1. Applications Are Now Being Accepted!
FINAL DRAFT LYDA Committee Report to District Meetings FINAL DRAFT
This presentation was prepared August 28, 2015, by Chair Janet Schempf.
NEEDED INFORMATION: The SIA application portal closing time.
Governor Carol, District Director __________, Soroptimists, and guests, I am ______________, your District Representative to the Region’s Live Your Dream Awards Committee.
Applications Are Now Being Accepted!
2016 District Meeting Committee Report
Chair: Cindy Zimmerman
Committee: Marilee Paddock, Kathy Garrett-Canape, Marvalene Broadhead and Cheryl Harber

2. Soroptimist Mission
Improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment
LYD award helps women live their dreams and achieve their goals
Club participation is a great way to make a BIG difference
The Soroptimist training and education awards program began in 1972, and the data collected from awardees over the years shows the program’s effectiveness:
50% of past awardees report they continue to seek an educational degree or certificate.
85% report an improved standard of living.
94% are role models for their dependents.
And all awardees, 100%, report an increase in self esteem and self confidence.

3. A Life Changing Program
The Soroptimist training and education awards program began in 1972, and the data collected from awardees over the years shows the program’s effectiveness:
50% of past awardees report they continue to seek an educational degree or certificate.
85% report an improved standard of living.
94% are role models for their dependents.
And all awardees, 100%, report an increase in self esteem and self confidence.

4. A Life Changing Program
Each year $1.6 million awarded to over 1,200 women worldwide
Since 1972, over $30 million awarded to thousands of women
Many have overcome tremendous obstacles such as poverty and abuse
The program has a few changes this year that the committee wants you to know about.
An eligibility requirement was added: U.S. applicants must have a social security number or tax ID number. 
This is a requirement because the award is taxable income, and a social security or tax ID number is necessary for tax purposes. 
Please note that only those applicants who become award recipients will be asked for their number; all other applicants will not be asked to share their personal number.
The eligibility requirement is simply that the applicant has a number; once a club has selected their awardees, a best practice is to request the number before the club presents an award check to a recipient.
The IRS form W9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, is a convenient way to officially request a taxpayer identification number; this form is available for downloading from the IRS website, IRS.gov

5. Live Your Dream Award
Available to women who are the primary financial support for their families
Provides resources to improve their education, skills and employment prospects
Increases standard of living of themselves and their families
Can be used for tuition, books, childcare, transportation and other educational expenses
The program has a few changes this year that the committee wants you to know about.
An eligibility requirement was added: U.S. applicants must have a social security number or tax ID number. 
This is a requirement because the award is taxable income, and a social security or tax ID number is necessary for tax purposes. 
Please note that only those applicants who become award recipients will be asked for their number; all other applicants will not be asked to share their personal number.
The eligibility requirement is simply that the applicant has a number; once a club has selected their awardees, a best practice is to request the number before the club presents an award check to a recipient.
The IRS form W9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, is a convenient way to officially request a taxpayer identification number; this form is available for downloading from the IRS website, IRS.gov

6. Club Participation “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work”
Gov Stephanie’s theme this biennium
“Teamwork Makes the Dream Work”
100% club participation in LYD program
8 clubs did not participate in
The more clubs that participate, the more awards to give out
The program has a few changes this year that the committee wants you to know about.
An eligibility requirement was added: U.S. applicants must have a social security number or tax ID number. 
This is a requirement because the award is taxable income, and a social security or tax ID number is necessary for tax purposes. 
Please note that only those applicants who become award recipients will be asked for their number; all other applicants will not be asked to share their personal number.
The eligibility requirement is simply that the applicant has a number; once a club has selected their awardees, a best practice is to request the number before the club presents an award check to a recipient.
The IRS form W9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, is a convenient way to officially request a taxpayer identification number; this form is available for downloading from the IRS website, IRS.gov

7. Program Changes
NEW All clubs must give out a monetary award – not just recognition
Changes from last year:
US applicants must have a SS# or tax ID
References can NOT be family members
Applicants must report after-tax income & savings
The program has a few changes this year that the committee wants you to know about.
An eligibility requirement was added: U.S. applicants must have a social security number or tax ID number. 
This is a requirement because the award is taxable income, and a social security or tax ID number is necessary for tax purposes. 
Please note that only those applicants who become award recipients will be asked for their number; all other applicants will not be asked to share their personal number.
The eligibility requirement is simply that the applicant has a number; once a club has selected their awardees, a best practice is to request the number before the club presents an award check to a recipient.
The IRS form W9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, is a convenient way to officially request a taxpayer identification number; this form is available for downloading from the IRS website, IRS.gov

8. At-Large Applicants
Clubs MUST include these applications in their judging process
Applications submitted on-line through SIA
Can be sent electronically to the club nearest the applicant
Gov Stephanie is asking for all clubs to comply
Program is all about helping all women regardless of geographical location
The program has a few changes this year that the committee wants you to know about.
An eligibility requirement was added: U.S. applicants must have a social security number or tax ID number. 
This is a requirement because the award is taxable income, and a social security or tax ID number is necessary for tax purposes. 
Please note that only those applicants who become award recipients will be asked for their number; all other applicants will not be asked to share their personal number.
The eligibility requirement is simply that the applicant has a number; once a club has selected their awardees, a best practice is to request the number before the club presents an award check to a recipient.
The IRS form W9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, is a convenient way to officially request a taxpayer identification number; this form is available for downloading from the IRS website, IRS.gov

9. Judging Process
Club-level winners can be entered into region-level judging pool
Clubs are encourage to submit packets electronically
Club’s responsibility to ensure all documents are included in submittal process
Applications sent via must be received no later than morning of Feb 1
Applications sent via US Mail should be mailed no later than Jan 15
The program has a few changes this year that the committee wants you to know about.
An eligibility requirement was added: U.S. applicants must have a social security number or tax ID number. 
This is a requirement because the award is taxable income, and a social security or tax ID number is necessary for tax purposes. 
Please note that only those applicants who become award recipients will be asked for their number; all other applicants will not be asked to share their personal number.
The eligibility requirement is simply that the applicant has a number; once a club has selected their awardees, a best practice is to request the number before the club presents an award check to a recipient.
The IRS form W9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, is a convenient way to officially request a taxpayer identification number; this form is available for downloading from the IRS website, IRS.gov

10. Award Amounts 10 - $1,500 awards funded by NWR
7 - $3,000 awards funded by SIA
based on number of participating clubs
78 out of 86 clubs participated in NWR
1 - $5,000 award funded by SIA
The ten $1,500 awards are funded by Northwestern Region, primarily through donations from individual members.

11. Awards Funding $1,500 awards funded by NWR $3,000 awards funded by SIA
Individual donations to NWR Royals Award Campaign
Annual Club Assessment
$3,000 awards funded by SIA
Based on number of participating clubs
78 out of 86 clubs participated in NWR for 2015 – 2016 = 91% participation rate
If all clubs participated we would have one additional award to give
$5,000 award funded by SIA
Top scoring applicant from district and region judging
The ten $1,500 awards are funded by Northwestern Region, primarily through donations from individual members.

12. July 1 – November 15, 2016 Application Period
The awards cycle began July first, when SIA opened the Live Your Dream Awards online submission process.
The application period is the same throughout the federation – July first through November 15th.
The online portal closes at ____ ___ standard time.

13. Submit Club Packet Email club packet to: cindyzimm5@yahoo.com
Cindy Zimmerman
3273 Arbor Drive
Helena, MT
When you plan your club’s schedule, please remember that an application cannot enter the region judging pool without first being considered in the district judging pool, and that only those club finalist applications that are complete and are received by the region chair by February first will become part of the district judging pool.
Being complete and on time is important.
To ensure your club’s packet reaches the Region Chair in time to be included in the district judging pool, the region committee recommends clubs send their packets to Chair Janet by January 15.
US Priority Mail is the preferred means of submittal.

14. District 1 – Marilee Paddock District 2 – Kathy Garrett-Canape
Region LYD Committee
District 1 – Marilee Paddock
District 2 – Kathy Garrett-Canape
District 3 – Marvalene Broadhead
District 4 – Cheryl Harber
Chair – Cindy Zimmerman
Should you have any questions about the Live Your Dream Awards program or the judging process, please feel welcome to contact the region’s Live Your Dream Award Committee.
Each of the four districts has a representative on the committee, which is chaired by Janet Schempf.
Thank you all for your part in the success of the Live Your Dream Awards in Northwestern Region!
Thanks!

15. Club-Level Deadline District judging will begin February first.
The pool of applicants considered during district judging is comprised of the finalists from participating clubs – if every club in the region participates, the judges will have 86 applications to evaluate.
The district judging panels have a big job -- only the 24 top scoring applications advance to Region Judging. . .

16. District-Level Judging Begins
District judging will begin February first.
The pool of applicants considered during district judging is comprised of the finalists from participating clubs – if every club in the region participates, the judges will have 86 applications to evaluate.
The district judging panels have a big job -- only the 24 top scoring applications advance to Region Judging. . .

17. Region-Level Judging Begins
. . .which will begin February 15.
The region judging panel will select:
ten $1,500 awardees,
seven $3,000 awardees, and
one $5,000 awardee.

18. Federation-Level Deadline
. . .which will begin February 15.
The region judging panel will select:
ten $1,500 awardees,
seven $3,000 awardees, and
one $5,000 awardee.

19. This DRAFT presentation was prepared August 28, 2015, by Janet Schempf.
800 Fritz Cove Road
Juneau, AK 99801
Land:
Cell:
Committee
Chair: Cindy Zimmerman
Committee: Marilee Paddock, Kathy Garrett-Canape,
Marvalene Broadhead and Cheryl Harber