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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>January 28, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Memo To: Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>From: Marty R. McKenzie, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Positive Note 1955<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>843-939-8091 </span><a href="mailto:president@nfbofsc.org"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>president@nfbofsc.org</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Dear Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>We are in the last few days of January, and it has been an extremely busy month within the Federation. I somehow thought that things may slow down after the holiday season, but I quickly learned that this is not the case. There are many things to share with you in this Positive Note, so let’s get to it!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Dominic Calabrese, who continues to assist the NFB of SC whenever possible, obtained an interview for affiliate leaders with WVOC during the morning show hosted by Gary David Barboza. David Houck was interviewed on January 25, 2024 and spoke on House Bill 3127, Homestead Exemption Act. Currently, the first $50,000 in assessed value of a person’s primary residence is exempt from property taxes for individuals who are blind, otherwise disabled according to the Social Security Administration, or have reached the age of 65. The Federation supports H. 3127 because it will raise the Homestead Exemption to $100,000 if passed. David Houck encouraged those impacted to contact the House Weighs and Means Committee and encourage them to pass this bill out of committee into the full House. We extend our gratitude to Dominic Calabrese for getting the interview, Gary David Barboza for granting the interview and continuing to run our PSAs on WVOC and to David Houck for representing the NFB of SC so well!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The year 2024 has many anniversaries in it for agencies and organizations serving the blind in South Carolina. The South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind SCSDB was founded on January 22, 1849 and celebrated its 175<sup>th</sup> birthday on January 22, 2024. SCSDB began as a school for the deaf in 1849 and the blind was added in 1856 when it became a state agency. SCSDB has designated the entire year of 2024 as a year of celebration with many activities planned to bring positive attention to the school. These will be featured in the weekly Positive Note as appropriate. Happy birthday SCSDB!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Congratulations to Federation Center Chairman Ed Bible on his election as the Chairman of the Board for the SC Commission for the Blind Foundation. Ed brings many years of experience and a wealth of knowledge to this role!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>From Andrew Adams and Debra Canty, Co-chairs of the Fundraising Committee<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Fundraising Committee invites you to the Sweethearts Ball on Saturday, February 10, 2024 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Cathy Novinger Girl Scout Leadership Center, Located at 1107 Williams Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Tickets are $30 per person or $240 for a table of eight. Dress attire is semiformal and you will enjoy food, music, dancing and good fellowship. Tickets can be purchased through PayPal at </span><a href="http://www.nfbofsc.org"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>www.nfbofsc.org</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> and click Donations or you can send a check or money order to 119 S. Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29205. You must put Sweethearts Ball in the Notes block on the website or the Memo field on the check. Ticket sales will close on February 8, 2024. For more information, contact Andrew Adams at 803-269-3803 or Debra Canty at 803-775-5792.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>From the South Carolina Blind Merchants Division<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The South Carolina Association of Blind merchants has something beautiful for you. We all know that love is in the air as we approach valentine's Day, and our affiliates annual sweethearts ball. This year the Blind Merchants division will sell corsages and boutonnieres. Corsages are $20 and boutonnieres are $15. If you buy both the cost is $30. All money must be in by February 2, 2024. You can send the money to our cashapp at $blindmerchantsofsc, or send a check to our treasurer Sean Rachal at 64 Clary Hill Drive, Aiken, SC 29805. Please make all checks out to Blind Merchants of SC. For any questions feel free to reach out to our President Belinda Banks at 864-909-5587, or Tiffiny Mitchell at 803-603-2098.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>From Lori Anne Coley, President, Sports and Recreation Division<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The NFB of SC Sports and Rec Division is Sponsoring a Saint Patrick’s Day jackpot, where the winner will have a chance at $750. This drawing will help to fund a sports camp for the blind of SC, and make equitable access to sports a reality. Tickets can be purchase for $20 each via <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>PayPal: </span><a href="https://www.paypal.me/sportrecnfbsc"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>https://www.paypal.me/sportrecnfbsc</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> or by sending a check to the Federation Center.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Chapters and Divisions should have received their $5 Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center raffle tickets. Chairman Thom Spittle gave an overview of the many capital projects needed at Rocky Bottom at the November Board Retreat and at the recent Statewide Seminar. It is important that we sell as many of these tickets as possible! The buyer of the winning ticket will receive $500, the seller will receive $50 and the chapter or division selling the most tickets will receive $300 for its treasury. All Federationist are asked to put forth a special effort this year on this fundraiser. The drawing will take place on March 23, 2024 at the Statewide Leadership Seminar.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>There are several e-mail address changes to take note of for communication within the NFB of SC. Please see the current list below. I will provide additional updates as they occur. Thanks to Steve Cook for making this happen! It is something our affiliate needed in place.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Marty McKenzie, President </span><a href="mailto:president@nfbofsc.org"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>president@nfbofsc.org</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Shannon Cook, Secretary </span><a href="mailto:secretary@nfbofsc.org"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>secretary@nfbofsc.org</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Valerie Warrington, Treasurer </span><a href="mailto:treasurer@nfbofsc.org"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>treasurer@nfbofsc.org</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Theresa Jenkins, Assistant Treasurer </span><a href="mailto:assistanttreasurer@nfbofsc.org"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>assistanttreasurer@nfbofsc.org</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Theresa Jenkins was recently appointed as Assistant Treasurer of the NFB of SC. Theresa can be reached at the e-mail provided above. When contacting Theresa to request any disbursement of funds, you must copy Valerie and myself. As Theresa moves into this role, I will share other responsibilities that she will take on in the coming months. We welcome Theresa to this new role!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Applications Are Open<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The 2024 online scholarship application is available at </span><a href="https://nfb.org/scholarships"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>https://nfb.org/scholarships</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>. All applications and supporting documentation must be submitted no later than March 31, 2024. A list of eligibility requirements, as well as documents containing answers to frequently asked questions, a submissions checklist, and other supporting material can also be found on the scholarship webpage. Throughout the application period, reminders and information about the scholarship program will appear in the Braille Monitor, on our website, and will be shared via social media. Please share!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Things to Remember<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>SC Association of Blind Merchants Fundraiser concludes on February 2, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Sweethearts Ball on February 10, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>NFB of SC Board meeting on February 17, 2024 in-person only<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Statewide Leadership Seminar for Chapter and Division Presidents and NFB of SC board members on March 23, 2024 in-person only<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Rocky Bottom Fundraiser Raffle drawing on March 23, 2024 – You do not have to be present to win<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Scholarship Applications due by March 31, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Assistant Treasurer, Theresa Jenkins, is new to her role and this is the first time our affiliate has had someone in this appointed role. Please take time to read Theresa’s biography below. Welcome Theresa!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Theresa Jinkins lives in Rock Hill but was born in Gastonia, NC. She lives with her husband of 47 years Rick and their furry child Abby. Teressa has two children Clay and Tracey. She retired two and one-half years ago from York County Government.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Theresa has worked with the Rock Hill Chapter of the NFB of SC as a non-member for about five years. In July 2022, she became its treasurer and joined the chapter along with her husband.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Theresa looks forward to working with the NFB of SC, and assisting in any way she can.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>In her free time, Theresa enjoys camping, baking and quilting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Marty<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Marty R. McKenzie, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>119 S. Kilbourne Road<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Columbia, SC 29205<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Phone: 803-254-3777<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Mobile: 843-939-8091<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Website: <a href="http://www.nfbofsc.org/">www.nfbofsc.org</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>