[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1944

[Marty McKenzie]

November 13, 2023
Memo To:  Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others
From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President
Positive Note 1944
843-939-8091  marty2music at outlook.com

Dear Federation Family,


The United States of America celebrated Veteran's Day on Saturday, November 11, 2023 and many programs and parades were held to honor past and present military members for their selfless giving for our freedom. Without our military to keep us safe, freedom as we know it would cease to exist. As you are out and about and encounter a veteran, please thank them for their service to our country.

We are one week out from the NFB of SC Annual Board Retreat held at the Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind and excitement is building. There are more than 30 Federationist attending this year and everyone on the board will be present. It will be a busy weekend with a Rocky Bottom board meeting taking place Saturday morning as well. There is more to come on this special time the board will share together.

Continuing with the theme of what we are thankful for, we are thankful for the amazing leaders of the NFB and the NFB of SC that came before us. Without their leadership, the NFB would not be the foremost and largest organization of blind people in the world! Leaders like Dr. Jacobus temBroek, Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, Dr. Marc Mauer and President Mark Riccobono lead the national efforts with amazing board members and affiliate presidents to assist them. In South Carolina, Dr. Donald C. Capps was a powerful leader who worked tirelessly throughout his life for the cause of the NFB. He developed and nurtured relationships with members of the General Assembly which led to many pieces of important legislation being passed in SC. He mentored the next state presidents and set the tone for the work we will do.

As you are planning your Christmas parties, please reach out to me if you wish a board member to be present. I will attend as I am able but cannot easily make all of them. However, other board members are available to attend and bring greetings and representation from the state board.

>From President Demetrius Williford and the Anderson Chapter -- The Anderson Chapter of the NFB OF SC invites you all to our Christmas event!
When: December 2, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: the Anderson Civic Center located at 3027 Martin Luther King Junior Blvd., Anderson, SC 29625.
Meal options: baked chicken with rice, green beans, squash casserole, macaroni and cheese, a roll and your choice of apple cobbler or cheesecake at $20 or  cube steak with rice and gravy, squash casserole, macaroni and cheese, green beans, a roll and apple cobbler or cheesecake at  $23.
There will be door prizes and a chance to win a TV.  Tickets for the TV raffle can be purchased at two for $5.00 or 3 for $10.00.  Raffle tickets can be purchased until December 1, 2023. Please contact President Demetrius Williford at 864-685-9005 to purchase event or raffle tickets. Event tickets must be purchased by November 16, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. Our cash app is $NFBAndersonChapter or you can send a money order or check made out to the NFB Anderson Chapter to  1306 W. And Ave., Anderson, SC 29625. If anyone would like to stay overnight, we also have a block of rooms at the holiday inn, which is located at 3509 Clemson Blvd., Anderson, SC 29621. The cost per night is $105 plus 11% sales tax per night if you are eating breakfast. Call 864-226-1000. Let them know that you are staying underneath the Anderson Chapter of the blind block. Rooms are available December 1-3, 2023.

The Friends of Rocky Bottom fundraising campaign is now underway and will conclude on December 31, 2023. There are a variety of prizes available for those who contribute in certain amounts. This will assist Rocky Bottom with the winter months when income is low and rentals are non-existent. Individually and as chapters or divisions, please consider what you can give. For more information about this fundraiser, contact Thom Spittle at 803-331-3344 or via e-mail at nfbsc.lab.4 at gmail.com<mailto:nfbsc.lab.4 at gmail.com> for additional information.

The Clarendon County Chapter of the NFB of SC is raffling off a beautiful braille afghan made and donated by Glenda Culick who is a member of the chapter. The afghan will cover a queen sized bed. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5. The drawing will take place at the conclusion of the state board meeting on November 18, 2023. To get your tickets, contact any of the Clarendon County members including myself. Thanks to those who have purchased tickets thus far.

The Rock Hill Chapter recently raffled a homemade quilt made by one of its members. Congratulations to Billy Workman of Rock Hill who was the lucky winner.

Things to Remember

  *   We Care Birthday Fundraiser
  *   Friends of Rocky Bottom Fundraiser
  *   State Dues
  *   Chapter Elections
  *   Clarendon County Afghan Raffle
  *   Rocky Bottom Board Retreat - November 17-19, 2023

Here is David Houck's Federation Facing Fact.

The Blind Who Lead the Blind will provide background information on each board member over the next fifteen Positive Notes. We continue with Sarah Massengale, District 6 Board Member of the NFB of SC this week.

Sarah Massengale works with Able South Carolina as a Community Access Specialist, where she assists in the preparation of accessible documents, helps facilitate accessibility trainings and works to ensure that websites and other digital content are accessible and inclusive. Born totally blind, Sarah has always been willing and quick to speak up when she encountered inaccessibility, though her deep interest in disability rights and creating equality in the digital sphere has only fully developed over the past few years.

Massengale graduated from The University of South Carolina in 2020 with a Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communications in Public Relations. During her time at UofSC, she served as the Agency Director and Director of Public Relations for The Carolina Agency, the university's student-run public relations agency. In addition, she worked as a staff writer for Intercom, the School of Journalism and Mass Communications' alumni magazine. In each of these roles, Sarah helped to bring important conversations about disability and accessibility into the classroom, teaching up-and-coming journalists how to report on disability issues and young PR professionals how to create accessible digital content. Sara is an International Association of Accessibility Professionals Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies, (CPACC). She also serves on the National Advisory council for the Ronda Weiss Center for Accessible IDEA data where she provides expertise on making data visualizations accessible from a cross-disability perspective. She also serves as the chair of Access South Carolina Information Technology, an organization dedicated to bringing together SC professionals in the technology space dedicated to promoting digital accessibility.
Prior to her public relations training, Massengale received a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Converse College in Spartanburg, SC. In her free time, Sarah works as a semi-professional classically trained soprano, performing for religious services and recitals across the state of South Carolina.

Massengale has been a member of the NFB of SC since she was very young, when Dr. Caps brought she and her mom, Janet, into the organization. While it took some time for her to really learn the value of her Federation family and the fellowship and support they provide, she has become truly grateful to be a part of this wonderful organization. Massengale serves as the current chair of the Public Relations and Social Media Committee, is a member of the Clarendon County Chapter, and has served on the NFB of SC Board of directors since August, 2022.

When not at Able SC or performing, Sarah can be found curled up on her porch swing with a good mystery novel and an even better cup of coffee.


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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