[Nfbmt] Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship

[Edward Robbins]

The following is copied from the January Monitor.  It may help to clarify
any concerns one may have.

 

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
Orlando, 

Florida. At the 2012 convention in Dallas we were able to assist sixty-three


people. In 2013 our convention will begin on Monday, July 1, and run through


Saturday, July 6. The convention is a day shorter than you might expect,
ending 

with the banquet Saturday evening.

 

Who is eligible to receive a Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship? If you
are 

a member of the National Federation of the Blind who has not yet attended a 

national convention, you are eligible to apply.

 

What do I have to do to apply for a Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship?
You 

must do the following and are responsible for meeting these application 

requirements:

 

1. Each individual who applies for a Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship


must write a letter to the selection committee.  You will send your letter
of 

application to your NFB state affiliate president.  A list of state
presidents 

is posted on the NFB website <www.nfb.org>. He or she will forward your 

completed application, along with his or her recommendation, to the
committee at 

<kjscholarships at nfb.org>. You and your state president should make contact
by 

telephone so that he or she is well aware of your financial need and your
wish 

to attend the convention in Orlando. If you have questions, you may also
send a 

message to the Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship chairman by addressing your
email to 

the scholarship submission email address.

 

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 contribute and receive at the 

convention. 

 

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 

have all of the following information:

 

1. Your full name

2. Your address

3. Your telephone numbers (home, business, and 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 15, 2013.

 

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 you 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. 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 arrangements accordingly.

 

Last summer in Dallas the Jernigan Fund scholarship committee awarded 

sixty-three Kenneth Jernigan Scholarships. Grants ranged from $400 to $500.
The 

amount we can give will depend on the funds available; we attempt to award 

additional funds to families. You can include in your letter to the
committee 

any special 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 <kjscholarships at nfb.org>. We look forward to seeing
you 

in Orlando.

 

 

 

EDWARD C "TED" ROBBINS

Treasurer NFB of Montana, CFO MBEI & MANAGER MAB EQUIPMENT PROGRAM

PHONE & FAX:  406 453 6678, CELL:  406 799 6268

104 RIVERVIEW 5 E

GREAT FALLS  MT   59404