<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.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style></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'>Greetings,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Applications are now open for convention assistance through the Gwen and George Rittgers convention fund. Applications must be submitted on-line by March 11,2026 at 5:00pm. Applicants will be notified by March15 of the committee’s decision. Go to the State Convention page on the affiliate website <a href="http://www.NFBMo.org/convention">www.NFBMo.org/convention</a> and click on the convention assistance link to apply. PLEASE use the on-line form if at all possible but I have attached a word document in case someone needs it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> 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 a 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Note: Just because you receive funding from your chapter or another source does not mean that you will not get assistance from the fund. <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 additional questions email me at <a href="mailto:GCoulter@NFBMo.Org">GCoulter@NFBMo.Org</a> or call me at 573-474-3226<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Thanks for your attention and look forward to seeing as many folks at state convention as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Eugene Coulter, Gwen and George Rittgers Memorial Fund Chair<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'>Bylaws:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>5.00 George and Gwen Rittgers<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Stipends for state convention<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'>5.01. The state board will allocate the maximum amount to be <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>used from the fund by January 31 of each year.<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'>5.02 An individual application must be made 30 days before the <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>beginning of convention by the person requesting the funds, or by their <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>chapter president, which explains the reason for the request.<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'>5.03 It is not intended that these funds pay the entire cost of <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>convention attendance, and the committee is only to allocate funds based <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>on need and will not use the entire allocated amount unless recipients <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>needs justify it.<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'>5.04 The state president may authorize funding after the <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>deadline in extraordinary circumstances if funds remain in the <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>allocation.<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'>5.05 Whenever practical, funds will be directly paid either to <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>cover hotel costs or convention registration and meals.<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'>5.06 New or perspective members will be given highest priority <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>in their request.<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'>5.07 Persons who have previously attended a Missouri convention <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>will then be given consideration.<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'>5.08. No person shall receive funds a second or subsequent time <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>unless they experience an unexpected financial crisis that would otherwise prevent their attendance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>1.07 Affiliate Scholarships, Rittgers Funding, or National Convention Stipends <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><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'><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'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>