<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><div style="padding:0px;width:auto;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-top:none;margin:0px;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><div style="border-top:0px;padding:0px"><div style="clear:both;margin:0px;padding:16px 0px;border-top:none"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Would you like to learn more about the National Federation of the Blind and attend your first in-person national convention bei</font><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">ng held in Houston Texas this year from July 1 through July 6?  </span></div><div style="clear:both;margin:0px;padding:16px 0px;border-top:none"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">Learn about blindness, visit vendors to view products and services and much much more? </span></div><div style="clear:both;margin:0px;padding:16px 0px;border-top:none"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">Are you a current dues paying member of a chapter or division in  the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey?  </span></div><div style="clear:both;margin:0px;padding:16px 0px;border-top:none"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">Is the cost stopping you? </span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"><font color="#000000">Would </font>financial assistance help you to attend?</span><br></div><div style="clear:both;margin:0px;padding:16px 0px;border-top:none"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">If you answered yes  then please see scholarship details below.  Also, please consider setting up a meeting with me to discuss submitting your application so I can answer your questions and give you some recommendations.  </font></div><div style="clear:both;margin:0px;padding:16px 0px;border-top:none"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://calendly.com/nfbnj/30min" target="_blank"><span class="gmail_default"></span>https://calendly.com/nfbnj/30min</a><br></font></div></div></div><p></p><div style="border-left:none;padding:0px;display:flex"><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px 0px 20px;width:1082.4px"><div><div id="m_-3989054808321107970m_-5723264399714938489m_-5936386608304001710gmail-:1en" style="direction:ltr;margin:8px 0px 0px;padding:0px"><div id="m_-3989054808321107970m_-5723264399714938489m_-5936386608304001710gmail-:1eo" style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:1.5;overflow:hidden"><div lang="EN-US"><div><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15pt;margin-left:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship provides funding support to National Federation of the Blind members who want to attend a <a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(0,90,163)">national convention</span></a> for the <span>first</span> <span>time</span>.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p><h2 style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit"><span style="color:black;font-weight:normal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Eligibility<u></u><u></u></font></span></h2><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15pt;margin-left:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Active NFB members, blind or sighted, who have not yet attended an in-person NFB National Convention because of lack of funding are eligible to apply.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p><h2 style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit"><span style="color:black;font-weight:normal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">How to Apply<u></u><u></u></font></span></h2><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15pt;margin-left:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Starting January 1, 2023, apply online using the<u></u><u></u></font></span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15pt;margin-left:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://www.nfb.org/form/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scho" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(0,90,163)">Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship online application form</span></a>.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15pt;margin-left:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://nfb.org/form/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scho" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/form/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scho</a><u></u><u></u></font></span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15pt;margin-left:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The deadline to submit is <strong>April 15, 2023</strong>.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15pt;margin-left:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The application will ask for the following information:<u></u><u></u></font></span></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">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.<u></u><u></u></font></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">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.<u></u><u></u></font></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">State Affiliate/chapter information: Include your state affiliate, your state president, chapter, and chapter president, if you attend a chapter.<u></u><u></u></font></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Mentor information: Include your personal convention mentor and provide that person’s phone number.<u></u><u></u></font></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">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.<u></u><u></u></font></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Essay questions to explain why this is a good investment for the NFB: <u></u><u></u></font></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">How do you currently participate in the Federation?<u></u><u></u></font></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Why do you want to attend a national convention?<u></u><u></u></font></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">What would you receive?<u></u><u></u></font></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">What can you share or give?<u></u><u></u></font></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Any special circumstances you hope the committee will take into consideration.<u></u><u></u></font></li></ul><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15pt;margin-left:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">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.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15pt;margin-left:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">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 <a href="mailto:kjscholarships@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(0,90,163)">kjscholarships@nfb.org</span></a>. <strong>Your president must email the recommendation no later than the deadline of April 15, 2023. </strong>If you have applied outside of the online form, the state affiliate president must email both the recommendation and the application letter.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p><h2 style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit"><span style="color:black;font-weight:normal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Notification of Award<u></u><u></u></font></span></h2><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15pt;margin-left:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">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:<u></u><u></u></font></span></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><strong>Make your own hotel reservation.</strong> If something prevents you from attending, you can cancel the reservation. (Yes, you may arrange for roommates of your own to reduce the cost.)<u></u><u></u></font></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><strong>Register online for the entire convention,</strong> including the banquet, by May 31.<u></u><u></u></font></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><strong>Find someone in your chapter or affiliate who has been to many conventions </strong>and can answer your questions as a friend and mentor.<u></u><u></u></font></li></ul><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15pt;margin-left:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">If you do not hear from the committee by May 15, then you did not win a scholarship this year.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p><h2 style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit"><span style="color:black;font-weight:normal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Receiving the Award<u></u><u></u></font></span></h2><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15pt;margin-left:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">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.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p><h2 style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit"><span style="color:black;font-weight:normal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Award Details<u></u><u></u></font></span></h2><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15pt;margin-left:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The three biggest ticket items you need to cover when attending an NFB National Convention are the round-trip 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 have been $600 per individual. <u></u><u></u></font></span></p><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15pt;margin-left:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">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.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p><h2 style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;margin-bottom:7.5pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box;color:inherit"><span style="color:black;font-weight:normal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">More Information<u></u><u></u></font></span></h2><p style="margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15pt;margin-left:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;box-sizing:border-box"><span style="color:black"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">For additional information, please contact the chairman of the Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund Committee, Tracy Soforenko, at <a href="mailto:kjscholarships@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(0,90,163)">kjscholarships@nfb.org</span></a> or 410-659-9314, extension 2020.</font></span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div dir="ltr" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Warmly,<br></font></div><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Linda Melendez, President<br>National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<br><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49);word-spacing:1px"></span><span style="color:rgb(49,49,49);word-spacing:1px">908-590-1747</span><br><a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">president@nfbnj.org</a><br><a href="http://www.nfbnj.org/" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank"><i><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">www.nfbnj.org</span></i></a><i><br>Facebook: </i><a href="https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank"><i><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238</span></i></a><i><br></i></font></div><div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">To schedule a 30-minute meeting about the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey please click on the link below</font></div><div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://calendly.com/nfbnj/30min" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">https://calendly.com/nfbnj/30min</a></font></div></div><div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>