[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1959

Mon Feb 26 02:59:11 UTC 2024

February 25, 2024

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

From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President

Positive Note 1959

843-939-8091   <mailto:president at nfbofsc.org> president at nfbofsc.org 

Dear Federation Family,

On Thursday, February 22, 2024, the Annual Regional Braille Challenge was
held at Segra Park, Home of the Columbia Fireflies. A huge thank you to the
SC Commission for the Blind for securing a great venue for this special
event. There were 23 students from across South Carolina participating in
the competition and they all had a great time enjoying each other and
demonstrating their braille reading and writing skills. Cash prizes were
awarded to the top three contenders in each category. Another huge thank you
to the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and
Visually Impaired (SC Chapter) for donating the t-shirts and cash prizes!

The Regional Braille Challenge began in 2008 and was first hosted by the SC
State Library originally in the old SC Archives and History building located
at 1430 Senate Street. The competition emphasizes the need for excellent
braille instruction and the results that are achieved when it takes place.
Within just a few years of its start the event outgrew the SC State Library
building and the SC Commission for the Blind took up hosting
responsibilities. The relationship is wonderful because the Commission can
present information to parents and educators while students participate in
their competitions.

This activity is supported by the entire SC Vision Education Partnership
which began in 2000 to preserve the Teacher of the Visually Impaired
Preparation program. All of the partners participate and it truly lightens
the load of competition preparations. A huge thank you to Jodi Floyd who has
coordinated the program for the past twelve years. We look forward to many
more exciting Regional Braille Challenges in the future!

Palmetto Connects will take place on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
on the NFB of SC Zoom platform. The meeting ID is 803 254 3777 and the
password is 124578# if needed. Please plan to join us for this time of
information sharing.

The Annual Legislative Breakfast will take place on Thursday, February 29,
2024 at the Blatt Building in downtown Columbia. This year, the NFB of SC is
promoting H3127 which will expand the Homestead Exemption Act from $50,000
to $100,000. Members of the NFB of SC Board of Directors will be on hand to
greet legislators and express their support for this important bill. Board
members should let David Houck know as soon as possible if they plan to
attend. David can be reach by telephone at 803-254-3777 or via e-mail at
<mailto:nfbsc at sc.rr.com> nfbsc at sc.rr.com.

The Presidential Release will take place live on February 29, 2024 at 8:00
p.m. on Zoom and other streaming platforms. President Riccobono will provide
information pertinent to members and take questions submitted in advance to
Chris Danielsen at  <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org> cdanielsen at nfb.org. Please
put PR 535 in the subject line. The Zoom meeting ID is 981 5392 5681.

>From Steve Cook, President of the Computer Science and Technology Division

The Computer Science and Technology Division would like to invite everyone
to a presentation from Menus 4 All! This is a wonderful app for checking
menus before you go to a restaurant. I have used it many times since
subscribing to Menus 4 All! The presentation will take place on Saturday,
March 2, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. on the NFB of SC Zoom platform. The meeting ID
is 803 254 3777 and the password is 124578# if needed.

>From Lori Anne Coley, President, Sports and Recreation Division

The NFB of SC Sports and Rec Division is Sponsoring a Saint Patrick's Day
jackpot, where the winner will have a chance at $750.  This drawing will
help to fund a sports camp for the blind of SC and make equitable access to
sports a reality.  Tickets can be purchase for $20 each via PayPal:
<https://www.paypal.me/sportrecnfbsc> https://www.paypal.me/sportrecnfbsc or
by sending a check to the Federation Center.

Chapters and Divisions have received their $5 Rocky Bottom Retreat and
Conference Center raffle tickets. It is important that we sell as many of
these tickets as possible! The buyer of the winning ticket will receive
$500, the seller will receive $50 and the chapter or division selling the
most tickets will receive $300 for its treasury. All Federationist are asked
to put forth a special effort this year on this fundraiser. The drawing will
take place on March 23, 2024 at the Statewide Leadership Seminar. I should
note that the Clarendon County chapter came in second last year and we are
already working on first place this year!

Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship applications are now available at
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-conventio
n-scholarship>
https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention
-scholarship. These applications are for first-time convention attendees.
There are specific requirements first-timers are expected to meet.
Additionally, you will need a recommendation from your state president.
Please reach out to me to schedule a time for a brief interview before I
write your letters of recommendation.

Applications Are Open

The 2024 online scholarship application is available at
<https://nfb.org/scholarships> https://nfb.org/scholarships. All
applications and supporting documentation must be submitted no later than
March 31, 2024. A list of eligibility requirements, as well as documents
containing answers to frequently asked questions, a submissions checklist,
and other supporting material can also be found on the scholarship webpage.
Throughout the application period, reminders and information about the
scholarship program will appear in the Braille Monitor, on our website, and
will be shared via social media. Please share!

Things to Remember

*	Palmetto Connects on February 27, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
*	Presidential Release on February 29, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.
*	Menus for All presentation on March 2, 2024
*	Statewide Leadership Seminar for Chapter and Division Presidents and
NFB of SC board members on March 23, 2024 in-person only
*	Rocky Bottom Fundraiser Raffle drawing on March 23, 2024 - You do
not have to be present to win
*	National Scholarship Applications due by March 31, 2024
*	Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship Applications due by April 15, 2024
*	National Convention room reservations due by May 31, 2024
*	National Convention dates are July 3-8, 2024 at the Rosen Center
Hotel in Orlando, Florida

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

Website: www.nfbofsc.org <http://www.nfbofsc.org/>  

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