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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>If you are planning to request assistance, please send your request to me in email no later than Thursday, October 2. Please include the words NFBV25 Financial Assistance and your name in the subject line. Your request should factor in the following:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>A) What are my total expected costs:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>What should I expect to pay for convention factoring in expected costs for travel, lodging, meals, and the convention registration.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I have no idea how much it costs to get from your home to the Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel. 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></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Please be aware that the convention actually starts with General Session beginning Friday, October 31 at 9:00 AM. There is some special programming on Thursday night which will be enriching and fun.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>B) What can I afford myself?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>C) What is my chapter or division contributing?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Your chapter or division is a resource for financial assistance. Do not come to the Virginia Affiliate requesting financial assistance if you have not asked your local chapter or division. I will be following up with chapter and division presidents to understand how you are contributing at the chapter or division level to programming and fundraising.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>D) How much are you requesting from the affiliate <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>If you have questions, please reach out to me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Tracy Soforenko<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>202 285-4595<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><a href="mailto:Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com"><span style='color:#0563C1'>Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><a href="http://www.nfb.org"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.nfb.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><a href="http://www.nfbv.org"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.nfbv.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>National Federation of the Blind. Live the Life You Want<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;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></div></body></html>