[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1973

Mon Jun 3 02:29:31 UTC 2024

June 2, 2024

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

From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President

Positive Note 1973

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

Dear Federation Family,

The Braille Monitor is the flagship publication of the National Federation
of the Blind. There are several important articles in the June edition. For
those interested in one day owning an autonomous vehicle, read "Interview
with Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind"
taken from Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association, State of AV 2024.For
individuals interested in web accessibility, pay special attention to
"Looking Back as We Move Forward: The Past, Present, and Future of Federal
Website Accessibility Regulations: by Sanho Steele-Louchart and Kyle Walls
and "Rebuilding What I Should Have Known: Reflections on My Journey to be
Accountable to the Blind Community" by Shir Ekerling. For a
thought-provoking article feeding directly into NFB philosophy, read
"Sighted Saviorism in the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind" by
Justin Salisbury. These articles have valuable information as do all of the
articles in this issue.

Under Monitor Miniatures, pay very careful attention to "How to Pay for Your
Convention Hotel Stay" by Tony Cobb. Each year, individuals have difficulty
with paying for hotel rooms using cash or debit cards. Tony's article gives
attendees all of the information required to make a thoughtful decision. A
credit card is absolutely the best way to handle hotel expenses. It is very
important that attendees understand the incidentals that can be charged to
rooms so that unexpected large expenses at the end of the stay can be
avoided.

>From Andrew Adams

Family Fun Day was a resounding success this past Saturday, June 1, 2024 at
Weston Lakes! Many Federation members attended, enjoying the opportunity to
reconnect with fellow members they had not seen since the convention or
previous years. The picnic featured great music, delicious food, and a fun
game of bingo! A special thanks to our students from Successful Transitions
for assisting with meal prep and to the Singletons for an outstanding job on
the grill!

The June Presidential Release took place on May 30, 2024 and President
Riccobono provided a great deal of information on the upcoming National
Convention. There is excitement in the air as we prepare to reunite with NFB
family members that many of us only see once a year. Early registration has
closed but you can still register in-person at the convention. The Virtual
Experience is still available at $10 and registration will remain open
through the convention.

NFB of SC Scholarship Announcement 2024

Let's do more in 24! We are springing into the 2024 NFB of SC Scholarship
Program season. With the state convention being August 15 - 18, 2024, the
deadline for scholarship applications is 11:59 p.m. June 20, 2024. The
committee will meet about one month before the state convention to select
the top three applicants and winners will be notified following the meeting.
The updated scholarship application is now available at
<https://nfbofsc.org/scholarship-program>
https://nfbofsc.org/scholarship-program.  Please also remember that the
scholarship program operates exclusively on donations. If you, your chapter,
your division, your civic organization, church etc., would like to
contribute a scholarship or donate to the Metro Fund, please contact me,
Shannon Cook at  <mailto:scholarships at nfbofsc.org> scholarships at nfbofsc.org
or 803-605-4250. Please help us get the word out about the program. If you
or someone you know is in post-secondary education full time, please
encourage them to apply for a scholarship! Thank you.

The Palmetto Convention Grant will be offered again this year for first-time
in-person state convention attendees. 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 the convention hotel

.        A first time in-person attendee 

A completed application packet includes . 

*	The completed application itself
*	A letter of recommendation from an NFB of SC chapter or division
president.
*	A personal letter 

The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. June 30, 2024. Please spread the word
to chapter and divisions to allow everyone the opportunity to apply. For
questions, call Shannon Cook at 803-605-4250 or send an email to
secretary at nfbofsc.org.

Lenora Robertson will once again serve as the Door Prize Chair for the NFB
of SC State Convention. Cash and gift cards are always favorite items. You
can purchase gift cards from the At Large chapter in the amount of $25 or
greater. Please bring your door prize contributions to the convention or you
can mail them to Lenora Robertson, 1258 Roundtree Circle, Rock Hill, SC
29732. Let's have an abundance of door prizes to share at the state
convention.

The Embassy Suites is now accepting reservations for the National Federation
of the Blind of South Carolina State Convention being held on August 15-18,
2024. Rooms can be booked at $112 plus tax and any applicable fees for
singles, doubles, triples and quads. You may call the Embassy Suites at
803-252-8700. Reference the NFB of SC State Convention to obtain the special
rate. Members are not being charged the first night's room; instead, a hold
is placed on your card until check-in. The cut-off for room reservations is
July 25, 2024.

Registration for the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina
State Convention is now live!  The cost is $85 for adults, $55 for students
and $25 for children under eighteen. These prices all adjust upward after
July 25, 2024. Please visit  <https://nfbofsc.org/node/178>
https://nfbofsc.org/node/178 to register online. If you need assistance to
register online, , please contact me and someone will assist you.

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

Our Sports and Rec fundraiser is extended to August, coinciding with the
state convention. All purchased tickets remain valid. Purchase $20 tickets
for a chance to win big, including a $750 and a $250 giveaway. Contributions
support our Sports Camp Week for the Blind at Rocky Bottom Retreat and
Conference Center of the Blind in Upstate South Carolina. Led by the NFBSC
Sports and Rec Division, our mission is inclusive sports. Purchase tickets
via PayPal at  <https://www.paypal.me/sportrecnfbsc>
https://www.paypal.me/sportrecnfbsc or Zelle at srnfbsc21 at yahoo.com. Goal:
sell 100+ tickets by August 17, 2024, with the drawing at the state
convention. Spread the word! For more information, contact Lori Anne Coley
at 803-316-9838.

>From the SC Association of Black Leaders

The SC Association of Black Leaders is thrilled to announce that we are
extending our coffee basket fundraiser to the State Convention in August!
The basket includes 1 tin of hot chocolate, three flavors of Starbucks
coffee, two NFB tumblers, and a $25 gift card. Tickets are 1 for $5 or 3 for
$10, every $20 spent earns you an entry to win a Keurig! Purchase tickets at
the NFB of SC PayPal or by sending a check or money order to the Federation
Center at 119 S. Kilbourne Rd., Columbia, SC 29205, noting "coffee basket"
in the memo field.

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/>  

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbofsc_nfbnet.org/attachments/20240602/b5b0287c/attachment.html>