Division II members are reminded that the application process for the annual $250,000 membership fund designed to retain current schools and attract new members to the division must be completed by April 10.

Initial awards will be allocated in September. A second application period (deadline of September 16) will be activated this spring for awards allocated in January 2010.

The membership fund is an outcome of the 2007 Presidents and Chancellors Summit, during which 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) this past spring 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 are Mary Athletics Director Roger Thomas, Shippensburg Athletics Director Roberta Page, 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.

Examples of requests that would be considered are available on the application site.