[Nfbv-fairfax] Fw: [Nfbv-announce] 1 week to Apply: The 2014 Kenneth JerniganConvention Scholarship Fund

Tue Apr 8 16:28:26 UTC 2014

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tracy Soforenko" <tracy.soforenko at gmail.com>
To: <nfbv-announce at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 10:36 PM
Subject: [Nfbv-announce] 1 week to Apply: The 2014 Kenneth 
JerniganConvention Scholarship Fund


> Hi Virginia Federationists:
>
> Please see below for the details on the 2014 Nationwide program for
> encouraging people to attend the National convention in Orlando,  Florida.
> Virginians are encouraged to apply for both the National program and the
> statewide McDonald Fellowship program. Details on the McDonald Fellowship
> were just sent out.
>
> Please note the deadline is April 15 and your application needs to include 
> a
> letter from President Schroder to so don't wait until the last minute to 
> ask
> him for a recommendation.
>
> .
>
>
>
>
>
> The Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund
>
>
> by Allen Harris
>
> From the Editor: Allen Harris is the chairman of the Kenneth Jernigan Fund
> Committee and was one of the people who came up with the idea of honoring
> our former president and longtime leader by establishing a program to
> promote attendance at the national convention, where so much inspiration 
> and
> learning occur. Here is Allen's announcement about the 2014 Kenneth 
> Jernigan
> Convention Scholarship Fund Program:
>
> Have you always wanted to attend an NFB annual convention but have not 
> done
> so because of the lack of funds? The Kenneth Jernigan Convention 
> Scholarship
> Fund invites you to make an application for a scholarship grant. Perhaps
> this July you too can be in the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida,
> enjoying the many pleasures and learning opportunities at the largest and
> most important yearly convention of blind people in the world.
>
> The three biggest ticket items you need to cover when attending an NFB
> national convention are the roundtrip transportation, the hotel room for a
> week, and the food (which tends to be higher priced than at home). We
> attempt to award additional funds to families, but, whether a family or an
> individual is granted a scholarship, this fund can only help; it won't pay
> all the costs. Last year most of the sixty grants were in the range of 
> $400
> to $500 per individual.
>
> We recommend that you find an NFB member as your personal convention 
> mentor,
> someone who has been to many national conventions and is able to share
> money-saving tips with you and tips on navigating the extensive agenda in
> the big hotel. Your mentor will help you get the most out of the amazing
> experience that is convention week.
>
> Who is eligible?
> Active NFB members, blind or sighted, who have not yet attended an NFB
> national convention because of lack of funding are eligible to apply.
>
> How do I apply for funding assistance?
> 1. You write a letter giving your contact information, and your local NFB
> information, your specific amount requested, and then explain why this is 
> a
> good investment for the NFB. The points to cover are listed below.
>
> 2. You contact your state president in person or by phone to request his 
> or
> her help in obtaining funding. Be sure to tell the president when to 
> expect
> your request letter by email, and mention the deadline.
>
> 3. You (or a friend) send your letter by email to your state president. He
> or she must add a president's recommendation and then email both letters
> directly to the Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund Committee. 
> Your
> president must forward the two letters no later than April 15, 2014.
>
> Your letter to Chairperson Allen Harris must cover these points:
>
> * Your full name, and all your telephone numbers and label them--cell
> phone, home, office, other person (if any).
> * Your mailing address and, if you have one, your email address.
> * Your state affiliate and state president; your chapter and chapter
> president, if you attend a chapter.
> * Your personal convention mentor and provide that person's phone
> number.
> * Your specific request:
>
> Explain how much money you need from this fund to make this trip possible
> for you. We suggest you consult with other members to make a rough budget
> for yourself.
>
> The body of your letter should answer these questions:
>
> How do you currently participate in the Federation? Why do you want to
> attend a national convention? What would you receive; what can you share 
> or
> give? You can include in your letter to the committee any special
> circumstances you hope they will take into consideration.
>
> When will I be notified that I am a winner?
> If you are chosen to receive this scholarship, you will receive a letter
> with convention details which should answer most of your questions. The
> committee makes every effort to notify scholarship winners by May 15, but
> you must do several things before that to be prepared to attend if you are
> chosen.
>
> 1. Make your own hotel reservation. If something prevents you from
> attending, you can cancel the reservation. (Yes, you may arrange for
> roommates of your own to reduce the cost.)
>
> 2. Register online for the entire convention, including the banquet, by 
> May
> 31.
>
> 3. Find someone in your chapter or affiliate who has been to many
> conventions and can answer your questions as a friend and advisor.
>
> 4. If you do not hear from the committee by May 15, then you did not win a
> grant this year.
>
> How will I receive my convention scholarship?
> At convention you will be given a debit card or credit card loaded with 
> the
> amount of your award. The times and locations to pick up your card will be
> listed in the letter we sent you. The committee is not able to provide 
> funds
> before the convention, so work with your chapter and state affiliate to
> assist you by obtaining an agreement to advance funds if you win a
> scholarship and to pay your treasury back after you receive your debit or
> credit card.
>
> What if I have more questions? For additional information email the
> chairman, Allen Harris, at <kjscholarships at nfb.org> or call his Baltimore,
> Maryland, office at (410) 659-9314, x2415.
>
> Above all, please use this opportunity to attend your first convention on
> the national level and join several thousand active Federationists in the
> most important meeting of the blind in the world. We hope to see you in
> Orlando.
>
>
>
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