[NFBV-Announce] ATTENTION! You don't want to miss this!! Financial Assistance Requests for Attending the 2024 National Convention

Thu Feb 29 06:29:59 UTC 2024

From: Tracy Soforenko, Affiliate President

Our National convention is a highlight for the year and the 2024 convention
will be no exception. We expect the 2024 National Federation of the Blind
convention in Orlando to be a fantastic Federation family reunion. The
convention dates are July 3-8. The convention will begin Wednesday, July 3
and end late after the banquet on Monday evening, July 8. Most people will
be departing on Tuesday, July 9.

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

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 a
virtual convention does not limit application for these two programs. 

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:

1.	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 Rosen Center Orlando. You need to do
the research. In addition, the banquet is a highlight of the convention and
you don't want to miss it. 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. 

2.	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.

3.	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. 

4.	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 or I 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 or my
job to hunt you down at convention and it is not Mark or my job to provide
you funds as you walk into the hotel.  

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. 

We are asking that requests are submitted no later than June 1, 2024. 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 Orlando 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> 

Peace,

Jacki Bruce

Corresponding Secretary NFBV

mailto:jackibruce6 at gmail.com

tel:(757)291-1789

Find us on Facebook @NationalFederationoftheBlindofVirginia

Find us on Instragram @nfbofvirginia

Subscribe to our Youtube: NFB Virginia

www.nfbv.org <http://www.nfbv.org> 

STRONGER TOGETHER!

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