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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>In the Virginia affiliate, we are committed to growing our members and building our movement. The NFB National convention is a transformative experience where members can connect with positive role models from across the country, immerse themselves in our philosophy, and take away a broad range of practical ideas to use in our local communities.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Our National convention in Houston, Texas is a highlight for the year and the 2020 convention will be especially remarkable. The convention will begin Tuesday, July 14 and end late after the banquet on Sunday evening, July 19. Most people will be departing on Monday, July 20.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>We want everyone to plan this into your calendar and your budget so you can be there to join us. To that end, we want to help encourage to make 2020 the year you attend convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This message outlines a set of programs to remove barriers to attendance.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=1 type=A><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'>Virginia Affiliate Pays for Registration and Banquet<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are willing to experiment with new ideas to increase participation. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you are an active member of the Virginia affiliate, we want to help you attend convention by paying for your registration and banquet ticket during pre-registration. Instead of going online to pre-register, we are asking you to email Jennifer Blinsmon to provide her with the following information<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Name<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Address<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Phone Number<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Email address<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jennifer has generously agreed to collect this information from everyone attending convention. Please make it easy for her by providing the requested information in email.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Her email address is:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:canegirl1979@gmail.com">canegirl1979@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Her phone number is: (701) 610-6549<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> You must email Jennifer by May 25 to take advantage of this opportunity. We need to get all pre-registrations completed in advance of the May 31 National deadline.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This represents $95 in financial assistance for every active member attending convention. We will be comparing each request against the national membership information so please ensure that your dues are paid to your local chapter and that your information has been submitted. New members will want to ensure they have been entered into our national new member form. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jennifer will work with Mark Roane to submit all our registrations on mass to our national office.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You will pick up your registration and banquet ticket at convention at the pre-registration table. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you do not let us know by the May 25 deadline, it is unfortunate, and you will be responsible for your own registration and banquet.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Individuals receiving financial assistance from the affiliate such as first-time attendees in the McDonald Fellowship program or others receiving funds should know that we will factor this $95 into the request.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=2 type=A><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'>McDonald Fellowship and Jernigan Scholarship Programs for first time convention attendees<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>If you are a first-time attendee, we strongly encourage people to apply to both the McDonald Fellowship and Kenneth Jernigan convention Scholarship programs which target first time convention attendees. In a separate message, we will outline details for these 2 programs to provide financial assistance for first-time convention attendees<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=3 type=A><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'>Financial Assistance for the 2020 National Convention beyond the Pre-Registration and Banquet Ticket Support<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Every year, the affiliate president will receive a few requests for convention assistance from affiliate members. We are putting some ground rules in place to help clarify expectations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>If you are planning to request assistance, please send your request to me in email. Your request should factor in the following:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>A) What are my total expected costs:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>What should I expect to pay for convention factoring in expected costs for travel, lodging, meals, and a banquet ticket and convention registration? I have no idea how much it costs to get from your home to the Hilton Americas in Houston. You need to do the research. In addition, the banquet is a highlight of the convention and you don't want to miss it. Many people choose to share rooms and you will start seeing roommate requests posted to our announce list starting soon. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>B) What can I afford myself?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>C) What is my chapter contributing?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>D) How much are you requesting from the affiliate <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>After considering other sources, how much are you requesting from the Virginia affiliate. Please note that we do not provide funding in advance.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Mark Roane will provide funding at convention, but you need to work locally to get your travel and room expenses addressed. You should expect to attend the Virginia Caucus, probably Wednesday evening, July 15 at 10:00 PM to receive the financial assistance. 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. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>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 also plan to participate in working the Independence Market and other responsibilities as we all work together to make the convention a success. You should be hustling throughout convention and afterward back in Virginia to sell our products to fund our movement. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>We are asking that requests are submitted no later than June 1, 2020. You should be planning, booking your hotel room and taking advantage of the support for pre-registration. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>We want everyone to join us in Houston and we hope this guidance clarifies the process. However, if you have questions, I am glad to address them.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tracy Soforenko<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>202 285-4595<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com">Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfb.org">www.nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbv.org">www.nfbv.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind. Live the Life You Want<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>