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 four categories: Extension Volunteer/Lay Leader, Professional/Business Leader, Businesses/Organizations, 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 Recognition Awards - Nominations from Chapters

Each year the Chapter must submit their nominations for national recognition on the National Recognition Nomination Form by March 1. An application must also be submitted online for each national recognition nominee. 

Chapter use of the National Online System to Collect Chapter Nominations

Chapters are invited to use the national online system to collection recognition applications /  nominations at the chapter level. See Instructions.

Nomination Guidelines for National Individual Recognition

• To be considered for national recognition, the nominee must meet all requirements for chapter recognition and be a current or previous recipient of the chapter recognition for which they are being considered (excluding Ruby recognition).
• ESP members whose dues are paid for the previous year and the current year (by February 1).
  
• Current National ESP Board members are not eligible for awards while serving on the National Board.
• Chapters are encouraged to resubmit strong nominees during the following year if not selected.

Nomination Guidelines for National Team Recognition

• A team is defined as two or more individuals. To be considered for national recognition, at least fifty percent of team members eligible for ESP membership must be members whose dues are paid for the previous year and the current year (by February 1).
• The national team nominees must meet all requirements for chapter recognition and be a current or previous recipient of the chapter recognition for which they are being considered.
• The application must include:
• Major issue(s) addressed
• Resources involved: team members, volunteers, agencies/co-operators and funds, supplies or equipment utilized • Methods used: innovative or creative problem solving, educational or delivery methods, etc.
• Results: who benefited, what were the impacts, how did lives or communities change, what are the implications for future programs, etc.?
• Narrative summary (50-75 words) clearly explaining the role that the team's program has played in preparing people and/or communities to deal with critical issues which address social, economic and/or environmental concerns. (Narrative can be in an outline format if that is most effective.) 

National Only Recognition Categories:

• Distinguished Service Ruby Recognition (one national award)

National (one per region) 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 and Team
• Distinguished Team Recognition

Chapter Only Recognition Categories

• Chapter Meritorious Support Service Recognition (for support staff – Chapter only)
• Chapter Retiree Service Recognition – (Chapter only)
• Chapter 25 Year Tenure Recognition (Chapter only)