[NFBofSC] Positive Note 2017

Mon Apr 7 02:26:28 UTC 2025

April 6, 2025

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

From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President

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

Positive Note 2017

Dear Federation Family,

I am excited to inform our affiliate that members wishing to make hotel
reservations for the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina
State Convention can now do so. The Doubletree by Hilton on Bush River Road
in Columbia, SC is the convention hotel for 2025. Singles and doubles are
$129 per night, triples are $139 per night and quads are $149 per night, all
plus applicable taxes. These rates include breakfast coupons for the number
of people in your room up to four individuals. Reservations must be made by
July 23, 2025. You may book online at https://hil.tn/00qbnn or by calling
Central Reservations at 866-247-3572. When calling, ask for the National
Federation of the Blind of SC Attendee Block. Rooms are available between
August 12 and 19, 2025 at these rates. We will let you know when
registration for the State Convention is available.

The national Federation of the Blind of South Carolina is again
participating in the annual Advocacy Day for Access and Independence. This
event will take place on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at
the South Carolina Statehouse. Sarah Massengale will attend as the NFB of SC
representative this year in her capacity as ADA Coordinator. You can learn
more about the event by visiting https://www.able-sc.org/advocacyday/. If
you encounter any accessibility issues with content on the webpage, please
reach out to Sarah at communications at nfbofsc.org
<mailto:communications at nfbofsc.org> . All who are interested are invited to
attend, but if you are able please do register for the event.

Palmetto Connects

The next Palmetto Connects is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 8:00
p.m. on the NFB of SC Zoom platform. Your host for this event will be a
surprise! The phone number is 929-205-6099 and the meeting ID is 803 254
3777#. If you are using the Zoom app on your computer, phone or tablet,
activate the Join button and enter the above meeting ID without the # sign.
The passcode is 124578 for use with these devices. Continue to encourage
members to participate in this monthly meeting so that we can improve our
attendance.

Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarships

The scholarship provides funding support to NFB members who want to attend a
national convention for the first time. Active NFB members, blind or
sighted, who have not yet attended an in-person NFB National Convention
because of lack of funding are eligible. You can apply at
https://nfb.org/form/convention-scholarship. The deadline to submit is April
15, 2025.

If you cannot apply online, you can still apply by writing a letter to your
state affiliate president answering the below questions. This letter should
be emailed to your state affiliate president. Once you have decided you will
apply, please contact your state president in person or by phone to request
his or her help in obtaining funding. Be sure to tell the state affiliate
president when to expect that your application will be submitted and mention
the deadline.  No matter how you submit your application, be prepared to
answer the following questions:

*	Contact information: Include your full name and both your primary
phone where you can be contacted by your state president and your mobile
phone you might use at convention, if available.

*	Please include your mailing address and your email address.
*	State Affiliate/chapter information: Include your state affiliate,
your state president, chapter, and chapter president, if you attend a
chapter.
*	Mentor information: Include your personal convention mentor and
provide that person's phone number.
*	Funding request: Include your specific request and explain how much
money you need from this fund to make this trip possible for you. We suggest
you consult with other members to make a rough budget for yourself.
*	How do you currently participate in the Federation?
*	Why do you want to attend a national convention?
*	What would you receive?
*	What can you share or give?
*	Any special circumstances you hope the committee will take into
consideration.

Once your online application has been submitted, your application will be
provided to your state president via email. It is still your responsibility
to contact your affiliate president. He or she must email a president's
recommendation directly to the Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund
Committee at kjscholarships at nfb.org <mailto:kjscholarships at nfb.org> . Your
president must email the recommendation no later than the deadline of April
15, 2025. If you have applied outside of the online form, the state
affiliate president must email both the recommendation and the application
letter.

If you are chosen to receive this scholarship, you will receive a letter
with convention details that should answer most of your questions. The
committee makes every effort to notify winners by May 15, but you must do
several things before that to be prepared to attend if you are chosen:

*	Make your own hotel reservation. If something prevents you from
attending, you can cancel the reservation. (Yes, you may arrange for
roommates of your own to reduce the cost.)

*	Register online for the entire convention, including the banquet, by
May 31.
*	Find someone in your chapter or affiliate who has been to many
conventions and can answer your questions as a friend and mentor.

National Convention Hotel Reservations:

The National Convention will take place July 8-13, 2025 in New Orleans,
Louisiana. The last day to make a reservation in the convention hotel with
discounted rate is May 31, 2025. Currently, there are no rooms in the New
Orleans Marriott. If you plan to attend and have not booked your room,
please do so as soon as possible. The overflow hotel is the Sheraton New
Orleans and you can reserve a room there by calling 855-516-1090. This year,
Janice Bright will assist NFB of SC members who are seeking a roommate to
defray expenses. Please reach out to her at 803-760-3717 or via e-mail at
ms.jlbright at gmail.com <mailto:ms.jlbright at gmail.com> . We appreciate
Janice's assistance with this convention item.

Register Today

Registration is open for the National Federation of the Blind National
Convention. The registration fee is $25. Get access to the latest
information as it is made available. Register for the 2025 National
Convention now! The registration link is
https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37855
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37855&qid=11045175> &qid=11045175.

NFB25 Virtual Experience Registration

We are excited to offer opportunities for engagement and connection to
participants who are unable to attend the convention in-person. The Virtual
Experience registration fee is $10. Register for the 2025 National
Convention Virtual Experience at https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37857
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37857&qid=11045175> &qid=11045175.

National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Scholarship Application
Open

The NFB of SC is thrilled to announce the launch of our Annual Scholarship
Program designed to support and empower blind students in their educational
journey. In addition to providing financial assistance, we strive to serve
as blind mentors by living the lives we want. individuals who believe in the
Philosophy of the National Federation of the Blind demonstrate academic
excellence, engage in community support, and show a strong passion for
pursuing higher education are ideal candidates for the NFB of SC Scholarship
Program. .

Eligibility Criteria:

*	High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students enrolled
in full-time post-secondary education.
*	Applicants must be legally blind. 
*	Strong academic record.
*	Growing participation in NFB-related activities.
*	Active participation in community service or extracurricular
activities.

Application Details:

*	Deadline: June 20, 2025 11:59 p.m. 
*	Award Amount: Three scholarships are awarded each year. Scholarships
are awarded at the banquet of the National Federation of the Blind of South
Carolina State Convention held in 2025 at the doubletree by Hilton in
Columbia, SC August 14-17. Scholarship recipients will be notified in
advance that they are a finalist and will have their hotel reservations and
registration costs covered by the  state affiliate. The first second, and
third place recipients will be announced at the banquet Saturday evening.
Students must stay for the convention and participate in all activities
during the weekend. Scholarship amounts are dependent on the donations the
program receives each year.

How to Apply:

Go to www.nfbofsc.org <http://www.nfbofsc.org> . The link to the scholarship
page and application is on the home page. Instructions are provided in
detail.

Things to remember

*	Advocacy Day for Access and Independence on April 8, 2025
*	Palmetto Connects on April 8, 2025
*	Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship applications due by April 15, 2025
*	National Convention room reservations due by May 31, 2025
*	National Convention early registration due by May 31, 2025
*	NFB of SC Scholarship applications due by June 20, 2025

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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