESSIVE VOICE

 

Issue 2-2005                                                May 2005

·       President’s Corner

·       Business Meeting Updates

·       Chapter/Specialty Groups News and Updates

·       Financial Reports

·       National Convention News

·       State Convention News

·       Midlands Workforce Center’s Disability News

 

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Hi,

     Welcome all new members and renewed members.  This is going to be a great year!  We have accomplished so much and are working together very well.  Change is a good thing!  This year’s state convention is going to be in the little town of Greenwood, where southern hospitality is a must!  Let’s all show Greenwood Ninety-Six Chapter that we are proud they are putting on the show for us this year! 

     All members, we are all responsible to help one another in anyway possible.  We are blessed with new members, let’s show our support.  

     Quarterly Newsletters – For the next newsletters, only response cards will be sent out when the newsletter is complete.  To help curtail our outgoing costs, the newsletter will be posted on the state website (www.acb.org/southcarolina), and email addressees.  Only response cards will be sent out if you wish to receive a copy in large print, or audio CD.

     Our Chapter Presidents are all working very hard to make this year’s goals more successful and have American Council of the Blind of South Carolina (ACBofSC) become a household name.  

     Again, welcome new members to American Council of the Blind of South Carolina. 

New Members for 2005

Last

First

Chapter/Affiliate

Mem Since

Barnett

Deborah

Charleston

1/1/2005

Brown

Bueluh and Odell R.

Columbia

1/1/2005

Gartrell

Olivia

Columbia

1/1/2005

Hedrick

Russell

Charleston

1/1/2005

Hedrick

Sheryl

Charleston

1/1/2005

Roberson

Rose Mary

Charleston

1/1/2005

Trimmer

Russell

Charleston

1/1/2005

Trimmer

Carol

Charleston

1/1/2005

Weible

Lola

Charleston

1/1/2005

 

Contact me at any time.  I am here to service you! 

Cheryl Gajadhar, 3830 Davies Drive, Columbia, SC  29223, (803) 754-6764 or email:  clgajadhar@aol.com

 

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New Business

(1)     Commissioned Drawing – The winner is…Deborah Barnett.  The winner was called the very next day of her winning ticket.

(2)     National Delegate/Alternate – A stipend amount from the State for the Delegate/Alternate for the National Convention this year was $600.00.  This amount would help curtail costs accumulated for the week.  The National Convention will be held at Las Vegas, Nevada the 4th of July weekend and following week. 

(3)     Convention Planning (11 – 13 November 2005)

(a)   Suspense Dates: 

       Room reservations (Now until 1 November 2005)

Holiday Inn Express $72.00 a night plus 7% tax.

 

Check-In:

1400

Check-Out:

1200

Guarantee Policy:

Credit Card Guarantee Required For All Arrivals - Deposit May Be Required During Special Events

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellation policies vary by hotel. Since a hotel can set a cancellation policy up to 30 days prior to arrival, please review rate rules prior to booking to avoid possible charges.

        ACBofSC Registration (non refundable)($10.00)

                        (15 October 2005)

        Late Registration (non refundable)($15.00)

                        (after 15 October 2005)

(b)   Proposed Speakers Eye Cliniic/Colleges/Police Department (Ann Smith)

(c)   Proposed Vendors – received proposed listing from Charleston’s Abilities for Disabilities Fair vendors.

(d)   Area Sponsors – Donations to be collected from Greenwood chapter (used as door prizes and also as welcome baskets, and  welcome gifts for attendees.

(e)   Hospitality:  

5:30 pm – 10:00 pm on Friday

Suggested goodies were:  Pizza/Pappa Johns

Suggested by Greenwood Chapter the hospitality room would be open from 0600 hours in the morning with goodies.  Throughout the day, this room will have sandwiches for lunch or something from local area sponsors.

(f)     Welcome Committee Assignment:  Greenwood Chapter

(g)   Itinerary – Friday (Social, meet greet and be merry)

                    - Saturday (Convention, Catered Dinner/Awards and Auction)

                      (Catered dinner proposed at $13.00 each.  Choice selection of 3 meats / variety of vegetables (Shealey’s)

                    - Sunday (Business Meeting with members) 

 

Committee Assignments

Membership/Credentials Committee/Registration Committee.

5:30 pm – 10:00 pm (Hospitality) Betty Jones and Cheryl Gajadhar     

Nancy Levi, Todd Turansky, Charleston Rep

 
Resolutions/Constitution/Bylaws Committee:

Cheryl Gajadhar/Betty Jones/Susan Jones (no new changes)

 

Awards Committee:  ($120.00) 3 plaques
Chairperson –
Susan Jones

CharlestonRichard Hatcher

ColumbiaCheryl Gajadhar   

Greenwood -  Ann Smith

Suspense for nominations is 1 October 2005

 

Convention Coordinating/Convention Program Committee:
Cheryl Gajadhar, Betty Jones, Susan Jones, Audrey Gunter, Larry Rogers

 

Next Board Meeting Scheduled last Monday of the month in July –

25 July 2005.  Financial Reports will be due with supporting bank statements.

 

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Charleston Tri-County Chapter of the American Council of the Blind of South CarolinaAudrey Gunter, President

 

Election of New Officers (2005-2006)

President – Audrey Gunter

1st President – Jim Capers

2nd President – Annie Dubois

Secretary – Sharon Norris

Treasurer – Gwynette Hatcher

Asst Treasurer – Harold Elrod

 

Message from the President –

     We have created a planning committee and an Activities Director (Susan Jones).  The planning committee and the Activities Director are working hand and hand.   This year we are planning more trips and outings for our ACB Charleston family to enjoy. 

      Last but not least, we still have a supply of White Cane T-shirts on sale for $10.00 ea.  If you wish to purchase one, contact me at (843) 571-0737.  I will be so happy to accommodate you!  Well, that’s about all for now from the Charleston Tri County Chapter.  Keep checking back… 

 

Audrey & Zack

 

Upcoming Events

·        Late Spring or Early Summer – Womanless Beauty Contest

·        Early Summer – Edistow Gardens at Orangeburg, SC

·        Fall – Brookgreen Gardens and Christmas Shopping

·        October 15 - White Cane Safety Day Celebration

·        December – Toys for Tots and Banquet Christmas Party

 

Ellen Beach Mack Columbia Chapter of the American Council of the Blind of South Carolina

 

Election of New Officers (2005-2006)

President – Patsy Jones

Vice President – Charles Oberlies

Secretary – Billy Mack

Treasurer – Cheryl Gajadhar   

 

Message from the President – Hello from Columbia!  We are all doing well and getting out doing fundraisers.  I am glad we have another year of membership dues paid out on time to the American Council of the Blind of South Carolina.  We want to thank a former Chapter Presidient (John Harden), for selling our umbrellas to Florida residents during that hurricane mess.  Now if Charleston can have a flood, we would be glad to sell them some umbrellas too!  Nothing really new except our meeting place is at the Golden Corral on Forest Drive the third Saturday of the month from 10 am – 12 pm (noon).   To help our membership drive, we present a Golden Corral Gift Certificate “For the Member of the Month”.   We are also having a membership card issued for our members.  Hopefully more fundraising plans for the rest of the year.  I want to say thank you all for working so hard to make Columbia a success!

 

Patsy

 

Upcoming Events    

Late Spring – Movie and Hot Dog Gala for Blind Children in surrounding areas

 

Upper Savannah Regional Chapter of the American Council of the Blind of South Carolina

 

Election of New Officers (2005-2006)

President--- Betty Jones

1st vice President--- Lena Massey

2nd vice president--- Larry Rogers

Secretary--- Debbie Gillian

Treasury--- Betty Jones

 

Message from the President   The Greenwood/Ninety Six

Chapter we’ll have a busy year this year as usual.  Our first Craft sale will be Mother's Day The 6th and 7th of May. We will probably be having a hash sale in September. We  well be honoring White Cane Day the 14th and 15th of October.There well be a craft sale at the Farmer's Market in October. Beside this we well be working on a very big Convention so most of our time will be on this. The Convention will be held at the Holiday Inn Express the 11th, 12th and 13th of November. The rooms well be $72.00 plus tax. All meeting rooms well be free. We will be havin a banquet on Saturday night and it will be catered in. That’s our year as of now!

 

Betty and Debbie

 

Upcoming Events:

6-7 May – Craft Sale

September – Hash Sale

14 - 15 October – White Cane Awareness Day

Late October – Craft Sale at Farmer’s Market

11-13 November – Hosting State Convention at Greenwood Holiday Inn Express

 

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Annual Financial Reports with all bank statements – all reports were turned in on time and were accepted.

 

State

Current Net Worth on April 20, 2005

        Checking Account Balance:                             $2,380.17

        Savings Account Balance:                               12,906.39

        Marvin  S. Lowe Memorial Fund (2,424.03)

                Ellen Beach Mack Scholarship Fund (10,482.36)            

        Total Current Balance:                                           $15,286.56                     

 

Annual Financial Reports with all bank statements – all reports were turned in on time and were accepted.

Upper Savannah Regional Chapter (Greenwood)

Total 3/31/05 Balance: $682.88

 

Ellen Beach Mack Columbia Chapter

Total 3/31/05 Balance:  $447.46

 

Charleston Tri County Chapter

Total 3/31/05 Checking Balance:  $827.21

                        Savings  Balance:  $2,085.39

 

 

 

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Date: July 2-9, 2005

Riviera Hotel

2901 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas
, Nevada 89109

 
Rates are $77 for singles and doubles

$87 for triples

$97 for quads

with a 9 % tax

For reservations call: 1-800-634-6753
Direct Line: 
702-734-5110

 

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Dates: November 11, 12, 13, 2005
Rate: $72 plus 7% tax ($5.04) total each night = $77.04
Holiday Inn Express
110 Birchtree Drive, Hwy 25
Greenwood, SC 29649
1-864-223-2296

 

 

 

 

 

Midlands Workforce Center’s

Disability News

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Did you know?

 

·        Excessive noise is the number 1 reason for hearing loss

·        If you cannot carry on a conversation in the presence of noise, it is too loud for your ears and can potentially cause hearing loss.

·        1 in 4 workers exposed to high levels of noise will develop a hearing loss.

·        Professions at risk of hearing loss include firefighters, police officers, factory workers, farmers, construction workers, military personnel, heavy industry workers, musicians, and entertainment industry professionals.

·        The ear has over 25, 000 tiny hair cells to help you hear the nuances of sound.

 

Fun Facts

 

·        Fish do not have ears, but they can hear.  They hear pressure changes through ridges on their bodies.

·        Snakes do not have ears, but their tongues are sensitive to sound vibrations.

·        In WWI, parrots were kept on the Eiffel Tower.  When the parrots heard the enemy aircraft coming they would warn everyone of the approaching danger long before any human ear would hear it.

Information taken from:  www.betterhearing.org

 

Free Hearing Aids for Children

 


The problem of hearing loss is “growing younger.”  Fifteen percent of recent college graduates have as much or more hearing loss than their parents, and over two million Americans with hearing loss are under the age of 18.  Miracle Earâ Children’s Foundation provides free hearing aids and services to children from low-income families.

For more information visit:  www.miracle-ear.com/resources/children.asp

 

 

 

 

SC TEDP

 

The SC Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (SC TEDP) provides telecommunications equipment free of charge to SC residents with qualifying disabilities.  To be eligible you must be a SC resident, have telephone service in your home, and have a speech or hearing disability that requires specialized equipment to effectively use the phone.  (Certification form on the back of the application must be completed by a medical professional before mailing).  The state of SC owns the equipment, but you can use it as long as you live in SC and continue to need it. 

                

For more information call:  (803) 896-8337 or go to www.scsdb.k12.sc.us. 

See the Columbia Disability Program Navigator, Camille Fallaw, if you need an application.

 

Job Search Tools

 

www.midlandstech.edu/jobplacement/careerresources.html

 

The links on this page cover a variety of resources for the job seeker.  You can explore salary ranges, learn to negotiate a salary, build a resume or improve your interview skills.  Included in this link is a Job Search Tools Handbook that can be printed out in individual sections; The Job Search, The Resume, The Cover Letter, The Interview, or as a whole 50 page book. 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Recreation Guide

 

The SC Summer Recreation Guide for Adults and Children with Disabilities is now on the web at:  www.scddc.state.sc.us/sumrec05.pdf.

 

The guide lists interesting places to go in SC, for disabled and non-disabled.  Printed copies will soon be available at each county Dept of Disability and Special Needs office.

 

Websites of the Month

 

  www.thinkcollege.net

 

Youth with disabilities have not had many chances to go to college.  This new website provides information and links to find out more about the possibilities.  This site is divided into sections for students, family members, and professionals.  Features include a searchable database of postsecondary education programs that support youth with intellectual disabilities.  “Choice for Everyone” Listserve, a discussion board designed by students, and web-based resources with links to other sites.

 

www.firstgov.gov


This newly revised site index now lists all of the web pages and topics in alphabetical order.  Browse their A to Z listing to find what you’re looking for.  You can find out about government auctions and in your area as well as finding resources for grandparents raising their grandchildren.  On FirstGov.gov’s home page, you’ll find a “News and Features” box that highlights links to popular and current event topics of interest to citizens. You can also view news and press releases from a number of federal agencies.

 

 

Word of the Month

 

Brummagem ● \BRUM-ih-jum \ ●adjective

Not genuine: spurious; also: cheaply showy: tawdry

 

Example sentence:

The jewelry box in Penelope’s grandmother’s closet was filled with brummagem costume jewelry.

 

 

If you have any questions about the content of this newsletter, please call the Disability Program Navigator, Camille Fallaw at (803) 737-0198.

Funded by Work Incentive Disability Navigator #WI-13375-03-60.