[NFBofSC] Positive Note 2025

Mon Jun 2 02:26:16 UTC 2025

June 1, 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 2025

Dear Federation Family,

The first five months of the year are behind us, high school and college
graduations are complete and the school year has ended. We now move to the
myriad of activities that will take place during the summer months. Chapters
are conducting fundraisers in an effort to assist members to attend the
national and state convention. As we move forward, let us take time to stay
on top of information shared from the national office through e-mail
correspondence, the Braille Monitor and other publications that keep us
informed on Federation happenings.

The next Palmetto Connects is scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, 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.

Registration and hotel reservations for the national convention being held
in New Orleans have now closed. You may register on site for $30 but the
deadline has passed to reserve a room at the special rate. I look forward to
seeing many of you in New Orleans!

Call for Volunteers

We are seeking volunteers for the Independence Market at the 2025 National
Convention. Volunteers are needed for the following roles:

*	Demonstrators
*	Storekeepers
*	Line Marshals
*	Cashiers

Each volunteer will work a six-hour shift, split between a four-hour shift
(morning or afternoon) and a two-hour lunch shift. Storekeeper and cashier
shifts are longer to accommodate shift overlaps and the count-out procedure
at the end of each day.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact me at
president at nfbofsc.org <mailto:president at nfbofsc.org>  or by phone at
843-939-8091.

Lead and Drive: Give $25 in '25

The National Federation of the Blind invites supporters to participate in
the Lead and Drive: Give $25 in '25 campaign from May 15 to July 11.
Donating $25 or more earns an entry into a prize drawing, with each $25
adding another chance to win. Prizes include a trip for two to the 2026 NFB
National Convention in Austin, hotel and event costs covered including
$1,000 walking around money, or $2,025 in cash. The first 100 donors of $100
or more receive AfterShokz headphones. Donors can also become Federation
Challengers by encouraging others to give, with special drawings and public
recognition. Contributions may support the White Cane Fund, Kenneth Jernigan
Fund, SUN Fund, or tenBroek Fund. An anonymous donor will match all gifts up
to $25,000. Donate online at www.nfb.org/Give25 <http://www.nfb.org/Give25>
, Donate, by phone, or by mail. Your support helps continue the Federation's
mission.

NFB of SC State Convention

The Doubletree by Hilton located at 2100 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. When making your reservations, please
remember that the first night will be charged to your card at the time of
the reservation. Rooms are available between August 12 and 19, 2025 at these
rates.

>From Steve Cook - NFB of SC Registration Link

The registration link for the NFB of SC 2025 State Convention is now
available! All you need to do is go to www.nfbofsc.org
<http://www.nfbofsc.org>  and look for the heading "2025 National Federation
of the Blind of South Carolina State Convention Registration." Read all of
the information before you click on the link to access the registration
form. Let me know if you have any questions about filling out the form. I
will be glad to assist people in filling out the form if you contact me at
803-260-1292. Even if you do not plan to pay with PayPal, you can still fill
out your registration information using the online form.

Palmetto Convention Grants

The 2025 Palmetto Convention Grant offers three $200 awards to help
first-time in-person members attend the National Federation of the Blind of
South Carolina state convention. To qualify, applicants must be dues-paying
members in good standing, registered for the convention and hotel, and must
submit a completed application packet by 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2025. The
application must include a personal letter explaining the applicant's goals
and background with the NFB, and a letter of recommendation from an NFB of
SC chapter or division president. All materials should be emailed as
attachments to secretary at nfbofsc.org <mailto:secretary at nfbofsc.org>  and
preferably typed for accessibility. Contact Shannon Cook via e-mail or via
telephone at 803-605-4250 with questions or for additional information.

NFB of SC Scholarship Application Open

Blind high school seniors, college, or graduate students enrolled full-time
can apply for the NFB of SC Scholarship. Applicants must be legally blind,
have good grades, show involvement in community or NFB activities, and plan
to attend college. Three winners are chosen each year and must attend the
state convention in Columbia, SC from August 14-17, 2025. Hotel and
registration costs are covered. Winners are announced at the Saturday
banquet. The deadline to apply is June 20, 2025. Apply online at
http://www.nfbofsc.org, where you'll find detailed instructions.

Things to Remember

*	Palmetto Connects on June 3, 2025 at 8:00 p.m..
*	NFB of SC Scholarship applications due by June 20, 2025
*	Palmetto Grant Scholarship applications due by June 30, 2025
*	NFB of SC hotel reservations and registration due by July 23, 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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