NorCRID offers several scholarships to support members both in their professional development and their personal lives. The Greg Smith Memorial Fund, The John McBride Memorial Fund, and the RID Testing Scholarship are available to NorCRID members.

The Greg Smith Memorial Fund

Guidelines for the Greg Smith Memorial Fund

History

The Greg Smith Memorial Fund was set up in 1985 to help NorCRID members during emergencies, usually medical emergencies. It is intended to provide help with basic necessities, such as rent and utilities. The original committee also intended that other assistance could be provided such as transportation or cooked meals. This fund was established in memory of Greg Smith, an interpreter who died of AIDS in 1984 and who received help during his illness from friends in the interpreting community. The fund was proposed by Stephanie Feyne in 1984. Stephanie was the first chairperson of the Committee. The other original members were Ken Mikos and Donna Abernathy. When Stephanie moved to New York, in 1988 Maureen Fitzgerald replaced her on the committee. In 1994, Ken Mikos and Donna Abernathy resigned and were replaced by Dan Veltri and Dan Langholtz.

In 2005 the Committee suggested to the Board that fund guideline # 11 be added. This is that one person may not ask for funds on behalf of another. The fund recipient must ask for the funds unless physically or mentally unable to do so. The Board agreed to this addition. Below are the current fund guidelines.

In June of 2011, the Committee reviewed the guidelines and suggested # 12 to the Board in September 2011.

 

Fund Guidelines

  1. NorCRID members who are experiencing a crisis, usually a medical crisis and are unable to work are eligible to apply for funds.
  2. You must be a member of NorCRID for three months before applying for funds.
  3. There is a 60 day grace period for members who have lapsed in membership.
  4. Lapsed members can apply for funds immediately upon paying their membership dues and do not have to go through another 3 month waiting period.
  5. The funds are granted as a loan but repayment is voluntary. The committee encourages the recipient to contribute to the fund when they can as a repayment.
  6. The current maximum amount granted is $1000/year. The committee defines the year from NorCRID conference to NorCRID conference.
  7. To apply for funds a NorCRID member contacts the committee contact person (currently Maureen Fitzgerald). The contact member shares the request information but not the name of the requester with the other committee members. The committee discusses the request until there is consensus on whether to grant the request and how much money to grant.
  8. The fund contact person then contacts treasurer to write and send a check to the applicant. The treasurer will inform the president (or vice-president) that a check was sent to the recipient. Only the fund contact person, the treasurer and either the president or vice-president need to know the name of the applicant.
  9. If a request is denied, the applicant may appeal. Either the president or vice-president shall assume the role of the advocate at the applicant’s request and bring the case back to the committee members for reconsideration.                                                                                                                                                         The second decision is final.
  10. The fund will be perpetuated by donations and any other means adopted by the NorCRID Board.
  11. One person may not ask for funds on behalf of another. The fund recipient must ask for the funds unless physically or mentally unable to do so. The Board agreed to this addition.
  12. If a person is denied funds that person would be advised of the guidelines and appeal process.

To request assistance through the Greg Smith Memorial Fund, contact Maureen Fitzgerald at mfitzgeraldmail@aol.com

 

John McBride Scholarship Fund

The John McBride Scholarship was established with approval from the board in March of 1997 in memory of John McBride and in recognition of his contributions to the profession. The fund is used to further a practice John himself initiated before his death. Every year John donated a part of his earnings from interpreting at the NorCRID annual conference to pay the conference registration costs for an emerging professional.

NorCRID will continue John’s practice as an annual tradition through the John McBride Professional Practice Awards. We will underwrite opportunities to introduce novice professionals, professionals new to the area, and/or professionals who are unfamiliar with NorCRID, and who are beginning an interpreting career in our area. The awards will be presented annually to worthy emerging members of our field. Students are not eligible as recipients.

For more information or to make recommendations please email: norcridpresident@gmail.com

Certification Exam Scholarship

The Certification Exam Scholarship Fund provides awards for pre-certified interpreters to take RID performance tests. The award is given as an open-ended loan with the intent that when recipients can afford to, they will repay the fund. The award is not intended solely for those in financial hardship; rather, it is intended as a show of recognition that the recipient has obtained the skills required to sit for the tests. Click the following link to download a scholarship application.

For more information or to apply, email norcridpresident@gmail.com