[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1903

[Marty McKenzie]

January 30, 2023
Memo To:  Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others
From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President
Positive Note 1903
843-939-8091  marty2music at outlook.com

Dear Federation Family,

The NFB of SC delegation to the Washington Seminar are now in D.C. and looking forward to the “Great Gathering In.” then, teams from the delegation will meet with members of the House of Representatives and Senators to promote the three pieces of legislation the NFB is focused on this year. The bills are the Blind Americans Return to work Act, the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act and the Web Site and Software Accessibility Act. Each of these pieces of legislation have the potential to greatly improve the lives of blind Americans, and we are hopeful our presence in Washington will urge Congress to take favorable action. For more information, visit www.nfb.org/washington-seminar<http://www.nfb.org/washington-seminar> to read the facts sheets for each piece of legislation.

All Chapter and Division dues must be paid for current members by January 31, 2023. If you need assistance with this, please reach out to Thom Spittle at 803-331-3344 or Steve Cook at 803-260-1292. Thank you to those who have already paid as requested in December, 2022!

From Fundraising Committee Co-Chairs Debra Canty and Andrew Adams
The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Fundraising Committee invites you to A Night of Love…
Who: Anyone
What: Sweethearts Ball
When: Saturday February 11th from 5pm to 9pm
Where: Federation Center located at 119 S. Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29205
❤️ Tickets are $30 per person
❤️ 3 course meal as well as music, dancing and fellowship
❤️ Deadline to purchase tickets is February 1st
❤️ Dress Attire is Casual
❤️ Tickets can be purchased through PayPal at www.nfbofsc.org<http://www.nfbofsc.org> and click donations or you can send a check or money order to 119 S. Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29205 and make sure to put sweethearts in memo field.
For mor information on how to purchase tickets or for help purchasing tickets, please reach out to Andrew Adams at 803-269-3803 or Debra Canty at 803-775-5792.

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.

How to pass NFB of SC supported legislative issues: Since 1958 some 44 SC legislative issues have passed the General Assembly benefitting blind South Carolinians. Examples include the May 6, 1966 creation of the SC Commission for the Blind bill, the 1972 Model White Cane Law, Jury Duty Bill, Voting Rights for the Blind Bill, the Blind Persons Right to Parent Act, Braille literacy bills, fights opposing blind vendor set-aside fees, among many others.

Historically, when a legislative issue needs to be addressed, the NFB of SC Resolutions Committee would bring it forth in the form of a resolution at the August NFB of SC convention. Then the President would use the legislative committee to address the issue so that corresponding House and Senate bills could be pre-filed in the General Assembly. Once they are delegated to the appropriate chamber committees, sub and full committee members are identified. A legislative brochure is developed. Federationists are encouraged to contact their House and Senate members to seek support and report back on their progress.

At the legislative breakfast/luncheon, information is distributed and those attending are tracked. Those in attendance are seeking sponsors and co-sponsors. When the House and Senate have their various committee meetings, the NFB of SC President and Legislative Committee sign up to speak on behalf of the bill and other blind persons are encouraged to attend.

As each chamber’s bill rises from subcommittee to full committee to the floor of the House and Senate, the bills are combined and General Assembly sponsors seek to receive the support needed to pass three readings and go on to the Governor for his signature to become law. It is not unusual for Federationists to be on the floor outside chambers convincing legislators of the need for passage or to be in the gallery showing their support in being seen by the legislature. Some bills pass easily while others may take a few years to pass. This is the recipe for legislative success.

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