[Nfbv-announce] 2011 Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarships Available

[Tracy Soforenko]

Individuals are encouraged to apply for both McDonald and Kenneth Jernigan  
Convention Scholarships.
 
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>From the January Braille Monitor:
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. In 2011 our convention will begin on

Sunday, July 3, and run through Friday, July 8. The convention ends with

the banquet Friday evening.

Who is eligible to receive a Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship?

If you are a member of the National Federation of the Blind, you are

eligible to apply. Preference, however, will be given to first-time

convention attendees. The scholarship selection committee is able to make

an occasional exception, but first-time convention participants are the

target group.

What do I have to do to apply for a Kenneth Jernigan Convention

Scholarship?

You must do the following and are responsible for these application

requirements:

1. Find out who your state NFB president is and get him or her to write a

letter of recommendation for you, or you may have a chapter president or

other officer write a letter of recommendation, but we must have a letter

from a Federation leader who is familiar with you.

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 get and give

to the convention. Please send all information to Allen Harris, 5209

Sterling Glen Drive, Pinson, Alabama 35126, or email the information to

<allen.harris at dwx.com> or <joy.harris at dwx.com>.

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 receive all of the following:

1. Your full name

2. Your address

3. Your telephone numbers (home, business, 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 14, 2011.

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 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. You must 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 plans accordingly.

This past summer in Dallas the Jernigan Fund scholarship committee

awarded seventy Kenneth Jernigan Scholarships. The average grant was $600.

You can include in your letter to the committee any extenuating

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 <allen.harris at dwx.com>. You may

also email Joy Harris at <joy.harris at dwx.com>. We look forward to seeing

you in Orlando.

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Tracy Soforenko
tracy.soforenko at verizon.net
703 522-8182 (home)
202 285-4595 (mobile)