[Nfbv-announce] 2015 McDonald Fellowships to National Convention

[Tracy Soforenko]

Please consider applying to the Virginia specific program. 
Our National program was emailed minutes ago.
If you have questions, please reach out to me.

Tracy Soforenko
First Vice President, NFB of Virginia
Tracy.soforenko at gmail.com
202 285-4595

-----Original Message-----
From: Tracy Soforenko [mailto:tracy.soforenko at gmail.com] 
Sent: Sunday, February 08, 2015 9:27 PM
To: nfbv-announce at nfbnet.org
Subject: 2015 McDonald Fellowships to National Convention

2015 McDonald Fellowships to National Convention The 2015 NFB National
Convention is a remarkable experience you do not want to miss. The
convention will be even better because you were there to attend.  Many of
those who have attended our national NFB  convention are amazed at how
seeing, meeting, and interacting with over 3000  other blind and low vision
convention attendees has literally changed their  lives. They not only
experience how the problems of vision loss can be overcome, but they also
experience the confidence that can come with it. 

Robert and Marian McDonald selflessly contributed to our Virginia affiliate
to further the progress and better the lives of those who are blind,
visually impaired, and low vision in Virginia. In their honor, we recognize
the personal benefits that come to people who attend a national convention
for the first time. In their memory, the National Federation of the Blind of
Virginia (NFBV) continues their legacy of education and empowerment to
Virginia's blind citizens. 

We anticipate awarding fellowships to assist each fellowship recipient in
covering the cost of attending our 2015 NFB National Convention to be held
in Orlando, FL, from July 5 - July 10. Please note: The banquet ends late in
the evening on Friday, July 10 and fellowship winners are expected to attend
the banquet so return travel must occur on Saturday, July 11 or later. This
event will take place at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando Florida.

Consistent with our original goals, the  McDonald Fellowship program was
established in 1998 in order to: a)  assist those who have never attended a
convention of the National Federation of  the Blind (NFB) before, or b)
those who have not attended in years and wish to come to a convention again.


People are welcome and encouraged to apply for both the Virginia specific
McDonald Fellowship and a national Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship. Details on
the Jernigan Scholarship program will be emailed separately.

Details on financial assistance for all others are provided at the bottom of
this message.

We will link each of our fellowship winners up with mentors who will assist
them in getting the most out of their national convention experience. As
part of the Fellowship application requirements, McDonald Fellowship winners
are asked to attend the entire NFB convention and address our 2015 NFB of
Virginia state convention. 

Deadline for applications for the McDonald Fellowship is April 15, 2015.
Winners will be announced May 15, 2015. 

 
Your application should be in the form of a letter delivered via electronic
mail.  There is no specific form for the application.  We simply ask that
applicants write a brief letter of application outlining their reasons why
they should be considered for a Fellowship.

Your letter must include:

A)      Name, Address, phone and email contact information 
B)      Chapter or connection  With the affiliate
C)      How you will benefit from the experience
D)     How you have participated with your chapter or the affiliate in the
past year
E)      Any other pertinent details

In addition, you are required to contact your Chapter President or an
affiliate Board Member for a letter of recommendation. Letters of
recommendation are due by Monday, April 20, 2015.

E-mailed applications or questions about the Fellowship program should be
sent to Tracy Soforenko, Chairman, McDonald Fellowship Committee, by e-mail
at tracy.soforenko at gmail.com or by phone at 202 285-4595.

As stated at the January 2015 NFBV Board Meeting, All others requesting
financial assistance should reach out first to their chapter presidents for
financial assistance. Requests to chapter presidents should be made by April
15, 2015. If the chapter cannot provide sufficient support to enable the
individual to attend, requests should be forwarded to NFBV President Kasey
no later than May 15, 2015.

Make 2015 the year you attend the national convention.

Tracy Soforenko
McDonald Fellowship Chair
tracy.soforenko at gmail.com
202 285-4595 (mobile)
703 522-8182 (home)