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The success of the SWMRA Professional Development Program over the past five years has encouraged the Board of Directors to approve a budget to continue the program for the 2006 - 2007 board year.

Previously known as the Continuing Education Scholarship Program, the Professional Development Scholarship Program is intended to increase excellence in the market research industry, and is an important benefit to members of the Chapter and their employees. During the past five years, more than 35 award recipients have taken advantage of the program to assist in their educational endeavors.

In 2006 the Southwest MRA Board of Directors restructured the Professional Development Program to provide scholarships twice a year for the Professional Development Scholarship Program. The Board of Directors also added a new program called “Beyond the Blackboard Program” that was launched later in 2006. The purpose of the Beyond the Blackboard Program is to alleviate some of the cost involved in participation in MRA Nationally Sponsored Webinars by providing one time use coupons. The total annual budget for both the Professional Development Scholarship Program and Beyond the Blackboard Program is $7500.

Professional Development Scholarship Program

Any member may apply for an award for his or her own use or for one of their full or part-time employees. The Professional Development Scholarship Program will allow the recipient to pursue a course that will upgrade skills used in their current position or prepare them for additional responsibilities. This opportunity is commonly used to help fund courses in statistics, computer applications, marketing research skills, market research ethics, and many others. A sample of classes that have been taken by previous recipients includes computer programming, business management, moderator training, management economics and Principles of Marketing Research from MRII Institute at the University of Georgia.  You can also use your scholarship for specialized training sessions. For example, CASRO, SPSS, CfMC, CMOR, SAS, Burke, Frost and Sullivan, etc. hold multiple specialized training seminars to improve the attendees knowledge and skills in specialized areas like operations, sales, analysis, methodology, etc.

Application Procedures

Applications can be made for only one scholarship per applicant per academic semester. Applications are taken and awards are given for both fall and spring semesters. The Professional Development Scholarship Program approved course must be completed within 12 months of award date. A 6 month extension may be granted for courses not completed within 12 months of award date if written request is made by the applicant and an extension granted by the selection committee. The selection committee will approve later completion dates only if proper written request is made before the end of the 12 months following the award date. If the applicant is not a member of the SWMRA, the application shall also be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from the employer member. The completed application and all required enclosures must be postmarked no later than May 1 for the Fall Selection Process and November 1 for the Spring Selection Process. See the application for detailed application mailing information and deadlines. Applications which are incomplete or postmarked after the defined date will be disqualified.

Selection

A selection committee that is appointed by the Chapter Board of Directors will choose recipients based on the strength of their application. The committee will consider the appropriateness of the desired education, applicant’s involvement in marketing research and their desire to succeed. The committee will then select the recipients and the size of their award.

Award Disbursement

The selection committee has a total annual budget of $3750. Individual award amounts are typically around $500, but may range to a maximum of $1000. Individual awards will be provided based on personal criteria and needs, and may not cover the entire cost of the course, seminar, specialized training, etc. The committee is not required to award the entire budgeted amount for the year. Award recipients of the SWMRA Spring Scholarship Program Award will be notified before May 15 and Fall Scholarship Program Award recipients will be notified before November 15. A list of award winners shall be published in the SWMRA newsletter “Cactus Call” and placed on the website after the judging has been finalized. Recipients must be employed by a sponsoring company at the completion of the educational course described in the application. The Professional Development Scholarship Committee will check the progress of the recipient to ensure that a) the recipient is currently participating in the program, b) recipient has completed the program, c) the program has not yet begun but the recipient still intends to take it, d) the recipient is no longer employed by a sponsoring company, e) recipient will not participate in the program of choice. The committee will make progress checks and reports around the midpoint of the course as determined by the applicants proposed start date. If by this time, the Professional Development Scholarship Program Committee has determined that the award will not be used by the recipient, the awarded dollar amount will be either given to the highest runner-up or returned to the SWMRA general fund. In order to receive the award, the recipient must provide to the Professional Development Program Chair documentation showing successful completion or participation. Upon receipt of this documentation the award shall be paid to the recipient within 4 to 6 weeks.

Beyond the Blackboard Program
Is Finally Here!

Questions

Questions may be directed to any Southwest Chapter Board member or the Professional Development Committee Chair, Leslie Willis, Authentic Response.


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