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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: Tracy Soforenko, Affiliate President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our National convention is a highlight for the year and the 2024 convention<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>will be no exception. We expect the 2024 National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>convention in Orlando to be a fantastic Federation family reunion. The<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>convention dates are July 3-8. The convention will begin Wednesday, July 3<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and end late after the banquet on Monday evening, July 8. Most people will<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>be departing on Tuesday, July 9.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We want everyone to plan this into your calendar and your budget so you can<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>be there to join us.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Every year, the affiliate president will receive a few requests for<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>convention assistance from affiliate members. I am putting some ground rules<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in place to help clarify expectations.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you are planning to request assistance, please send your request to me in<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>email. Your request should factor in the following:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1. What are my total expected costs:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>What should I expect to pay for convention factoring in expected costs for<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>travel, lodging, meals, and convention registration? I have no idea how much<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>it costs to get from your home to the Rosen Center Orlando. You need to do<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the research. In addition, the banquet is a highlight of the convention and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>you don't want to miss it. You need to factor this into your calculation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Many people choose to share rooms and you will start seeing roommate<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>requests posted to our announce list starting soon.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2. What can I afford myself<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>No one will be going to convention for free. The Jernigan Scholarships and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>McDonald Fellowships do not provide all the funding for convention for first<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>timers. Individuals requesting financial assistance should expect to make a<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>significant contribution to your convention expenses. You should be<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>factoring in this expense into your budget.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3. What is my chapter contributing?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Your chapter is a resource for financial assistance. Do not come to the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Virginia Affiliate requesting financial assistance if you have not asked<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>your local chapter. I will be following up with chapter presidents to<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>understand how you are contributing at the chapter level to programming and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>fundraising.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>4. How much are you requesting from the affiliate<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>After considering other sources, how much are you requesting from the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Virginia affiliate. Please note that we do not provide funding in advance.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Our NFBV Treasurer Mark Roane or I will provide funding at convention but<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>you need to work locally to get your travel and room expenses addressed. You<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>should definitely expect to attend the Virginia Caucus to receive the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>financial assistance. I do not know the date and time for the caucus at this<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>time but you will want to make certain you are there. It is not Mark or my<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>job to hunt you down at convention and it is not Mark or my job to provide<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>you funds as you walk into the hotel.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fundraising is the means through which we have the resources to provide<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>financial assistance. When I talk to your chapter president, I am checking<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to determine if you are engaged in the chapter and affiliate fundraising. We<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>will certainly be selling items at the Virginia table at convention and you<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>will be expected to help with that activity if you receive financial<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>assistance. You should be hustling throughout convention and afterward back<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in Virginia to sell our products to fund our movement.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are asking that requests are submitted no later than June 1, 2024. You<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>should be planning in advance, booking your hotel room and taking advantage<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of the early registration pricing.<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>We want everyone to join us in Orlando and we hope this guidance clarifies<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the process. However, if you have questions, I am glad to address them.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>Tracy Soforenko<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>202 285-4595<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><a href="mailto:Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com">Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><a href="http://www.nfb.org">www.nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><a href="http://www.nfbv.org">www.nfbv.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>National Federation of the Blind. Live the Life You Want<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>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></span></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>