[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1995

Mon Nov 4 02:00:49 UTC 2024

November 3, 2024

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

From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President

Positive Note 1995

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

Dear Federation Family,

Today is November 3, 2024 and we have officially begun the last two months
of this year. This is the beginning of a busy season of holiday celebrations
which will take place in many chapters, churches, families and work
gatherings. I challenge each one to take time during the month of November
on a daily basis to think of something for which you are thankful. It is
easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season and become
overwhelmed with stress. Let us be thankful for the many blessings we have
including the blessing of the National Federation of the Blind. Also, please
know that the holiday season is not a happy time for everyone. Be aware of
the needs of friends and neighbors who need a little extra attention during
this time of the year.

Tuesday, November 5, 2024 is election day. It is the right of every American
citizen to get out and vote in our election process. Take this right as a
citizen very seriously. It is important that all voices are heard!

Share Your Voting Experiences -- From the National Office

The National Federation of the Blind advocates for the right of blind and
low-vision Americans to vote privately and independently. Through this work,
we conduct a Blind Voter Survey to assess: (1) the number of blind voters
who cast their ballot at the polls using an accessible voting machine; (2)
the most significant barriers faced by blind voters in these elections; (3)
poll workers' knowledge of the process of using the accessible voting
machine; and (4) blind voters' overall satisfaction with their voting
experience.

All blind and low-vision voters, please share both good and bad voting
experiences you've had in this 2024 general election by completing our Blind
and Low-Vision Voter Experience Survey. English and Spanish versions are
available below. If someone is not able to access the survey online, our
phone format will be available the week of Election Day.

Please complete and share the survey.

•        Voting Survey (In-Person)
https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=36375
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=36375&qid=10548943> &qid=10548943 

•        Voting Survey (Absentee or Mail)
https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=36376
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=36376&qid=10548943> &qid=10548943 

•        Spanish Survey: Encuesta de votantes ciegos en español
https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=36374
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=36374&qid=10548943> &qid=10548943 

Thank you for your help on this important matter.

Thanks to all of the chapters who held BEAM events and communicated this
with me for sharing in the Positive note. We had several excellent BEAM
events during the month of October. Congratulations on a job well done.

>From Lenora Robertson

At our most recent chapter meeting, the drawing took place for the quilt
donated to the Rock Hill Chapter for a fundraiser. The chapter began selling
tickets at the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina State
Convention in August, 2024. The quilt was won by Ms. Pearline Barber who
immediately donated it to fellow chapter member, Roy Ives. Mr. Ives lost
everything in a house fire in July, 2024.

The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina will hold its annual
board retreat on November 15-17, 2024 at the Rocky Bottom Retreat and
Conference Center of the Blind. The Rocky Bottom Board will meet in the
morning and the State Board will meet in the afternoon. We will accommodate
board members and their spouses/drivers on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Contact Thom Spittle at nfbofsc.lab.4 at gmail.com
<mailto:nfbofsc.lab.4 at gmail.com>  or by telephone at 803-331-3344 to make
your reservations. All reservations should be completed by Monday, November
11, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. so that Lenora Robertson and the kitchen crew can plan
for the meals.

>From Thom Spittle

October 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 is the Friends of Rocky Bottom
Campaign. This is the time when we raise money for the general fund to get
us through the winter. We have various levels of giving, $50, $100, $250,
$500, and $1000+. This is not only for NFB members, you can reach out to
local businesses and individuals that would like to help out during this
yearly act of giving. A thank you gift will accompany each giving level.
Please donate and promote this fundraiser!

Chapters should begin holding elections during meetings in October and
November. Any newly elected chapter board members take office according to
each chapter or division’s constitution. Please forward chapter board
information to David Houck at nfbsc at sc.rr.com <mailto:nfbsc at sc.rr.com> ,
Thom Spittle at membership at nfbofsc.org <mailto:membership at nfbofsc.org> ,
Steve Cook at stevecookwebmaster at nfbofsc.org
<mailto:stevecookwebmaster at nfbofsc.org>  and to me at president at nfbofsc.org
<mailto:president at nfbofsc.org> . If you have any questions about dues or
chapter elections, please reach out to me.

This is a friendly reminder that all banquet pledges from the state
convention are due by December 31, 2024. You can mail a check to the
Federation Center or pay using PayPal. Thank you for taking care of this!

>From Thom Spittle

Win a beautiful handmade 60 by 66 inch blanket featuring the words Rocky
Bottom and a picture of mountains and trees. Funds raised will benefit
Children’s camp.

Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. Call Thom Spittle at 803-331-3344 to
find out how to purchase your tickets. The drawing will be held at the Rocky
Bottom Board Retreat.

>From Marty R. McKenzie, President of the Clarendon County Chapter

The Clarendon County Chapter is raffling off a beautiful multi-colored
Christmas afghan made and donated by Glenda Culick. Tickets are $2 each or
three tickets for $5. You can mail a check to Marty McKenzie, 1516 Lucky
Road, Lake City, SC 29560 to purchase your tickets. Checks should be made
payable to Clarendon County Chapter NFB of SC. The lucky winner will be
drawn at the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Board
Retreat which is scheduled for November 15-17, 2024 at the Rocky Bottom
Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind.

>From the Senior Division

The Senior Division of the National Federation of the Blind of South
Carolina is selling coffee and hot chocolate in whatever form you like
(Ground, whole bean or K-Cups). The name of the company is “White Cane
Coffee”, founded by a blind woman. All the boxes are brailled, as are the
individual K-cups. There are numerous flavored coffees to choose from, and
the hot chocolate comes in either plain or a mint flavor. All coffee comes
in regular or decaf and a variety of roasts are available. Please visit our
website at https://whitecanecoffee.com/ref/NFBSC-Seniors/

Or call 814-218-2837 to order your coffee or hot chocolate today! When
calling, be sure to inform them this is for the NFB of SC Senior Division in
order for them to get credit for the sale!!!

Anderson chapter annual Christmas Celebration

The Anderson chapter of the NFB of SC invites you to join us for our annual
Christmas Celebration on Friday, December 13th, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. This
event will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn South located at 115 Destination
Blvd., Anderson SC 29621. The evening will feature guest speakers, Christmas
carols, great door prizes, and some delicious food. Meals can be purchased
for $22 and include baked or fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, candied
yams, broccoli casserole, green beans, yellow rice, and peach cobbler for
dessert. Choice of beverage will be water or sweet tea. The deadline to
purchase a meal is November 25th, 2024. Payment can be made via money order
or checks made payable to the NFB of SC Anderson chapter and should be sent
to 1306 West End Avenue, Anderson SC 29625. For more information, please
contact Demetrius Williford, chapter president, at 864-318-0383. We look
forward to celebrating the season with you!

Things to remember

*	Chapter elections during October and November meetings
*	Clarendon County Chapter fundraiser drawing on November 16, 2024
*	Rocky Bottom blanket fundraiser drawing on November 16, 2024
*	Anderson Chapter Christmas Party deadline of November 25, 2024
*	Senior Division Coffee Sale
*	Friends of Rocky Bottom Fundraiser concluding by December 31, 2024
*	State dues submitted by December 31, 2024
*	Banquet pledges due by December 31, 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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