<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto">This is information for any member who has not yet attended a national convention or registered for one. Let me know of your interest. Deadlines to do apply.<br><br><div id="AppleMailSignature" dir="ltr">Sincerely,<div><br></div><div>Camille Tate</div><div><br></div><div>President, Melbourne Space Coast Chapter , National Federation of the Blind, FL</div><div><br></div><div>Board of Directors, National Federation of the Blind, FL</div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Email: <a href="mailto:ctate2076@att.net">ctate2076@att.net</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Phone: 321 372 4899</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Sent from my iPhone</span></div></div><div dir="ltr"><br>Begin forwarded message:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><b>From:</b> DENISE VALKEMA via NFBF-Leaders <<a href="mailto:nfbf-leaders@nfbnet.org">nfbf-leaders@nfbnet.org</a>><br><b>Date:</b> February 27, 2019 at 7:58:00 AM EST<br><b>To:</b> NFBF <<a href="mailto:nfbf-leaders@nfbnet.org">nfbf-leaders@nfbnet.org</a>>, NFBF <<a href="mailto:nfbf-l@nfbnet.org">nfbf-l@nfbnet.org</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> DENISE VALKEMA <<a href="mailto:valkemadenise@aol.com">valkemadenise@aol.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> <b>[NFBF-Leaders] The Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund for first timers to national convention</b><br><b>Reply-To:</b> NFB of Florida List for Leaders <<a href="mailto:nfbf-leaders@nfbnet.org">nfbf-leaders@nfbnet.org</a>><br><br></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div dir="ltr">Pasted below is a link and article on how to apply for a scholarship to attend national convention for first timers. </div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm18/bm1811/bm181118">https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm18/bm1811/bm181118</a>.</div><h2><strong style="font-size: 53px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund</strong></h2><p style="text-align: start;"><strong style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">by Allen Harris</strong></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm18/bm1811/allen-harris.gif" alt="Allen Harris" width="252" height="346" align="right" style="text-align: start; margin: 0.8em;"></strong></p><div style="text-align: start;"><strong style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>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 2019 Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund Program:</strong></strong></div><p></p><p style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">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 Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, enjoying the many pleasures and learning opportunities at the largest and most important yearly convention of blind people in the world.<br></span></p><p style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">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.</span></p><p style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">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.</span></p><h3><strong style="font-size: 53px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Who is eligible?</strong></h3><p style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Active NFB members, blind or sighted, who have not yet attended an NFB national convention because of lack of funding are eligible to apply.</span></p><h3><strong style="font-size: 53px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">How do I apply for funding assistance?</strong></h3><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You write a letter giving your contact information and your local NFB information, the specific amount you are requesting, and then explain why this is a good investment for the NFB. The points to cover are listed below.</span></li><li style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">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.</span></li><li style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">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, 2019. </span></li></ul><p style="text-align: start;"><strong style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Your letter to Chairperson Allen Harris must cover these points:</strong></p><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Your full name and all your telephone numbers—label them—cell phone, home, office, other person (if any);</span></li><li style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Your mailing address and, if you have one, your email address;</span></li><li style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Your state affiliate and state president; your chapter and chapter president, if you attend a chapter;</span></li><li style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Your personal convention mentor, and provide that person’s phone numbers;</span></li><li style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">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. </span></li></ul><p style="text-align: start;"><strong style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The body of your letter should answer these questions:</strong></p><p style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">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.</span></p><h3><strong style="font-size: 53px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When will I be notified that I am a winner?</strong></h3><p style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">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:</span></p><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Make your own hotel reservation. If something prevents you from attending, you can cancel the reservation. (Yes, you may arrange for roommates to reduce the cost.)</span></li><li style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Register online for the entire convention, including the banquet, by May 31. </span></li><li style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Find someone in your chapter or affiliate who has been to many conventions and can answer your questions as a friend and advisor.</span></li><li style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If you do not hear from the committee by May 15, then you did not win a grant this year.</span></li></ul><h3><strong style="font-size: 53px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">How will I receive my convention scholarship?</strong></h3><p style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">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.<br></span></p><p style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What if I have more questions? For additional information email the chairman, Allen Harris, at <a href="mailto:kjscholarships@nfb.org">kjscholarships@nfb.org</a> or call his Baltimore, Maryland, office at <a href="tel:410-659-9314">410-659-9314</a>, extension 2415.</span></p><p style="text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">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 Las Vegas. </span></p><div id="block-social-share-social-share" class="block block-social-share" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: start;"><a href="http://twitter.com/home?status=The%20Kenneth%20Jernigan%20Convention%20Scholarship%20Fund%20https%3A%2F%2Fnfb.org%2Fimages%2Fnfb%2Fpublications%2Fbm%2Fbm18%2Fbm1811%2Fbm181118.htm" target="_blank"></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=%3C;url%3E" target="_blank" class="fb_share_link" style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><img src="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/themes/nfb/images/facebook.png" border="0" alt="Facebook Share" style="margin: 0.8em;"></a></div></div><br><div dir="ltr" id="AppleMailSignature">Denise Valkema, President <span style="font-size: 13pt;">National Federation of the Blind of Florida </span><div>(305)972-8529<br><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><a href="mailto:president@nfbflorida.org">president@nfbflorida.org</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><a href="http://www.nfbflorida.org">www.nfbflorida.org</a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Follow us @nfbflorida</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: 13pt;">You can live the life you want.</span></div></div></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><span>_______________________________________________</span><br><span>NFBF-Leaders mailing list</span><br><span><a href="mailto:NFBF-Leaders@nfbnet.org">NFBF-Leaders@nfbnet.org</a></span><br><span><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-leaders_nfbnet.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-leaders_nfbnet.org</a></span><br><span>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFBF-Leaders:</span><br><span><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-leaders_nfbnet.org/ctate2076%40att.net">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-leaders_nfbnet.org/ctate2076%40att.net</a></span><br></div></blockquote></body></html>