2009 Diane Relf Educational Endowment Fund Master Gardener College Scholarships

VMGA seeks to award scholarships to those deserving members who through their dedicated efforts of volunteerism and VCE goals have demonstrated exceptional leadership potential or significant contributions in their respective Units. Additional criteria are included on the application form. All VCE Master Gardeners planning to attend MG College 2009 can be considered for these scholarships. The number of $100.00 scholarships awarded is determined by the budgeted amount and donations to the Diane Relf Educational Endowment Fund. This year, the VMGA Board has authorized two of the six scholarships be awarded to qualified and selected members of Small Units (less than 70 members).

Nomination Criteria and Application Form

Nomination Criteria

Nominations: Units may nominate two candidates each year Selection method is up to individual units No explanation of selection required

Eligibility/selection criteria:

- Potential nominees

-Unit leaders

• - Volunteers who demonstrate future potential
• - Financial need
• - Minorities
• - Young Adults
• - Role models; actual or potential
• - Individuals with desire to continue contributing
• - New VCE MG’s (less than 100 hours)

-Vary by local Unit needs and goals

-Willingness to report MG College experience to local Unit, VMGA Newsletter and to State Coordinator

Scholarship Committee: Composed of several VMGA members, all of whom have received a scholarship in the past.

• -Ensure nominees’ eligibility
• -Select candidates and alternates based on the guidance by the Executive Board
• -Present recommendations for Scholarships to the Executive Board for final approval

Additional Details:

Purpose of the Scholarships

• -Assistance for VMGA members to attend MG College 2009
• -Further the VMGA goals of providing Continuing Education
• -Increase the number of attendees at MG College
• -Encourage those members who have demonstrated exceptional potential in their local Units

Award Guidelines

• -VMGA Budget line item (Diane Relf Education Endowment Fund)
• -VMGA member may only receive one scholarship in a lifetime
• -VMGA free of any personal liability
• -Winner bears any tax liability, if any

See the Past Award Winners - P.D. Relf Scholarship Winners

Educational Endowment Fund Application Form:

Use this form to nominate Master Gardener volunteers for the VMGA Scholarship to the 2009 VCE Master Gardener College.  Information and guidelines concerning the scholarships, which have been previously adopted by the VMGA Board of Directors, can be found below.

You are requested to copy and paste the nomination information into an E-mail and complete the form electronically. This information will be forwarded to the other Committee members for discussion and voting on the nominees. Completed applications should be forwarded to the Committee Chair, Paul Campbell at Panda91@cox.net or 1800 East Road, Virginia Beach, Va.  23454. Applications must be received by Friday 18 May 2009.

Required Information:

Name:

Address:

Phone Number:

E-mail, if available:

VCE Unit:

VCE Agent/ Unit Coordinator:

Will the nominee be attending MG College 2009?

Will this be the first time to MG College for the nominee?

Is the nominee a member of VMGA? (Preference will be given to VMGA members.) Applications for joining are on the vmga.net website.

What leadership role (Committee Chair, Team leader, activity or project head, etc) has the nominee held as a MG volunteer and/or how does this person demonstrate the potential to hold future leadership roles?

How many career service hours has the nominee contributed?

Are there additional criteria, which the individual would like to be considered? Financial need, minority, other. (Confidentiality assured.)

How will the awarding of this scholarship and attendance at MG College 2009 enhance the efforts of the local Unit?

Additional information that the nominee or Extension Agent/Coordinator may wish to be considered by the Committee.

All applications forms must be submitted via the local VCE Extension Agent or Unit Coordinator.       Any questions concerning submission of applications, please contact the Chair.

 Selected nominees and Extension Agents/Coordinators will be notified by E-mail or Phone by the Chairman of the Committee by Friday 5 June 2009.

Scholarship checks will be presented to the selectees at the Annual VMGA meeting on Saturday 20 June 2009.

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