[Nfbv-fairfax] Fwd: [Nfbv-announce] Apply today for financial assistance to attend our convention in Orlando this July!

Tue Mar 19 04:00:23 UTC 2013

This is a GREAT opportunity! You owe it to yourself!  Go for it! See
you in Orlando!
Wanda
Wanda Taylor
President, Fairfax Chapter
national Federation of the Blind

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Corbbmacc O'Connor <corbbo at gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:46:25 -0400
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] Apply today for financial assistance to
attend our convention in Orlando this July!
To: "nfbv-announce at nfbnet.org" <nfbv-announce at nfbnet.org>

Dear Members and Friends of the NFB of Virginia:

The McDonald Fellowship Program, which offers financial assistance to
attend the NFB National Convention this summer, is now accepting
applications. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2013.

Details and the online application form are available on the NFB of
Virginia web site:
http://www.nfbv.org/mcdonald-fellowships

In years past, individuals were only permitted to receive a McDonald
Fellowship once in their lifetime. However, to encourage increased
participation at the convention from Virginians and to streamline the
process for requesting financial assistance, any person who meets the
selection criteria is encouraged to apply, even if he or she
previously received a McDonald Fellowship.

I have included a copy of the program details below, and I welcome
your questions...and applications!

See you in Orlando.

---
Corbbmacc O'Connor, Chairman
McDonald Fellowship Committee
National Federation of the Blind of Virginia

c: (703) 309-4884 // h: (703) 549-2919
corbbo at gmail.com

Introduction
Every summer, more than 2,500 blind and low-vision people from around
the world gather for a week-long convention to discuss the policies,
programs, and priorities of the National Federation of the Blind
(NFB). An exhibit hall features a wide array of assistive technology
products, high and low tech items for your home, as well as many
companies and services that are designed to empower people who are
blind. Those who are employed or interested in various careers will
meet in division meetings (teachers, blindness educators, journalists,
rehabilitation professionals, students, office professionals and
more). There are even divisions geared towards various hobbies such as
writing, music, and crafting.

Countless Virginians have greatly benefitted from attending this
annual event, and we want you to be there as part of a very unique
program. Many of us not only learn from experiences at national
conventions about how the problems of vision loss can be overcome, but
we also experience the confidence that can come when blindness is
reduced to a minor physical nuisance

Whether you have never attended this life changing event or you have
faithfully come 30 times, this program is for you.The National
Federation of the Blind of Virginia is committed to transforming lives
through providing financial assistance to any state resident who would
benefit from this event. Committed members, blind students, seniors
who are newly blind, parents of blind children, and teachers of blind
students are just a sampling of those who we encourage to apply for a
McDonald Fellowship.
Program Date & Location
This year, we will celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the NFB in
Orlando, Florida at the Rosen Centre Hotel from Monday, July 1 to
Saturday, July 6, 2013. The convention will be even better because you
were there.
About the Program
The McDonald Fellowship program was established in 1998 in order to
grow the Federation by assisting individuals pay the costs associated
with national convention.

Robert and Marian McDonald selflessly contributed to our Virginia
affiliate to further the progress and better the lives of those who
are blind and low vision in Virginia. In their honor, we recognize the
personal benefits that come to people who attend a national
convention. In their memory, the NFBV continues their legacy of
education and empowerment to Virginia's blind residents.
Program Goal
This year, we have expanded the program significantly with the hope of
providing up to 15 McDonald fellowship awards. Each award will be in
varying amounts depending upon the recipients' level of need. The
highest assistance offered will be in the amount of $600 (the
approximate cost of airfare and hotel accommodations, when one room is
shared by two people).

More than financial assistance, each fellowship finalist will receive
a convention experience uniquely suited to their needs. First-time
attendees will be paired up with mentors—who will help finalists to
get the most out of the experience—and veteran convention-goers will
be provided opportunities to contribute in new ways.
Expectations of Finalists
As part of the Fellowship application requirements, McDonald
Fellowship finalists are expected to attend the entire NFB convention,
actively participate in convention activities, write an article about
their experiences for the Vigilant (the semi-annual newsletter
produced by the NFBV) upon their return from convention, speak about
their experiences at the NFBV state convention this fall, and—most
importantly—become even more involved in the efforts of the NFBV.
Deadline
The deadline to apply for fellowships this year is Monday, April 15.
Finalists will be announced by May 3, 2013.
Application Process
There are two ways to apply for a McDonald Fellowship.
	•
		• The preferred method is online, via the NFBV web site at www.nfbv.org; or
		• Applicants may call the committee chairperson and request that a
paper application be mailed to them.

If you need assistance to complete the online form, please contact the
committee chairperson.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a letter of support from
their local NFBV chapter president, but these letters are not
required. If you are not currently involved with a local chapter, we
encourage you to contact a chapter near you and attend a meeting.
Recommendation letters may be sent by the author or applicant to the
committee chairperson.
Questions & Submission Information
Please direct all questions to Corbb O’Connor, McDonald Fellowship
Committee Chairperson, via e-mail to corbbo at gmail.com or via phone at
(202) 684-6130.

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