[NFBofSC] Positive Note 2009

Mon Feb 10 02:43:11 UTC 2025

February 9, 2025

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

From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President

Positive Note 2009

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

Dear Federation Family,

It is February and there is much to be done in the National Federation of
the Blind of South Carolina. There are many upcoming events and activities
that need our attention as an affiliate. Some are just plain hard work and
others are fun-filled events where we will fellowship and enjoy each other's
company. In my work life, we have always said when we work, we work hard;
when we play, we play just as hard. That's just a point to ponder. The
balance between work and relaxation is important.

I attended the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) Conference
in Orlando, Florida the week of January 27, 2025. This is the largest
assistive technology conference on the east coast. There were more than
3,000 participants this year which was a significant increase over last
year. There were many sessions from all areas of assistive technology, but I
focused on technology for blind and low vision users. One session led by our
friends from Humanware had healthy conversations around artificial
intelligence (AI), an area in which I am deeply interested. Admittedly, I am
both afraid of and highly interested in the power of AI and what it can do
to assist us as blind people to live our lives the way we want.

>From Janice Bright, Co-Chair of the Legislative and Advocacy Committee

Happy February, everyone! I'm still buzzing from my recent trip to
Washington, D.C.-a journey that blended high-stakes advocacy with moments of
genuine camaraderie and light-hearted fun. As part of the National
Federation of the Blind's (NFB) annual Washington Seminar Week-its 52nd
edition, no less-I had the privilege of joining a stellar delegation from
South Carolina to meet with our nation's lawmakers and champion the rights
of the Blind/Low Vision community.

Traveling from South Carolina to the nation's capital was an experience in
itself. Alongside me was an exceptional team of advocates: Andrew Adams and
Shannon Cook from the Columbia Chapter, Linda Dizzley from the Lee County
Chapter, Lenore Robertson from the Rock Hill Chapter, and Irving Middleton
from the Charleston Chapter. Our group was further strengthened by the
presence of five talented, enthusiastic students from the Successful
Transitions (ST) program, whose dedication and preparedness were nothing
short of impressive. We were also joined by Wallace Stucky-a former NFB of
SC member currently working on Capitol Hill. His insights into the inner
workings of Washington proved invaluable.

Once in D.C., our delegation dove straight into the heart of advocacy. We
had the opportunity to meet in-person with several of our state's
Congressmen. For our congresspeople with whom we did not have a set
appointment our delegation did a pop-up at their DC offices, spoke to a
staffer and dropped-off an info packed packet to be delivered to each
congressman.  These appointments were more than just scheduled meetings;
they were dynamic exchanges where we passionately discussed the need to
safeguard longstanding laws and Federal Funding sources that support the
Blind/Low Vision community. As rapid-fire Executive Orders and sweeping
actions emerge, our conversation centered on ensuring the crucial
legislation our community depends on isn't removed or weakened by fast-paced
political changes.

Our talking points were clear: we need a steadfast "watch-dog" in
Congress-someone who will remain ever-vigilant on behalf of their
constituents. We voiced our concerns about how these rapid governmental
actions might inadvertently weaken critical supports and shared insights on
three national legislative initiatives that we believe are essential to
protecting the interests of the Blind/Low Vision community.

One of the highlights of our week was witnessing our students step-up to the
plate. They dove deep into research, prepared themselves with facts, and
presented our legislative initiatives alongside seasoned delegation members.
Their thoughtful presentations not only underscored the importance of these
issues, but also showcased the bright future of advocacy within our
community. It was truly a proud moment for all of us-a reminder that
nurturing the next generation is key to sustaining our mission.

Every member of our South Carolina delegation contributed to the discussions
with passion and professionalism. Whether it was sharing personal anecdotes
from our lived experiences or offering insights to our legislators, we all
stood proudly as representatives of our NFB of SC affiliate. As the meetings
unfolded, it was heartening to see our congressmen warmly receive our
points, with many expressing a commitment to act as our "watch-dog" for
these essential laws and federal funding sources.

Of course, advocacy isn't all serious business. Between the earnest
discussions and intense preparation, there were plenty of moments of levity.
We shared laughs, swapped stories about our experiences within the
community, and even managed to find time to explore a few of D.C.'s iconic
landmarks. This balance of work and play reminded us that while our mission
is weighty, it's the human connections we build along the way that make the
journey truly rewarding.

As I reflect on this incredible week in Washington, D.C., I'm filled with
gratitude for the opportunity to represent our community and for the
unwavering support of my colleagues and the bright young minds in the ST
program. Our conversations with Congress have set the stage for continued
vigilance and proactive advocacy, and I am confident that our message has
made an impact.

In a city where history and policy intersect, our delegation left with a
renewed sense of purpose and a promise to keep fighting for the Blind/Low
Vision community. The experience was a delightful mix of professional
advocacy, thoughtful dialogue, and the undeniable joy of working together
toward a common goal.

Until next time, I'm signing off with a full heart and a hopeful spirit.
Happy February, here's to making a difference-one conversation at a time!

The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina invites you to its
annual Sweetheart Ball on Friday, February 14, 2025 from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM
at the Kathy Novinger Girl Scout Leadership Center. Tickets are $30 per
person or $240 per table. Tickets can be purchased by: 1) Sending a check or
money order to: Federation Center, 119 S. Kilbourne Rd., Columbia, SC 29205;
2) Using NFB of SC PayPal and including "Sweetheart Ball" in the memo field.
All tickets must be purchased by Monday, February 10, 2025. This is a
wonderful opportunity to fellowship and enjoy a special evening. Don't miss
out!

Palmetto Connects will take place on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 8:00 p.m.
on the NFB of SC Zoom platform immediately following the At Large chapter
meeting. This change is due to Washington Seminar taking place the first
week of February. This month's Palmetto Connects will be hosted by First
Vice President Lenora Robertson. 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.

>From the Sports and Recreation Division

The Sports and Recreation Division is at a crucial point. We met on January
8, 2025 but did not have anyone interested in taking on the role as
president. We will meet again on February 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM to decide if
we will continue as a division or to drop back to a committee or a group.
Please join us to share your thoughts about the changes under consideration.

NFB National Scholarship Program -- Applications Are Open

The 2025 online scholarship application is available at
https://scholarships.nfb.org. All applications and supporting documentation
must be submitted no later than March 31, 2025. 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 at
https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-progra
m. 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!

>From Frank Loza, District 3 Representative:

Federation family, the cold weather is here, and it's time to get your NFB
of SC jackets! There are two styles: a Microfiber that comes in black or
Blue in sizes small to 4x and a Polyester Blend that comes in black, blue
and gray in sizes small to 5x. On the back of the jacket is our national
logo with the text National Federation of the Blind and "Live the Life You
Want." On the left front side are the words NFB of SC. If another state
would like one of these jackets, they can be created. The logo and lettering
are embroidered, so they can be felt. The Microfiber is $80 and the
Polyester blend is $70. If you have any questions, call Frank Loza at
803-617-8016. You can pay by check, money order, PayPal or Zelle. If you pay
by PayPal or Zelle, you will make the payment to my email, which is
floza58 at bellsouth.net <mailto:floza58 at bellsouth.net> .

>From Andrew Adams, Columbia Chapter President

Join us for our BBQ Fundraiser on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 11:00 AM -
2:00 PM at the Federation Center of the Blind, located at 119 S. Kilbourne
Rd., Columbia, SC 29205. For just $15 per plate, enjoy: a Pulled Chicken or
Pulled Pork Sandwich with Two Sides of Your Choice and a drink. Choice of
sides include: Baked Beans, Green Beans, Coleslaw, or Potato Chips. How to
Purchase Your Plate. Buy a ticket from any Columbia Chapter member, Pay via
PayPal to the NFB of SC with Columbia BBQ in the memo or send a check to the
Federation Center of the Blind 119 S. Kilbourne Rd, Columbia SC 29205 with
Columbia BBQ in the memo. Not hungry but still want to support the cause?
Donations are always appreciated and help us continue our work in the
community.

Things to remember

*	Palmetto Connects on February 11, 2025 at 8:00 PM
*	Sweetheart Ball on February 14, 2025 beginning at 5:30 PM
*	Columbia Chapter BBQ on March 8, 2025
*	National Scholarship Applications due on March 31, 2025National
Scholarship Applications due on March 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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