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 Petoskey High 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:
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Jay Neff, Co-Chairperson
Tim Dykstra, Co-Chairperson
Bob Maldegen, Co-Chairperson Emeritus
Lu Anne Keinath, Strive Banquet
James Kanine, Petoskey High School Liaison
Kevin Christman, Strive Treasurer
Naomi Singer, Monthly Programs
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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
Petoskey High 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.
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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 Petoskey High
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:
1. All scholars participating throughout the school year are invited to the annual
Strive banquet.
PLUS
2. 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
3. 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 and September 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.
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PLUS
4. Scholars are given scholarships according to the following places:
1. First Place: One year’s tuition and fees fully paid at North Central Michigan
College. 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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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-bycase 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.
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Tutoring
Strive Scholars and/or mentors may request free tutoring assistance from North Central
Michigan College (for English composition and mathematics) and from Petoskey High
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.
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Appendies
Student Commitment Form
Mentor Commitment Form
Sponsor Commitment Form
Monthly Meeting Topics: 2004-2005
Summer Work Incentive Payment Claim Form
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Rotary Strive Scholarship
Post Office Box 61
Petoskey, Michigan 49770
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.
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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: __________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________
Date: ________________
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.
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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:
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Kevin Christman CPA
Smolinski & Christman
555 Michigan Street
Petoskey, MI 49770
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Rotary Strive Scholarship
Post Office Box 61
Petoskey, Michigan 49770
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:
1.
Attend the scheduled STRIVE meetings held once a month, 8:00-9:00 a.m., on Wednesday
mornings concurrent with PHS staff meetings.
2.
I must maintain satisfactory attendance at Petoskey High School; only excused absences will be
accepted.
3.
I must maintain good communication with my mentor (i.e. personal contact) twice a month other
than regularly scheduled meetings.
4.
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.
__________
Date
_____________________________________ ___________________________________
Signature of Student
Signature of Mentor
______________________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Parent or Guardian, if Student if under 18 years of age.
Base GPA: ___________ Senior GPA: ____________
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Improvement: ____________
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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
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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
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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
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_________________________
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STRIVE SUMMER JOB INCENTIVE
2004 REPORTING FORM
Return completed form to :
Kevin Christman
555 Michigan Street
Petoskey, MI. 49770
Telephone number
Office : 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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