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</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="NFB of SC logo with tagline live the life you want" style='position:absolute;margin-left:4.65pt;margin-top:6.9pt;width:60.85pt;height:68.7pt;z-index:-251657216;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width=81 height=92 style='width:.8437in;height:.9583in' src="cid:image002.png@01DC2593.24671D70" align=left hspace=12 alt="NFB of SC logo with tagline live the life you want" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2"><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>September 13, 2025<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><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><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><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>843-939-8091 <a href="mailto:president@nfbofsc.org">president@nfbofsc.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Positive Note 2040<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'>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'>Our nation grieves over the violence we saw in three different events which made news during the last week or so. We are more alike than different and yet, some cannot grasp that concept. We all have different beliefs, values and principles that guide us through our daily lives. It is important that we respect each other, learn from our differences, embrace our common ground and move forward together. Let us remember the families of all who lost loved ones during these tragedies that took place. There is no place for violence in America over our differences!<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'>I was notified on Sunday, September 6, 2025 that Project INSPIRE II: Access and Equity in STEM Learning for Individuals Who Read Braille grant has been defunded effective September 30, 2025. Dr. Tina Herzberg, a Federationist, is the principal investigator on this grant. It is the third braille grant she has obtained in her 18 year tenure at the University of South Carolina Upstate. Federationists such as First Vice President Lenora Robertson and others learned to read braille under the first grant. The National Office sent out a Legislative Alert on Friday, September 12, 2025 calling on the United States Department of Education to reinstate funding for blind students. There are 25 federal grants which are defunded at the end of this month. Three of them are the three braille training grants which the National Federation of the Blind advocated for almost 30 years ago. There are four deaf-blind technical assistance grants which were also defunded. Thanks to all who have advocated for the reinstatement of funding for the braille grants! Hopefully, the United States Department of Education will learn that they made a huge mistake by messing with programs that benefit the blind of this nation!<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'>Blind Equality Achievement Month<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>October is recognized as Blind Equality Achievement Month, a time to remind others that blind people can live the lives we want. Is your chapter or division planning activities? Please share your events with me so that I can aggregate this information for our affiliate and the national office<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'>Thanks to everyone who has expressed interest in a committee during the next Federation calendar year! I hope to have the committee assignments out by next Saturday.<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 Columbia Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina is hosting a Fish Fry Fundraiser on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 12:00 to 4:00 PM at 119 S. Kilbourne Rd., Columbia, SC. Plates cost $15 and include two pieces of whiting, hush puppies, coleslaw, two sides, and a drink. A fish sandwich is $10, and chicken is available upon request. Proceeds will support member activities, travel to conventions, and the organization’s mission of empowerment and advocacy. For pre-orders or questions, contact Andrew Adams at 803-269-3803, Tiffiny Mitchell at 803-603-2098, or email <a href="mailto:Columbiachapter@nfbofsc.org">Columbiachapter@nfbofsc.org</a>.<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 Marty R. McKenzie, President of the Clarendon Chapter<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Clarendon Chapter of the NFB of SC is selling tickets on a beautiful braille afghan made and donated by Glenda Culick. It will cover a queen sized bed and is done in hunter green and white. Tickets are $5 each or three for $10. Contact Marty McKenzie or any member of the Clarendon Chapter. The drawing will take place at the Annual Board Retreat on Saturday, November 22, 2025.<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 Lenora Robertson<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Rock Hill Chapter is selling tickets on a beautiful hand-made quilt quilted by Ms. Pearline Barber. Tickets are one for $5 or three for $10. Contact Lenora Robertson at 803-984-7855 or via e-mail at <a href="mailto:lrobertson@comporium.net">lrobertson@comporium.net</a>, or any of the Rock Hill Chapter members to get your tickets. The drawing will take place on Monday, October 27, 2025 at the chapter meeting.<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 next Palmetto Connects is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 8:00 p.m. on the NFB of SC Zoom platform. Your host for this event is a surprise! The phone number is 929-205-6099 and the meeting ID is 803 254 3777#. If you are using the Zoom app on your computer, phone or tablet, activate the Join button and enter the above meeting ID without the # sign. The passcode is 124578 for use with these devices. Continue to encourage members to participate in this monthly meeting so that we can improve our attendance.<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=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Columbia Chapter Fundraiser on September 27, 2025<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Palmetto Connects on October 7, 2025<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Rock Hill Chapter drawing on October 27, 2025<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Clarendon Chapter drawing on November 22, 2025<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Banquet pledges due by December 31, 2025<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>