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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=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>From: Mary Durbin<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFBV McDonald Fellowship Chair and Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship Liaison<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>The 2024 NFB National Convention is an experience you do not want to miss.<br>Many of those who have attended our national NFB conventions are amazed at how meeting and interacting with over 3000 other blind and low vision convention attendees has positively changed their lives. They not only learn how the problems of vision loss can be overcome, but also experience the confidence that comes with solutions.<br><br>If you have never attended an in-person convention, we offer two programs to assist you in attending the convention and getting the most from the experience.<br><br>A) McDonald Fellowship organized by the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia <br><br>B) Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship run by the National Federation of the Blind<br><br>You are strongly encouraged to apply for both. This message provides details on both programs.<br>A separate message will be distributed from Tracy Soforenko for assistance requests from individuals who have attended previous in-person conventions.<br><br>A) McDonald Fellowship<br><br>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.<br><br>We anticipate awarding fellowships to assist each recipient with costs of attending our 2024 NFB National Convention to be held in Orlando, Florida , from July 3- July 8. Please note: The banquet ends late in the evening of Monday, July 8 and fellowship winners are expected to attend the banquet so return travel must occur on Tuesday, July 9 or later. This event will take place at the Rosen Center Hotel in Orlando, Florida.<br><br>The McDonald Fellowship program was established in 1998 to assist those who have never attended an in-person convention of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and wish to come to a convention this year.<br><br>Federationists are welcome and encouraged to apply for both the Virginia specific McDonald Fellowship and a National Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship.<br><br>We will link each of our Fellowship winners with mentors who will assist them in getting the most out of their national convention experience. McDonald Fellowship winners are expected to attend the entire NFB convention and share their experiences by addressing our 2024 NFB of Virginia state convention.<br><br>Deadline for applications for the McDonald Fellowship is Monday, April 15, 2024. <o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Apply online at:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:Aptos'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:Aptos'><a href="https://nfbv.org/mcdonald">https://nfbv.org/mcdonald</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Winners will be announced May 15, 2024.<br><br>Your application should be submitted online. Our application form does not allow you to save your responses and come back so we recommend preparing your answers in advance and pasting the answers to the questions into the web form. The web form doesn’t support complex formatting such as bullet points and fonts so you should avoid this complex formatting.<o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Your online application materials should outline reasons why you should be considered for a Fellowship. The online application requests the following:<br><br>A) Name, Address, phone and email contact information<br>B) Chapter or other connection With the affiliate<br>C) How you will benefit from the experience<br>D) How you have participated with your chapter or the<br> affiliate in the past year<br>E) Any other pertinent details<br><br>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 15, 2024. Recommendation letters should be sent to Mary Durbin.<br><br>Recommendation letters or questions about the Fellowship program should be sent to Mary Durbin, Chairman, McDonald Fellowship Committee, email at Mary Durbin (<a href="mailto:mrdurbin@cox.net">mrdurbin@cox.net</a>) and questions can be asked by phone at 757-472-2495.<br><br>Our committee wants to help you make 2024 the year you attend our national convention. The convention will be even better because you were there. <o:p></o:p></p><p>B) Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Peace,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jacki Bruce<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Corresponding Secretary NFBV<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:jackibruce6@gmail.com">mailto:jackibruce6@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="tel:(757)291-1789">tel:(757)291-1789</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Find us on Facebook @NationalFederationoftheBlindofVirginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Find us on Instragram @nfbofvirginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Subscribe to our Youtube: NFB Virginia<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>STRONGER TOGETHER!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>