[Iabs-talk] FW: Article from Braille Monitor Articles Section 2018 03 01

[denise Avant]

Denise R. Avant, President

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois

Live the life you want.

For more information about NFBI, 

Go to www.nfbofillinois.org.

 

From: NFB-NEWSLINE Online <publications at nfbnewsline.net> 
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2018 8:57 PM
To: Denise Avant <davant1958 at gmail.com>
Subject: Article from Braille Monitor Articles Section 2018 03 01

 

The Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund by Allen Harris From the
Editor: Allen Harris is the chairman of the Kenneth Jernigan Fund Committee
and was one of the people who came up with the idea of honoring our former
President and longtime leader by establishing a program to promote
attendance at the national convention, where so much inspiration and
learning occur. Here is Allen's announcement about the 2018 Kenneth Jernigan
Convention Scholarship Fund Program: Have you always wanted to attend an NFB
annual convention but have not done so because of the lack of funds? The
Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund invites you to make an
application for a scholarship grant. Perhaps this July you too can be in the
Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, Florida, enjoying the many pleasures
and learning opportunities at the largest and most important yearly
convention of blind people in the world. The three biggest ticket items you
need to cover when attending an NFB national convention are the roundtrip
transportation, the hotel room for a week, and the food (which tends to be
higher priced than at home). We attempt to award additional funds to
families, but, whether a family or an individual is granted a scholarship,
this fund can only help; it won't pay all the costs. Last year most of the
sixty grants were in the range of $400 to $500 per individual. We recommend
that you find an NFB member as your personal convention mentor, someone who
has been to many national conventions and is able to share money-saving tips
with you and tips on navigating the extensive agenda in the big hotel. Your
mentor will help you get the most out of the amazing experience that is
convention week. Who is eligible? 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 do I apply for funding assistance? You write a
letter giving your contact information, and your local NFB information, your
specific amount requested, and then explain why this is a good investment
for the NFB. The points to cover are listed below. You 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 by
email, and mention the deadline. You (or a friend) send your letter by 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. Your president must forward the two letters no
later than April 15, 2018. Your letter to Chairperson Allen Harris must
cover these points: Your full name and all your telephone numbers--label
them-cell phone, home, office, other person (if any). Your mailing address
and, if you have one, your email address. Your state affiliate and state
president; your chapter and chapter president, if you attend a chapter. Your
personal convention mentor, and provide that person's phone number. Your
specific request: 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. The body of your letter should answer
these questions: 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. When will
I be notified that I am a winner? 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
scholarship 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 advisor. If you do not hear from
the committee by May 15, then you did not win a grant this year. How will I
receive my convention scholarship? At 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. What if I have more questions? For
additional information email the chairman, Allen Harris, at
kjscholarships at nfb.org <mailto:kjscholarships at nfb.org>  or call his
Baltimore, Maryland, office at (410) 659-9314, extension 2415. Above all,
please use this opportunity to attend your first convention on the national
level and join several thousand active Federationists in the most important
meeting of the blind in the world. We hope to see you in Orlando. 

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