[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1975

[president at nfbofsc.org]

June 16, 2024

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

From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President

Positive Note 1975

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

 

Dear Federation Family,

 

June 16, 2024 is celebrated as Father's Day across the United States. The
original Father's Day took place in Washington state on June 19, 1910. The
day became a nationwide event in 1972. Let us take time to honor our living
fathers and remember the fathers who came before us. Let us also remember
the great fathers of the Federation who started our movement on its great
path for the blind's rightful place in society.

 

On June 11, 2024, I had the honor to speak to the At Large Chapter where I
shared happenings at the state level, some information from the most recent
board meeting and the excitement of the upcoming National Convention. The
chapter allowed me to review Gary Wonder's article from the May Braille
Monitor and reflect on his thoughts there. President Bible is doing an
excellent job with the At Large Chapter and I appreciate his diligence with
Federation work.

 

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.

 

We are just two and one-half weeks from the beginning of the National
Convention being held in Orlando, Florida and there is a lot of excitement
in the air. Currently, there are 70 in-person registered Federationist from
South Carolina and two virtual attendees. I observe that the SC Commission
for the Blind is well represented at our National Convention. Let's see just
how many National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina members we can
get registered at the National Convention this year!

 

The restaurant guide for the National Convention was shared on the NFB of
SC's listserv on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Please note that delivery services
such as UberEATS and Door Dash cannot deliver to your hotel room. You are
required to meet these drivers at the hotels main entrance.

 

We are excited to feature a youth track at the NFB of SC State Convention
this year! Sonia Timmons, SC Association of Parents of Blind Children
Committee Chair, and Andrena Corder, Director of Successful Transitions, are
working hard to have a full youth track to engage our young Federationists
in the convention. There will be special activities for the youth who will
also serve as talking signs and participate in other integral functions.
Please encourage students and other young Federationists to attend this
year!

 

Each year, thousands of Federation members and friends contribute before and
during National Convention to various funds that support blind people. We
still need your generosity to fund our great programs in 2024 and beyond.
When you give $25.00 or more between May 16th and July 6th by 5:00 p.m.
eastern time, you will be entered into the Dream Big: Give $25 Drive
Drawing. Each $25.00 dollar increment is a chance to win. Why "Dream Big?"
We know there are no limits to what blind people can accomplish and together
we'll make our dreams a reality. For more information or to make a donation
go to  <https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/give-25>
https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/give-25. 

 

The Palmetto Convention Grant is 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.

 

Things to Remember

*	NFB of SC Scholarship applications are due by June 20, 2024 at 11:59
p.m.
*	National Convention dates are July 3-8, 2024.
*	NFB of SC State Convention Registration and Room Reservations are
due by July 25, 2024.

 

 

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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