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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'>May 26, 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 1972<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify'><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'>It is Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of summer. The temperatures outside verify that summer is here! Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and was celebrated on May 30 from 1868 until 1971 when it was moved to the last Monday in May. The day commemorates all soldiers who died in the United States armed forces. On this day, families gather for cookouts and other activities of celebration, some not even knowing what the significance of the day is. Let us remember those who died in the armed forces serving our country as they gave the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we all enjoy.<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 May Presidential Release will take place on Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. on the Zoom platform and many other platforms as well. Join President Riccobono for news from the National Office and the Federation family across the country.<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 Palmetto Convention Grant will be offered again this year for first-time in-person state convention attendees. To qualify for a Palmetto Convention Grant, the applicant must be … <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>• A dues-paying member in good standing<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>• Registered for the NFB of SC state convention<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>• Registered to stay at the convention hotel<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>• A first time in-person attendee <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'>A completed application packet includes … <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'>The completed application itself<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'>A letter of recommendation from an NFB of SC chapter or division president.<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'>A personal letter <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'>The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. June 30, 2024. Please spread the word to chapter and divisions to allow everyone the opportunity to apply. For questions, call Shannon Cook at 803-605-4250 or send an email to secretary@nfbofsc.org.<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'>As we all prepare for National Convention, it is important that every member be familiar with the National Federation of the Blind’s Code of Conduct updated December 19, 2021. Chapter presidents are strongly encouraged to review this document with your members at a chapter meeting. All Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship winners should also make sure they are familiar with the Code of Conduct. The Code is available in HTML, Braille Ready Format, MP3 audio and PDF formats. You can find the Code of Conduct at </span><a href="https://nfb.org/index.php/about-us/history-and-governance/code-conduct"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>https://nfb.org/index.php/about-us/history-and-governance/code-conduct</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>. If you need assistance accessing any version of this document, please contact me and I will be happy to assist you.<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'>Lenora Robertson will once again serve as the Door Prize Chair for the NFB of SC State Convention. Cash and gift cards are always favorite items. You can purchase gift cards from the At Large chapter in the amount of $25 or greater. Please bring your door prize contributions to the convention or you can mail them to Lenora Robertson, 1258 Roundtree Circle, Rock Hill, SC 29732. Let’s have an abundance of door prizes to share at the state convention.<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'>Response to the request for NFB of SC members to volunteer at the National Convention is very low at this time. Please reach out to me if you are able to volunteer and need assistance. Also, please let me know via e-mail or text if you have signed up and I am not aware of 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'>Early registration for the National Convention will close on May 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. The event will take place July 3-8, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. The registration cost is $25 and banquet tickets are $75. You can go to </span><a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> to locate additional information about the National Convention as it becomes available. Please note that some nights in the convention hotel are now full and reservations are being routed to the overflow hotel.<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 Embassy Suites is now accepting reservations for the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina State Convention being held on August 15-18, 2024. Rooms can be booked at $112 plus tax and any applicable fees for singles, doubles, triples and quads. You may call the Embassy Suites at 803-252-8700. Reference the NFB of SC State Convention to obtain the special rate. Members are not being charged the first night’s room; instead, a hold is placed on your card until check-in. The cut-off for room reservations is July 25, 2024.<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;color:#212121'>Registration for the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina State Convention is now live! The cost is $85 for adults, $55 for students and $25 for children under eighteen. These prices all adjust upward after July 25, 2024. Please visit<span class=apple-converted-space> </span></span><a href="https://nfbofsc.org/node/178" title="https://nfbofsc.org/node/178"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>https://nfbofsc.org/node/178</span></a><span class=apple-converted-space><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span></span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>to register online. If you need assistance to register online, , plea<span style='color:#212121'>se contact me and someone will assist you.<o:p></o:p></span></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'>Our Sports and Rec fundraiser is extended to August, coinciding with the state convention. All purchased tickets remain valid. Purchase $20 tickets for a chance to win big, including a $750 and a $250 giveaway. Contributions support our Sports Camp Week for the Blind at Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind in Upstate South Carolina. Led by the NFBSC Sports and Rec Division, our mission is inclusive sports. Purchase tickets via PayPal at </span><a href="https://www.paypal.me/sportrecnfbsc"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>https://www.paypal.me/sportrecnfbsc</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> or Zelle at srnfbsc21@yahoo.com. Goal: sell 100+ tickets by August 17, 2024, with the drawing at the state convention. Spread the word! For more information, contact Lori Anne Coley at 803-316-9838.<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'>NFB of SC Scholarship Announcement 2024<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Let’s do more in 24! We are springing into the 2024 NFB of SC Scholarship Program season. With the state convention being August 15 - 18, 2024, the deadline for scholarship applications is 11:59 p.m. June 20, 2024. The committee will meet about one month before the state convention to select the top three applicants and winners will be notified following the meeting. The updated scholarship application is now available at </span><a href="https://nfbofsc.org/scholarship-program"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>https://nfbofsc.org/scholarship-program</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>. Please also remember that the scholarship program operates exclusively on donations. If you, your chapter, your division, your civic organization, church etc., would like to contribute a scholarship or donate to the Metro Fund, please contact me, Shannon Cook at </span><a href="mailto:scholarships@nfbofsc.org"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>scholarships@nfbofsc.org</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> or 803-605-4250. Please help us get the word out about the program. If you or someone you know is in post-secondary education full time, please encourage them to apply for a scholarship! Thank you.<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:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Convention room reservations due by May 31, 2024 – Final opportunity<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Family Fun Day on June 1, 2024<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>NFB of SC Scholarship applications are due by June 20, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Convention dates are July 3-8, 2024 at the Rosen Center Hotel in Orlando, Florida<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>NFB of SC State Convention Registration and Room Reservations are due by July 25, 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'><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>