<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:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
p.MsoPlainText, li.MsoPlainText, div.MsoPlainText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Plain Text Char";
margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{mso-style-priority:34;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
mso-add-space:auto;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
mso-add-space:auto;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
mso-add-space:auto;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
mso-add-space:auto;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
span.PlainTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Plain Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Plain Text";
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:none;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:1345400237;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:696443284 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:roman-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:right;
text-indent:-9.0pt;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:roman-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:right;
text-indent:-9.0pt;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:roman-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:right;
text-indent:-9.0pt;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
--></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="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_Hlk126146296"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Greetings,<o:p></o:p></span></a></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Applications are now open for convention assistance through the Gwen and George Rittgers convention Memorial fund. Applications must be submitted on-line or by E-mail using the attached form by March 12,2024 at 5:00pm. Applicants will be notified by March 17 of the committee’s decision. The preferred application method is completing the on-line form using the convention assistance link in the state convention section of the </span></span><a href="http://www.nfbmo.org"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>www.nfbmo.org</span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> website which should be available shortly. Applicants should make hotel reservations but should NOT register for the convention until after they are notified of the results of their application.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> Rittgers Stipends are based on financial need and, therefore, those applying for funding should lay out their needs so that the Rittgers committee can get a picture of your situation so we can make the most informed decision. Applications are kept strictly confidential and are shared only on an absolute need to know basis. Also, keep in mind that funding is very limited and will only cover a part of your expenses but the hope is that it will be enough to make the difference on applicants ability to attend the state convention. Please read the bylaws below that govern Rittgers Funding.</span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Eugene Coulter, George and Gwen Rittgers Convention Memorial Fund<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Phone: 573-474-3226<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='color:black'>RITTGERS FUND APPLICATION<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='color:black'>Complete and return to </span></span><a href="mailto:GCoulter@NFBMO.org"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'>GCoulter@NFBMO.org</span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='color:black'>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='color:black'> Name:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=1 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraph style='color:black;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'>Address:<o:p></o:p></span></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='color:black'>City, State:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='color:black'>Zip Code:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=2 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraph style='color:black;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'>Phone: </span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></span></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=3 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraph style='color:black;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'>What, if any, Missouri Chapter/Division are you a member of?: </span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></span></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=4 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraph style='color:black;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'>Have you ever attended a Missouri State Convention?:<o:p></o:p></span></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=5 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='color:black;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'>Have you ever received any Funds from the Rittgers Fund?:</span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='color:black;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'> Are you receiving any financial assistance from your chapter or other source? If so what is the source and amount?<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='color:black;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'>Will you be arriving on Thursday or Friday? <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='color:black;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'>Will you have a roommate or are you willing to share a room? <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='color:black;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'>Why do you want to attend this Convention?:</span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></span></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=10 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraph style='color:black;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'>What level of Financial support would you need from the fund?: <o:p></o:p></span></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=11 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Additional Comments:</span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></span></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>5.00 George and Gwen Rittger’s Stipends for state convention<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>5.01. The state board will allocate the maximum amount to be <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>used from the fund by January 31 of each year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>5.02 An individual application must be made 30 days before the <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>beginning of convention by the person requesting the funds, or by their <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>chapter president, which explains the reason for the request.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>5.03 It is not intended that these funds pay the entire cost of <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>convention attendance, and the committee is only to allocate funds based <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>on need and will not use the entire allocated amount unless recipients <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>needs justify it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>5.04 The state president may authorize funding after the <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>deadline in extraordinary circumstances if funds remain in the <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>allocation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>5.05 Whenever practical, funds will be directly paid either to <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>cover hotel costs or convention registration and meals.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>5.06 New or perspective members will be given highest priority <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>in their request.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>5.07 Persons who have previously attended a Missouri convention <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>will then be given consideration.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>5.08. No person shall receive funds a second or subsequent time <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>unless they experience an unexpected financial crisis that would otherwise prevent their attendance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'>1.07 Affiliate Scholarships, Rittgers Funding, or National Convention Stipends <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'>which require attendance at any convention shall not be awarded to any person who has not attained their 18<sup>th</sup> birthday prior to the convention unless accompanied by their parent or guardian.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk126146296'></span><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>