TASH Conference Scholarship Eligibility & Application Process DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE Scholarships are offered to the TASH conference to ensure that members who would otherwise find it a financial hardship to attend are able to participate and learn from the experience. All scholarship recipients are responsible for their food and ground transportation expenses. Categories of scholarships include (please use the correct name of the scholarship in the application form): I. Jean Bowen-Tom Nerney Self-Advocate Scholarship This scholarship honors Jean Bowen, one of the original advisors to Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE), and Tom Nerney, founder of the self-determination movement, and funds only travel expenses to the TASH conference. One self advocate, a first-time attendee who is nominated by a TASH member or Chapter, will have their direct transportation costs covered for a maximum of up to $500. II. Tuition Scholarship Provides funding for the registration fee for the full conference and including up to two ˝ day TASH TECHs. (Applicants should consider that TASH waives the registration fees for individuals who volunteer for 12 hours or more to conduct the conference, and will need to explain why this is not an option in their application). III. Lodging and Travel Scholarship Provides funding for travel and up to three nights lodging at the conference host hotel, valued at up to $1,000 per person. These scholarship recipients are responsible for their own registration expenses, and may receive them from another source, pay for it themselves, or volunteer for at least 12 hours to earn free registration (volunteer application forms are attached). IV. Full Scholarship Provides full funding for participation at the TASH conference, with the exception of food and ground transportation expenses, which are the responsibility of the scholarship recipient. Funds round-trip travel, up to three nights lodging at the conference host hotel, and conference registration, including up to two ˝ day TASH TECHS. This scholarship is valued at up to $1,350 per person. V. Exhibitor Scholarship Provides funds for a self-advocate to exhibit and sell the products of an existing micro-enterprise business that they own and operate. Funds up to 3 nights lodging and the cost of a booth for a total of up to $1,350. Travel to the conference is the responsibility of the scholarship recipient. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible to receive a TASH 2008 Conference Scholarship, candidates must: • Be a current member of TASH • Demonstrate a track record of leadership in the disability community • For Exhibitor Scholarships only: commit to attend the orientation for scholarship recipients at the TASH conference, ensure that booth set-up is completed by the time the exhibit hall opens, and staff your booth the entire time the exhibit hall is open. These commitments must be stated in your scholarship application. • For all other scholarship recipients: commit to attend the orientation for scholarship recipients at the TASH conference and fully participate in the education programs of the conference, including two general sessions, 10 hours of concurrent sessions, and two town hall meetings. These commitments must be stated in your scholarship application. • Serve on a 2009 TASH issue committee of your choice • Write an acknowledgement letter to at least one conference sponsor • Make your own travel arrangements and provide a receipt for travel with a written report within two weeks after the close of the conference. (See report, below, for details). • Commit to attend once selected, except in the case of a family or personal health emergency. Cancellations must be communicated to the Conference Coordinator as soon as possible to make the scholarship available to another applicant. Preference is given to individuals who are self-advocates, family members of self-advocates, and persons in the first three years of a career in direct service who will be unable to come to the TASH conference without financial assistance. Preference is also given to those individuals who have demonstrated initiative in keeping their scholarship request to a minimum by creatively blending supports from other sources. Application Process The deadline for submission of applications for the TASH 2008 Conference is September 1. The complete application packet includes: • The Application Form signed by the applicant, • Resume (or biographical description) • A personal statement that includes why the applicant wishes to attend the TASH conference, what the applicant plans to do with knowledge gained, an explanation for why the applicant will not be able to attend the conference without this financial assistance (including what other sources were asked such as an employer or other funder), and how the applicant plans to serve as an agent of change in the disability community (1-2 pages total) • Commitment Form signed by the applicant A letter of support must also be sent with the application packet, from either the local TASH chapter or another current TASH member. The full application packet must be received by September 1, 2008. Submit this form with the application form and other requirements to: TASH 2008 Scholarships 1025 Vermont Ave., Floor 7 Phone: (202) 263-5600 Fax: (202) 637-0138 Email: btrader@tash.org TASH CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM Name: (Mr/Ms/Mrs) _______________________________Member #_____________________ Address:_____________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip_________________________________________________________________ Phone ( )________________________________________Email_____________________ Name of Scholarship You are Applying for___________________________________________ (see page 1 above) Number of Years as a member of TASH: ______________ Attach: • your résumé/vita or biographical data, • a personal statement that includes why you wish to attend the TASH conference, what you plan to do with knowledge gained, an explanation for why you will not be able to attend the conference without this financial assistance (including what other sources were asked such as an employer or other funder), and how you plan to serve as an agent of change in the disability community (1-2 pages total) • A letter of support from either your local TASH chapter or another current TASH member. • Commitment letter signed by you With this signature, I assert these statements are true to the best of my ability. ___________________________________ ____________________________ Signature of Applicant Date *************************************************************************************************** TASH CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANT SUPPORT LETTER Scholarships are offered to the TASH conference to ensure that members who would otherwise find it a financial hardship to attend are able to participate and learn from the experience. Candidate’s name: ______________________________________¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬______________________________________ Your Name/Title/Agency: ____________________________________________________________________________ Email: __________________________________________ Tel. No. _____________________ How long have you known the candidate, and in what capacity (e.g. supervisor, mentor, colleague, etc.)? ____________________________________________________________________________ Please provide your reflections on the candidate’s leadership abilities, commitment to the association profession, and his/her capacity to use their experience as a conference participant to further the mission of TASH (add additional sheets if you would like). With this signature, I assert these statements are true to the best of my ability. _________________________________ ____________________________ Signature Date Return to applicant to be included in full packet. TASH CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP COMMITMENT FORM Your signature on this agreement form confirms that you have read the TASH Scholarship requirements and, if selected, commit to: • For Exhibitor Scholarships only: commit to attend the orientation for scholarship recipients at the TASH conference, ensure that booth set-up is completed by the time the exhibit hall opens, and staff your booth the entire time the exhibit hall is open. These commitments must be stated in your scholarship application. • For all other scholarship recipients: commit to attend the orientation for scholarship recipients at the TASH conference and fully participate in the education programs of the conference, including two general sessions, 10 hours of concurrent sessions, and two town hall meetings. These commitments must be stated in your scholarship application. • Serve on a 2008 TASH issue committee of your choice • Write an acknowledgement letter to at least one conference sponsor • Make your own travel arrangements and provide a receipt for travel with a written report within two weeks after the close of the conference. (See report, below, for details). • Commit to attend once selected, expect in the case of a family or personal health emergency. Cancellations must be communicated to the Conference Coordinator as soon as possible to make the scholarship available to another applicant. Applicant Name: (Mr/Ms/Mrs) ____________________________________________________ Address:_______________________________City/State/Zip___________________________ Phone ( )___________________________Email__________________________________ ________________________________________ ____________________________________ Signature Date