MAR PRiDe Scholarship Program

Mid-Atlantic Region Past Region Directors’ Scholarship Program

GUIDELINES

Statement of Intent and Purposes

The Mar PRiDe Scholarship Program exists to support efforts of MAR members to further their scholarship in embroidery – related education and expertise.  Scholarships are awarded to enrich the knowledge of each recipient, with the belief that EGA members will benefit indirectly from an individual’s endeavors.

A MAR PRiDE Scholarship may be awarded for EGA education programs, such as Extended Study Program, Teacher, judge, or needlework appraisal certification requirements, Independent Study (i.e., ICC) , and seminar experiences, as well as other embroidery-related experiences. 

The scholarship recipient shall submit a substantial written report to the MAR PRiDe committee by a date specified when the scholarship was awarded.  The report shall include a record of the scholarship experience and possible implementations of the experience into recipient’s life. Within the report, the committee welcomes proposals to lecture or teach for a region event.

The Committee

The MAR PRiDe Scholarship Committee shall consist of all past MAR Directors residing in region who are current members of EGA.  In addition, the current Region Director will serve ex-officio on the committee as a facilitator, moderator, and organizer.

Three past region directors shall constitute a Selection Committee to screen applications, interview applicants, and select recipients.  The current Region Director shall appoint a Chairman.  In order to provide continuity, the immediate past Region Director, along with one additional past Region Director selected by the Chairman, as well as the Chairman, shall serve on the Selection Committee for the term. 

All information gathered by the committee and all discussion of the committee is confidential.

Funding

All scholarship and related expenses shall come from specific fund-raising events designated to support the scholarship fund.

The fund shall be maintained in a federally insured, interest bearing account with no penalty – transfer capability.  The MAR Treasurer shall send quarterly account statements to the chairman as appropriate.  A budget line for income through designated fund raising and for committee expenses shall be maintained.

Al memorials in honor of living or deceased persons and donations shall be accepted.  Donations may not be restricted.  Letters of thanks, written by the chairman, shall be sent to all donors and to persons or families of memorial honorees.  The name of donors shall be published in the Mid-Atlantic Region Newsletter.

The number and dollar amounts of scholarships shall be determined annually by the MAR PRiDe Scholarship Selection Committee based on the merit of the proposal submitted and the funds available.

Time Table

Funds designated for scholarships shall be announced at the Fall region meeting prior to application submissions.

Applications for the annual scholarship award(s) shall be postmarked by April 1.

Applications shall be distributed to committee members by April 15.

Within three weeks, initial screening shall be completed

The Selection Committee Chairman may call a meeting to arrive at final selections.

Applicants shall be notified of acceptance/rejection within six weeks after applications are due to the chairman.  Recipients’ names shall be published in the region newsletter.

Scholarship award recipients will be recognized each June at the annual meeting.

Funds awarded but not used by a date determined in advance by the Selection Committee shall revert to the MAR PRiDe Scholarship Fund.

If the recipient is unable to complete successfully the experience for which the scholarship was given within the time period accepted by the Selection Committee, the recipient shall reimburse the amount awarded to the MAR PRiDe Scholarship Fund, with payment due at the end of the designated time period.

Application  Process

An application form, to be found in the Mid-Atlantic Region Officers’ Handbook, shall be postmarked by April 1.  The application shall include name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, chapter, EGA membership number, references, intended use of the scholarship, reasons for desiring the educational opportunity, amount of funds requested with itemized anticipated expenses, and possible implementations of the experience into the applicant’s life.

The Selection Process

Each Selection Committee member shall read and submit ratings of each applicant’s essay anonymously.

Criteria for the selection shall be set for the individual scholarship. Criteria to consider:

Quality of project proposal.

Applicable past experiences (not exclusively EGA) indicative of successful scholarship experience, as teacher/presenter, stitcher, artist, designer, etc.

An applicant clearly focused on goals relating to the scholarship opportunity.

The applicant who has given of herself and her talents to EGA.

The member who is new and shows potential.

The applicant who will gain the most from the experience.

The applicant who will share knowledge and skills with EGA and MAR directly or indirectly.

A rating form may be used to assist committee members in making their selections.

Final selection may be done by consensus or by vote.

Letters informing of the selection shall be sent to successful applicant(s) and to the applicant’s chapter president.

Letters shall be sent to non-successful applicants, encouraging them to apply at another time.