[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1881 - Corrected

[Marty McKenzie]

August 29, 2022
Memo To:  Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others
From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President
Positive Note 1881
843-939-8091  marty2music at outlook.com

Dear Federation Family,

The Sixty-sixth Annual State Convention of the National Federation of the Blind was held at the North Charleston Marriot from August 25-28, 2022. The Convention began with a meeting of the Board of Directors at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening where President Mark Riccobono greeted the Board. Other special guests included Danielle McCann from the NFB National Center and 4 attendees from the Florida affiliate.

The Convention continued Friday with division meetings held throughout the day and exhibitors showing their many products and services in the exhibit hall. There was a large turnout of vendors in the exhibit hall and many friendly faces were present this year.

The Friday evening reception was enjoyed by all with good food, fellowship and great music provided by Quinton. The reception was followed by a lively interest meeting of the South Carolina Association of Black Leaders.

The Convention moved into full swing on Saturday, where attendees heard from the leaders of the agencies serving the Blind in South Carolina. These included Jolene Madison, President of the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind and Valerie Feiling, Principal of the SC School for the Blind, Darline Graham, Commissioner of the SC Commission for the Blind and Karma Marshall, Director, and the Director of the SC State Library Talking Book Services, Jennifer Falvey. Updates from the Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind and the Federation Center of the Blind were also given.

The Banquet was especially exciting as President Mark Riccobono delivered a powerful speech focused on transformation around individuals breaking out of the cocoons they create for themselves. Scholarships were awarded to Anna Price, Andrew Adams and Matthew Duffell-Hoffman. Thom Spittle received the Donald C. Capps award for his many contributions during his years as a member of the South Carolina affiliate. Lastly, approximately $8,100 was raised at the annual banquet fundraiser and that amount has already increased. A final number will be provided when it is available.

The Sunday morning session brought the reading of the financial statements, an update on PAC, SUN and the Dream Makers Circle programs. Elections were held with the following results:
President, Marty McKenzie;
First Vice-President, Lenora Robertson;
Second Vice-President, Debra Canty;
Secretary, Shannon Cook;
Treasurer, Valerie Warrington
Andrew Adams, Second District;
Demetrius Williford, Fourth District;
Sarah Massengale, the Sixth District.
At-Large:
- Kristopher Crawley
- Thom Spittle

Congratulations to all of the new board members.

There was a very special memorial time set aside in memory of Dorothy C. Barksdale, who was the first black Federationist. Dorothy served in many capacities in the Federation over her 50 years in the organization. She was well-known for her slate and stylus skills and served as the Secretary on the NFB of SC Board of Directors for many years. Dorothy was loved by all who knew her and held her faith high until she departed this life. Additionally, a memorial service was held on Sunday morning for all of the Federationists who passed during the last year.

There are so many people who worked very hard to make this Convention successful. A special thank you to Belinda Banks and the Merchants Division who voluntarily stepped up to provide lunch for all attendees as well as breakfast on Sunday morning. Truly, this task was impossible without their assistance! Special appreciation also goes to Jennifer Bazer for all of her hard work over the past 2 years and for all that she did to plan and implement the Sixty-Sixth Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina. Jennifer brought many new ideas to the NFB of SC and many of these will continue into the future of this organization.

As I conclude my first Positive Note, I find myself overwhelmed with the confidence that the Convention has placed in me as the newest President of the NFB of SC. I am honored to serve in this capacity at the pleasure of the Convention and I look forward to what we can accomplish together in the coming weeks, months and years. I expect to hear from our membership with your thoughts and ideas as we work together to build the NFB of SC! There is much to do, but we are able to meet the challenges before us through our determination to "live the lives we want."

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