[NFBV-Announce] Financial assistance request for attending the 2022 National Convention

Sat Apr 9 03:19:55 UTC 2022

>From Tracy Soforenko, President

Our National convention is a highlight for the year and the 2022 convention
will be no exception. After 2 years of virtual conventions, we expect the
2022 National Federation of the Blind convention in New Orleans to be a
fantastic Federation family reunion. The convention dates are July 5-10. The
convention will begin Tuesday, July 5 and end late after the banquet on
Sunday evening, July 10. Most people will be departing on Monday, July 11.

We want everyone to plan this into your calendar and your budget so you can
be there to join us.

As agreed at the 1/17/2022 board meeting, the Virginia affiliate will
support all members in attending the banquet buy reimbursing for banquet
tickets. Please note, you must be a paid member of your chapter or division
to be eligible for this reimbursement and you must pre-register for the
convention and banquet. We are only paying the pre-registration price. This
represents $70 in financial support for all members attending the convention
banquet. Finally, your chapter must have your membership details updated
with our Virginia membership Committee Chair John Halverson. 

If you have never attended an in-person national convention, we strongly
encourage people to apply to both the Virginia specific McDonald Fellowship
and national Kenneth Jernigan convention Scholarship programs. Attending the
2020 or 2021 virtual conventions does not limit application for these two
programs but you must apply for them by the April 15, 2022 deadline. 

Every year, the affiliate president will receive a few requests for
convention assistance from affiliate members. I am putting some ground rules
in place to help clarify expectations.

If you are planning to request assistance, please send your request to me in
email. Your request should factor in the following:

A.	What are my total expected costs:

What should I expect to pay for convention factoring in expected costs for
travel, lodging, meals, and convention registration? I have no idea how much
it costs to get from your home to the Marriott New Orleans. You need to do
the research. In addition, the banquet is a highlight of the convention and
you don't want to miss it. While the Virginia affiliate is supporting
participation in the banquet, you need to factor this into your calculation.
Many people choose to share rooms and you will start seeing roommate
requests posted to our announce list starting soon. 

B.	What can I afford myself

No one will be going to convention for free. The Jernigan Scholarships and
McDonald Fellowships do not provide all the funding for convention for first
timers. Individuals requesting financial assistance should expect to make a
significant contribution to your convention expenses. You should be
factoring in this expense into your budget.

C.	What is my chapter contributing?

Your chapter is a resource for financial assistance. Do not come to the
Virginia Affiliate requesting financial assistance if you have not asked
your local chapter. I will be following up with chapter presidents to
understand how you are contributing at the chapter level to programming and
fundraising. 

D.	How much are you requesting from the affiliate 

After considering other sources, how much are you requesting from the
Virginia affiliate. Please note that we do not provide funding in advance.
Our NFBV Treasurer Mark Roane will provide funding at convention but you
need to work locally to get your travel and room expenses addressed. You
should definitely expect to attend the Virginia Caucus to receive the
financial assistance. I do not know the date and time for the caucus at this
time but you will want to make certain you are there. It is not Mark's job
to hunt you down at convention and it is not Mark's job to provide you funds
as you walk into the hotel.  However, Mark will gladly sell you some
Virginia Peanuts. 

Speaking of selling, fundraising is the means through which we have the
resources to provide financial assistance. When I talk to your chapter
president, I am checking to determine if you are engaged in the chapter and
affiliate fundraising. We will certainly be selling items at the Virginia
table at convention and you will be expected to help with that activity if
you receive financial assistance. You should be hustling throughout
convention and afterward back in Virginia to sell our products to fund our
movement. Additionally, you will be expected to work a shift at our
Independence Market organized  by our national office staff.

We are asking that requests are submitted no later than June 1, 2022. You
should be planning in advance, booking your hotel room and taking advantage
of the early registration pricing.  

We want everyone to join us in New Orleans and we hope this guidance
clarifies the process. However, if you have questions, I am glad to address
them.

Tracy Soforenko

President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia

202 285-4595

Tracy.soforenko at gmail.com <mailto:Tracy.soforenko at gmail.com> 

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