[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1923

Mon Jun 19 11:00:41 UTC 2023

June 19, 2023
Memo To:  Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others
From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President
Positive Note 1923
843-939-8091  marty2music at outlook.com

Dear Federation Family,

We begin this Positive Note with  reminder that all scholarship applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. If you have potential scholarship recipients in your chapter, please encourage them to verify that Shannon Cook received their completed application. Scholarships are generous, and we want to recognize those blind students who demonstrate academic excellence along with the other criteria the scholarship committee uses. For more information, please visit the web site at www.nfbofsc.org<http://www.nfbofsc.org> or reach out to Shannon Cook at coffeequeensc1 at sc.rr.com<mailto:coffeequeensc1 at sc.rr.com>.

Volunteers are needed to assist in certain areas at the National convention. This includes marshals assisting people with where they need to go, talking signs, and folks to work in the Independence Market. No one from South Carolina has stepped up as of yet and we are one of the largest affiliates. If you are attending National Convention and receiving any assistance from any part of the NFB of SC, you are asked to consider volunteering for a shift or two to assist with these needed roles. Please reach out to me directly as soon as possible if you are able to do this.

Palmetto Convention Grants are back! there are three Palmetto convention Grants being awarded valued at $200 each. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on July 15, 2023. Please read the rules and instructions carefully found on the application. Each application must have a letter of recommendation and a personal statement. See the application for full details.

To qualify for a Palmetto Convention Grant, the applicant must be

  *   A dues paying member in good standing
  *   Registered for the NFB of SC state convention
  *   Registered to stay at Embassy Suites

*        A first-time NFB of SC convention attendee

Please contact Shannon Cook at 803-605-4250 or via e-mail at coffeequeensc1 at sc.rr.com for more information or assistance with your application.

Door prizes are always a fun part of the State Convention! This year, First vice President, Lenora Robertson will serve as door prize chair and Second District Board Member, Andrew Adams, will assist her. Please gather your door prizes and bring them to the convention or drop them off or mail them to the Federation Center. When gathering door prizes, please keep the following in mind:

  *   Door prizes must be valued at a minimum of $10
  *   Cash is acceptable
  *   Gift cards
  *   New gifts in their original packaging
  *   If anyone wants to contribute a large door prize either money or a hotel stay, dinner out, etc. that is also very welcome

Let's have an abundance of door prizes to share with convention attendees this year!

The Embassy Suites is now accepting reservations for the NFB of SC State Convention, which will take place August 18-20, 2023. Rooms can be booked at $112 plus tax and any applicable fees for singles, doubles, triples and quads for August 17- 20, 2023. You may call the Embassy Suites at 803-252-8700. Members are not being charged the first night's room; instead, a hold is placed on your card until check-in. The Thursday night room block has been increased and we are assured that we can get additional rooms if needed.

Registration for the NFB of SC State Convention is now live!  The cost is $85 for adults, $55 for students and $25 for children under eighteen. These prices all increase after August 4, 2023. Parents must register all children under 18 years old at the cost of $25 per person.  Please visit www.nfbofsc.org<http://www.nfbofsc.org> to register online. If you need assistance submitting the online form, please contact me and someone will assist you. We are working on a print form for those who may need it.

Important Things to Remember:

*        NFB of SC Scholarship applications are due by June 20, 2023

*        Palmetto Convention Grant applications are due by July 15, 2023

*        State Convention hotel reservation deadline is July 27, 2023

*        State Convention early registration deadline is August 4, 2023

*        Bring your door prizes

If you need additional information about any of the items above, please contact David Houck at the Federation Center at 803-254-3777. You can also contact me as shown above.

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.

          Back to the Future III: Growth takes planning, preparation and faith. About six years ago Ed Bible became Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Federation Center of the Blind. He looked at a nearly sixty year-old facility which was in much need of renovation. We began with a storage area and converted it into a training room by renovating it from floor to ceiling. It took money and hard work but it became the best room in the house at that time.

Through board discussions and planning, we took on a room at a time, paid for it as we went, and by our 60th anniversary celebration on October 15, 2021, the whole Center looked entirely new. While we still have much to do, because of good planning, preparation, and people like you, we have a facility we can be proud of. As a statewide facility, the Federation Center is OUR facility.

Now, Successful Transitions is in the house, the Director's office has been reconstructed, a wheel chair ramp has been installed and new exit doors have as well. High expectations which meet the intended future use of the Center will guide our technology, training, education and outreach to blind South Carolinians. We are dedicating this facility to assisting future generations of the blind to live the lives we all want.

Marty

Marty R. McKenzie, President
National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina
119 S. Kilbourne Road
Columbia, SC 29205
Phone: 803-254-3777
Mobile: 843-939-8091
Web Site: www.nfbofsc.org<http://www.nfbofsc.org>

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