[SCAGDU] Announcing the 2024 NAGDU Convention Sponsorship

[Steve Cook]

Greetings from the National Association of Guide Dog Users,

 

It’s hard to believe that this year’s National Convention is just under 3 months away. We are working hard to ensure that this year’s convention experience will be one to remember. NAGDU is looking forward to seeing everyone in Orlando. 

Once again, NAGDU is excited to announce that we will be offering Convention sponsorships to 2 guide dog user teams. You do not have to be a NAGDU member to apply. Please read over the sponsorship details, including the application requirements   carefully. The link to the sponsorship information page and online application is https://www.nagdu.org/sponsorship.

 

 The National Association of Guide Dog Users Convention Sponsorship provides funding support to assist guide dog users who want to attend the NFB national convention in person. This year, NAGDU is sponsoring two guide dog users with $500 each to assist with the costs of attending the NFB national convention.

 

Eligibility:

The sponsorships are open to new or existing NAGDU members who are guide dog users that would benefit from monetary assistance to attend an in-person NFB National Convention. This year, the committee will consider applications from all member applicants, whether they have attended an in-person national convention or not. The committee will then award two sponsorships to two  guide-dog users.

 

Requirements of Applying:

·    Applicants must be a guide dog user.

·    Applicants must register for National Convention by May 31, 2024. The online registration is required even if the applicant doesn’t yet know if a sponsorship will be awarded. Visit the NFB Convention Page at https://www.nfb.org/convention for more information.

·    Applicants must be at least 18 years old by the time of the convention.

·    Applicants must provide the name of an affiliate President, chapter President, or guide dog user division President for a reference.

·    Applicants must attend both the NAGDU seminar and business meeting at convention.

·    Applicants must submit an article by August 1 to be considered for the Braille Monitor which tells about their convention experience.

·    Applicants must not already be chosen to receive a Kenneth Jernigan scholarship fund. *Note: Qualified applicants should apply for both. The committees will coordinate to ensure NAGDU sponsorship recipients do not also receive Kenneth Jernigan scholarship funds.

 

How to Apply:

Beginning April 1,  2024, apply online using the NAGDU Convention Sponsorship online application form. The deadline to submit your application is May 31, 2024.

 

The application will ask for the following information:

·    Contact Information — Include your full name, your primary phone number (preferably the mobile number you might use at convention), and your email address. If you don’t have an email address, please consider asking a friend or chapter member to assist you with email correspondence.

·    State Affiliate/Chapter/Guide Dog User Division Information — Include your state affiliate, and the name of an affiliate, chapter, or guide dog user division president (if you are a member).

·    Essay Questions — How do you currently participate in the Federation? How long have you been a guide dog user and how many guide dogs have you had? How long have you and your current guide dog been a team? Why do you want to attend a national convention? What do you hope to gain from attending? Provide any special circumstances you hope the committee will take into consideration.

 

Notification of Award:

If you are chosen to receive a NAGDU Convention Sponsorship, you will receive an email with details that should answer most of your questions. The committee will make every effort to notify winners by June 7. Meanwhile, you must do several things to be prepared to attend if you are chosen.

·    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.)

·    Register online for the entire convention by May 31. While attending the banquet is not required, it is encouraged. Visit the NFB Convention Page at https://www.nfb.org/convention for more information.

·    Find a NAGDU member, or someone in your local chapter or affiliate who has attended conventions in the past and can answer your questions as a friend and mentor.

 

If you do not hear from the committee by June 7, it means you were not chosen for sponsorship this year.

 

 Receiving the Award:

If you are chosen for the NAGDU Convention Sponsorship, you will be given a pre-paid debit or credit card loaded with $500. This card can only be given in person. This year, recipients will receive their funds ad the conclusion of the NAGDU Annual Business Meeting. Please note, NAGDU will not be able to provide funds before the convention, so it will be your responsibility to pay your way there.

 

 General Convention Costs:

The three biggest ticket items you need to cover when attending an NFB National Convention are the round-trip transportation, the hotel room for a week, and the food (which tends to be higher priced than at home).

We recommend that you find a NAGDU or 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.

 

 More Information:

For additional information, please contact the NAGDU Sponsorship Committee Chair, Jessica Snyder, jsnyder at nagdu.org <mailto:jsnyder at nagdu.org> .

 

Remember, the deadline to submit the application is May 31, 2024. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Orlando.

 


—
Stacie Gallegos / Secretary
National Association of Guide Dog Users
Https://www.nagdu.org
(346) 439-7444  |  SGallegos at nagdu.org <mailto:SGallegos at nagdu.org> 
“You can live the life you want. Blindness is not what holds you back.”

 

 

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