[nfbmi-talk] Draft Washington Seminar Imagination Fund Projects.doc

Wed Sep 1 04:53:50 UTC 2010

This is a draft. I will send it by 4:00 so commentsw are welcome early,
tomorrow. 
  _____  

Imagination Fund Projects

Affiliate Grant Request Form

Affiliate:  Michigan  

Affiliate President: Larry Posont

Affiliate Address:  20812 Ann Arbor Trail, Dearborn, MI

Telephone:  5177-482-1800 313-271-3058

E-mail: president.nfb.mi at gmail.com

Name and Phone Number of Project Contact: Fred Wurtzel - 517-485-0326

Has the Affiliate President Approved This Project? (yes/no): Yes

Date: 8/31/2010

Use a separate sheet to answer these questions:

1.  What is the purpose of your project, and what do you hope to accomplish?
The Purpose of this project is to enable members of the NFB of Michigan to
travel to and participate in the Washington Seminar to educate our
Congressional delegation about issues that are important to blind people in
Michigan and in the nation.  In addition to educating our Congressional
delegation and advancing our organization's priorities, the Washington
Seminar is an effective affiliate strengthening activity. So, we expect to
strengthen the Michigan affiliate by including and educating our membership
about our issues and acquainting them with hundreds of fellow Federationists
from around the nation.  Members will also observe the strength and vitality
of our organization on a national level, thus growing their respect and
commitment to our organization.   

2.  How would you conduct this project?  We will organize a delegation of 16
members to travel to Washington D.C. to participate in the annual Washington
Seminar.  Individuals will request support to attend and participate in the
event.  President Larry Posont will determine the best mix of people to
attend and participate.  Each member will be required to contribute
something toward the expense of the event.  We feel that, to have value, it
is important for members to contribute, even if it is a small amount.  

Participants will be organized into teams to make travel arrangements, make
appointments, file daily reports and work on publicity, both prior to and as
a follow-up to the Seminar.

3.  Who will be involved in making this project successful?  This event is a
traditional activity of the NFB of Michigan.  It is not uncommon for
Michigan to send 8-16 members to Washington Seminar.  Thus, we have an
infrastructure with the knowledge and experience to provide mentorship and
guidance to new and inexperienced members.  President Posont will include
veterans and new members who, together, will continue to pass on the
knowledge and systems necessary to have a successful Washington Seminar
event.  

4.  What resources would you need, and how much funding are you requesting?
The total estimated cost for the Washington seminar for 16 people including
food, lodging and transportation is $7546.  The NFB of Michigan  is
requesting $3773 to cover one half the cost.  The NFB of Michigan will match
the Imagination fund grant to fully cover the cost of the event.  Following
are the estimated costs by category.  The amounts below show the full cost.
The NFB of Michigan will contribute a matching amount for the Imagination
grant.

Suggested budget categories:

Personnel        $0.00

Equipment                $0.00

Supplies                   $0.00

Travel                      $3200.00 (estimate)

Food/Lodging           $2256 - Hotel - 4rooms @188/night for 3  nights 

                        $1920 food@ $30/day/person for 4 days

Other                       $200 Taxi @ $50/day for 4 days

5.     What other funds do you have available?  Michigan will be able to
provide $3773 to cover one half of the cost of sending our delegation to
Washington, D.C. for the Seminar.  This will be from member participation,
fundraising and possible other grants for this purpose.

6.     When would you conduct this project?  January 30, 2011 through
February 2, 2011

7.     How would this project advance our organization?  Washington Seminar
has at least 2 major benefits for the NFB.  First and most important, we
will have an articulate, energetic and informed group of people from
Michigan in Washington, D.C. to meet with and educate our Congressional
delegation about the issues of importance to blind people.  Second, as
eluded to above,, helping our Michigan members become closer and more
informed and committed to our organization will have lasting and
strengthening benefits.

8.     How would you know if this project is successful?  We will have at
least 16 Michigan Federationists in Washington, D.C.  They will all visit
their own Representative and at least 1 Senator.  Each person will be
conversant with the issues and be able to speak to others about them in a
persuasive way.  Michigan Federationists will participate in the "Great
Gathering In" and meet other Federationists from other states.  Attendees
will participate in pre-Seminar activities such as making appointments and
do follow-up such as write thank-you notes to Reps and Senators.    

Send your completed request in electronic form by 4:00 p.m. (eastern) on
Wednesday, September 1, 2010, to ImaginationFund at nfb.org.  Affiliate
presidents can e-mail their authorization.  

If you have any questions, please contact Ann-Marie Laney at (410) 659-9314,
extension 2371, or alaney at nfb.org.

164 plus 14.5 tax

3773 7546

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