[NFBofSC] Positive Note 2036

Sun Aug 17 20:19:01 UTC 2025

August 17, 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 2036

Dear Federation Family,

We concluded the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina 69th
Annual State Convention earlier today where 198 enthusiastic members
gathered for a time of "Learning Lifting Leading." Our students were present
and showed out as Trenton Smith, re-elected President of the SC Association
of Blind Students, provided the invocation. Landon Bryson and Kaitland Davis
delivered the National Anthem beautifully. David Bundy and his Eagle Scouts
presented the colors. Shelia Wright, National Representative from Missouri
delivered the National Report and we heard from the SC School for the Deaf
and the Blind, the SC State Library Talking Book Services and the SC
Commission for the Blind.  Dr. Tina Herzberg and Landon Bryson talked about
Summer Camps 2025 and Landon made it real for everyone with his powerful
presentation. Sonia Timmons brought us up-to-date on happenings in the
Parents of Blind Children Division and I concluded with The Presidential
Report.

The afternoon led with a cross-generational panel titled "Generational
Stories: Finding Common Ground" facilitated by Dr. Tina Herzberg, Professor
from the University of South Carolina Upstate, and Sonia Timmons, SC Parents
of Blind Children Leader. Panelists included Debra Canty, Second Vice
President of the NFB of SC representing boomers, Clay Jeffcoat, Statewide
Business Manager for the Division of Outreach Services, SC School for the
Deaf and the Blind, representing Generation X, Sarah Massengale, Digital
Accessibility Professional, representing Millennials and Kaitland Davis,
student, representing Gen Z. The panel responded to questions that addressed
the cross-generational complexity of our society as it relates to blind and
low vision individuals. The audience was fully engaged and asked questions
at the end. We appreciate our panelists joining us and sharing their
experiences and thoughts with us.

David Bundy and Steve Cook delivered an informative session on "Wearables:
What They Can Do for you." There are many varieties available and they
summarized information about several of these. Janice Bright and David
Houck, Co-Chairs of the Legislative and Advocacy Committee, brought the
convention up-to-date on happenings in South Carolina and Washington. Hubert
Holmes and Kaitland Davis, both from Successful Transitions, also shared
briefly about their experiences at the Washington Seminar.

The afternoon session was rounded out by a Federation Center Report from
Executive Director, David Houck and Federation Center Board Chair, Ed Bible.
Thom Spittle, Rocky Bottom Board Chair, brought a report from RBRCCB and
Tracy Spittle reported on Children's Camp. Sarah Massengale, Digital
Accessibility Professional, updated the convention on "ADA Title II: Web
Accessibility Final Rule." The convention adjourned in order to prepare for
the evening banquet.

The 69th Annual NFB of SC banquet was one for the record books.
Federationist delighted in each others company and Shelia Wright delivered
her story. She viewed herself through the sighted people around her until
she learned that she did not need to do that. Once she viewed herself as
blind, her confidence gained and she embraced the possibilities. She had the
opportunity to work with Dr. Jernigan while at the Iowa Department of the
Blind. The banquet attendees connected with her story, especially our newer
and first time members.

Scholarship winners this year were Andrew Adams, Patrick Ordonez and Morgan
Vitou. The scholarship amounts awarded exceeded previous years. All of the
students expressed their appreciation and they were well received by the
convention. Below is a list of other awards presented.

*	Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind
Distinguished Service Award presented to Shelley Coppel and Shannon Cook for
their many years of service leading Seniors Camp.
*	The Educator of the Year Award presented to Cindy Percy from
Charleston for her excellence as a Teacher of Blind Students and Orientation
and Mobility Specialist.
*	The Donald C. Capps Award presented to Janice Bright for her high
level of engagement within the NFB of SC and her leadership in so many
areas.
*	The Betty R. Capps Award presented to Sonia Timmons for her high
level of engagement with the NFB of SC and her leadership in the Parents of
Blind Children Division both locally and at the national level.
*	The Presidential Citation presented to Steve Cook for his decades of
tireless service to the NFB of SC, his work at the national level and his
work with other affiliates.

The Banquet Fundraiser was a huge success this year! The first three
contributions were in the amount of $1,000 each which set the tone for the
evening. Federationist had fun giving for their pets and guide dogs as well.
The total in-hand and with pledges is $11,340. All pledges should be paid by
December 31, 2025. The NFB of Sc Board of Directors thanks all who
contributed so generously to our affiliate!

The Sunday morning session started with "Remembering Those Who Went Before
Us" led by Melinda Jones. Melinda put together a beautiful program and we
extend our appreciation to all who participated. Other business included
treasurers' reports from the NFB of SC Treasurer, Valerie Warrington and
Rocky Bottom Treasurer, Roger Webb. All reports were excellent showing the
organizations in good standing. Frank Coppel delivered his report on Doing
Our Fair Share. The NFB of SC ranks number 10 on PAC. We rank number 2 on
SUN. We appreciate all who support our national organization on a regular
basis!

Elections were held with no changes to the Board of Directors. District One
Representative: Michelle Scott; District 3 Representative: Frank Loza;
District Five Representative: Linda Dizzley; At-Large Representative Belinda
Banks; and At-Large Representative: Roger Webb. The National Federation of
the Blind of South Carolina is represented by an excellent board and I thank
you all for your continued service!

Finally, there was an exceptional number of door prizes this year including
lots of cash! The affiliate demonstrated its generosity in so many ways and
I, as president, am deeply grateful for your commitment to the organization
and all you did to make it a huge success! As president, I may be charged
with planning the convention with input from others, but the convention
belongs to all of us as we have a part to play in this work together. Thanks
to all for everything you did! Our final registration number was 198 which
is an outstanding number!

The next Palmetto Connects is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at
8:00 p.m. on the NFB of SC Zoom platform. Your host for this event is 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.

Things to Remember

*	Palmetto Connects on September 2, 2025
*	Banquet pledges due by December 31, 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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