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Rotary Club of Petoskey
Strive Program
Policies and Procedures Manual
Last Revised: December 04, 2006
Introduction
This manual describes the various policies and procedures of the Strive Program of the Petoskey, Michigan Rotary Club.
Purpose of the Program
The Strive Program is intended for students in their senior year at PetoskeyHigh School. It is a mentoring program that pairs students and mentors in 1:1 relationships, and it is intended to help the students improve during their senior year in three ways: Attendance, Academics, and Attitude. It provides students with opportunities to work with an interested adult who is neither a parent nor a professional educator but who is interested in helping the scholar grow in positive ways.
Relationship to Rotary Club of Petoskey
The Strive program is an authorized activity of the Petoskey Rotary Club, and it reports directly to the Petoskey Rotary Charities, Inc. on all fiscal matters. At least once per year the Strive co-chairpersons must report on the Strive program’s activities and budget to Petoskey Rotary Charities, Inc.
Steering Committee
The Strive program is led by a voluntary steering committee and its co-chairpersons. This committee approves all operational procedures of the program and provides assistance with running various parts of it. The steering committee meets quarterly to plan activities. For the 2006-2007 school year the committee members are the following:
- Jay Neff, Co-Chairperson
- Tim Dykstra, Co-Chairperson
- Bob Maldegen, Co-Chairperson Emeritus
- Lu Anne Keinath, Strive Banquet
- James Kanine, PetoskeyHigh School Liaison
- Kevin Christman, Strive Treasurer
- Naomi Singer, Monthly Programs
Selection of Scholars
Shortly before a given school year, the high school identifies incoming seniors whose grade point average [GPA] places them in the lowest 1/3 of the class. These individuals are invited to attend an information session at the beginning of the fall semester conducted by the Rotary Club. Shortly after the information session students wishing to participate are asked to sign a commitment form for that year’s program. (See appendix.) Once a student signs on to the program he/she is required to comply with its regulations. Failure to meet the Strive program rules can result in the student being dropped from the program.
Selection of Mentors
The steering committee co-chairpersons select mentors at the beginning of each year from a list of volunteers who have expressed willingness to be mentors. First preference is for mentors to be members of the Petoskey Rotary Club, but others may also serve. This selection is done in consultation with staff members at the high school in an effort to get the best matches possible. When possible, it is preferable to have mentor and scholar to be the same gender, but this not required.
Mentors agree to meet with their scholars at the monthly meetings and at least once or twice between monthly meetings. Mentors are asked to sign a commitment form during the fall sign-up period. (See appendix.)
Monthly Meetings
Mentors and scholars all meet together once per month in September, October, November, January, February, March, April and May. These meetings are usually held at PetoskeyHigh School at a time and place mutually satisfactory to the high school administration, the scholars, and the mentors. At each meeting there is a presentation on a topic of general interest for all participants. (See appendix for listing of program topics for the 2004-2005 school year.)
Attendance Policies
Regular attendance by both mentors and scholars is required. Scholars who miss more than 25 % of the total number of monthly meetings for the school year are disqualified from any awards. Mentors who miss monthly meetings frequently or who fail to meet regularly with their scholars between monthly meetings may be asked to discontinue their participation for the balance of that year.
Awards
The philosophy of the Strive program is to have students “competing” with themselves and their own previous academic performances, not with one another.
However, at the end of the school year, the scholars are ranked in order of GPA improvement during the senior year. The student whose GPA improved the most from the beginning of the senior year (i.e., the cumulative GPA the scholar had for the first three years of high school) to the end of the senior year is in first place. The student with the next greatest GPA improvement is in second place, and so forth. In the case of a tie, both students would receive an award. All GPA calculations are done by PetoskeyHigh School and involve high school courses only. (Courses that a scholar might take as part of a “dual enrollment” program with a college and for which the Petoskey Public Schools pays the tuition are included in these GPA calculations. All other college courses are excluded from the GPA calculations.) The Strive program is responsible for calculating the GPA differences from the beginning and the conclusion of the senior year.
Strive scholars who complete the full year’s program are eligible for the following awards:
- All scholars participating throughout the school year are invited to the annual Strive banquet.
PLUS
- All scholars who complete the full year’s activity and who need assistance in finding a job for the summer following their graduation will receive assistance from the Rotary Club in securing summer employment.
PLUS
- The top ten (10) students qualify for a summer job work incentive of $1.50 per hour for a maximum of 480 hours or $720.00. (Up to 12 weeks @ 40 hours per week) The summer incentive work must be done between high school graduation day andSeptember 30th of the scholar’s graduation year. To collect these work incentive dollars, the scholar must request payment from the Strive program treasurer using the form provided. (See appendix.) Payment must be requested in writing by no later than December 31st of the scholar’s high school graduation year. Requests made after that will not be granted.
PLUS
- Scholars are given scholarships according to the following places:
- First Place: One year’s tuition and fees fully paid at NorthCentralMichiganCollege. If not attending NCMC, the top award is tuition fees assistance not exceeding $1,750.
Each of the top five students is also eligible for a book allowance of $200.
- Second Place: $1,000.00
- Third Place: $750.00
- Fourth Place: $750.00
- Fifth Place: $500.00
The basic intent of these awards is for Scholars to enter college immediately after high school graduation. Therefore, Scholars have one calendar year following their high school graduation date to apply for their scholarship awards using the guidelines provided to them at the time of the award.
Scholars may be granted an extension of one additional year upon request. In order for this request to be granted it, must be made during the first 12 months following high school graduation, and the Scholar must initiate the extension request. The maximum amount of time a Scholar may have to use the scholarship is therefore twenty four (24) months beyond that person’s high school graduation date. Applications beyond that date will not be accepted.
Scholars who do not graduate by the date of that year’s high school commencement are ineligible for any awards regardless of their GPA improvement.
Emergency Fund
Effective with the 2004-2005 school year, the Strive program has created an emergency fund that mentors can use to aid their scholars with small, short-term emergencies. The total fund maximum is $1,000 per school year. (For 2004-2005 the maximum total fund amount is $500 since the fund began in January.)
Payments from the fund are made in the following way. The mentor requests funds from the Emergency Fund committee. (For 2006-2007 this committee consists of Jay Neff and Tim Dykstra.) The committee reviews the requests and makes an award on a case-by-case basis. One of the committee members notifies the Strive treasurer of the award, and the treasurer writes a check payable to the Scholar for the approved amount. Emergency funds may be used for Strive Scholars only.
Tutoring
Strive Scholars and/or mentors may request free tutoring assistance from NorthCentralMichiganCollege (for English composition and mathematics) and from PetoskeyHigh School (for all other subjects).
To get tutoring assistance from the college either the mentor or the scholar can call the office of Learning Support Services at (231) 348-6693. Professional mentors will make direct arrangements with the scholar for scheduling the most appropriate meeting time, and location.
To get tutoring assistance from the high school either the mentor or the scholar can call Mr. Jim Kanine at the high school office at (231) 348-2103. Mr. Kanine will work out tutoring arrangements as appropriate.
Fund Raising
The Strive program is funded through the donations of individuals, corporations, and organizations. The steering committee periodically solicits funding support from its sponsors, preferably in the form of a three-year commitment. This commitment is established by the donor’s signing a Sponsor Commitment Form. (See appendix.)
Donations that come to Rotary Charities on behalf of the Strive program may be used for any Strive operating expenses unless otherwise stipulated by the Strive steering committee.
Budget
The Strive treasurer is responsible for maintaining records on the Strive expenses and revenues and for reporting these periodically to the steering committee. The treasurer also maintains records on pledges and donations to the Strive program.
Banquet
The Rotary Strive banquet is held annually in June. This capstone event includes a keynote speaker and the issuing of the Strive awards to the scholars. Scholars are permitted to bring two (2) guests with them. The Rotary club covers all banquet expenses for scholars and guests. Mentors and Rotarians are urged to attend, and they pay their own banquet expenses.
Appendies
Student Commitment Form
Mentor Commitment Form
Sponsor Commitment Form
Monthly Meeting Topics: 2004-2005
Summer Work Incentive Payment Claim Form
Rotary Strive Scholarship
Post Office Box 61
Petoskey, Michigan49770
Telephone (231) 347-5064
Or (231) 347-9943
Student Questionnaire
Name: ______Age: ______
Mother: ______Occupation: ______
Father: ______Occupation: ______
Brothers/Ages: ______
Sisters/Ages: ______
Hobbies and Interests: ______
______
______
Extracurricular Activities: ______
______
______
Post Graduation Plans: ______
______
College: ______
Career: ______
Filling out this questionnaire is strictly voluntary and is not necessary to remain in the STRIVE program. The information will be kept confidential to the Rotary STRIVE committee and your assigned mentor. It will be used to help us assign to you a mentor who may be most suited to help you meet your goals.
Rotary STRIVE Scholarship
Post Office Box 61
Petoskey, Michigan 49770
Telephone: (231) 348-6660
or (231) 348-6703
or (231) 347-5064
Mentor Questionnaire
Name: ______Date: ______
Address: ______Phone: ______
Email: ______
Occupation: ______
Hobbies And Interests: ______
______
______
Have you mentored previously? ______
If So, When? ______
Filling out this questionnaire is strictly voluntary and is not necessary to remain in the STRIVE program. The information will be kept confidential to the Rotary STRIVE committee. It will be used to help us in assigning a student to you.
PETOSKEY ROTARY CLUB CHARITIES, INC.
PETOSKEY ROTARY STRIVE PROGRAM
SPONSOR COMMITMENT FORM
Name (company or individual) ______
Annual commitment amount ______
Commitment period:
Beginning school year ______
Ending school year ______
______
Signature
______
Date
Additional information
Checks payable to: Petoskey Rotary Club Charities, Inc.
Petoskey Rotary Club Charities, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization
You will receive a payment reminder each year during the commitment period
______
Preferred billing month
Return this form to:Kevin Christman CPA
Smolinski & Christman
555 Michigan Street
Petoskey, MI 49770
Rotary Strive Scholarship
Post Office Box 61
Petoskey, Michigan49770
Telephone (231) 347-5064
Or (231) 347-9943
Commitment Form
Name: ______Phone: ______
Address: ______City: ______
I, ______, am committed to doing my best during my senior year. I understand that to participate in the strive program I must:
- Attend the scheduled STRIVEmeetings held once a month, 8:00-9:00 a.m., on Wednesday mornings concurrent with PHS staff meetings.
- I must maintain satisfactory attendance at PetoskeyHigh School; only excused absences will be accepted.
- I must maintain good communication with my mentor (i.e. personal contact) twice a month other than regularly scheduled meetings.
- I must maintain a minimum of a “C” average to be eligible for the 5 scholarships and 10 job bonus awards given each year to the ten most improved “Strive” students.
The scholarship and jobs bonuses will be awarded to the senior Strive scholars whose grade point average for the senior year improves the most from his or her freshman, sophomore and junior years’ accumulative grade point average. In the event of a tie in GPS improvement, the Strive committee’s decision as to the winner will be final.
The Strive Committee has permission to review and calculate my past and present grades, and monitor my progress this school year.
I, (mentor) ______, will do my best to help and encourage
______, to have a positive experience in Strive and a successful senior year.
______
DateSignature of Student Signature of Mentor
______
Signature of Parent or Guardian, if Student if under 18 years of age.
Base GPA: ______Senior GPA: ______Improvement: ______
ROTARY CLUB OF PETOSKEY
STRIVE PROGRAM
June 13, 2006
Dear Strive Program Participant :
Congratulations ! You have earned a summer job incentive bonus for your hard work during the past school year. I have included a form that needs to be filled out by your employer upon completion of your summer job. Please remember to make an extra copy of the form if you will be working more than one job . Your incentive pay will be based on the number of hours worked for the period June 1, 2006 through September 30, 2006, with a maximum of 480 hours paid. The incentive pay rate is $1.50 per hour. Therefore, you can earn an extra $720 by working the maximum number of hours.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I have included my office and home telephone numbers on the information form. It is your responsibility to return the form to me upon completion of your summer job. Please note that the completed form must be returned to me by December 31, 2006 to qualify for the award.
Again, congratulations on behalf of the Rotary Club of Petoskey.
Very truly yours,
Kevin Christman
ROTARY CLUB OF PETOSKEY
STRIVE PROGRAM
June 13, 2006
Dear Strive Program Participant :
Congratulations ! You have earned a scholarship for your hard work during the past school year.
I have included a form which shows the amount of your scholarship. It is very important that you notify me as soon as possible to let me know which school you will be attending. I need to notify the schools in advance of when you register for classes. Please send the bottom portion of the form to me no later than July 15. If you can not notify me by this date, please call me. You will receive a check for the scholarship amount made out to yourself and the school. If you are attending NCMC, I will forward the scholarship check to NCMC and it will be credited to your account. NCMC’s procedure is to allocate the scholarship amount evenly between the first and second semester. Please let me know if you want the scholarship to be allocated differently.
The book allowance will paid to you as a reimbursement check. You are responsible for providing a receipt that shows where the books were purchased, the date and amount and a listing of the books. The receipt should be mailed to me at the address on the Scholarship Information Form.
Again, congratulations on behalf of the Rotary Club of Petoskey.
Very truly yours,
Kevin Christman
ROTARY CLUB OF PETOSKEY
STRIVE PROGRAM
2006 SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION FORM
Scholarship Winner :Student name
Scholarship Amount :Description of award
Person to contact :
Kevin Christman
Home phone : 347-5032
Business phone : 347-5555
Mail the bottom portion of the form by July 15 to :
Kevin Christman
Smolinski & Christman, P.C.
555 Michigan Street
Petoskey, MI 49770
______
2006 STRIVE SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Winner’s name and address Student name
______
______
Winner’s telephone number ______
College attending ______
STRIVE SUMMER JOB INCENTIVE
2004 REPORTING FORM
Return completed form to :Kevin Christman
555 Michigan Street
Petoskey, MI. 49770
Telephone numberOffice : 347-5555
Home : 347-5032
STRIVE SCHOLAR INFORMATION
Student name :______
Address to mail check :______
______
EMPLOYER INFORMATION
Supervisor name and phone number ______
______
Business name and address :______
______
Number of hours worked from
6-15-04 to 9-30-04______
Has employment terminated ?______
Today’s Date :______
Supervisor signature______
Comments ( please share your
comments on how the program
worked for you as an employer)______
______
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Strive Procedures Manual 11-29-06.doc