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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:1.5pt;line-height:150%'><span style='line-height:150%'>October 18, 2026</span><span style='line-height:150%'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:1.5pt'>Memo To: Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter and Division Presidents and Others<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:1.5pt'>From: Marty R. McKenzie, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:1.5pt'>843-939-8091 <a href="mailto:president@nfbofsc.org">president@nfbofsc.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><h1><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>Positive Note: 2097</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></h1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:1.0in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Dear Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Thursday, October 15, 2026, was White Cane Safety Day. Below is what I shared on the NFB of SC listserv.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Today, October 15, is White Cane Safety Day. In 1964 Congress passed a joint resolution that set aside this day each year. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the first proclamation. The National Federation of the Blind worked hard to make that happen. Our founder, Dr. Jacobus tenBroek, believed that blind people have the right to live in the world. That means walking our streets, riding the bus, going to work and raising our families just like everyone else. In 2011 the day was also named Blind Americans Equality Day. That name says what we have always known. The white cane is not a symbol of helplessness. It is a tool of independence and equality. Governor Henry McMaster issued our White Cane Safety Day Proclamation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Every state now has a white cane law, and South Carolina is one of them. These laws require drivers to yield to a pedestrian who is carrying a white cane or using a guide dog. That protection only works if people know about it. So today I ask each of you to help spread the word. Share this message with your family, your coworkers and your church. Remind the drivers in your life to stop, look and give us the right of way.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>I also want to speak to anyone who is newly blind or still unsure about using a cane. Pick it up and use it with pride. The long white cane gave me freedom, and it can do the same for you. With good training and high expectations, you can travel anywhere you want to go. If you want help finding cane travel training or a free cane through the NFB Free White Cane Program, reach out to me or your chapter president. You do not have to figure this out alone.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Together we are changing what it means to be blind. Happy White Cane Safety Day!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><h2><span style='line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>Registration Open for 2027 Virtual Senior Retreat</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Registration is now open for the 2027 Senior Retreat, a weeklong virtual experience running January 10 through 16, 2027. Participants will learn basic nonvisual techniques from experienced blind instructors who serve as role models. The retreat is designed for seniors 50 and older, but younger participants are welcome too. The $50 fee helps cover the cost of a thumb drive each participant receives after the retreat. Your registration and payment must be received by January 5, 2027. You can find details and the registration form on the <a href="https://seniors.nfb.org/senior-retreat">Senior Retreat page</a> or on the main page of the <a href="https://seniors.nfb.org">seniors website</a>. Please help spread the word to anyone who might benefit.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><h2><span style='line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>Sports and Recreation Interest Meeting</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Calling all National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina sports and recreation fans! Help us bring the NFB of SC Sports and Recreation Division back to life at an interest meeting on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. The meeting is open to former members, newcomers and anyone curious, whether you want to take part, help lead or just learn more. We will share important information, hear your ideas and talk about how to rebuild this division together. Please note that the meeting will be held on the NFB of SC Palmetto Zoom, not our main Zoom platform. Join online through the <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8648789090?pwd=QTVQd2RzN3l6QnNmZ0FmSnp6NG8vQT09">Palmetto Zoom meeting link</a>. To join by phone, call 929-205-6099 or 301-715-8592 and enter Meeting ID 864 878 9090 and Passcode 124578. For more information, contact Marvin Nelson, Interest Meeting Coordinator, at <a href="mailto:marvinmst2413@gmail.com">marvinmst2413@gmail.com</a> or via telephone at 803-549-9169.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><h2><span style='line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>NFB of SC Dues and Chapter Elections</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Chapters should begin collecting dues for 2027 and holding elections from October through December. Please provide Thom Spittle with a list of all dues-paying members by December 31, 2026. As elections are held, provide the results to each of the following:<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Marty McKenzie – <a href="mailto:president@nfbofsc.org">president@nfbofsc.org</a><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Thom Spittle – <a href="mailto:membership@nfbofsc.org">membership@nfbofsc.org</a><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Steve Cook, website – <a href="mailto:stevecookwebmaster@nfbofsc.org">stevecookwebmaster@nfbofsc.org</a><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>David Houck – <a href="mailto:federationcenter@nfbofsc.org">federationcenter@nfbofsc.org</a><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>This will greatly assist us with recordkeeping. I appreciate your assistance with this request.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><h2><span style='line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>AI Tip or Trick</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Recently, I committed to providing one of our members a list of all of the podcasts available from the National Federation of the Blind and how to access them. I gave Claude a prompt something like this: “Compile a list of all podcasts published by NFB and include instructions on how to access them.” The result was a document containing all of our podcasts with the requested access instructions. I then shared this document with the member requesting this information.<o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>Clarendon Chapter Fundraiser: Christmas Afghan</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class=MsoNoSpacing>The Clarendon Chapter of the NFB of SC is selling raffle tickets for a beautiful handcrafted Christmas 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:<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Marty McKenzie – 843-939-8091 or <a href="mailto:marty2music@outlook.com">marty2music@outlook.com</a><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Glenda Culick – 843-598-3630 or <a href="mailto:glendaculick@gmail.com">glendaculick@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Trent Tedder – 843-939-8092 or <a href="mailto:trent.tedder@icloud.com">trent.tedder@icloud.com</a><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Let’s support one of our smallest chapters.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><h2><span style='line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>Things to Remember</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></h2><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='page-break-after:avoid;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Blind Equality Achievement Month (#BlindMonth) – October 2026<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='page-break-after:avoid;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Dues and Elections – October 1 through December 31, 2026<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='page-break-after:avoid;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Sports and Recreation Interest Meeting – October 20, 2026<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Clarendon Christmas Afghan Drawing – November 21, 2026<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Senior Retreat Registration Deadline – January 5, 2027<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Virtual Senior Retreat – January 10–16, 2027<o:p></o:p></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>