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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>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 2026 convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>will be no exception. We expect the 2026 National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>convention in Austin 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 Friday, July 3 and end late after the banquet on Wednesday evening, July 8. Most people will<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>be departing on Thursday, 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>If you have never attended an in-person national convention, we are strongly.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>encourage people to apply to both the Virginia specific McDonald Fellowship<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and national Kenneth Jernigan convention Scholarship programs. Attending a prior virtual convention does not limit application for these two programs.<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 JW Marriot Austin. You need to do it.<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 do not 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 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 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 time. 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 money 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 financial assistance. When I talk to your chapter president, I am checking to determine if you are engaged in the chapter and affiliate fundraising. We will likely be selling items at the Virginia table at the convention and you will be expected to help with that activity if you receive financial assistance. You should be hustling throughout convention and afterward back 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, 2026. You should be planning in advance, booking your hotel room, and securing early registration pricing.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We want everyone to join us in Austin, 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>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"><span style='color:#0563C1'>Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfb.org/"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.nfb.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbv.org/"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.nfbv.org</span></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>