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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=yiv5000628150msonormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Every year, the affiliate president will receive a few requests for Washington Seminar assistance from affiliate members. I am putting some ground rules in place to help clarify expectations.<br><br>If you are planning to request assistance, please send your request to me in email. Your request should factor in the following:<br><br>A. What are my total expected costs:<br><br>What should I expect to pay for Washington Seminar factoring in expected costs for travel, lodging, meals, and other expenses? I have no idea how much it costs to get from your home to Washington DC and the Holiday Inn Capitol. You need to do the research. Many people choose to share rooms and you will start seeing roommate requests posted to our announce list starting soon. Please be aware that the deadline for hotel reservations at the Holiday Inn Capitol is Sunday, December 31, so act fast <br><br>B. What can I afford myself<br><br>No one will be going to Washington Seminar for free. Individuals requesting financial assistance should expect to make a contribution to your Washington Seminar expenses. You should be factoring in this expense into your budget.<br><br>C. What is my chapter or division contributing?<br><br>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. If you are receiving funding from a division such as NABS or VABS, please also factor that into your request. <br><br>D. How much are you requesting from the affiliate <br><br>After considering other sources, how much are you requesting from the Virginia affiliate. Please note that we do not provide funding in advance.<br>Mark Roane or I will provide funding at Washington Seminar, but you need to work locally to get your travel and room expenses addressed. You should expect to attend the Great Gathering In on Monday, January 29 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 Pm. Additionally, you will want to attend the interactive Washington Seminar Issues training on Monday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. I expect that most of our Congressional appointments will be conducted on Tuesday, January 30 with some appointments on Wednesday, January 31. It is not our job to hunt you down at Washington Seminar and it is not our job to provide you funds as you walk into the hotel. <br><br>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. This year, I am hoping that we can have some people selling NFB Membership Coin holders at Washington Seminar. <br><br>We are asking that requests are submitted no later than Wednesday, January 17, 2024. You should be planning, booking your hotel room and taking advantage of early transportation discounts. <br><br>We want to have a strong showing in Washington 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=yiv5000628150msonormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Tracy Soforenko <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>202-285-4595<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>