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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=MsoPlainText>Every year, the affiliate president will receive a few requests for state 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 no later than Friday, October 4. Please include the words Financial Assistance and your name in the subject line.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>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 the convention registration.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I have no idea how much it costs to get from your home to the Renaissance Portsmouth. You need to do the research. In addition, the banquet is a highlight of the convention and you don't want to miss it so you will want to register for the convention prior to October 7 when the discounted registration price goes up. 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>Please be aware that the convention actually starts with General Session beginning Friday, November 1 at 9:00 AM. There is some special programming on Thursday night led by our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and a Open House for our Silver Bells program.<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. 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. 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. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>If you have questions, please reach out to me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><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>