[Nfbk] Deadline quickly approaching to apply for Jernigan Fund Convention Scholarships

[Tonia Gatton]

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 
Dallas, Texas. In 2010 our convention will begin on Saturday, July 3, and 
run through Thursday, July 8. This will be only the second year that we have 
operated on this abbreviated schedule. The convention is a day shorter than 
you might expect, ending with the banquet Thursday 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, 
Birmingham, 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, 2010.
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 Detroit 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 Dallas.