Educational Scholarship Fund

A Brief History

A memorial scholarship fund was established in 1991 by the friends and family of Lois Watkins to provide financial assistance to further the educational goals and interests of the members of the guild. A lifelong weaver and spinner, Lois Watkins was in the forefront of guild activities for decades. She had a special genius for appreciating the ideas and creativity of others and a strong desire to see those ideas spread among members of the guild. A committee of three guild members appointed by the guild president administered the fund. A statement of purpose and application were used by applicants through 1999.

After the death of Helen Carter, another guild member and prolific weaver, several memorial gifts were received by the guild, and it was decided to add them to the Watkins fund. Helen not only learned to weave from Lois, lived near Lois and shared many years of enthusiasm and companionship, but she also shared her love of weaving with many weavers. It was the general agreement that once the fund was depleted and the money spent as stipulated the fund would end.

In April 1999, a committee was formed to reorganize a general scholarship fund so that other memorial gifts could be received and used to continue the fund in a new and different way. With the continuation of this scholarship fund, now called Columbia Weavers and Spinners’ Guild Educational Scholarship Fund, the guild could increase the availability of scholarships for all members.

Growth of the scholarship fund can occur through memorial gifts, tax-deductible donations and fundraisers from other guild events and activities. The guild encourages contributions from individuals to the Educational Scholarship Fund.

The following statement describing the Educational Scholarship Fund was approved by the CWSG membership at its May 2000 meeting and revised in April 2001 to clarify the obligation of scholarship recipients to use scholarship grants for the purposes specified or to return the funds. Background and application forms were revised for clarity in September 2018. Additional revisions and clarifications were made in 2021.

Fund Guidelines

1. Purpose: The purpose of the Educational Scholarship Fund is to provide financial aid for fiber arts related educational opportunities. Money from this fund could be used in the following ways, or others, as indicated by the applicant: tuition, room and board, other fees related to conferences or workshops such as transportation/mileage, babysitting, materials, equipment, books – whatever might enable the applicant to enhance her/his educational or artistic goals.

2. Eligibility: Application for Educational Scholarship Funds is open to anyone. Membership in the guild is not a prerequisite. Selection of recipients will be based on the selection criteria given below. If an applicate has received a scholarship in the past, all obligations associated with that award must be met before an applicate is eligible for another scholarship.

3. Administration: The scholarship fund is administered by the Educational Scholarship Fund Review Committee made up of three Columbia Weavers and Spinners’ Guild members appointed by the Executive Committee of the guild. Each Review Committee member will serve a staggered three-year term. The most senior member will be the coordinator; the person entering a second year on the committee will serve as the reviewer; and the newest member will serve as the record keeper. Each will maintain the duties outlined in their notebook for the guild year. The three members of the Educational Scholarship Fund Review Committee are not eligible for a scholarship while serving on the Review Committee. The committee will maintain a list of contributors and names of those for whom memorial gifts have been given. A record will be kept by the same committee of all applications and final financial reports. A copy of these financial reports will also be forwarded to the guild treasurer. The treasurer shall keep the scholarship accounting separate from the operating expenses of the guild. Disbursements of scholarship funds will be made by the treasurer at the recommendation of the committee. The coordinator will publicize the availability of scholarship funds in The Tie-up, at the guild’s monthly meetings and at guild exhibit/sales events. By August of the following fiscal year, the record keeper will notify the program coordinator of all scholarships awarded during the previous CWSG fiscal year.

4. Application procedures: The application form can be found at the CWSG website, cwsgcomo.org. Any member of the Educational Scholarship Fund Review Committee can provide a hard copy of the form. Applicants must send a copy of their completed application to each member of the Educational Scholarship Fund Review Committee either by mail or email.

5. Selection criteria: The criteria used in selecting scholarship recipients will be:

• Applicant’s demonstrated interest in fiber arts, specifically those that are the subject of the event she/he wishes to attend.
• Applicant’s ability to accomplish the project and benefit from the event.
• Applicant’s commitment to share her/his learning with the guild following the event.
• Guild’s interest in encouraging the practice of the fiber arts that are the subject of the event, in mentoring new artists and in expanding the knowledge of experienced artists.
• Applicant’s completion of all obligations from any previous scholarship awards.
• Availability of funds.

6. Requirements of recipients: A final report must be sent to the Educational Scholarship Fund Review Committee within one month of the conclusion of the project. Any unused funds must be returned with that report. Recipients agree to share her/his increased knowledge with the guild in the form of a guild program, short report, demonstration, samples or slides within one year from receipt of the grant. See application form for more details.

2020-21 Educational Scholarship Fund Review Committee

• Kate Shipova, Coordinator  (2018 to 2021)
• Jan Berry, Reviewer  (2019 to 2022)
• Pam Haverland, Record Keeper (2020 to 2023)

Forms

Educational Scholarship Fund Brief History & Guidelines (Download PDF Format)

Educational Scholarship Fund Application (Download PDF Format)

Educational Scholarship Fund Application (Download Word Format)