| July 2002 Newsletter |
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FLRC Offers Scholarship Opportunities
Running clubs have a moral responsibility to the communities they serve to do more than just direct road races.
The executive board members of the Finger Lakes Runners Club, the non-profit, Ithaca-based organization which provides track, road and trail running opportunites for everyone who wants to participate in our sport, have created a scholarship fund for individuals or teams who have a need to achieve.
The goals of the scholarship fund are to:
The scholarship program, which is an ever-evolving, work-in-progress, is open to anyone of any age with a running-related need. This includes, but is not limited to, tuition for camps or seminars; travel expenses related to prestigious or unique events, like the Olympic trials or a national championship; or a need for equipment or shoes/clothing.
"The scholarship program represents our commitment to the running community, and the sport we all love," said Lorrie Marnell, FLRC president and director of the Ithaca 5 & 10. "It can offer runners of all ages the ability to compete in a competition, or take part in a running-related event that they may otherwise not have the chance to do due to financial restraints."
Scholarship eligibility is extended to individuals, teams or other running-related groups in our community.
Applications for scholarship funds are accepted on a year-round basis, and will be reviewed in a timely fashion, with sensitivity to the applicant's schedule and deadlines.
The scholarship selection committee is comprised of two FLRC board members, plus the reigning club president. This committee is elected by the FLRC executive board, and each member will serve at least a one-year term. There are no term limits imposed on committee members.
All decisions will be reported to the FLRC executive board, and if a committee member has a vested interest in an applicant, that committee member will be recused from the decision-making process specific to that applicant.
The selection committee members right now are Marnell, Alan Lockett and Tessa DuMont.
"I personally think the scholarship is a great way for the club to help others go forth in their love for running," said DuMont, the Tom Bugliosi Trail Runs race director. "As a mid/back-pack runner, I don't feel that this scholarship is limited to those who are striving to be No. 1. It's also for thse trying to accomplish smaller personal goals."
"(The scholarship) represents to me an opportunity for the FLRC to reach out and more completely fulfill our charge as a non-profit, community-based group that sponsors running events, and encourages a healthy lifestyle," added Lockett, race director of the Fillmore 5K. "It will provide the financial assistance to assist someone in achieving a goal, and at most, it will help fulfill a dream."
To apply for a scholarship grant, a letter should be written by the individual, a coach, a teacher or a parent, and should include the following information:
Describe the running activity, or a specific need (equipment, for example) which you are interested in pursuing, and state the dates associated with this activity. Provide a resume of the applicant's or team's running history, achievements and aspirations. Include extra-curricular activities (running and non-running) in which the applicant(s) are involved. You must also make a statement of financial need, which will be examined by the selection committee members.
"We'll look at a number of things when making our decision," said Lockett, who has raised funds via his races for Moravia youth sports. "Is there a real financial need? Is this a person or group that is committed to running? We'll also look at the significance of the event with respect to prestige or uniqueness. Is it a genuine benefit to the runner or group? We're not just going to fund someone's trip to the Boston Marathon because they want to go."
Letters of intent should be brief, but applicants can include any information they feel is pertinent to the selection process. If the application is for a team, please describe the number of runners served, and how the monetary award will be used or distributed among the group.
The amount of the scholarship award is a maximum of $200 per individual, or a maximum of $500 per team. There is no minimum standard for either award category.
The scholarship program is funded in two ways: race profits and private donations.
A race director can contribute a minimum of 10 percent or a maximum of 25 percent of his/her race profits.
Individual club members or community interest groups can make private contributions earmarked for the scholarship fund. These can be offered without names attached, or on behalf of friends or family members. Currently, there is a memorial contribution on behalf of the late Bob Bridgman, a Mansfield University math professor who was actively involved in FLRC races.
Decision guidelines are at the discretion of the committee members, but a general prioritization rule is as follows:
Students - individuals or teams - are No. 1, with no age restrictions. But students must be full-time, and in matriculated status.
K-12 students have priority over undergraduate college students; undergraduate students have priority over graduate students.
Specials circumstances, with no age limits: Olympic qualifying events, national championships, Senior Olympics, etc.
FLRC members have priority over non-members.
"I would encourage runners to get involved in the local events, whether FLRC sponsored or not," said Lockett. "Support our local high school teams, and speak with the coaches. Maybe from the that involvement, you'll see a real need emerge."
Also, visit the FLRC Web site at www.cee.cornell.edu/~flrc/flrc.html and FLRC Scholarship Info for additional information.
Applicants should mail their letters to
Finger Lakes Runners Cluband write "Attention: Scholarship Application" on the envelope.
Box 321
Newfield, N.Y. 14867
"It's important for our club to have a scholarship fund so we can insure that means will be available to encourage and promote running now and into the future," said Lockett, instrumental in creating the scholarship protocol. "One of the intended targets of this scholarship is younger runners. We want kids to know that runningi s a lifelong activity that's not only healthy and provides an outlet for your competitive side, but also has some great social aspects - it's just plain fun. Hopefully these kids will join a running club as adults and complete the cycle."
-- Diane Sherrer
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