[NFBV-Winchester] Fwd: [NFBV-Announce] Financial assistance request for attending the 2022 National Convention

[Chris Walker]

Chapter members and friends,
Below you will find more information from our president of the state affiliate regarding national convention. As we discussed in our last chapter meeting, the chapter will pick up Transportation's, womb reservation and cost along with banquet and registration fee along with some food cost.
you must be a paid member and active an order for the chapter to pick up the cost. Please note that your family is welcomed we also expect the members to participate actively such as working in the exhibit hall or volunteering for the independence market. Also attend the Virginia caucus and I'm sure Traci will find an activity for everyone to get involved with. This is definitely an exciting time getting back in person and to see each other after a couple of years.
Please contact me directly with any questions and let me know that you'll be going to convention. That way Jim Walker our wonderful treasurer will have an ideal of the finances.

Reservations is now open for both Marriott and The Sheraton. Registration fee and banquet ticket registration will be available in March, 2022.
Please contact me directly with any specific questions. Thank you!

Chris Vinson Walker
President, Winchester Chapter
National Federation of the Blind of Virginia
540.303.0080
chrisvinson1 at gmail.com
www.nfb.org
www.nFBV.org
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Begin forwarded message:

> From: jackibruce6--- via NFBV-Announce <nfbv-announce at nfbnet.org>
> Date: January 25, 2022 at 7:13:19 PM EST
> To: nfbv-announce at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [NFBV-Announce] Financial assistance request for attending the 2022 National Convention
> Reply-To: jackibruce6 at gmail.com
> 
> 
>  
>  
> From: Tracy Soforenko, President
>  
> Our National convention is a highlight for the year and the 2022 convention will be no exception. After 2 years of virtual conventions, we expect the 2022 National Federation of the Blind convention in New Orleans to be a fantastic Federation family reunion. The convention dates are July 5-10. The convention will begin Tuesday, July 5 and end late after the banquet on Sunday evening, July 10. Most people will be departing on Monday, July 11.
>  
> We want everyone to plan this into your calendar and your budget so you can be there to join us.
>  
> As agreed at the 1/17/2022 board meeting, the Virginia affiliate will support all members in attending the banquet buy paying for your banquet ticket. The logistics are being worked out but this represents $70 in financial support for all members.
> If you have never attended an in-person national convention, we strongly encourage people to apply to both the Virginia specific McDonald Fellowship and national Kenneth Jernigan convention Scholarship programs. Attending the 2020 or 2021 virtual conventions does not limit application for these two programs.
>  
> Every year, the affiliate president will receive a few requests for convention assistance from affiliate members. I am putting some ground rules in place to help clarify expectations.
> If you are planning to request assistance, please send your request to me in email. Your request should factor in the following:
> What are my total expected costs:
> What should I expect to pay for convention factoring in expected costs for travel, lodging, meals, and convention registration? I have no idea how much it costs to get from your home to the Marriott New Orleans. You need to do the research. In addition, the banquet is a highlight of the convention and you don’t want to miss it. While the Virginia affiliate is supporting participation in the banquet, you need to factor this into your calculation.  Many people choose to share rooms and you will start seeing roommate requests posted to our announce list starting soon.
>  
> What can I afford myself
>  
> No one will be going to convention for free. The Jernigan Scholarships and McDonald Fellowships do not provide all the funding for convention for first timers. 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.
>  
> What is my chapter contributing?
>  
> 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.
> How much are you requesting from the affiliate
>  
> After considering other sources, how much are you requesting from the Virginia affiliate. Please note that we do not provide funding in advance. Our NFBV Treasurer Mark Roane will provide funding at convention but 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 financial assistance. I do not know the date and time for the caucus at this time but you will want to make certain you are there. 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.  However, Mark will gladly sell you some Virginia Peanuts.
>  
> Speaking of selling, 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 certainly be selling items at the Virginia table at 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.
>  
> We are asking that requests are submitted no later than June 1, 2022. You should be planning in advance, booking your hotel room and taking advantage of the early registration pricing. 
>  
> We want everyone to join us in New Orleans and we hope this guidance clarifies the process. However, if you have questions, I am glad to address them.
> Tracy Soforenko
> President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia
> 202 285-4595
> Tracy.soforenko at gmail.com
>  
> 
> 
>  
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