[Nfbnet-members-list] Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund

[Dyer, Marsha]

Dear Colleagues:

Allen Harris, Chairman of the Kenneth Jernigan 
Convention Scholarship Fund, asked me to send you 
the attached information. Please help spread the 
word about this important and beneficial 
opportunity available to first-time convention 
attendees who are active NFB members.

Thank you,

Marsha Dyer, Secretary
Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund

Info below and in attachment:


The 2017 Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund

by Allen Harris, Chairman

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 Shingle Creek 
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.

Your letter to Chairperson Allen Harris must cover these points:
    * Your full name, and all your telephone 
numbers and label them­cell 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 
that 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 
<<mailto:kjscholarships at nfb.org>kjscholarships at nfb.org> 
or call his Baltimore, Maryland, office at (410) 659-9314, extension 2415.

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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