[Greater-Baltimore] Final Reminder: Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Application Deadline April 15, 2019

[president at nfbmd.org]

Fellow Federationists:

This is a final reminder that applications for National Convention
assistance for first-time attendees through the Kenneth Jernigan Convention
Scholarship Program are due tomorrow, April 15, 2019.  Applicants must write
a letter, submit it to their State President (Marylanders should use
President at nfbmd.org) , and the State President will also write a letter and
then he/she will submit the entire package to the Committee.  The entire
package, not just the applicant letter, are due April 15, 2019, so those of
you interested in applying are urged to do so quickly but to make sure you
give the State President time to also write his/her letter.  Thus I am
asking Marylanders to please get me your letters by 3:00PM.

 

The Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship provides funding support to
members who want to attend a National Federation of the Blind National
Convention <https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention>  for the first
time.

The three biggest ticket items members need to cover when attending a
convention are round-trip transportation, hotel reservations, and food.
While we make every attempt to give as much as possible, this scholarship
won't pay all of the costs. Recent scholarships have been in the range of
$400 to $500 per individual. Therefore, we recommend that you find an NFB
member who can be your personal convention mentor. This should be someone
who has been to many national conventions and is able to share money-saving
tips with you, in addition to tips on navigating the extensive agenda.


Eligibility


Active NFB members, blind or sighted, who have not yet attended an NFB
National Convention because of lack of funding are eligible to apply.


How to Apply


1.   Write a letter containing the following information: 

o    Contact information: Include your full name and all of your telephone
numbers (please label them). Include your mailing address and, if you have
one, your email address.

o    Affiliate/chapter information: Include your state affiliate, state
president, chapter, and chapter president, if you attend a chapter.

o    Mentor information: Include your personal convention mentor and provide
that person's phone number.

o    Funding request: Include your specific request and explain how much
money you need from this fund to make this trip possible for you. We suggest
you consult with other members to make a rough budget for yourself.

o    Body of letter: You should answer the following questions in your
letter: How do you currently participate in the Federation? Why do you want
to attend a national convention? What would you receive? What can you share
or give? You can include in your letter to the committee any special
circumstances you hope they will take into consideration.

2.   Contact your state president in person or by phone to request his or
her help in obtaining funding. Be sure to tell the president when to expect
your request letter and mention the deadline.

3.   Send your letter via email to your state president. He or she must add
a president's recommendation and then email both letters directly to the
Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund Committee at
kjscholarships at nfb.org <mailto:kjscholarships at nfb.org> . Your president must
email the two letters no later than the deadline of April 15, 2019. 


Notification of Award


If you are chosen to receive this scholarship, you will receive a letter
with convention details that should answer most of your questions. The
committee makes every effort to notify winners by May 15, but you must do
several things before that to be prepared to attend if you are chosen:

*	Make your own hotel reservation. If something prevents you from
attending, you can cancel the reservation. (Yes, you may arrange for
roommates of your own to reduce the cost.)
*	Register online for the entire convention, including the banquet, by
May 31.
*	Find someone in your chapter or affiliate who has been to many
conventions and can answer your questions as a friend and mentor.
*	If you do not hear from the committee by May 15, then you did not
win a scholarship this year.


Receiving the Award


At the convention you will be given a debit card or credit card loaded with
the amount of your award. The times and locations to pick up your card will
be listed in the letter we send you. The committee is not able to provide
funds before the convention, so work with your chapter and state affiliate
to assist you by obtaining an agreement to advance funds if you win a
scholarship, and to pay your treasury back after you receive your debit or
credit card.

For additional information, please contact the chairman of the Kenneth
Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund Committee, Allen Harris, at
kjscholarships at nfb.org <mailto:kjscholarships at nfb.org>  or 410-659-9314,
exten

 

Ronza Othman, President

National Federation of the Blind of Maryland

443-426-4110

 

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not
the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.