[Iabs-talk] Convention Scholarships

[Patti Gregory-Chang]

                      Convention Scholarships Available
                               by 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 Orlando, Florida. In 2011 our convention will begin 
on
Sunday, July 3, and run through Friday, July 8. The convention ends
with the banquet Friday 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. Preference, however, 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, 5209
Sterling Glen Drive, Pinson, Alabama 35126, or email the information
to <allen.harris at dwx.com> or <joy.harris at dwx.com>.
3. You must register for and attend the entire convention, including
the banquet. What else must I do to insure that my application will be
considered?
      We must receive all of the following:
1. Your full name
2. Your address
3. Your telephone numbers (home, business, cell)
4. Your email address (if you have one)
5. Your state president's name and the name of your local chapter, if you 
attend one
      All applications must be received by April 14, 2011.
How do I get my scholarship funds?
      You will get a debit card at the convention loaded with the
amount of your scholarship award. The times and locations to pick up your
debit card 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 mid-May, you must make plans to attend and then
adjust your plans accordingly.
      This past summer in Dallas the Jernigan Fund scholarship
committee
awarded seventy Kenneth Jernigan Scholarships. The average grant was
$600.
You can include in your letter to the committee any extenuating
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) 520-9979 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 Orlando.


P.S. Text the word BLIND to 85944 to donate $10 to the NFB Imagination Fund 
via your phone bill.

P.S.S.  National Federation of the Blind of Illinois is now on twitter at 
www.twitter.com/nfbi.
We also have a facebook page.  Just search for our full name.

Patti Gregory-Chang, Esq.
Chairperson, NFB Scholarship Committee
scholarships at nfb.org
President, National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
pattichang at att.net
www.nfbofillinois.org