January 25, 2026

Memo To:  Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others

From:  Marty R. McKenzie, President

843-939-8091  president@nfbofsc.org

Positive Note: 2059

Dear Federation Family,

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.

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.

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.

Palmetto Connects

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.

From Andrew Adams:

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.

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.

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 https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship.

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.

Things to Remember

• Palmetto Connects on February 3, 2026
• Sweethearts Ball on February 6, 2026
• State Board meeting on February 7, 2026 beginning at 10:00 a.m.
• National Scholarship applications due by March 31, 2026
• Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship applications due by March 31, 2026
• National Convention hotel reservations due by May 31, 2026

Marty

Marty R. McKenzie, President

National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina

119 S. Kilbourne Road

Columbia, SC 29205

Phone: 803-254-3777

Mobile: 843-939-8091

Website: www.nfbofsc.org