Positive Note
Positive Note
November 3, 2024
Memo To: Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others
From: Marty R. McKenzie, President
Positive Note 1995
843-939-8091 president@nfbofsc.org
Dear Federation Family,
Today is November 3, 2024 and we have officially begun the last two months of this year. This is the beginning of a busy season of holiday celebrations which will take place in many chapters, churches, families and work gatherings. I challenge each one to take time during the month of November on a daily basis to think of something for which you are thankful. It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season and become overwhelmed with stress. Let us be thankful for the many blessings we have including the blessing of the National Federation of the Blind. Also, please know that the holiday season is not a happy time for everyone. Be aware of the needs of friends and neighbors who need a little extra attention during this time of the year.
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 is election day. It is the right of every American citizen to get out and vote in our election process. Take this right as a citizen very seriously. It is important that all voices are heard!
Share Your Voting Experiences -- From the National Office
The National Federation of the Blind advocates for the right of blind and low-vision Americans to vote privately and independently. Through this work, we conduct a Blind Voter Survey to assess: (1) the number of blind voters who cast their ballot at the polls using an accessible voting machine; (2) the most significant barriers faced by blind voters in these elections; (3) poll workers' knowledge of the process of using the accessible voting machine; and (4) blind voters' overall satisfaction with their voting experience.
All blind and low-vision voters, please share both good and bad voting experiences you've had in this 2024 general election by completing our Blind and Low-Vision Voter Experience Survey. English and Spanish versions are available below. If someone is not able to access the survey online, our phone format will be available the week of Election Day.
Please complete and share the survey.
• Voting Survey (In-Person) https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=36375&qid=10548943
• Voting Survey (Absentee or Mail) https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=36376&qid=10548943
• Spanish Survey: Encuesta de votantes ciegos en español https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=36374&qid=10548943
Thank you for your help on this important matter.
Thanks to all of the chapters who held BEAM events and communicated this with me for sharing in the Positive note. We had several excellent BEAM events during the month of October. Congratulations on a job well done.
From Lenora Robertson
At our most recent chapter meeting, the drawing took place for the quilt donated to the Rock Hill Chapter for a fundraiser. The chapter began selling tickets at the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina State Convention in August, 2024. The quilt was won by Ms. Pearline Barber who immediately donated it to fellow chapter member, Roy Ives. Mr. Ives lost everything in a house fire in July, 2024.
The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina will hold its annual board retreat on November 15-17, 2024 at the Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind. The Rocky Bottom Board will meet in the morning and the State Board will meet in the afternoon. We will accommodate board members and their spouses/drivers on a first-come, first-serve basis. Contact Thom Spittle at nfbofsc.lab.4@gmail.com or by telephone at 803-331-3344 to make your reservations. All reservations should be completed by Monday, November 11, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. so that Lenora Robertson and the kitchen crew can plan for the meals.
From Thom Spittle
October 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 is the Friends of Rocky Bottom Campaign. This is the time when we raise money for the general fund to get us through the winter. We have various levels of giving, $50, $100, $250, $500, and $1000+. This is not only for NFB members, you can reach out to local businesses and individuals that would like to help out during this yearly act of giving. A thank you gift will accompany each giving level. Please donate and promote this fundraiser!
Chapters should begin holding elections during meetings in October and November. Any newly elected chapter board members take office according to each chapter or division’s constitution. Please forward chapter board information to David Houck at nfbsc@sc.rr.com, Thom Spittle at membership@nfbofsc.org, Steve Cook at stevecookwebmaster@nfbofsc.org and to me at president@nfbofsc.org. If you have any questions about dues or chapter elections, please reach out to me.
This is a friendly reminder that all banquet pledges from the state convention are due by December 31, 2024. You can mail a check to the Federation Center or pay using PayPal. Thank you for taking care of this!
From Thom Spittle
Win a beautiful handmade 60 by 66 inch blanket featuring the words Rocky Bottom and a picture of mountains and trees. Funds raised will benefit Children’s camp.
Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. Call Thom Spittle at 803-331-3344 to find out how to purchase your tickets. The drawing will be held at the Rocky Bottom Board Retreat.
From Marty R. McKenzie, President of the Clarendon County Chapter
The Clarendon County Chapter is raffling off a beautiful multi-colored Christmas afghan made and donated by Glenda Culick. Tickets are $2 each or three tickets for $5. You can mail a check to Marty McKenzie, 1516 Lucky Road, Lake City, SC 29560 to purchase your tickets. Checks should be made payable to Clarendon County Chapter NFB of SC. The lucky winner will be drawn at the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Board Retreat which is scheduled for November 15-17, 2024 at the Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind.
From the Senior Division
The Senior Division of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina is selling coffee and hot chocolate in whatever form you like (Ground, whole bean or K-Cups). The name of the company is “White Cane Coffee”, founded by a blind woman. All the boxes are brailled, as are the individual K-cups. There are numerous flavored coffees to choose from, and the hot chocolate comes in either plain or a mint flavor. All coffee comes in regular or decaf and a variety of roasts are available. Please visit our website at https://whitecanecoffee.com/ref/NFBSC-Seniors/
Or call 814-218-2837 to order your coffee or hot chocolate today! When calling, be sure to inform them this is for the NFB of SC Senior Division in order for them to get credit for the sale!!!
Anderson chapter annual Christmas Celebration
The Anderson chapter of the NFB of SC invites you to join us for our annual Christmas Celebration on Friday, December 13th, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. This event will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn South located at 115 Destination Blvd., Anderson SC 29621. The evening will feature guest speakers, Christmas carols, great door prizes, and some delicious food. Meals can be purchased for $22 and include baked or fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, candied yams, broccoli casserole, green beans, yellow rice, and peach cobbler for dessert. Choice of beverage will be water or sweet tea. The deadline to purchase a meal is November 25th, 2024. Payment can be made via money order or checks made payable to the NFB of SC Anderson chapter and should be sent to 1306 West End Avenue, Anderson SC 29625. For more information, please contact Demetrius Williford, chapter president, at 864-318-0383. We look forward to celebrating the season with you!
Things to remember
- Chapter elections during October and November meetings
- Clarendon County Chapter fundraiser drawing on November 16, 2024
- Rocky Bottom blanket fundraiser drawing on November 16, 2024
- Anderson Chapter Christmas Party deadline of November 25, 2024
- Senior Division Coffee Sale
- Friends of Rocky Bottom Fundraiser concluding by December 31, 2024
- State dues submitted by December 31, 2024
- Banquet pledges due by December 31, 2024
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
November 10, 2024
Memo To: Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others
From: Marty R. McKenzie, President
Positive Note 1996
843-939-8091 president@nfbofsc.org
Dear Federation Family,
Monday, November 11, 2024 is Veterans’ Day and we will honor those active and retired military personnel who have given so much to keep our democracy safe for over 200 years. November 11 was originally recognized as Armistice Day when World War I ended on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. It was later changed to Veterans’ Day and President Gerald Ford signed a bill in 1975 that set the date to November 11 beginning in 1978. If you see active or retired military on Monday, please thank them for their service to the United States of America.
The Presidential Release will take place on Monday, November 11, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. Please note the new time and date. The Presidential release is not consistently taking place on the first day of the month at 8:00 p.m. The Zoom ID is 992 8465 7783. The phone number to call in is 929-205-6099.
The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina will hold its annual board retreat on November 15-17, 2024 at the Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind. The Rocky Bottom Board will meet in the morning and the State Board will meet in the afternoon. We will accommodate board members and their spouses/drivers on a first-come, first-serve basis. Contact Thom Spittle at nfbofsc.lab.4@gmail.com or by telephone at 803-331-3344 to make your reservations. All reservations should be completed by Monday, November 11, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. so that Lenora Robertson and the kitchen crew can plan for the meals.
We will have a gift exchange in the evening after supper. If you wish to participate, men should bring a man’s gift and ladies should bring a lady’s gift valued at $10 to $15. I find it helps to purchase something that I would like to receive myself. We also need desserts. Please bring a homemade or bakery dessert to share.
From Thom Spittle
This is your last opportunity to win a beautiful handmade 60 by 66 inch blanket featuring the words Rocky Bottom and a picture of mountains and trees. Funds raised will benefit Children’s camp.
Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. Call Thom Spittle at 803-331-3344 to find out how to purchase your tickets. The drawing will be held at the Rocky Bottom Board Retreat on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
From Marty R. McKenzie, President of the Clarendon County Chapter
This is your last opportunity to purchase your tickets for this fundraiser. The Clarendon County Chapter is raffling off a beautiful multi-colored Christmas afghan made and donated by Glenda Culick. Tickets are $2 each or three tickets for $5. Contact Marty McKenzie to purchase your tickets this week. The lucky winner will be drawn at the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Board Retreat on November 16, 2024 at the Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind.
From Thom Spittle
October 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 is the Friends of Rocky Bottom Campaign. This is the time when we raise money for the general fund to get us through the winter. We have various levels of giving, $50, $100, $250, $500, and $1000+. This is not only for NFB members, you can reach out to local businesses and individuals that would like to help out during this yearly act of giving. A thank you gift will accompany each giving level. Please donate and promote this fundraiser!
Chapters should begin holding elections during meetings in October and November. Any newly elected chapter board members take office according to each chapter or division’s constitution. Please forward chapter board information to David Houck at nfbsc@sc.rr.com, Thom Spittle at membership@nfbofsc.org, Steve Cook at stevecookwebmaster@nfbofsc.org and to me at president@nfbofsc.org. If you have any questions about dues or chapter elections, please reach out to me.
This is a friendly reminder that all banquet pledges from the state convention are due by December 31, 2024. You can mail a check to the Federation Center or pay using PayPal. Thank you for taking care of this!
From the Senior Division
The Senior Division of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina is selling coffee and hot chocolate in whatever form you like (Ground, whole bean or K-Cups). The name of the company is “White Cane Coffee”, founded by a blind woman. All the boxes are brailled, as are the individual K-cups. There are numerous flavored coffees to choose from, and the hot chocolate comes in either plain or a mint flavor. All coffee comes in regular or decaf and a variety of roasts are available. Please visit our website at https://whitecanecoffee.com/ref/NFBSC-Seniors/
Or call 814-218-2837 to order your coffee or hot chocolate today! When calling, be sure to inform them this is for the NFB of SC Senior Division in order for them to get credit for the sale!!!
Anderson chapter annual Christmas Celebration
The Anderson chapter of the NFB of SC invites you to join us for our annual Christmas Celebration on Friday, December 13th, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. This event will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn South located at 115 Destination Blvd., Anderson SC 29621. The evening will feature guest speakers, Christmas carols, great door prizes, and some delicious food. Meals can be purchased for $22 and include baked or fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, candied yams, broccoli casserole, green beans, yellow rice, and peach cobbler for dessert. Choice of beverage will be water or sweet tea. The deadline to purchase a meal is November 25th, 2024. Payment can be made via money order or checks made payable to the NFB of SC Anderson chapter and should be sent to 1306 West End Avenue, Anderson SC 29625. For more information, please contact Demetrius Williford, chapter president, at 864-318-0383. We look forward to celebrating the season with you!
NFB of SC Hampton Chapter Fundraiser Announcement
We are excited to announce a special fundraiser hosted by The National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Hampton Chapter! Grand Prize: Echo Dot (5th Gen) + wall mount holder! Ticket Options: One ticket: $5 Three tickets: $10 Drawing Date: December 1, 2024 (You do not have to be present to win!) How to Donate: 1. Purchase Physical Tickets from any Hampton Chapter member 2. Zelle: nfbsc.hamptonchapter@gmail.com 3. For PayPal go to the nfbofsc.org link and press Donate. In the Memo field please put Hampton Chapter Fundraiser. For assistance or inquiries, please reach out to: President: Gregory Jones Mobile: 803-942-1596 Email: nfbsc.hamptonchapter@gmail.com Thank you in advance.
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