[NFBofSC] Positive Note 2092

Sun Sep 13 17:19:55 UTC 2026

September 13, 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 <mailto:president at nfbofsc.org> 

Positive Note: 2092

Dear Federation Family,

President Riccobono provides a Presidential Release each month that contains
information about happenings within the National Federation of the Blind. A
chapter version is released as well, and chapter presidents are encouraged
to play it at monthly meetings. Both versions are posted on the
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases> NFB
Presidential Releases page, and you can also subscribe by searching for the
National Federation of the Blind in your podcast app. Presidential Release
#563 for September is just over 16 minutes in length. President Riccobono
provides an overview of the structure of the NFB and the role of state
affiliates and local chapters. Additionally, he describes why the NFB is not
a top-down organization, stating that the members drive the priorities of
the organization. I encourage presidents to share this vital information
with your members at regular meetings.

Statewide Family Fun Day

This is the last reminder for Statewide Family Fun Day, as Wednesday,
September 16, 2026, is the deadline to let us know you are coming. To
register, send an email to  <mailto:fundraising at nfbofsc.org>
fundraising at nfbofsc.org with the number attending in your party and the
number who want fried fish. Statewide Family Fun Day takes place on
Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Saluda Shoals
Park. The cost is $15 per person. This brings the Federation family together
again after the state convention for a day of good food, games and
fellowship with members, families and friends from across South Carolina.
Activities include the return of the Federation favorite Braille Bingo,
music, canoeing and outdoor recreation on the water, fishing, walking trails
and splash pad fun for the kids - with plenty of room to simply relax and
enjoy the company. The menu features burgers and hot dogs, fried fish,
potato salad, baked beans, pasta salad, coleslaw, water and assorted drinks.
All proceeds from the $15 admission support the National Convention
Sponsorship Fund, which helps members of the National Federation of the
Blind of South Carolina attend the National Convention. Payment may be made
in advance through PayPal or by sending a money order or check to the
Federation Center. The convention may be over, but the fellowship continues
- come out, bring the family, enjoy the food, play some bingo, turn up the
music and let's have another great time together. For additional
information, contact Andrew Adams at 803-269-3803.

AI Tip or Trick

I use artificial intelligence (AI) on a daily basis to accomplish tasks
efficiently. Today, I created a project in Claude, my favorite AI assistant,
that takes written information from a meeting and prepares minutes that are
written appropriately. Additionally, this same project can generate an
agenda from information provided, and both documents are formatted in an
accessible way with blind and low-vision individuals in mind. Consider ways
that you can use AI to enhance access to information and handle complex
tasks more efficiently.

Blind Equality Achievement Month

October is Blind Equality Achievement Month (BEAM). Chapters are encouraged
to begin planning their events and sharing them with me as soon as possible.
Let's have a huge turnout for BEAM this year.

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. 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. Tickets
are available from any of the following:

*	Marty McKenzie - 843-939-8091 or  <mailto:marty2music at outlook.com>
marty2music at outlook.com
*	Glenda Culick - 843-598-3630 or  <mailto:glendaculick at gmail.com>
glendaculick at gmail.com
*	Trent Tedder - 843-939-8092 or  <mailto:trent.tedder at icloud.com>
trent.tedder at icloud.com

Let's support one of our smallest chapters.

Senior Camp Electronics Crate Auction

Help raise funds for Senior Camp. We are having an auction with a crate full
of electronics. We just added another item and will be adding more along the
way. You can expect items such as a smartwatch, portable antenna for TV,
handheld blower, magnetic power bank, vintage car Bluetooth speaker, two
AM/FM radio USB Bluetooth music player, wireless doorbell camera, Air
voice-controlled fan, neck fan, fast-charging USB and USB-C wall charger,
portable personal handheld fan, five-in-one white noise sound machine with
fifty different sounds and alarm clock, wireless car charger with FM
transmitter and Bluetooth, USB cord with multiple chargers, two Wi-Fi smart
plugs that work with Alexa, mini wireless earbuds with charging dock and a
Wi-Fi extender.

To place your bid, call Frank Loza at 803-617-8016 or email him at
<mailto:floza58 at bellsouth.net> floza58 at bellsouth.net. You can also call
Pathronda Anderson at 803-269-4354 or email her at
<mailto:tronda1 at outlook.com> tronda1 at outlook.com.

Aging to Fortune - Fundraising Committee

The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina is holding a virtual
50/50 fundraiser with a drawing on October 4, 2026. For $20, you receive one
entry for every year of your age, so a 25-year-old gets 25 entries and a
75-year-old gets 75. For an extra $10, your entries double, meaning a
40-year-old would receive 80 entries and a 65-year-old would receive 130.
One winner takes home half of the total funds raised. The other half
supports NFB of SC outreach work: expanding public awareness about
blindness, educating communities about what blind people can do, connecting
people experiencing vision loss with resources, strengthening outreach
across South Carolina and supporting programs that promote independence,
opportunity and full participation in society. The older you are, the better
your odds, so this is one time when getting older really does pay off. To
take part, purchase your virtual ticket through the
<https://nfbofsc.org/donate> NFB of SC donate page and put your name and
contact information in the memo field.

Janice L. Bright - At-Large Board Member

Janice L. Bright is a career development professional, advocate, trainer,
and servant leader whose work centers on creating opportunities for blind
and low-vision individuals to lead, work, advocate, and thrive. As a
Transition Specialist and Curriculum Coordinator with Successful
Transitions, Janice works with blind and low-vision youth throughout South
Carolina, helping them explore careers, strengthen workplace-readiness
skills, develop self-advocacy, and prepare for greater independence. She
also develops accessible curricula and training materials used in both
individualized instruction and group programming.

Janice is deeply involved in the National Federation of the Blind at both
the state and national levels. She serves as President of the SC
Organization of Blind Black Leaders (SCOBBL), Secretary and national board
member of the National Organization of Blind Black Leaders (NOBBL),
Secretary of the Columbia Chapter of the NFB of SC, and Co-Legislative
Coordinator of the NFB of SC Legislative and Advocacy Committee. She also
co-chairs the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. In 2023, she
was selected as a member of the inaugural cohort of the Kenneth Jernigan
Leadership-In-Service Program, an experience that further strengthened her
commitment to leadership and service within the Federation. In August 2025,
Janice received the Donald C. Capps Award in recognition of her dedication
and tireless service to the NFB and the blind community of South Carolina.

Professionally and personally, Janice believes strongly in raising
expectations for blind people and expanding access to meaningful employment,
leadership, and economic opportunity. Her own lived experience as a blind
professional brings an additional perspective to her work and fuels her
commitment to helping others recognize that blindness does not have to limit
ambition, achievement, or possibility.

Janice holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership and a Bachelor of
Arts in Business Administration from Columbia College. She is also a proud
member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., whose motto, "Greater Service,
Greater Progress," reflects a philosophy she has embraced throughout her
life. Whether she is developing young leaders, advocating for legislative
change, mentoring others, creating workforce programs, or simply finding a
way to make serious work a little more enjoyable, Janice brings
professionalism, purpose, energy, and just enough humor to keep people
engaged.

For Janice, service is more than something she does - it is how she leads.

Things to Remember

*	Statewide Family Fun Day count - September 16, 2026
*	Statewide Family Fun Day - September 26, 2026
*	Aging to Fortune 50/50 Drawing - October 4, 2026
*	Blind Equality Achievement Month - October 2026
*	Clarendon Christmas Afghan Drawing - November 21, 2026
*	Senior Camp Electronics Crate Auction

Best regards,

Marty R. McKenzie, President

National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina

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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