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<DIV> Greetings to all!</DIV>
<DIV>With February right around the corner, please review the application
procedure to apply for the Kenneth Jernigan First Timers Scholarship for
2020.</DIV>
<DIV>I suggest, before applying, please contact me to discuss.</DIV>
<DIV>The information is pasted below my signature block.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Warmly,</DIV>
<DIV>Joe </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">We
care. We
share. We grow. We make a difference<BR>Joe Ruffalo, President <BR>National
Federation of the Blind of New Jersey <BR>973 743
0075<BR>nfbnj1@verizon.net<BR><A
href="http://www.nfbnj.org">www.nfbnj.org</A></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Raising
Expectations To Live The Life You Want!</DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Your
old
car keys can be keys to literacy for the blind.<BR>Donate your unwanted
vehicle
to us by clicking <BR>www.carshelpingtheblind.org <BR>or call 855 659
9314<BR>*** </DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">KJ First Timers Scholarship Procedure
2020</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">[PHOTO CAPTION: Tracy Soforenko]</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship</FONT></P>
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style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
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</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">by Tracy Soforenko</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">From the Editor: Tracy Soforenko
is
the newly appointed chairman of the Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship
Fund
and is the president of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia.
The
Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund plays a big role in helping
first-timers attend the national convention, and here is what he has to
say:</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">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 Hilton
Americas
Hotel in Houston, Texas, enjoying the many pleasures and learning
opportunities
at the largest and most important yearly convention of blind people in the
world.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">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. Most years the grants were in the
range
of $400 to $500 per individual. In 2019, ninety grants were
offered.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">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.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Who is eligible?</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Active NFB members, blind or
sighted, who have not yet attended an NFB national convention because of
lack of
funding are eligible to apply.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">How do I apply for funding assistance?</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">This year, we will be accepting
applications online. Since applications must be completed in a single
session
online, we strongly recommend you prepare your responses in a document, then
cut
and paste your responses into the application form. The application form
does
not support complex formatting, so we recommend avoiding formatting such as
bullet points and fonts/styles.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Effective, January 1, 2020, the
application form can be found at the following link:</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">The application will ask for the
following information:</FONT></P>
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style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Contact information: Include
your
full name and both your primary phone where you can be contacted by your
state
president and your mobile phone you might use at convention, if available.
</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Please include your mailing
address
and, if you have one, your email address. If you don't have an email
address,
please consider if there is a friend or chapter member who might be able to
assist with email correspondence.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">State affiliate/chapter
information:
Include your state affiliate, your state president, chapter, and chapter
president, if you attend a chapter.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Mentor information: Include your
personal convention mentor and provide that person's phone
number.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Funding request: Include your
specific request and 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.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Essay questions to explain why
this
is a good investment for the NFB: 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? Provide any special circumstances you
hope
the committee will take into consideration.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">If you cannot apply online, you
can
still apply by writing a letter to your state affiliate president answering
the
above questions. This letter should be emailed to your state affiliate
president. Once you have decided you will apply, please contact your state
president in person or by phone to request his or her help in obtaining
funding.
Be sure to tell the state affiliate president when to expect that your
application will be submitted and mention the deadline.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Once your online application has
been submitted, your application will be provided to your state president
via
email. It is still your responsibility to contact your affiliate president.
He
or she must email a president's recommendation directly to the Kenneth
Jernigan
Convention Scholarship Fund Committee at kjscholarships@nfb.org [HYPERLINK:
mailto:kjscholarships@nfb.org]. Your president must email the recommendation
no
later than the deadline of April 15, 2020. If you have applied outside of
the
online form, the state affiliate president must email both the
recommendation
and the application letter.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Notification of Award</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">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
winners by May 15, but you must do several things before that to be prepared
to
attend if you are chosen:</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">:: 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.)</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">:: Register online for the
entire
convention, including the banquet, by May 31.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">:: Find someone in your chapter
or
affiliate who has been to many conventions and can answer your questions as
a
friend and mentor.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">If you do not hear from the committee by May 15,
then
you did not win a scholarship this year.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Receiving the Award</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">At the 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 send 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.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">More Information</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">For additional information,
please
contact the chairman of the Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund
Committee, Tracy Soforenko, at kjscholarships@nfb.org [HYPERLINK:
mailto:kjscholarships@nfb.org] or 410-659-9314, extension 2415.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 13pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE:
11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">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 Houston.</FONT></P>
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style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
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11pt">
</FONT></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">----------</FONT></P>
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