Epsilon Sigma Phi Handbook

SECTION D

Scholarships, Grants and Recognition

(Reviewed and Adopted November 2016)

Role of the Scholarships, Grants and Recognition Committee: To administer and provide leadership to Epsilon Sigma Phi's scholarships, chapter professional development grants, and recognition programs

1. Develop and distribute information and applications to chapters regarding scholarships, grants, and recognitions.  
2. Scholarship applications will be received by the deadline posted in the scholarship description.  Generally all scholarships will have either a December 1 or May 1 (or both) deadline. Committee will receive applications from members for scholarships offered by Epsilon Sigma Phi.  
   • Review and rank the applications. 
   • When applicable, verify with Executive Director that applicant’s national ESP dues are paid for the current year (by February 1). 
   • Recommend to the National ESP Board who should receive a scholarship. No more than one scholarship may be awarded to an individual in the same year.
   • Provide rationale for rankings and recommendations. 
   • National President will announce decisions.
3. Receive applications from members via the ESP Executive Director for Professional Development Grants and the Rita T Wood Grant offered by Epsilon Sigma Phi.  All Grants Due  – December 1, and May 1 if funds remain after the December deadline.
   • Review and rank the applications. 
   • Verify that applicant’s national ESP dues are paid for the previous year and the current year (by February 1). 
   • Recommend to the National ESP Board who should receive the appropriate grants. 
   • Provide rationale for rankings and recommendations. 
   • National President will announce decisions.
4. Receive nominations for the Friend of Extension recognition from chapters.  Applications for Friend of Extension Nominees are due on March 1.
   • Review and rank the nominations. 
   • Submit to National ESP Board top three candidates and rationale for ranking.  A candidate should be selected from each of the three categories: Extension Volunteer/Lay Leader, Professional or Business Leader or Elected Official.
   • The committee should encourage award applications from chapters that will result in geographic representation if possible.
5. Study and make recommendations to the National ESP Board on ways to improve/change ESP's scholarships, professional development grants, and recognition programs, including potential sources of funding and criteria for selection.
   
6. Identify chapter Scholarships, Grants and Recognition contacts to receive communication from the National Scholarships, Grants and Recognition Committee as needed.
7. Work with chapter presidents and Scholarships, Grants and Recognition contacts to promote scholarships, grants and recognitions and provide publicity for recipients.
8. Develop a Strategic Action Plan of Work and submit to the National ESP Board in the Google Drive.
9. Submit popular and full annual reports to the National ESP Board and post in the Google Drive.
10. Prepare articles for ESP Connection Newsletter as identified in Strategic Action Plan.
11. Carry out other responsibilities assigned by the National ESP Board.

ESP Scholarships

Public Issues Leadership Development Conference (PILD) Scholarship
The Art Redinger ESP Administrator / Leader Scholarship
Richard R Angus Professional Development Scholarship
Justin Morrill Scholarship
ESP Chapter at Risk Scholarship

ESP Grants

Professional Development Programming Grants
Rita T Wood Grant

ESP Recognition Program

National Only Recognition Categories:

• Distinguished Service Ruby Recognition (one national award)

National  and Chapter Recognition Categories:   

• Friend of Extension Recognition 
• Distinguished Service Recognition 
• Continued Excellence Recognition
• Mid-Career Service Recognition
• Early Career Recognition
• International Service Recognition
• Administrative Leadership Recognition 
• Visionary Leadership Recognition
• Diversity/Multicultural Recognition Individual
• Diversity/Multicultural Team
• National Team Recognition

Chapter Only Recognition Categories

• Chapter Meritorious Support Service Recognition (for support staff – Chapter only)
• Chapter Retiree Service Recognition – (Chapter only)
• Chapter Tenure Recognition (Chapter only)