District 5840 - Scholars

Rotary International’s focus on education includes several scholarship programs. Two of the better known are the Ambassadorial Scholar and Peace Scholar, both of which are supported by District 5840. The best source of information about these programs (including handbooks, brochures and applications) is via the Rotary.org website.

Within the Ambassadorial Scholarship program are various options including multi-year, one year educational and cultural scholarships. Some districts fund their scholarships through endowments and other means, but most do like District 5840 and use District Designated Funds (DDF). Based on funds available, the district decides what it can afford and what types of scholarships it will fund. In 2007 and 2008 the district funded two scholarship each year, with both being one-year academic scholarships. Usually we receive eight to ten applications for this $24,000 study abroad opportunity. In January 2009 the district will receive its DDF allocation and decide how much it will spend on scholarships. It will likely fund two scholarships and the district will then solicit applications with a June deadline. The district has not historically funded cultural scholarships or multi-year scholarships. All applications must be sponsored by a Rotary club in the district.

The Peace Scholar program is similar, except funding is at The Rotary Foundation (TRF) level. Again clubs must sponsor the applicant, then the district interviews and endorses the candidate and forwards the application to TRF for consideration. The timing is slightly different. In 2008 Peace Scholar applications were due TRF by 1 July and Ambassadorial applications by 1 October.

Former scholars are available for speaking engagements. Anna Kiefer returned to San Antonio from Germany in September 2008 and will speak at the District Foundation Seminar. Please contract district scholarship chair Jerry Hardy via email at hardyj@swbell.net for more information.

Ambassadorial Scholarships

Information for Rotarians

Sponsor Counselors

A Rotarian sponsor counselor is appointed for each Ambassadorial Scholar by the sponsoring club president. The sponsor counselor is expected to assist the scholar in various ways.

The following activities have helped previous sponsor counselors to create and maintain strong counselor/scholar relationships.

Before the Scholar's Award Period

Contact the scholarships subcommittee chair or district governor to participate in your district's scholar orientation. Also, please note that it is mandatory for scholars to attend an outbound scholar orientation seminar, if offered.
Discuss Rotary's ideals and ambassadorial goals. If possible, help the scholar to gather information about the community, region, and country for use in presentations in the host country.
Review the Ambassadorial Scholar's Handbook and Transportation Instructions with the scholar. Pay particular attention to the financial aspects of the scholarship to assist the scholar with a personal budget.
Arrange scholar visits to club meetings, district functions, and other Rotarian events as well as to Rotarians' homes.
Assist the candidate in completing the scholarship application form and preparing for club and district interviews.
Work closely with the scholar to assist in meeting all pre-departure requirements in accordance with the timeline in the Ambassadorial Scholar's Handbook.
Consider supplying the scholar with small club banners to exchange while abroad. An adequate supply of business cards with the Rotary emblem would also be helpful.
Contact the host counselor, whose address you will receive from The Rotary Foundation. Exchange fax numbers or e-mail addresses to facilitate communication. Early contact between the host and sponsor Rotarians can facilitate the scholar's transition upon arrival in the host country.

During the Award Period

Maintain regular correspondence with the scholar to share news with fellow Rotarians at sponsor club meetings and to enable the scholar to relate news about the sponsor club to the hosting club.
Encourage the scholar to share any concerns or problems experienced while abroad. Sometimes a scholar will feel less comfortable involving the host counselor in a sensitive issue and will turn to you as a sympathetic contact back home.
Encourage the scholar to submit at least one public relations article to the scholarship coordinator at The Rotary Foundation on the Rotary Scholar News Form in the appendix of the Ambassadorial Scholar's Handbook.

After the Award Period

If possible, arrange to meet and welcome the scholar home.
Assist the scholar with arranging speaking engagements at clubs in your district. This gives club members the opportunity to learn of the scholar's experiences and helps publicize the programs of the Foundation. Be present when the district presents the scholar with the Certificate of Completion.
Ensure that the scholar completes the required presentations to Rotary and non-Rotary audiences and submits the Final Report as described in the Ambassadorial Scholar's Handbook.
Encourage the scholar to participate in any Foundation alumni activities available in the district where the scholar resides after the scholarship term.
Maintain communication with the scholar and track the scholar's current address.

Keep the Foundation scholarships staff informed of any unusual problems or concerns by contacting the scholar's coordinator by telephone at 847-866-3000, fax at 847-866-0934, or e-mail at veits@rotaryintl.org.

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