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</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="NFB of SC logo with tagline live the life you want" style='position:absolute;margin-left:4.65pt;margin-top:6.9pt;width:60.85pt;height:68.7pt;z-index:-251657216;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width=81 height=91 style='width:.8416in;height:.95in' src="cid:image003.png@01DBD8C2.F2EE9A60" align=left hspace=12 alt="NFB of SC logo with tagline live the life you want" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2"><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>June 8, 2025<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Memo To: Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>From: Marty R. McKenzie, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>843-939-8091 <a href="mailto:president@nfbofsc.org">president@nfbofsc.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Positive Note 2026<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Dear Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><br>We are just one month away from the 85th Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in New Orleans, Louisiana. The June Braille Monitor includes a helpful convention bulletin with information about the convention hotel area. Please review the guide at your earliest convenience to explore local food options, transportation, and other amenities. Planning ahead will make your arrival much easier.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Registration continues for the 2025 NFB of SC State Convention. The room block for Thursday, August 14, has already expanded once. Please make your reservations promptly, as additional rooms may not be available at the convention rate after July 23, 2025. Your early registration is greatly appreciated and helps us prepare effectively.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Stay connected through two official NFB podcasts. The Nation’s Blind shares national updates, while Access On, hosted by Jonathan Mosen, dives into access technology and digital inclusion. Listen via your favorite podcast app or ask Alexa to play either title.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Celebrating Federation Leadership<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>We’re proud to share that Shannon Cook’s article, “What’s Your Of?” was featured in the national Braille Monitor. This powerful piece explores what it means to belong within the Federation. We celebrate Shannon’s voice and the vision she offers for our collective future. We also recognize her time and dedication not only to our NFB of SC family, but the time and dedication needed in crafting a beautiful explanation of everything our movement means.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Palmetto Convention Grants<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The 2025 Palmetto Convention Grant offers three $200 awards to help first-time in-person members attend the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina state convention. To qualify, applicants must be dues-paying members in good standing, registered for the convention and hotel, and must submit a completed application packet by 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2025. The application must include a personal letter explaining the applicant’s goals and background with the NFB, and a letter of recommendation from an NFB of SC chapter or division president. All materials should be emailed as attachments to <a href="mailto:secretary@nfbofsc.org">secretary@nfbofsc.org</a> and preferably typed for accessibility. Contact Shannon Cook via e-mail or via telephone at 803-605-4250 with questions or for additional information.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Door Prizes<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>First Vice President Lenora Robertson will again serve as the door prize chairperson. Please bring your door prizes to the state convention and give them directly to her. If shipping, address them to Lenora Robertson, 1258 Roundtree Circle, Rock Hill, SC 29732. Shipments should arrive no later than Wednesday, August 13, 2025. Door prizes should have a minimum value of $10. Cash is always welcome!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>NFB of SC Scholarship Application Open<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Blind high school seniors, college, or graduate students enrolled full-time can apply for the NFB of SC Scholarship. Applicants must be legally blind, have good grades, show involvement in community or NFB activities, and plan to attend college. Three winners are chosen each year and must attend the state convention in Columbia, SC from August 14–17, 2025. Hotel and registration costs are covered. Winners are announced at the Saturday banquet. The deadline to apply is June 20, 2025. Apply online at <a href="http://www.nfbofsc.org">http://www.nfbofsc.org</a>, where you’ll find detailed instructions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Call for Volunteers<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Volunteers are needed for the Independence Market at the 2025 National Convention. Roles include Demonstrators, Storekeepers, Line Marshals, and Cashiers. Shifts are typically six hours, split between a four-hour session and a two-hour lunch rotation. If interested, contact me at 843-939-8091.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>NFB of SC State Convention<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The DoubleTree by Hilton at 2100 Bush River Road in Columbia, SC is the official convention hotel. Room rates are as follows: Singles and doubles are $129, triples are $139, and quads are $149, all plus applicable taxes. These rates include breakfast coupons for up to four guests per room. Reservations must be made by July 23, 2025. Book online at <a href="https://hil.tn/00qbnn">https://hil.tn/00qbnn</a> or call Central Reservations at 866-247-3572 and ask for the 'National Federation of the Blind of SC Attendee Block. Note: Your card will be charged for the first night at the time of booking. These rates apply to reservations between August 12 and 19, 2025.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>To register for the NFB of SC 2025 State Convention, visit <a href="http://www.nfbofsc.org">www.nfbofsc.org</a> and find the heading “2025 National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina State Convention Registration.” Read all the instructions carefully before accessing the form. If you have questions, contact Steve Cook at 803-260-1292. You may complete the form even if you are not using PayPal to pay.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Lead and Drive: Give $25 in ’25<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The NFB invites members to participate in the 'Give $25 in '25' campaign running from May 15 to July 11. Donating $25 or more enters you into a prize drawing. Prizes include a trip for two to the 2026 NFB National Convention or a $2,025 cash award. Each $25 increment earns an additional entry.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Things to Remember<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>NFB of SC Scholarship applications due by June 20, 2025<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Palmetto Grant Scholarship applications due by June 30, 2025<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>NFB of SC hotel reservations and registration due by July 23, 2025<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Palmetto Connects on July 1, 2025 at 8:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Marty<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Marty R. McKenzie, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>119 S. Kilbourne Road<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Columbia, SC 29205<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Phone: 803-254-3777<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Mobile: 843-939-8091<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Website: <a href="http://www.nfbofsc.org/">www.nfbofsc.org</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>