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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@01DC8E0F.002D3A90" 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'>January 25, 2026<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>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'>From: Marty R. McKenzie, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>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'>Positive Note: 2059<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Dear Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Currently, parts of South Carolina are under a winter weather warning with significant ice accumulation expected in the upstate and parts of the midlands. The last significant ice storm was in 2005 which I remember well. There was a winter weather storm in 2022, but that one primarily brought snow to the Palmetto state. Please check on your neighbors and loved ones during this difficult time as power outages are expected.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>As was shared on the NFB of SC listserv, the South Carolina delegation to the Washington Seminar were unable to make the trip due to the weather. Significant precipitation accumulation of six to ten inches is expected in D.C. on January 25, 2026. Our delegation will work in the coming weeks to make contact with our representatives locally to promote the legislation that the National Office is pushing forward this year.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Today’s AI Tip is just for Alexa devices. Did you know you can change Alexa’s voice? If you don’t like the voice Alexa uses to talk to you, just say: Alexa, change your voice and listen to each option until you find the one you like.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Palmetto Connects<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>The next Palmetto Connects will take place on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. on the NFB of SC Zoom platform. To dial in, call 929-205-6099 and enter Meeting ID 803 254 3777#. Use this same Meeting ID in the app on the computer or iPhone and use passcode 124578. Share this information widely.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>From Andrew Adams:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Join us for the Sweetheart Ball on February 6th for an unforgettable evening of fun, fellowship, and celebration. Tickets are $30 per person, making it a perfect night out for members and guests. Gather your friends and reserve a full table for $240 to enjoy the evening together. The purpose of the Sweetheart Ball is to bring our members together while supporting a meaningful cause. Proceeds raised will help sponsor members to attend the national convention in Austin, Texas. Come out, dress up, and participate in a night that strengthens our community and invests in our future.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>The National Federation of the Blind National Convention will be held July 3–8, 2026, in Austin, Texas, at the JW Marriott and the Austin Marriott Downtown overflow hotel. Room rates are $139 per night for single or double occupancy and $155 for triple or quad occupancy, plus 19% in taxes and fees. The first night is charged when booking. To reserve a room, call 800-627-7468 and use room block BL1. Cancellations made by May 31, 2026, receive a 50% deposit refund; no refunds are available after that date.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>The Kenneth Jernigan Scholarships support active blind and sighted first-time attendees at the National Convention. Applications are due by March 31, 2026, and applicants must meet with President Marty McKenzie for a letter of support. In recent years, individual awards have been $700 and family awards $1,100; these do not cover all expenses. Recipients receive a prepaid VISA card after arriving at the hotel at a specified time and location. The online application must be completed in one session, so applicants are encouraged to prepare responses in Microsoft Word and copy and paste them. Those not comfortable using a computer should seek help from a friend. The online application can be found at <a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship">https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>The next National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina State Board meeting is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the Federation Center of the Blind at 10:00 a.m. Meetings are open to all members. If an executive session is required, everyone except board members will be excused. These happen rarely and generally do not last very long.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Things to Remember<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Palmetto Connects on February 3, 2026<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Sweethearts Ball on February 6, 2026<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>State Board meeting on February 7, 2026 beginning at 10:00 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>National Scholarship applications due by March 31, 2026<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship applications due by March 31, 2026<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>National Convention hotel reservations due by May 31, 2026<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><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/"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.nfbofsc.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>