[NFBofSC] Positive Note 2071

Mon Apr 20 00:37:25 UTC 2026

April 19, 2026

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: 2071

Dear Federation Family,

Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind Senior camp starts
this week and everyone is excited! Blind seniors from across the state will
arrive for a time of learning about NFB philosophy, gaining new skills in
areas of interest and great food and fellowship. We are looking forward to
hearing from Senior Camp in upcoming issues of the Positive Note.

You are warmly invited to attend the National Federation of the Blind of
South Carolina (NFB of SC) State Convention, an exciting annual event that
brings together blind and low-vision individuals, families, advocates, and
community members from across the state for a weekend of learning,
networking, and inspiration. Whether you are a long-time member or new to
the Federation, the convention offers something for everyone, including
engaging guest speakers, opportunities to connect with others, exhibits
featuring helpful products and services, and time for fun and fellowship.
The event will take place August 13-16, 2026 at the Doubletree by Hilton
located at 2100 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC. All are encouraged to attend
and be part of this empowering, life-changing experience as we work together
to build a brighter future and change what it means to be blind. For more
information or to register, visit  <http://www.NFBofSC.org> www.NFBofSC.org
and select "State Convention & Exhibit Hall Registration."

The Doubletree by Hilton is now accepting reservations for the National
Federation of the Blind of South Carolina State Convention being held August
13-16, 2026. The Cost of the rooms are as follows: singles and doubles -
$134; triples - $144 and quads - 154 plus applicable taxes and fees.
Breakfast is included with the cost of your room. You may book online at
<https://hil.tn/lkz9ef> https://hil.tn/lkz9ef. You may also call
800-445-8667 and give the code 917 to link to our room block. The cutoff for
these special rates is Thursday, July 22, 2026. Remember the following when
booking your room:

*	The first night's stay will be charged at time of booking.
*	When checking in, a hold will be placed on the card used for the
entire stay.
*	There is a $50 per night hold for incidentals.

It is strongly recommended that a credit card be used for this stay. Using a
debit card means that the funds in your checking account will have these
holds placed on them as well.

National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Fundraiser

The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina is hosting a
fundraiser through the National Convention Sponsorship Fund to support
members needing assistance with their stay at the National Convention in
Austin, Texas in July 2026, offering participants a chance to win a $500
Marriott gift card to help cover hotel expenses. Tickets are available at
$20 for one ticket, $35 for two tickets, or $60 for three tickets plus two
additional free tickets for a total of five. The drawing will be held on
Sunday, June 21 at 7:00 PM on the NFB of South Carolina Zoom platform. This
is a digital ticket, and the winner does not need to be present to win;
participants must provide their name and phone number when purchasing
tickets so they can be contacted if selected, with all information submitted
to  <mailto:fundraising at nfbofsc.org> fundraising at nfbofsc.org. Payments
should be sent via PayPal to  <mailto:NFBSouthCarolina at gmail.com>
NFBSouthCarolina at gmail.com with "Marriott Gift Card" in the memo field.
Proceeds support efforts to help members offset lodging costs associated
with attending the National Convention.

Parents of Blind Children - This One's for You! - Sonia Timmons

We're thrilled to open applications for the 2026 NOPBC Duffy Fund, giving
selected families a free five-night hotel stay to attend the National
Federation of the Blind National Convention in Austin, TX! If you've ever
wanted to experience the power of NOPBC programming, connect with other
families, and be part of the largest gathering of blind people in the world.
this is your moment. Apply April 1-May 1, 2026 at
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd6yBGEcro1UWuOQ6YeHPOqLFSIHQlgadU
Xujn_s1J1cKynfg/viewform>
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd6yBGEcro1UWuOQ6YeHPOqLFSIHQlgadUX
ujn_s1J1cKynfg/viewform. July 2-7, Austin, TX. Learn more, apply today, and
join us in building confidence, community, and opportunity!

>From the Fundraising Committee

The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina invites members to
advance their leadership journey through the National Convention Sponsorship
Fund, which provides financial support to help offset the cost of attending
the National Convention while promoting growth, leadership development, and
active participation in the organization. Selected recipients are expected
to represent the organization professionally, actively engage in convention
activities, contribute to fundraising efforts, attend General Sessions, and
work at least two assigned areas such as the NFB of South Carolina
Fundraising Table, the Independence Market, or Talking Signs, and later
share their experience at the NFB of SC Annual State Convention. Applicants
must submit a completed application, a written essay, and a letter of
recommendation from their Chapter President, with all materials sent to
<mailto:fundraising at nfbofsc.org> fundraising at nfbofsc.org by April 30, 2026,
at 11:59 PM EDT, with no exceptions.

2026 NFB of SC Student Scholarships

The 2026 NFB of SC Scholarship Program is now open. The state convention
will be held August 13-16, 2026, and all application materials must be
submitted by 11:59 PM EDT on June 20, 2026. As in recent years, the
committee will select the top three applicants, who will be notified about
one month before the convention. The updated application is available online
at  <http://www.nfbofsc.org> www.nfbofsc.org. Please remember that the
scholarship program is funded entirely by donations. If you or your chapter
would like to sponsor a scholarship or contribute to the Dorothy C.
Barksdale Metro Fund, contact Shannon Cook at 803-605-4250 or via e-mail at
<mailto:scholarships at nfbofsc.org> scholarships at nfbofsc.org. Finally, help us
spread the word-if you or someone you know is enrolled full time in school,
encourage them to apply.

National Convention Registration Now Open

Early bird registration for the National Convention is now open. Go to
<https://www.nfb.org/convention> https://www.nfb.org/convention to register.
The cost is $25 and banquet tickets are $85 for those who plan to attend the
banquet.

Things to Remember:

*        NFB of SC National Convention Fund applications close on April 30,
2026.

*        POBC National Convention Family Scholarship applications due by May
1, 2026.

*        National Convention Early Bird Registration closes on May 31, 2026.

*        NFB of SC Student Scholarship applications due by 11:59 PM on June
20, 2026.

*        NFB of SC Fundraiser ends on June 21, 2026.

*        Hotel reservations and Early Bird Registration for the NFB of SC
State Convention ends on July 22, 2026.

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/>  

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbofsc_nfbnet.org/attachments/20260419/06973485/attachment.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.png
Type: image/png
Size: 21173 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbofsc_nfbnet.org/attachments/20260419/06973485/attachment.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image003.png
Type: image/png
Size: 12746 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbofsc_nfbnet.org/attachments/20260419/06973485/attachment-0001.png>