Division II members are reminded that the application process for the annual $250,000 membership fund must be completed by September 30.

The membership fund is designed to retain current schools and attract new members to the division.

This is the second round for the 2009 application period. Initial awards were determined earlier this summer. Awards for this second application period will be selected in October and allocated in January 2010.

The membership fund is an outcome of the 2007 Presidents and Chancellors Summit, during which Division II presidents determined the need for resources to retain current active institutions and help attract new schools or conferences to the division. The fund was approved by the Division II Planning and Finance Committee (which oversees the fund) last year as a part of the biannual budget process.

A Membership Fund Selection Committee, chaired by Charles Dunn, president emeritus at Henderson State, has been established to review applications. Other members include Mary Athletics Director Roger Thomas, Virginia State President Eddie Moore, Mount Olive Athletics Director Jeff Eisen, New Haven Athletics Director Debbie Chin and Southwest Minnesota State President David Danahar.

Requests for funds must:

• Identify and encourage new Division II members or create opportunities for successful Division II active membership.
• Fund initiatives that stabilize current Division II membership (such as projects to enhance or develop additional Division II, non-championship postseason opportunities; projects to promote continued membership opportunities for independents or assistance with conference membership; or efforts to increase the visibility of Division II).
• Fund initiatives that guard against membership attrition, such as educational sessions to counsel presidents, chancellors and governing boards on the benefits of Division II membership.