[NFBofSC] Positive Note 2073

Sun May 3 17:15:31 UTC 2026

May 3, 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: 2073

Dear Federation Family,

Midlands Gives is Tuesday, May 5, 2026 and the National Federation of the
Blind of South Carolina and Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of
the Blind are both participating. If you need assistance, folks will be
available at the Federation Center during the Power Hour to process your
donations between 12:00 and 1:00 PM. You can also give at
<http://www.midlandsgives.org/nfbofsc> www.midlandsgives.org/nfbofsc and
<http://www.midlandsgives.org/rockybottom>
www.midlandsgives.org/rockybottom. Watch our Facebook page for the QR code,
if you find that helpful.

The latest edition of The Braille Monitor is out and it is packed with
information you will find useful and interesting. One of these articles is
Learning Independence through Life Experiences and the National Federation
of the Blind by our very own Andrew D. Adams. Andrew is part of the Kenneth
Jernigan Leadership in Service Program. This cohort read The Nature of
Independence by Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, a speech delivered to the National
Federation of the Blind Convention Banquet in 1993. We have discussed this
speech in the past and you will be inspired to read Andrew's article. The
Courage to Bloom is another article in this edition written by Elizabeth
Rouse who was a member of the NFB of SC for a time. Other articles include:

*	Convention Bulletin
*	Keeping Convention Weird: Plan Your Visit to Wacky, Wonderful Austin
*	Building Momentum from Coast to Coast
*	Generational Federationism
*	The Meaning of Membership and Independence

Let's read and learn together!

>From Frank Loza, Senior Camp Director

We had a great time at Senior Camp. The weather was just right-cool in the
mornings and at night, and warm during the day. Campers enjoyed games such
as Bingo and Bible Trivia, and the winners received prizes. We also held
sessions out on the deck of the Conference Center. Patrice Williams spoke
about the Meta Glasses, Marvin Nelson led an exercise class and shared how
to use a cane for self-defense, and Karen Davis taught a gardening class.
Campers who participated in the gardening session were able to take home the
plants they had planted.

We went on an outing to Hagood Mill, where we were able to check out
petroglyphs made by Native Americans. There is also an original cabin, set
up in 1792, with household items from that time period. The mill itself was
established in 1845 and still uses a twenty-foot wheel for grinding. There
is a gift shop where campers enjoyed purchasing a variety of items. Lenora
and the kitchen crew packed lunches for everyone, and we ate together while
we were there. After returning to Rocky Bottom, we went up to Sassafras
Mountain and took pictures. Throughout the entire time, I especially enjoyed
hearing the campers laughing and having such a good time.

I would like to thank Lenora Robertson, Caroline Philips, Caroline Jackson,
Barry Chavis, Gerald McMurray, Harold and Olivia Anderson, and Isaiah Nelson
for the great job they did in the kitchen. I especially want to thank Gerald
McMurray for all the help he provided-working in the kitchen, calling out
games, driving the golf cart, and assisting campers with whatever they
needed. Thanks also to Emo, Grady's friend, who was a big help in the
kitchen, making sure campers had drinks and helping with trash. He also made
sure campers got back and forth to their rooms. I appreciate Karen Davis for
helping campers get back to their seats after meals and for assisting those
who needed help with drinks. Thank you to Harold Anderson for handling
repairs in the rooms and around Rocky Bottom. I would also like to thank
Isaiah Nelson for arranging drivers, Anita Beasley and Roger Hernandez, for
transportation from Columbia to Rocky Bottom and back. Thank you, Anita and
Roger. Gerald McMurray also drove from Aiken, picking up campers along the
way, and Kerry Thompson helped transport campers from Sumter to Rocky
Bottom. Finally, I would like to thank all the campers who participated and
made it such a great time. God willing, we will do it again in October!

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 is the 60th anniversary of the creation of the SC
Commission for the Blind. The NFB of SC is directly responsible for having a
separate agency to provide vocational rehabilitation services to blind and
low-vision South Carolinians. We wish the SC Commission for the Blind well
during the next 60 years!

The next Presidential Release will take place on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at
8:00 PM. The call-in number is 929-205-6099 and the meeting ID is 919 9578
9629. Choose Join and enter the meeting ID if accessing using the Zoom app
on any device.

You are warmly invited to attend the National Federation of the Blind of
South Carolina 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 is 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.

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 email 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:

*        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/>  

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