Positive Note
Positive Note
March 22, 2026
Memo To: Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others
From: Marty R. McKenzie, President
843-939-8091 president@nfbofsc.org
Positive Note: 2067
Dear Federation Family,
We are in the lull before the summer activities of the National Federation of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina. There is an upcoming NFB of SC board meeting in the second quarter, Family Fun Day in June, the National Convention in July in Austin and the NFB of SC State Convention in August. There are many things that can hold our attention during this time of the year. Let us stay connected with the National Federation of the Blind through the e-mail alerts that are sent from the National Office, the publications such as The Braille Monitor and Future Reflections and the numerous podcasts including Access On, The Nation’s Blind Podcast, The Braille Monitor and Walking Alone and Marching Together. There are many advocacy efforts needed at this time to protect our hard-earned rights and we must be informed as Federationists so that we can do our share.
Statewide Leadership Seminar
The Statewide Leadership Seminar takes place on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Federation Center of the Blind beginning at 10:00 a.m. This day is set aside for National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Board Members, chapter and division presidents, and boards. We are especially pleased to welcome Past Presidents Parnell Diggs and Frank Coppel, if they are available. Please let David Houck know by close of business on Monday, March 23, 2026, how many will attend from your chapter, including drivers who will remain for the day. This allows for adequate food purchase and preparation.
Due to time commitments, there are no updates on the Honeywell thermostat situation. However, this AI tip relates to information available in the public domain such as hymns and other writings. Recently, I needed the lyrics to a hymn for my church bulletin. An initial search using Google was taking too long. I asked ChatGPT to provide me with the lyrics to Jesus Paid It All. It provided these lyrics in less time than it took to do a Google search. Try it with information you are looking for and see if it works for you.
The National Scholarship Application process is now open for students who are attending post-secondary institutions in Fall, 2026. I have only seen one scholarship application come through thus far. Please go to https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program to complete your application. I will interview those who complete the entire process. Reach out to me if you are applying for a national scholarship as a student.
SUN Shares pledges from the Statewide Seminar are due by March 31, 2026. If you have not taken care of this, please do so. We will mail the final check to the National Office shortly after March 31, 2026. Thank you for your generosity!
National Convention Registration Now Open
Early bird registration for the National Convention is now open. Go to https://www.nfb.org/convention to register. The cost is $25 and banquet tickets are $85 for those who plan to attend the banquet.
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 who are not comfortable using a computer are encouraged to seek assistance from a friend. The online application can be found at https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship.
Things to Remember
- NFB of SC Statewide Leadership Seminar on March 28, 2026
- National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Applications due by March 31, 2026
- Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Applications due by March 31, 2026
- SUN Shares pledges 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
March 22, 2026
Memo To: Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others
From: Marty R. McKenzie, President
843-939-8091 president@nfbofsc.org
Positive Note: 2067
Dear Federation Family,
We are in the lull before the summer activities of the National Federation of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina. There is an upcoming NFB of SC board meeting in the second quarter, Family Fun Day in June, the National Convention in July in Austin and the NFB of SC State Convention in August. There are many things that can hold our attention during this time of the year. Let us stay connected with the National Federation of the Blind through the e-mail alerts that are sent from the National Office, the publications such as The Braille Monitor and Future Reflections and the numerous podcasts including Access On, The Nation’s Blind Podcast, The Braille Monitor and Walking Alone and Marching Together. There are many advocacy efforts needed at this time to protect our hard-earned rights and we must be informed as Federationists so that we can do our share.
Statewide Leadership Seminar
The Statewide Leadership Seminar takes place on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Federation Center of the Blind beginning at 10:00 a.m. This day is set aside for National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Board Members, chapter and division presidents, and boards. We are especially pleased to welcome Past Presidents Parnell Diggs and Frank Coppel, if they are available. Please let David Houck know by close of business on Monday, March 23, 2026, how many will attend from your chapter, including drivers who will remain for the day. This allows for adequate food purchase and preparation.
Due to time commitments, there are no updates on the Honeywell thermostat situation. However, this AI tip relates to information available in the public domain such as hymns and other writings. Recently, I needed the lyrics to a hymn for my church bulletin. An initial search using Google was taking too long. I asked ChatGPT to provide me with the lyrics to Jesus Paid It All. It provided these lyrics in less time than it took to do a Google search. Try it with information you are looking for and see if it works for you.
The National Scholarship Application process is now open for students who are attending post-secondary institutions in Fall, 2026. I have only seen one scholarship application come through thus far. Please go to https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program to complete your application. I will interview those who complete the entire process. Reach out to me if you are applying for a national scholarship as a student.
SUN Shares pledges from the Statewide Seminar are due by March 31, 2026. If you have not taken care of this, please do so. We will mail the final check to the National Office shortly after March 31, 2026. Thank you for your generosity!
National Convention Registration Now Open
Early bird registration for the National Convention is now open. Go to https://www.nfb.org/convention to register. The cost is $25 and banquet tickets are $85 for those who plan to attend the banquet.
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 who are not comfortable using a computer are encouraged to seek assistance from a friend. The online application can be found at https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship.
Things to Remember
- NFB of SC Statewide Leadership Seminar on March 28, 2026
- National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Applications due by March 31, 2026
- Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Applications due by March 31, 2026
- SUN Shares pledges 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