<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Aptos;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#467886;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle19
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ligatures:none;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Good morning, Florida Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We are so excited to announce that your NFB of Florida Affiliate is once again launching our annual NFB National Convention financial assistance sponsorship program. If you are already making plans to be in Austin, Texas for the NFB’s 86<sup>th</sup> annual National Convention, then this sponsorship program might be just what you need to lighten the load on your wallet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>This year, your Affiliate is offering 6 (six), $200.00 sponsorships to awardees. Of course, we understand that Florida will be well represented at National Convention, and we wish we could give everyone a sponsorship, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider applying. If we have more eligible applicants than sponsorship awards, we will give preference to first timers and to those who have not previously, (or recently), been awarded a National Convention stipend.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Below you will find a link to the application. The form is a Google form and is pretty straight forward and quite easy to complete. There appears to be a couple of quirks to the form, but we are working to correct those. When entering phone numbers, do not use special characters like hyphens or dashes. Just enter the 10 digits of a phone number without any special characters or spaces. Also, if you struggle with the radio buttons that are associated with the event type to which your application is directed, you might need to just check all the buttons and under the edit field for, “other”, simply write the word, National. We know that you are applying for the National Convention and won’t have an issue with those buttons.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The deadline for submitting your application for assistance is Monday, June 1<sup>st</sup> at 11:59 PM ET.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the Sponsorship Committee Chair, Russ Davis. Certainly, you may also seek advice and guidance from your local Chapter or Division President. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Before completing the application for financial assistance from the Affiliate for our upcoming incredible National Convention in Austin, please be aware, that there are some expectations connected to this sponsorship award. Award recipients are expected to<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Complete the application fully and completely and must submit the application before the deadline of 11:59 PM ET on June 1<sup>st</sup>, 2026<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Recipients of this grant must demonstrate through written and oral means a genuine interest <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>in, and commitment to the effort of the National Federation of the Blind of <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Florida.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Applicants will be contacted by a Sponsorship Committee member by phone to discuss and review their application.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Applicants should complete the National Convention in-person early registration process by the previously announced deadline date of May 31<sup>st</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Applicants can further demonstrate their commitment to attending National Convention by having made arrangements for lodging and transportation prior to their interview with a committee member.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Recipients of the grant are expected to complete the following:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Attend three of the five general sessions (of your choosing)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Attend Two workshops (of your choosing)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Attend the Florida Caucus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> Assist with a convention activity, (if assigned by an Affiliate leader).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>complete a post-convention self-report activity<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You can access the NFB of Florida National Convention financial assistance Sponsorship form by clicking on the below link.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYdRjW477Wn9973GooKzgLOGPrH60R1PeRSj_w2LkBR7EfLQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106265456214088400758"><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>National Convention sponsorship form</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>With gratitude,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Russ Davis, Committee Chair<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ph. 904-993-8433<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Email: <a href="mailto:russell@radiorusty.com">russell@radiorusty.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>