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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 Washington Seminar 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 Wednesday, January 14. Please include the words 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 Washington Seminar factoring in expected costs for travel, lodging, and meals.<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 Holiday Inn Capitol. You need to do the research. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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 while the Washington Seminar technically runs through Thursday, January 29, we arrange to complete all appointments by Wednesday afternoon, January 28. You should not need to stay Wednesday night at the hotel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>the Washington Seminar starts with an in-person training at 1:00 PM on Monday, January 26 and there are specific career and student sessions on Monday morning starting at 9:00 AM.<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 Washington Seminar for free. Individuals requesting financial assistance should expect to make a significant contribution to your 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 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 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></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'>I will provide funding at Washington Seminar, but you need to work locally to get your travel and room expenses addressed. It is not my job to hunt you down at the Holiday Inn Capitol and it is not my job to provide you funds as you walk into the hotel. To be explicitly clear, I will be helping to lead a seminar in Baltimore for affiliate presidents over the weekend and will not be at the Holiday Inn Capitol until Monday January 26. <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>