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Dear Colleagues:<br>
<br>
Allen Harris, Chairman of the Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship
Fund, asked me to send you the attached information. Please help spread
the word about this important and beneficial opportunity available to
first-time convention attendees who are active NFB members.<br>
<br>
Thank you,<br>
<br>
Marsha Dyer, Secretary<br>
Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund<br><br>
Info below and in attachment:<br><br>
<br>
<b>The 2017 Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund<br><br>
by Allen Harris, Chairman<br><br>
</b>Have you always wanted to attend an NFB annual convention but have
not done so because of the lack of funds? The Kenneth Jernigan Convention
Scholarship Fund invites you to make an application for a scholarship
grant. Perhaps this July you too can be in the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel
in Orlando, Florida, enjoying the many pleasures and learning
opportunities at the largest and most important yearly convention of
blind people in the world.<br><br>
The three biggest ticket items you need to cover when attending an NFB
national convention are the roundtrip transportation, the hotel room for
a week, and the food (which tends to be higher priced than at home). We
attempt to award additional funds to families, but, whether a family or
an individual is granted a scholarship, this fund can only help; it won't
pay all the costs. Last year most of the sixty grants were in the range
of $400 to $500 per individual. <br><br>
We recommend that you find an NFB member as your personal convention
mentor, someone who has been to many national conventions and is able to
share money-saving tips with you and tips on navigating the extensive
agenda in the big hotel. Your mentor will help you get the most out of
the amazing experience that is convention week.<br><br>
<b>Who is eligible? <br><br>
</b>Active NFB members, blind or sighted, who have not yet attended an
NFB national convention because of lack of funding, are eligible to
apply.<br><br>
<b>How do I apply for funding assistance?<br><br>
</b>1. You write a letter giving your contact information, and your local
NFB information, your specific amount requested, and then explain why
this is a good investment for the NFB. The points to cover are listed
below.<br><br>
2. You contact your state president in person or by phone to request his
or her help in obtaining funding. Be sure to tell the president when to
expect your request letter by email, and mention the deadline.<br><br>
3. You (or a friend) send your letter by email to your state president.
He or she must add a president’s recommendation and then email both
letters directly to the Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund
Committee. Your president must forward the two letters no later than
April 15.<br><br>
Your letter to Chairperson Allen Harris must cover these points:
<ul>
<li>Your full name, and all your telephone numbers and label themcell
phone, home, office, other person (if any).
<li>Your mailing address and, if you have one, your email address.
<li>Your state affiliate and state president; your chapter and chapter
president, if you attend a chapter.
<li>Your personal convention mentor, and provide that person’s phone
number.
<li>Your specific request:
</ul><br>
Explain how much money you need from this fund to make this trip possible
for you. We suggest you consult with other members to make a rough budget
for yourself.<br><br>
The body of your letter should answer these questions: <br><br>
How do you currently participate in the Federation? Why do you want to
attend a national convention? What would you receive; what can you share
or give? You can include in your letter to the committee any special
circumstances you hope they will take into consideration.<br><br>
<b>When will I be notified that I am a winner? <br><br>
</b>If you are chosen to receive this scholarship, you will receive a
letter with convention details that should answer most of your questions.
The committee makes every effort to notify scholarship winners by May 15,
but you must do several things before that to be prepared to attend if
you are chosen.<br><br>
1. Make your own hotel reservation. If something prevents you from
attending, you can cancel the reservation. (Yes, you may arrange for
roommates of your own to reduce the cost.)<br><br>
2. Register online for the entire convention, including the banquet, by
May 31. <br><br>
3. Find someone in your chapter or affiliate who has been to many
conventions and can answer your questions as a friend and
advisor.<br><br>
4. If you do not hear from the committee by May 15, then you did not win
a grant this year.<br><br>
<b>How will I receive my convention scholarship?<br><br>
</b>At convention you will be given a debit card or credit card loaded
with the amount of your award. The times and locations to pick up your
card will be listed in the letter we sent you. The committee is not able
to provide funds before the convention, so work with your chapter and
state affiliate to assist you by obtaining an agreement to advance funds
if you win a scholarship and to pay your treasury back after you receive
your debit or credit card.<br><br>
What if I have more questions? For additional information email the
chairman, Allen Harris, at
<<a href="mailto:kjscholarships@nfb.org">kjscholarships@nfb.org</a>
> or call his Baltimore, Maryland, office at (410) 659-9314, extension
2415.<br><br>
Above all, please use this opportunity to attend your first convention on
the national level and join several thousand active Federationists in the
most important meeting of the blind in the world. We hope to see you in
Orlando. <br><br>
<br>
<br>
<br><br>
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