This fund is maintained through donations from out local councils and is designed to aid our members in special projects, trainings, or professional activities.
 

Examples of possible scholarship activities are:

· Reading conferences at universities

· Partial expenses to IRA National or Regional conferences

· Tuition or materials for reading classes

· Professional library reading materials

· Tuition for graduate study in reading

· Materials for classrooms to enhance reading
 

			Criteria

THE APPLICANT will meet the following requirements:

• Is a current member of a local council of IRA/WORD.
   
• Is directly involved with improving reading instruction
   
• Shows evidence of ability to influence others as well as to enrich him/herself
   
• Is able and willing to disseminate information gained as a result of the educational activity
   
• Will complete the application and submit it to the Council President in order to meet the April 30 deadline to the Scholarship Chair
   
• Will not apply they have been a scholarship recipient within the previous three years.

THE LOCAL COUNCILS

• Will screen applicants according to the requirements listed above
   
• Will PRIORITIZE applicants from their council (if there is more than one) according to the length of membership and amount of active participation in the council and form a recommendation
   
• Will process and forward no more than two applications to the Scholarship Committee by April 30
   
• Will make their scholarship fund donation by February 15 of each year

Applications must be received by the WORD Past President by April 30. The local council may forward up to two applications to WORD. The local council must have donated to the fund by the February 15th of the current membership year. The number and amount of awards depends on the amount of money available in the fund.

			Procedures for Application

Applications must be received by the to Ardis Sparks; 3510 South Reed Court; Kennewick WA 99337 by April 30,2011.  Please forward you application to your local council president before this deadline, so they may review and approve your application.