[NFB-NM] FW: West Mesa Chapter Stipend for Attending NFB National Convention

Sat May 10 17:11:06 UTC 2025

For any current dues paying member of the West Mesa Chapter who needs financial assistance to attend National Convention.

Thanks,

Tara

Tara Chavez, President

National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico

 <mailto:NFBNM.President at gmail.com> NFBNM.President at gmail.com

(505) 328-3349

Live the life you want.

 <http://www.nfbnm.org/> www.nfbnm.org

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.

 <http://www.nfb.org/> www.nfb.org

From: Juan F. Haro <nfbnm.westmesachapter at gmail.com> 
Sent: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 8:47 PM
To: cab2016 at yahoo.com; jeff_blair at comcast.net; Kburma6414 at icloud.com; dlburns2338 at gmail.com; nlburns26 at gmail.com; dooley2022 at gmail.com; Gfrancine750 at gmail.com; gsusyq at gmail.com; juan at jfharo.com; kennethjay7 at gmail.com; urjalansing at q.com; sopranod1977m at gmail.com; denise at jfharo.com; luvhulksmash at gmail.com; scarletsalamander99 at gmail.com; Mad.tewe at gmail.com; pris2525 at gmail.com; andyscross2 at gmail.com; terese.kg at gmail.com; ceceq5 at gmail.com; bullybreeder2020 at gmail.com; ericwalker1216 at msn.com; 49ersfan1375 at gmail.com; nfbnm.president at gmail.com
Subject: West Mesa Chapter Stipend for Attending NFB National Convention

This approved motion allows the West Mesa Chapter to reserve a maximum of $1,000.00 from the West Mesa Chapter's treasury to provide stipends of no more than $350.00 per person to dues-paying West Mesa Chapter members in good standing as of March 31, 2025, to facilitate in-person attendance at and experience of the 2025 convention of the National Federation of the Blind in New Orleans, Louisiana. With the exception that no qualifying applicant for the stipend may receive no more than $350.00, approved stipends will be equally distributed. 

West Mesa chapter members in good standing as of March 31, 2025,  who have not received a stipend from another chapter, may request a stipend from the West Mesa Chapter by documenting their intent to attend the 2025 National Federation of the Blind convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, by sending documentation described as follows to the chapter president at nfbnm.westmesachapter at gmail.com <mailto:nfbnm.westmesachapter at gmail.com>  and to its treasurer at nfbnm.westmesatreasurer at gmail.com <mailto:nfbnm.westmesatreasurer at gmail.com>  by June 7, 2025.    

1.	Proof of registration for the in-person convention, such as the confirmation e-mail message, which must include the purchase of a banquet ticket; and
2.	Receipt for the deposit for the hotel or confirmation e-mail; or 
3.	Receipt for transportation  to New Orleans, Louisiana, or confirmation e-mail

Applicants' submissions will be considered by the chapter president, or at his discretion, an appointed committee. Stipend applicants will be informed regarding approval and amount of the stipend  on or before June 18, 2025. Distribution of funds to approved stipend recipients will occur after the scheduled chapter meeting on Saturday, August 9, 2025, or after all obligations have been met.

A presentation from the stipend recipient(s)  reflections on their attendance at the convention is expected at the regular meeting of the West Mesa Chapter on Saturday, August 9, 2025. While at the convention, each stipend recipient must attend each general session and the banquet, checking in with an appointed West Mesa Chapter delegate at each event. The stipend recipient must include their experiences at general session and the banquet as part of their presentation. 

If, for any reason, a stipend recipient is unable to travel to New Orleans, Louisiana, the full amount of the stipend will be forfeited and the funds distributed equally among the other stipend recipients. 

If a stipend applicant wishes to attend the NFB national convention in New Orleans, Louisiana but requires the funds in advance because it would create a hardship and a barrier to be able to attend, the applicant can appeal to the president and the board to receive their portion of the stipend in advance. If, for any reason, a stipend recipient is unable to travel to New Orleans, Louisiana, the full amount of the stipend must be returned to the West Mesa Chapter by  check or PayPal by , June 30, 2025. If the stipend recipient is unable to return the money to the treasury on or before June 30, 2025, they must explain their situation to the president in writing and negotiate a repayment arrangement with the president by August 2, 2025.  The president will inform the treasurer of the repayment arrangement.

Any stipend recipient who has received an advanced stipend and does not attend the national convention and fails to return the provided funds or negotiate a payment arrangement with the president by August 2, 2025, will no longer be considered a member in good standing. The state affiliate president will be informed of this  status. .  Once a payment arrangement has been negotiated with the president and / or the funds have been returned to the West Mesa Chapter’s treasury, the individual’s status as a member in good standing will be reinstated and the state affiliate president will be informed of the renewal of good standing status.

In addition, anyone interested in attending the virtual experience of the 2025 National Federation of the Blind national convention, can have their convention registration reimbursed by the chapter using the allocated funds previously mentioned. Please send your request and a copy of your registration email to the West Mesa Chapter president and treasurer as previously described.    

Juan Haro, President

West Mesa Chapter

National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico

NFBNM.WestMesaChapter at gmail.com <mailto:NFBNM.WestMesaChapter at gmail.com> 

505-382-3345

Live the life you want.

www.nfbnm.org <http://www.nfbnm.org> 

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.

www.nfb.org <http://www.nfb.org> 

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