[NFBofSC] Positive Note 2088

Thu Aug 20 18:52:59 UTC 2026

Greetings

Thank you for hosting an amazing event for NFBSC State Convention.

I would like to recognize Mr. Marvin Nelson ( 2nd VP NFBSC Sumter Chapter)
for teaching Exercise and Defense class at The State Convention
If you missed the class ,you missed a treat.

Thank you Marvin, hope to see you on stage next year!

Patrice Dennis Williams
NFBSC Sumter Chapter Secretary
My Blindness activated my Vision

On Tue, Aug 18, 2026 at 9:33 AM Tina Herzberg via NFBofSC <
nfbofsc at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> [image: heart] Tina Herzberg reacted to your message:
> ------------------------------
> *From:* NFBofSC <nfbofsc-bounces at nfbnet.org> on behalf of Shannon Cook
> via NFBofSC <nfbofsc at nfbnet.org>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, 18 August 2026 03:13:52
> *To:* 'NFB of South Carolina Mailing List' <nfbofsc at nfbnet.org>
> *Cc:* Shannon Cook <coffeequeensc1 at sc.rr.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [NFBofSC] Positive Note 2088
>
>
> *[EXTERNAL EMAIL]* DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize
> the sender and know the content is safe.
>
> I wanted to echo and add to the thanks from Marty for the state
> convention. Thanks to everyone who helped make this year’s convention a
> great success. In addition to those who Marty thanked and acknowledged, I
> also would like to thank Larry and Valerie Warrington for streaming the
> convention this year.  Thanks to my hubby Steve Cook who secured thirty
> vendors for the Exhibit Hall. That is the most I’ve ever seen during my
> years with the NFB. Thanks to Andrew Adams and Janice Bright for a great
> reception. They really drew in the crowd and got some of us to share in the
> reception theme “simply Me Beyond Sight.” David Houck and Tracy Spittle
> also served as committee chairs and made sure everything was coordinated
> for the Donald C. Capps and Educator of the year Awards respectively. David
> and Darlene Houck served at registration table. Students from successful
> Transitions were Talking Signs at different times over the weekend. . There
> are so many who help everything run smoothly. The Blind merchants offer
> their snack bags that have become an annual state convention tradition.
> They are always worth more than what they cost. From the raffle ticket
> sellers, members who support chapters and division  fundraisers, to the
> speakers, the group who chose the walk-up music, to the runners who deliver
> door prizes and take microphones to audience members so the live stream can
> hear their comments, it is all important and part of what makes the
> convention seem effortless.
>
>
>
> Congratulations to the new board members and those who were re-elected.
> Thanks to those who were willing to run. Even if the person you voted for
> was not elected, let’s show our support for the board and do our fair share
> to help  show how much we are capable of as blind people. This is how we
> can continue to build the National Federation of the Blind of South
> Carolina.
>
>
>
> Shannon Cook
>
> The greatest investment you can make in this world is kindness.
>
>
>
> *From:* NFBofSC <nfbofsc-bounces at nfbnet.org> *On Behalf Of *president---
> via NFBofSC
> *Sent:* Monday, August 17, 2026 9:44 PM
> *To:* 'NFB of South Carolina Mailing List' <nfbofsc at nfbnet.org>
> *Cc:* president at nfbofsc.org
> *Subject:* [NFBofSC] Positive Note 2088
>
>
>
> [image: NFB of SC logo with tagline live the life you want]August 17, 2026
>
> Memo To:  Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter and Division
> Presidents and Others
>
> From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President
>
> 843-939-8091  president at nfbofsc.org
> Positive Note: 2088
>
>
>
> Dear Federation Family,
>
>
>
> We concluded the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina 70th
> Annual State Convention yesterday where
>
> 207 enthusiastic members gathered for a time of “strengthening our shared
> bonds.” Our students attended the sessions and completed activities for
> Successful Transitions. District 3 Representative, Frank Loza, delivered
> the invocation. David Bundy and his Scouts presented the colors. The Pledge
> of Allegiance was observed, and District 6 Board Member, Sarah Massengale,
> led the convention in singing the National Anthem. This year, we were
> excited to have our National Representative, Shawn Callaway, and his wife,
> Latonya Callaway, from the District of Columbia. Shawn did an excellent job
> updating us on happenings at the national level. Executive Director of the
> Division of Outreach Services, Scott A. Falcone, brought an update from the
> SC School for the Deaf and the Blind. Director of Talking Book Services,
> Jennifer Wilson, updated the convention from the SC State Library Talking
> Book Services. Interim Commissioner, Luis Mendoza, was on hand updating us
> on the SC Commission for the Blind and speaking with individual members as
> well. Sonia Timmons brought us up to date on happenings in the Parents of
> Blind Children, and I concluded with the Presidential Report.
>
>
>
> The highlight of the morning session was a program item titled Successful
> Transitions: Ten Years Changing Lives. The group who developed and
> presented the original proposal delivered comments. Ed Bible discussed how
> the proposal came to be and shared the initial ideas behind it. David Bundy
> wrote the proposal and Valerie Warrington provided the financial
> information. Frank Coppel contributed as well and Jennifer Bazer led the
> early work. Director Andrenia Corder delivered a stunning presentation
> regarding Successful Transitions! She captured the impact of the program on
> the real-world lives of the students we serve. Having worked for the
> program since 2017, she possesses a deep knowledge of what Successful
> Transitions does and she thinks creatively about the work of the program.
> Her presentation concluded with testimonials from students who are in the
> program or completed it in the past. The presentation was stellar on every
> level!
>
>
>
> The afternoon session led with a program item titled Forty Years of
> Training and Rehabilitation: A BISM Story delivered by Derique Simon.
> Derique captured the unique characteristics of Blind Industries and
> Services of Maryland (BISM) and highlighted the success of the program as
> well as how it has changed over the years. Dr. Tina Herzberg presented an
> item titled Working with the Lived Experiences of Blind and Low Vision
> Individuals. She had the opportunity to work closely with three blind
> professionals who helped teach the Access Technology class at the
> University of South Carolina Upstate this summer.
>
>
>
> Sarah Massengale and I delivered a presentation titled The Voice-Powered
> Home: Overview of Smart Homes. Both of us have delved deeply into
> artificial intelligence and we are enthralled with the opportunities it
> affords blind and low-vision people to get access to information. Many
> people now use their voice to control devices in their homes. The
> presentation covered how to get started and ways you can take advantage of
> this emerging technology.
>
>
>
> 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. Janice reported on the issues in Washington while
> David covered our continued efforts to raise the Homestead Exemption from
> $50,000 to at least $100,000.
>
>
>
> The afternoon session concluded with 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 the
> Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind (RBRCCB), which was
> uplifting, as the camp has moved into a more stable period. Some necessary
> repairs have been made, including a new deck, and the camp now has an
> onsite resident manager who loves the place. Frank Loza and Gerald McMurray
> reported on the huge success of the fall and spring Senior Camps and Tracy
> Spittle reported on Children’s Camp. Sarah Massengale, Digital
> Accessibility Professional, updated the convention on “The Final Rule.”
> Adam Thayer from Thrivent Financial Group delivered a program item titled
> Personal Finance: Tips and Tricks. National Representative, Shawn Callaway,
> concluded with Musings of a National Representative. The convention
> adjourned to prepare for the evening banquet.
>
>
>
> The 70th Annual NFB of SC banquet was an awesome event! National
> Representative, Shawn Callaway, told the convention his story, which is a
> great example of what happens when we embrace our blindness and join others
> who share our common bonds. Shawn is very engaging, and conventioneers
> quickly and easily connected with him.
>
>
>
> Because of a tie, we had four scholarship winners this year, two of whom
> are attending Clemson University. Congratulations to Hubert Holmes, Melinda
> Jones, Isabella Marchese and Landon Terry! All of our scholarship winners
> are well known to the convention and we expect great things from them in
> the future! Approximately $6,000 in scholarships was awarded.
>
>
>
> Below is a list of other awards presented.
>
>    - The Educator of the Year Award was presented to Modenia Davis from
>    Columbia for her excellence as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist.
>    - The Donald C. Capps Award was presented to Tronda Anderson for her
>    high level of participation in the NFB of SC, including her work at the
>    Federation Center and her enthusiasm working at Senior Camp. She is also
>    affectionately known as “Miss Sunshine.”
>
>
>
> The Banquet Fundraiser was a huge success this year! The first four
> contributions totaled $5,500, which set the tone for the evening.
> Federationists had fun giving in honor of their pets and guide dogs as
> well. The total in hand and with pledges is $12,000. All pledges should be
> paid by December 31, 2026. 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 NFB of SC Treasurer Valerie Warrington and Rocky
> Bottom Treasurer Roger Webb. All reports were excellent, showing the
> organizations in good standing.
>
>
>
> Elections were held with the following results.
>
>    - President – Marty R. McKenzie
>    - First Vice President – Lenora Robertson
>    - Second Vice President – Debra Canty
>    - Secretary – Shannon Cook
>    - Treasurer – Valerie Warrington
>    - District 2 Representative – David Bundy
>    - District 4 Representative – Demetrius Williford
>    - District 6 Representative – Sarah Massengale
>    - At-Large Representative – Janice Bright
>    - At-Large Representative – Vincent Downing
>
>
>
> The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina is represented by
> an excellent board and I thank you all for your continued service!
>
>
>
> The Door Prize Chair took her cue from the National Convention and each
> session opened and closed with a $100 door prize! Several names were called
> at these sessions and several missed this special prize. There were so many
> door prizes that it took until Sunday morning to give them all out. The
> South Carolina affiliate is generous and I am deeply grateful for all you
> did to make the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina 70th
> Annual Convention such a huge success! Our final registration was 207,
> which is the largest in recent history!
>
>
> Southwest Student Seminar – From Sonia Timmons
>
> Are you a blind student seeking professional development, mentoring and
> opportunities to connect with other blind students? Attend our 2026
> Southwest Student Seminar called "The Power of Connection: Networking with
> Intention," on September 18-20 in Tucson, Arizona: https://buff.ly/wIyj8ok.
> Designed for blind students at all stages of their educational journey, the
> seminar is hosted by our National Association of Blind Students (NABS) and
> will feature interactive workshops, engaging discussions and opportunities
> to connect with blind peers and mentors from across the region.
> Participants will explore topics ranging from accommodations and advocacy
> to identity, leadership and building meaningful professional networks. NABS
> is committed to ensuring that finances are not a barrier to participation
> and encourages interested students to learn more and register by August 21:
> https://buff.ly/wIyj8ok.
>
>
> Clarendon Chapter Fundraiser: Christmas Afghan
>
> The Clarendon Chapter of the NFB of SC is selling raffle tickets for a
> beautiful handcrafted afghan made by our very own Glenda Culick. The afghan
> was on display during convention
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/South+Carolina+%0D%0A+119+S.+Kilbourne+Road+%0D%0A+Columbia,+SC+29205?entry=gmail&source=g>
> at the Clarendon and Rock Hill table in the Exhibit Hall. Tickets are $5
> each or three for $10. The drawing will take place at the Annual Board
> Retreat on November 21, 2026. The winner will be notified by phone. Let’s
> support one of our smallest chapters.
>
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/South+Carolina+%0D%0A+119+S.+Kilbourne+Road+%0D%0A+Columbia,+SC+29205?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
>
>
>
>
> Marty
>
>
>
> Marty R. McKenzie, President
>
> National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina
>
> 119 S. Kilbourne Road
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/South+Carolina+%0D%0A+119+S.+Kilbourne+Road+%0D%0A+Columbia,+SC+29205?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> Columbia, SC 29205
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/South+Carolina+%0D%0A+119+S.+Kilbourne+Road+%0D%0A+Columbia,+SC+29205?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> Phone: 803-254-3777
>
> Mobile: 843-939-8091
>
> Website: www.nfbofsc.org
>
>
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