[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1963

Mon Mar 25 01:25:57 UTC 2024

March 24, 2024

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

From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President

Positive Note 1963

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

Dear Federation Family,

The Federation Center was filled with 53 attendees including state and
chapter board members, chapter presidents and others on Saturday for the
leadership seminar.  It was an exuberant group who participated throughout
the day.

The agenda included a review of policies shared by the National Office and
adopted by the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina State
Board of Directors. These policies were read to chapter leaders and any
questions were addressed.  Leaders are charged with making their members
aware of these policies, where they can find them and what they mean. The
next topic focused on the importance of keeping and reporting accurate
membership records emphasizing  chapter responsibilities for taking care of
this important function. The afternoon session began with information for
chapter treasurers provided by State Treasurer Valerie Warrington including
updates from the Dollars and Cents meetings and time for questions. This was
followed by a brainstorming session among the chapters around fundraising
ideas.

The seminar concluded with a report from Chairman Thom Spittle regarding
Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind. The highlight of
the seminar was the Rocky Bottom ticket drawing! This year, participants
sold 719 tickets which brought in $3,595. The winner of the grand prize was
Judy Simon of the Sumter Chapter who will receive $500 and as the seller of
the winning ticket the Sumter chapter will receive $50. For the first time
ever, the Clarendon County Chapter sold the most tickets, with 146. It was a
very successful Statewide Leadership Seminar!

The Annual Vision Summit titled Orientation and Mobility Throughout the Life
Span took place on Friday, March 22, 2024 at Saluda Shoals Park in Columbia.
There were approximately 75 attendees including those who registered as
vendors. The Partnership delivered excellent updates regarding what is
happening in their respective organizations. Commissioner Darline Graham
delivered an inspiring keynote address highlighting many good things
happening at the SC Commission for the Blind and throughout the state. Just
before lunch Leslie Borton, Erin Jolly, Nancy Irwin and Susan Mitchell
delivered an American Printing House approved presentation on the Monarch.
At the end of this presentation, attendees gathered around to see these
ground-breaking devices in action. I appreciate these teachers and their
willingness to share information on a groundbreaking product.

The afternoon session consisted of a panel of blind individuals focused on
Orientation and Mobility Across the Life Span. Dr. Tina Herzberg and I
moderated the panel. Panelists included Steve Cook, Patrick Mack, Anastasia
Overcash and Derrick Strict who participated from the SC Commission for the
Blind. Other panelists were Andrew Adams from Successful Transitions and
Kacey King a graduating senior from Anderson University. The panel discussed
their formal orientation and mobility training as well as apps, methods and
techniques that they use to live independently on a daily basis. The panel
was well received by the audience! Thanks to all the panelists who gave of
their time and experiences to make this presentation so successful.

Palmetto Connects will take place on Tuesday, March 26, 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.

>From David Houck

Our Center kitchen has a new commercial refrigerator, replacing the old,
worn out one. the Men's rest room by Mr. Houck's office has been renovated
into a family style rest room for men, women, etc. which is a one at a time
use rest room with a door lock. The urinal has been removed and the single
toilet has been replaced with a larger unit. Hand rails were installed on
the wall and the old partition was removed, making it easier for someone
with a walker or in a wheelchair to use the facilities. The rest room has
been repainted and a new wood style floor installed.  The old curtains were
replaced by blinds. We still have the men's and ladies' room at the north
end of the building and the ladies' room across from the kitchen. More
changes are forthcoming!

Registration for the National Convention is now open.  The event will take
place July 3-8 in Orlando, Florida.  The registration cost is $25 and
banquet tickets are $75. You can go to
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention>
https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention to locate additional
information about the National Convention as it becomes available.

>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.

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!

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.

Things to Remember

*	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
*	NFB of SC Scholarship applications are due by June 20, 2024 at 11:59
p.m.

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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