[Iabs-talk] Jernigan Convention Scholarships

[AZNOR99 at aol.com]

Convention Scholarships Available 

by Allen Harris 

Allen  Harris 

>From the Editor: Allen Harris chairs the Kenneth Jernigan  Convention 
Scholarship 

Fund committee. He has an important announcement  for those who would like to 
attend 

this year's national convention but  find themselves short of funds. This is 
what 

he says: 

The  Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund is looking for individuals 
who can  

use some financial assistance to attend our national convention in  Detroit, 
Michigan. 

In 2009 our convention will begin on Friday, July 3,  and run through 
Wednesday, July 

8. This is an entirely different  schedule, and the convention is a day 
shorter, ending 

with the banquet  Wednesday evening. 

Who is eligible to receive a Kenneth Jernigan  Convention Scholarship? 

If you are a member of the National Federation  of the Blind, you are 
eligible to 

apply. However, preference will be  given to first- time convention 
attendees. The 

scholarship selection  committee is able to make an occasional exception, but 
first- time  

convention participants are the target group. 

What do I have to  do to apply for a Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship? 

You must do  the following and are responsible for these application 
requirements: 

1.  Find out who your state NFB president is and get him or her to write a 
letter  

of recommendation for you, or you may have a chapter president or other  
officer write 

a letter of recommendation, but we must have a letter from  a Federation 
leader who 

is familiar with you. 

2. You must write  a letter to the Kenneth Jernigan fund committee expressing 
the 

reasons  why you want a scholarship. Describe your participation in the 
Federation  

and what you think you would get and give to the convention. Please send  all 
information 

to Allen Harris, 219 Meadows Drive, Birmingham, Alabama  35235, or email the 
information 

to <allen.harris at dwx.com>.  

3. You must register for and attend the entire convention, including the  
banquet. 

How do I get my scholarship funds? 

You will get cash at  the convention. The times and locations will be listed 
in the 

notice you  receive if you are a scholarship winner. The committee is not 
able to  

provide funds before the convention, so work with your chapter and state  
affiliate 

to assist by advancing funds you can pay back when you receive  your 
scholarship. 

When will I know if I have been selected as a Kenneth  Jernigan Scholarship 
winner? 

The committee makes every effort to notify  scholarship winners by May 15, 
but you 

must do several things to be  prepared to attend if you are chosen: 

1. You must make your own hotel  reservation. If something prevents you from 
attending, 

you can cancel  your reservation. 

2. You will receive a letter with the convention  details, which should 
answer many 

of your questions. It is also helpful  to find a mentor from your chapter or 
affiliate 

to act as a friend and  advisor during the convention. Although you will not 
know 

officially  whether or not you have been selected until early May, you must 
make plans  

to attend and then adjust your plans accordingly. 

This past  summer in Dallas the Jernigan Fund scholarship committee awarded 
sixty  

Kenneth Jernigan Scholarships. The average grant was $600. You can  include 
in your 

letter to the committee any circumstances which the  committee may choose to 
take 

into consideration. Above all, please use  this opportunity to attend your 
first convention 

and join several  thousand other blind Federationists in the most important 
meeting 

of the  blind in the world. 

If you have questions or need additional  information, call Allen Harris at 
(205) 

655-8221 or email him at  <allen.harris at dwx.com>. You may also email Joy 
Harris at  

<joy.harris at dwx.com>. We look forward to seeing you in Detroit and  enjoying 
convention 

with you and all of our fellow Federationists.  
_______________________________________________

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