[NFBofSC] Positive note 2032

Mon Jul 21 01:47:44 UTC 2025

July 20, 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 2032

Dear Federation Family,

As we continue sharing information from the National Convention, it is
important to note that the Commissioner of the Social Security
Administration, Frank Bisignano, was in attendance at the convention. While
I do not remember a commissioner from SSA attending convention, I am told
that this has happened in the distant past. Mr. Bisignano is the fifth SSA
Commissioner in approximately seven months. He has a connection with the
blind and appeared genuinely interested in our issues and needs.

Congratulations to Lauren Reeves of the Charleston Chapter!

Teammate of the Year 

Nomination Name: Laurin Reeves 

Category: Nurse of the Year - Exemplary Professional Practice 

This nurse has been a registered nurse at Roper Hospital since 1991 and
during her time here she has been the epitome of a role model and leader.
She serves as a chair of one of Roper's hospital councils and serves as a
member on the Leadership Advisory Council and the Roper Falls Committee. In
addition, she is currently exploring joining the Roper Magnet Champions
Council. Her leadership as chair has been awe-inspiring, implementing
multiple initiatives to increase nurse engagement, retention, recruitment,
and satisfaction. In 2024, she led Roper PEAC in a ring pop initiative to
help spread the knowledge of the nurse engagement survey to all nurses. She
organized volunteers and even volunteered herself to round and help spread
the word to nurses. In addition, this nurse has coordinated with both the
CNO and the admin assistant in 2024 and 2025 to plan a Nurses' Week worthy
of our nurses. In 2024, this nominee not only helped plan Nurses' Week, but
she volunteered and attended almost all the Nurses' Week events to ensure
that everything went smoothly and as planned for the nurses at Roper
Hospital. In addition, this nurse also evaluated Nurses' Week survey results
from Roper nurses to help her better plan for the 2025 Nurses' Week to
ensure that the nurses at Roper felt heard and were satisfied with their
week of recognition. This nurse is extremely focused on creating a healthy
work environment for nurses. Her work with PEAC has been directly focused on
nurse retention, recognition, and recruitment. She is integral in the
success of Roper's Daisy Award Program. Under her leadership, she was able
to increase both nominations and winners greatly! Roper Hospital now
recognizes 6 Daisy winners, a 50% increase from the 4 recognized in previous
years. This is all due to her dedication and the influx of nominations that
Roper Hospital now receives. Every month, sometimes more frequently, this
nurse takes time out of her schedule to collect all Daisy nominations, both
electronic and handwritten, to better organize them for her council to vote
on. She organizes the voting, restocks the Daisy displays and personally
attends every ceremony held to give a Daisy Award to a nurse. She does this
because this nurse knows that nurse recognition is a major retention
strategy, one that is near and dear to her heart. She is also very active in
trying to recruit members to become involved in professional governance. In
2023 & 2024, she attended multiple recruitment sessions during Nurses' Week
and the Champions Halloween event to talk to nurses and tell them the
importance of professional governance. In addition, this nominee organized
candy gram sales in February of 2024 & 2025 to help raise money for the
Nursing Scholarship Fund. She also organized the Roper raffle basket sales
in 2024 to help raise money for the Nursing Scholarship Fund. These two
initiatives alone have raised roughly $3,000 to help contribute to nurse
professional development. Outside of work, she coordinates with the National
Federation of the Blind to help create and distribute patient
information/education brochures to those patients in need. A cause that is
very near and dear to her heart. This nurse is extraordinary and deserves to
be recognized for her amazing leadership and dedication to the nursing
profession. She is selfless, humble, and always willing to jump in and offer
a helping hand. This nurse is my Nurse of the Year. 

This is a friendly reminder to make your reservations for the National
Federation of the Blind of South Carolina's State Convention being held
August 14-17, 2025 at the Doubletree by Hilton. There is no room rate
guarantee after July 23, 2025, so be sure to contact the hotel for your
reservation needs. Book online at https://hil.tn/00qbnn or call Central
Reservations at 866-247-3572 and ask for the National Federation of the
Blind of SC Attendee Block. Note: Your card will be charged for the first
night at the time of booking. These rates apply to reservations between
August 12 and 19, 2025.

Registrations are coming in quickly as the deadline for early bird
registration approaches. To register for the NFB of SC 2025 State
Convention, visit www.nfbofsc.org <http://www.nfbofsc.org>  and find the
heading "2025 National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina State
Convention Registration." Read all the instructions carefully before
accessing the form. If you have questions, contact Steve Cook at
803-260-1292. You should complete the form even if you are not using PayPal
to pay.

The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina invites you to kick
off the 2025 Annual State Convention with "An Evening to Remember: Prom
Night & Talent Show" on Friday, August 15, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. This
special evening will feature a best dressed contest where two individuals
will be crowned Prom King and Queen and awarded $200 each based on their
individual style and presentation. The event will also include a talent show
showcasing up to 15 contestants, each given three minutes to perform. Talent
show entry is $25 per act. Open to Federation members of all ages, this
event is a celebration of confidence, creativity, and community spirit.
Don't miss this unforgettable night of style, entertainment, and Federation
pride. for more information, please contact a member of the Columbia Chapter
Board.

Door Prizes

First Vice President Lenora Robertson will again serve as the door prize
chairperson. Please bring your door prizes to the state convention and give
them directly to her. If shipping, address them to Lenora Robertson, 1258
Roundtree Circle, Rock Hill, SC 29732. Shipments should arrive no later than
Wednesday, August 13, 2025. Door prizes should have a minimum value of $10.
Cash is always welcome!

Things to Remember

*	NFB of SC hotel reservations and registration due by July 23, 2025
*	Palmetto Connects on August 5, 2025
*	National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina State Convention
August 14-17, 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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