[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1900

Wed Jan 11 05:24:22 UTC 2023

Definitely Kris.  With Steve and me both being sick, this was our only way
to keep up with the day's events.  Thankfully, we are doing much better
yesterday and today.   We appreciate the well wishes and look forward to
using the goodies in the coffee basket that I won from the SC Association of
Black Leaders' drawing.  

Shannon Cook

Member, National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina

The greatest investment you can make in this world is kindness.

From: NFBofSC <nfbofsc-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Kristopher Idrees
Crawley via NFBofSC
Sent: Monday, January 9, 2023 10:21 AM
To: 'NFB of South Carolina Mailing List' <nfbofsc at nfbnet.org>
Cc: kicrawley.nfb at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [NFBofSC] Positive Note 1900

Good morning,

We would also like to think the loyal Federationists who attended the
seminar virtually. Thanks to President McKenzie for making this option
available for those who were unable to attend in-person, the Warringtons for
ensuring the experience was a smooth one, District 6 rep Sarah Massengale
for her assistance, and anyone else I may have missed. These events run
smoothly because of teamwork, so thanks to all who contributed to these
efforts. 

Sincerely,

Kristopher I. Crawley

 <https://www.accessibilityassociation.org/> 

<https://education.acvrep.org/badges/badge.php?hash=18b8ae05639d02d02387d74e
47732a7cb8eeb657>
<https://www.freedomscientific.com/Training/Certification>
<https://www.zoomtext.com/learning/certification>
<https://www.nvaccess.org/> 

Board Member: National Federation Of The Blind Of SC

President: SC Communities of Faith Division

1st Vice President: SC Association of Black Leaders 

Email:  <mailto:KICrawley.NFB at Gmail.com> KICrawley.NFB at Gmail.com

Phone/Text: (803) 220-1727

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work
together to help blind people live the lives they want.

NFB of SC Pages

Visit our Website <https://www.nfbofsc.org/> 

Donate to the NFB of SC <https://www.nfbofsc.org/donate> 

Subscribe to our Podcast
<https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/national-federation-of-the-blind-of-s
outh-carolina/id1563280420> 

Like us on Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/NatFedofSouthCarolina> 

Follow us on Twitter <https://www.twitter.com/SCNFB> 

From: NFBofSC <nfbofsc-bounces at nfbnet.org
<mailto:nfbofsc-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf Of Marty McKenzie via
NFBofSC
Sent: Monday, January 9, 2023 7:00 AM
To: NFB of South Carolina Mailing List <nfbofsc at nfbnet.org
<mailto:nfbofsc at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: Marty McKenzie <marty2music at outlook.com <mailto:marty2music at outlook.com>
>
Subject: [NFBofSC] Positive Note 1900

January 9, 2023

Memo To:  Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents &
Others

From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President

Positive Note 1900

843-939-8091  marty2music at outlook.com <mailto:marty2music at outlook.com> 

Dear Federation Family,

Approximately 125 loyal Federationist gathered at the Federation Center of
the Blind on Saturday, January 7, 2023 for the Statewide Seminar. There was
great enthusiasm in the room as Federationist enjoyed a time of fellowship
in addition to the many items that were on the agenda. A spirit of good will
and harmony was present for this seminar.

Board of Directors District 2 representative Andrew Adams led the program
with a presentation titled My Story. He shared the journey that led to his
vision loss and his membership in the NFB of SC. Andrew inspired the crowd
and received a hearty round of applause for his time of sharing.

SC Association of Black Leaders President, Derique Simon, presented on the
newly formed SC Association of Black Leaders division. He shared his
thoughts about where the division should go and how we should all work
together for the good of everyone within the NFB of SC. Derique's
presentation was well received and we appreciate his leadership.

Karma Marshall, Director of Consumer Services for the South Carolina
Commission for the Blind (SCCB), provided an informative update. She
encouraged the Federation to share our ideas and thoughts with SCCB. Karma
also communicated federal limitations often prevent SCCB from completing
some of the ideas we share. She emphasized there are only three current
board members on the Board of Directors. While the Governor appoints board
members, recommendations can be made. This is our opportunity to recommend
candidates who have the potential to significantly impact services for the
blind.

Jennifer Falvey, Director of Talking Book Services from the SC State
Library, provided statistics regarding current patrons.  The Talking Book
Services program currently has more than 4,000. There will be a patron drive
this year, because it's estimated that 120 to 130 thousand South Carolinians
are eligible for this wonderful service. Jennifer also commented that the
National Library Service is currently working on the next generation book
player, but progress is slow.

Sonia Timmons was introduced to the Convention as the new leader of our
Parents of Blind Children )POBC) Division. The POBC is not currently active,
but Sonia has the energy and ideas to help revitalize this division and
energize other parents to be a part of the Federation. She shared
information about herself and her daughter, and her presentation was well
received by attendees.

Our own the Honorable Parnell Diggs rounded out the morning with a
thought-provoking speech on being a Federationist and the purpose of the
Convention. We were reminded that our lives are in our control and the NFB
is an influential organization that can help us achieve equality and
first-class citizenship. Progress has been made, but we are not there yet.
There is work to be done.

Chairman Frank Coppel led the Shares Unlimited NFB drive just before lunch.
SUN is the NFB's rainy day fund and will be used if there is ever an
unexpected decline in financial support or for other important reasons. In
2022, the South Carolina affiliate donated $1,200, placing us in the number
one spot nationally. This year, SUN raised approximately $2,810.00 for this
fund. Our members are generous, and they gave their fair share and then
some!

Andy Berstein presented information about Accessible Pharmacy Services for
the Blind.  The unique company provides home delivered medications in
accessible packaging to blind, low vision, and deafblind folks in 32 states.
Braille, large print, high contrast, individual pill packs and many more
products are available to the blind and others with disabilities. There is
no extra cost to consumers for these items.  Accessible Pharmacy Services
also offers support like pill identification and medication management. Some
NFB of SC members are already using this service, and they are loving its
many benefits. Lavell Keeling is the representative for South Carolina.
Anyone interested in having a virtual presentation to your local chapter or
division should contact me, and I will provide Lavell's contact information.

Chairman Ed Bible and Executive Director David Houck gave very informative
reports regarding progress at the Federation Center of the Blind. Much was
done last year and the facility looks great! There is more to do in 2023.

Chairman Thom Spittle gave an informative report about RBRCCB and encouraged
chapters and divisions to visit during 2023. Information was provided about
the cost for chapters, divisions, or individual blind members to stay at
Rocky Bottom, and the report was well received by the attendees. The auction
benefitting Rocky Bottom took place throughout the seminar. Many nice items
were auctioned, and competition was fierce among attendees. Chairman Thom
Spittle presided over the auction and reports that approximately $2,770.00
was raised to support RBRCCB.

As President of the NFB of SC, the 2023 Statewide Seminar was overwhelming.
Your support, good will and generosity never ceases to amaze me! $5,580.00
was raised among 125 attendees to support both state and national programs.
I deeply appreciate all that everyone did to make the day such a huge
success! . Helen Keller said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do
so much!" Let's go  build the National Federation of the Blind!

Here is David Houck's Federation fun fact for this week! Let's continue to
read and learn together about our rich history in South Carolina.

Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind was established in
1979. The property was an old 4H camp dating back to the 1920's. While
Donald Capps was working at Colonial Life, he assisted a policyholder and
the man was so grateful that he asked the Capps to visit where he lived in
the Rocky Bottom community. Upon seeing the abandoned 4H property, Dr. Caps
was determined to use it for the blind of the state.

The first Resident Manager was Jerry Whittle. There were many fundraising
projects for the erection of new buildings, a swimming pool etc., and
renovation projects for existing buildings. Annual Fun Days brought in much
needed revenues as did rental of the camp from outside groups. The biggest
accomplishment was the erection of the Conference Center in 1990.

Children's Camps and Senior Blind Camps are available offering the blind
education about blindness, training and recreation. Many groups of blind
South Carolinians traveled to Rocky Bottom as they have priority over other
groups. Local chapters of the NFB of SC are included in these groups. The
mountainous surroundings make for a peaceful place to get away from it all.
If you have never been to Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the
Blind, make reservations for 2023!

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