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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><a name="OLE_LINK1"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The importance of attending the national convention!<o:p></o:p></span></a></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>I have attended almost every National convention since I joined the National Federation of the Blind. I have travel to many states, like Louisiana, Illinois and across to Michigan and then to Florida, each was empowering and thrilling to say the least. As I look back on all the occurrences, what sticks with me are the laws that were enacted because of the work of the National Federation of the Blind. I can still remember the gavel dropping and how loud the crowd was and the over-whelming excitement that filled the room from the conventioneers. Moreover, the National Convention hotel will test your skills, and yet strengthen them as well, but it is the members and fellowship that has a long-lasting impact. The national convention is where all fifty-two states get together and make decisions about laws and set policies for the organization. We benefit by attending for several reasons; for example, to connect likeminded members, to break down barriers and share advice from a real-world point of view. There is always someone who has “been there and done that”! Furthermore, there are division and committee meetings that represent just about every topic and profession; such as Rehabilitation Counselors, Artist, Sports and Recreation and more. For five years, the National Convention has held a National Federation of the Blind Career Fair with over thirty employers from across the country who offer vocational guidance and employment opportunities for our job seekers. And, who could forget about the spectacular Exhibit Hall with rows and rows of tables featuring technology, hand-held gadgets, T-shirts, unusual products and more. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Additionally, during the Convention one of the most uplifting aspect, in my opinion is the banquet. President Riccobono delivers the best speeches. You can assure if you attend this year’s National Convention, it will be one of the largest and most moving events that you will ever have an opportunity to attend. As many of you know, I come from Arkansas, a state that had no convention assistance. Hence, we shared rooms and helped out with transportation so all could attend. If you are planning to go to New Orleans for the 2022 National Convention, reach out to your Chapter President for support, consider sharing rooms and start talking to friends, family members and sponsors for contributions. It is also important to apply for the 2022 Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship Fund, if you are a first-timer. We invest in our membership and if you are attending your first Convention, you should apply for the grant.<b> Those who are not first-timers, the cost of the rooms this year are approximately $129.00. The pre-registration is equal to 2019. We can do this together and make it to the 2022 National Convention in beautiful New Orleans Louisiana. <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Finally, I have met many blind people who say that the Convention was quite overwhelming, but an experience that they would not change. Perhaps, it is the meeting of new blind friends and the discovery that blind people work and play as their sighted peers. The Convention is where we are in the majority and it is organized by blind people and for the blind. We can assist you with filling out the forms or just providing mentorship. So, if you are a first-timer or seasoned and need help then please feel free to reach out to the Ohio leadership. It is through love, hope and determination, the National Federation of the Blind transform dreams into reality. We can live the life we want; blindness is not what holds us back. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Here is the 2022 Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund Program:</span></b></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>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, and 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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Effective January 1, 2022, the application form can be found at the following link: </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/form/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scho?q=form%2Fkenneth-jernigan-convention-scho"><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>https://nfb.org/form/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scho?q=form%2Fkenneth-jernigan-convention-scho</span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>The application will ask for the following information:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>State Affiliate/chapter information: Include your state affiliate, your state president, chapter, and chapter president, if you attend a chapter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Mentor information: Include your personal convention mentor and provide that person’s phone number.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Essay questions to explain why this is a good investment for the NFB: <o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>How do you currently participate in the Federation?<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Why do you want to attend a national convention?<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>What would you receive?<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>What can you share or give?<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Any special circumstances you hope the committee will take into consideration.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li></ul><p><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Once your 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 </span></span><a href="mailto:kjscholarships@nfb.org"><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>kjscholarships@nfb.org</span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>. Your president must email the recommendation no later than the deadline of April 15, 2022. If you have applied outside of the online form, the state affiliate president must email both the recommendation and the application letter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><h3><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Notification of Award<o:p></o:p></span></span></h3><p><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>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:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>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.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Register online for the entire convention, including the banquet, by May 31.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Find someone in your chapter or affiliate who has been to many conventions and can answer your questions as a friend and mentor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>If you do not hear from the committee by May 15, then you did not win a scholarship this year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'></span><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>