[Nfbv-announce] Free Trip to National Convention (McDonald Fellowship Program)

[Corbbmacc O'Connor]

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF VIRGINIA
2012 MCDONALD FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Every summer, over 3,000 blind and visually-impaired people 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, and professionals who are empoyed or are interested in various careers will meet in division meetings (teachers, journalists, rehabilitation profesionals, students, office professionals and more).

Because so many of us have greatly benefited from these conventions and because this annual event changes the lives of blind people for the better, we would like you to be there. 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 

If you are a resident of Virginia and have never been to a convention before, the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia (NFBV) invites you to apply for its annual McDonald Fellowship Program.

Program Dates and Location
This year, we will celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the NFB in Dallas, Texas from July XX to July XX. The convention will be even better because you were there to attend. 

About the Program
The McDonald Fellowship program was established in 1998 in order to:

a) assist those who have never attended a convention of the Federation before, or
b) financially assist those who have demonstrated a commitment to our organization and who are unable to afford the costs of attending a 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, visually impaired, and low vision in Virginia. In their honor, we recognize the personal benefits that come to people who attend a national convention for the first time. In their memory, the NFBV continues their legacy of education and empowerment to Virginia's blind residents. 

Program Goal
This year, the goal of the McDonald Fellowship program is to issue three McDonald Fellowship awards each in the amount of $750. These funds will be awarded to assist each fellowship recipient in covering the cost of attending our 2012 NFB National Convention.

We will connect each of our fellowship finalists with mentors who will assist them in getting the most out of their national convention experience. Preference will be given to McDonald Fellowship applicants who have not previously attended a national convention. 

Expectations of Finalists
As part of the Fellowship application requirements, McDonald Fellowship finalists are expected to attend the entire NFB convention, meet with their assigned mentor each day, 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 Tuesday, May 8, 2012. Finalists will be announced by May 17, 2012.

Application Process
We ask that applicants write a brief letter of application outlining their reasons why they should be considered for a Fellowship. Preference will be given to applications from: 

* those who have never attended an NFB National Convention before;
* those who have demonstrated commitment to the NFBV organization by their participation in either chapter or state activities over the past year;
* and by those applicants who include pertinent supporting information that will help in our selection process (e.g. letters of support from an NFBV chapter president). 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a letter of support from their local NFBV chapter president, but these letters are not required.

Please copy and paste the below form into an e-mail and send to corbbo at gmail.com with “McDonald Fellowship Application” in the subject line. Letters of recommendation may be sent by the applicant or the author of the letter.

Questions and Submission Information
Please direct all questions to Corbb O’Connor, McDonald Fellowship Committee Chairman, via e-mail to corbbo at gmail.com or via phone to (202) 684-6130.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF VIRGINIA
MCDONALD FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION FORM
Deadline: May 8, 2012

NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY/STATE/ZIP:
HOME PHONE:
WORK PHONE:
CELL PHONE:
E-MAIL:

AGE:
HEIGHT (to determine cane length):

HAVE YOU EVER ATTENDED AN NFB NATIONAL CONVENTION, AND IF SO, WHAT YEAR?

DO YOU HAVE FINANCIAL NEED TO ATTEND THIS YEAR’S CONVENTION, AND IF SO, PLEASE EXPLAIN. (Responses will only be shared with the selection committee.)

DO YOU USE A WHITE CANE OR GUIDE DOG? IF SO, PLEASE INDICATE WHETHER YOU USE THIS MOBILITY TOOL ALWAYS, SOMETIMES, OR NEVER:

ARE YOU A BRAILLE READER?

ARE YOU A MEMBER OF THE NFBV, AND IF SO, WHAT CHAPTER?

BRIEFLY (UNDER 1,000 WORDS, PLEASE) EXPLAIN WHY YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THE 2012 NFB CONVENTION:


BY TYPING YOUR FULL NAME AND THE DATE OF APPLICATION BELOW, YOU HEREBY AGREE THAT YOU HAVE READ THE ABOVE EXPECTATIONS OF YOU SHOULD YOU BE CHOSEN AS A FINALIST FOR A MCDONALD FELLOWSHIP.

FULL NAME:
DATE:

Please send the completed form to corbbo at gmail.com with “McDonald Fellowship Application” in the subject line. If you do not receive a reply confirming that your application was received within 7 days, please send a follow-up e-mail or call the Chairman.

Please direct questions to Corbb O’Connor, McDonald Fellowship Committee Chairman, at the above e-mail address or via phone at (202) 684-6130.