MPIGNY Scholarships Portfolio

NOTE: All Scholarship applications should be e-mailed to:
Karen Madden, Chair of Awards & Scholarship Committee
Email: karenmddn1@aol.com

Terry Spinelli Scholarships

CMP Scholarship

Terry Spinelli was a dedicated member of MPI and the Greater New York Chapter for many years. He was extremely active on the MPIGNY Board of Directors and many committees over the years. He was a warm, caring individual concerned about our industry and worked unceasingly for both planners and suppliers alike.

Terry served as an MPIGNY Director (1981-1983), Vice President (1984) and International Director (1984-1986). He also chaired several committees. Terry was honored by his peers by being selected as MPIGNY Supplier of the Year for both 1983 and 1986, and NYSAE's Associate Member of the Year in 1987. The development of MPIGNY Scholarships was a project of great importance to Terry and it is only fitting that he be remembered by the project which he worked so hard to implement.

CMP Scholarship Description
The Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Scholarship Program provides financial support to meeting planners who wish to obtain the CMP designation. Scholarship recipients may receive reimbursement for the CMP exam in addition to all fees, as stated within this document, associated with the examination.

It is the intent of MPIGNY CMP Scholarship Program to enhance professionalism in the meetings and hospitality industry by making the certification process more widely available by reducing financial barriers for qualified applicants. Through the CMP Program, individuals who are currently employed in meeting management have the opportunity to pursue continuing education, increased industry involvement and industry-wide recognition by achieving the CMP designation. The requirements for certification are based on professional experience and an academic examination.

A CMP Scholarship is a TRUE member benefit. The industry will support and encourage planners/suppliers to get the CMP designation. However, many employers barely know what a meeting planner actually does much less what a CMP designation represents. To the member who wants to take the exam, the designation becomes a personal decision to further and strengthen their professional development. However, the decision is not only a choice of professional development but also a financial one as well.

To sit for the CMP is a substantially expensive process. A scholarship covering these costs naturally benefits the planner footing the bill. In the same token, the planner supported by their firm for all MPI expenses (i.e. membership dues, educational programs, etc.) will benefit from winning this scholarship because they will be able to present this re-programmed expense to their firm and exhibit the value of the membership benefit that saved the firm an added professional development expense.

CMP Scholarship Recipients Will Receive Reimbursement for:

Application Completion & Submittal Fee $225.00
Exam Fee $450.00
Study Material/Practice Exam $336.85
Total Reimbursement $1,011.85

Click here for more information about CMP Certification and the CMP Scholarship Criteria

Recipient Responsibilities
The winner(s) will be contacted by one of the Awards & Recognition co-chairs to inform them about the results of the vote during the board meeting.
Download CMP Scholarship Application

WEC Scholarship

Scholarship Description
Winners will receive a scholarship equivalent to the cost of registration to the conference, hotel accommodations and round-trip coach airfare.

Scholarship Criteria
If you have been an MPIGNY member in good standing for at least on year, and have not won an MPIGNY Scholarship in the past 5 years, you are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Good standing means that the member's dues are current and that he/she is active in our chapter.

Recipient Responsibilities
Winners are required to write an article about their experience during the conference.

Download WEC Scholarship Application
The recipient of the scholarship will register for the conference and be reimbursed by the Chapter. Hotel and air arrangements should be made by the winner and will be reimbursed after the conference. Winner is allowed to stay 5 nights in one of the conference hotels.

Jay Magazine Memorial Fund Scholarships

On the morning of September 11, 2001 MPIGNY member Jay Magazine was at work at Windows on the World, overseeing a breakfast for 500 guests when the World Trade Center was destroyed. Jay was much beloved and respected within the chapter, as well as within the larger hospitality community. He is, and will continue to be, sorely missed.

MPIGNY Student Scholarship Program

Who qualifies to be a Student Member of MPI?
Student membership shall be available to those individuals enrolled in a post-secondary academic program. The student must be enrolled in either a certificate, undergraduate or graduate program unless the academic institution defines it otherwise. Students enrolled in a certificate program will be eligible for student membership for one year but will not be eligible for the transition dues rate upon completion of their program. Proof of enrollment must be received at MPI before a student can be accepted into membership and upon renewal in order to retain their student membership.

Important Information for Students Applying For MPIGNY Membership Scholarships:
If you are a Student Member graduating from a Hospitality Degree Program, please refer to the information listed below on the MPIGNY Student Membership Scholarship Program.

If you are enrolled or have completed a Hospitality Certificate Program and your MPI Student Membership is about to expire, you may qualify to apply for the MPIGNY Membership Scholarship as long as you meet the criteria listed for the MPIGNY Membership Scholarship Program.

If you are an MPI Student Member (i.e. Member-In -Transition 3rd year out of college) and your membership is up for renewal, you may also qualify to apply for the MPIGNY Membership Scholarship as long as you meet the criteria listed below.

MPI has an application just for Student Members. We will provide the pdf so it can be placed on this website page. More information can be found on MPI headquarters website at www.mpiweb.org/Community/Students.aspx

What is the price of a Student Membership?
Students who meet the qualifications and want to become a member of MPI are asked to pay $40 dues. There is also an In-Transition Program for those students who are graduating college. The program is as follows:

Graduating Student Members
This special plan is to allows you to grow incrementally from your current student membership rate to the full membership rate over a period of three years. We understand the relationships you build and the knowledge you gain as you enter the meeting and event industry are critical for your success, and we want to be there for you. If you have recently graduated and your MPI student membership is about to expire, you can take advantage of this special program. Here is the membership renewal fee scale for you going forward:
Student-in-Transition Stage Global Rates

Student Member US: $40
Student-in-Transition Stage 1 - 1st Year US: $75
Student-in-Transition Stage 2 - 2nd Year US: $150
Student-in-Transition Stage 3 - 3rd Year US: $250
Full Member (Planner or Supplier) US: $325

To renew your membership at the special transition rate, call your regional Member Care Center at (972) 702-3052 or you can e-mail the Member Care Center at feedback@mpiweb.org

What is the MPIGNY Student Membership Scholarship Program?
This program is open to those who would qualify as a Student Member or Graduating Student Member. You do not need to apply for this scholarship to be a student member of MPI. You can pay the membership fees yourself as stated above. This scholarship would pay for the current year of membership for the recipient. The scholarship is not transferable to another student. It will be active only for the recipient and we do ask for them to be active with the Greater New York Chapter, however, should the recipient move during the scholarship term it will remain active until the membership year expires. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements stated below:

Scholarship Eligibility:

1. Proof of college enrollment, diploma, or transcript in Hospitality will need to be provided with this
application.
2. A letter of recommendation is required with this application.
3. Student applicant must agree to sign a pledge to join and participate actively on a chapter committee
during their current year of membership being awarded.

What is Expected of You Upon Receipt of Your Scholarship?
As a scholarship recipient, you are required to select and participate in one of our Chapter Committees. Committees do the "work of the chapter" and are an integral part of delivering our Mission and Objectives throughout the year. MPIGNY expects you to make full use of your membership by participating in as many chapter activities as possible throughout the year. These activities afford you the opportunity to learn more about your chosen profession and to network with planners and suppliers. For a sample list of MPIGNY Committees, please click on Leadership and Committees.

Download Student Membership Application Packet

Jay Magazine Memorial Fund Financial Assistance Scholarship

Scholarship Description
This scholarship is designated to underwrite registration fees for our chapter members to attend educational MPIGNY events because of our belief that educational events are important in assisting these members find new jobs. In addition, funds willl be used to underwrite placements on our job board to assist these members.

Scholarship Criteria

Applicant must be a member in good standing of MPI Greater New York Chapter for a minimum of one (1) year..
Applicant must have been in most recent job six (6) months or more.
Applicant must be unempolyed when applying and will no longer be eligible to receive scholarship benefits upon employment.
Scholarships should be administered on a first come, first served basis, and is limited to a maximum of 5 JMMF applicants per event.
Scholarships are granted throughout the year.

Important Note: Once a scholarship recipient�s scholarship expires at the six month period, they can re-apply for the Jay Magazine Memorial Fund Financial Assistance Program if they are still unemployed. However, strong consideration and priority will be given to new scholarship applicants

Recipient Responsibilities

Each recipient is eligible for sponsorship for all chapter Educational AND Social events, EXCLUDING FUNDRAISING EVENTS (i.e. Annual Golf and Bowling Events, Annual Terry Spinelli/Jay Magazine Memorial Fundraising Event), for six (6) months, or until gainfully employed.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify the awards committee upon their re-employment.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to register for each event they wish to attend, noting on the registration that they are a Jay Magazine Memorial Fund (JMMF) Scholarship recipient.

Download JMMF Financial Assistance Scholarship Application

MPIGNY's Membership Scholarship Program

Program Description
The Membership Scholarship Program is open to all existing and prospective MPI Members. The goal of the program is to re-engage existing MPIGNY Members and recruit prospective meeting industry professionals into becoming more involved in the MPI Greater NY Chapter and the meetings industry.

Important Information for Students Regarding MPIGNY Membership Scholarships:
If you are a Student Member graduating from a Hospitality Degree Program, please refer to the MPIGNY Student Membership Scholarship Program.
If you are enrolled or have completed a Hospitality Certificate Program and your MPI Student Membership is about to expire, you may qualify to apply for the MPIGNY Membership Scholarship as long as you meet the criteria listed below.
If you are an MPI Student Member (i.e. Member-In -Transition 3rd year out of college) and your membership is up for renewal, you may also qualify to apply for the MPIGNY Membership Scholarship as long as you meet the criteria listed below.

Eligibility:
Eligibility is open to prospective and existing MPI Members, both suppliers and planners.
Prospective (New) MPI Members applying for the MPIGNY Membership Scholarship must:
� Demonstrate financial need (they are unemployed or membership is not financially supported by their employer) and have exhausted all payment plan options offered to new members currently by MPI headquarters.
� Must be currently employed or actively seeking employment in the Hospitality industry. If this does not apply then the candidate must meet one of the following criteria's below:
o Enrolled or completed a Hospitality Certification Program and either let their MPI Student Membership lapse or was never a MPI Student Member
o Have completed a Hospitality Degree and have never been an MPI Student Member

Existing MPI Members applying for the MPIGNY Membership Scholarship must:
� Must be a member in good standing of MPI Greater New York Chapter for a minimum of one (1) year
� Demonstrate financial need (they are unemployed or membership is not financially supported by their employer) and have exhausted all membership extension opportunities currently offered by MPI headquarters.
� Must state their chapter activities for the past year

Scholarship Recipient Requirements:
All Membership Scholarship Recipients will be required to sign an affidavit stating that they will be an active member participating on a chapter committee during their current year of membership being awarded.
Upon receipt of all applications, the Awards & Scholarship Committee will review and present their recommendations to the MPIGNY Board of Directors for approval at each monthly Board Meeting. Once approved, all applicants will be contacted regarding the outcome.

Scholarship applications should be e-mailed to:
Karen Madden, Chair of Awards & Scholarship Committee
Email: karenmddn1@aol.com

CURRENT MEMBERS: Download Full Membership Scholarship Application for Current Members
NEW MEMBERS: Download Full Membership Scholarship Application for New Members