[NFBofSC] Positive Note 1993

Mon Oct 21 01:44:48 UTC 2024

October 20, 2024

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

From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President

Positive Note 1993

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

Dear Federation Family,

We begin this Positive Note by extending our deepest sympathy to the family
and friends of Mr. Thomas Coulter who transitioned at the end of September,
2024. Mr. Coulter was a beloved member of the Rock Hill Chapter and retired
military. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during
this difficult time.

We are now beyond the middle of Blindness Equality Achievement Month (BEAM)
and there are additional events to add to the list. Our chapters and
divisions are doing an excellent job of representing the organization in the
public eye with the events being presented. Thank you for all you are doing
to participate actively in BEAM!

On October 14, 2024, the SC Commission for the Blind (SCCB) held a White
Cane Awareness event at the state house featuring the reading of the
proclamation and a scavenger hunt. Misty Williams, Lead Orientation and
Mobility Specialist at SCCB, did a great job of ensuring that scavenger hunt
participants roamed the state house grounds looking for their desired finds.
Thanks to Ed and Julie Bible along with David Houck and Letoya Gibson for
attending this event and representing the National Federation of the Blind
of South Carolina!

On October 15, 2024, a White Cane Awareness Day event was held from 9:00 to
11:00 a.m. at the Federation Center of the Blind. I along with special
guests and some clients from the SC Commission for the Blind, and other
Federationist participated in this event. We walked around the block at the
Federation Center showing off our white canes and generally having a great
time. Commissioner Darline Graham, Carol Anderson and Mark Gamble along with
Misty Williams attended this event from SCCB. Commissioner Graham read the
White Cane Proclamation for the entire audience. Our guest speaker was Dr.
Shirley Madison who delivered remarks on the history of the white cane and
orientation and mobility in South Carolina. David Houck provided comments on
the 44 pieces of legislation that the NFB of SC successfully saw passed over
the years. We appreciate the strong partnership with the SC Commission for
the Blind! We also thank Letoya Gibson for her part in planning this event.
The event was enjoyed by all!

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.

Early voting opens on Monday October 21, 2024 in South Carolina! All members
are encouraged to get out and vote! Other states are already seeing long
lines in early voting. If you live in a heavily populated area, early voting
may save you substantial wait time.

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 Lori Anne Coley

Calling All Chapters and Affiliates! October is Blind Equality Achievement
Month, and we want to hear from YOU! Every Wednesday in October, let's
spotlight the incredible things happening across our communities. Whether
it's upcoming events, photos, videos, or a shoutout to a blind or low vision
person who has truly represented and made an impact in the Blind community -
we want to see it all! Let's come together to celebrate and uplift each
other. Share your stories, your accomplishments, and let's continue to show
the world the power of blind achievement! #SportTheLifeYouWant
#FlexTheLifeYouWant #NationalFederationOfTheBlindSportsAndRecDivision
#NFBSportsAndRecDivision #OctoberBlindEvents #BlindEqualityAchievementMonth

Looking forward to seeing your inspiring posts!

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Garage Sale BEAM event scheduled for
October 26, 2024 at the Federation Center of the Blind is cancelled.
Additional information will appear in the Positive Note when available.

>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 22-24, 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!!!

Things to remember

*	Chapter elections during October and November meetings
*	Clarendon County Chapter fundraiser drawing on November 23, 2024
*	Senior Division Coffee Sale
*	Rocky Bottom blanket drawing at the Board Retreat
*	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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