The INA Board of Directors announced some exciting news at our 2019 Conference. Thanks to the continued support of our members and our amazing growth, our budget in 2018 came out ahead! You can find the full details in the presentation, our Treasurer Stacie Steelman gave in New Orleans.
As the Board discussed what ways the organization can use this revenue to further our mission, it was decided that we would create a conference grant fund for those who would like to come to the conference but just can’t quite afford it.
Then this past week we learned that the founder of the INA, Deborah Davis Caughron, passed away. Her goal in gathering people in the industry for that first conference in 1985 was to help legitimize and professionalize the role of nanny and the industry as a whole. Thanks to her insight and personal sacrifices, the INA exists.
To honor Deborah for her fierce support of children and continuing education for nannies, we will name this new grant program The INA Deborah Davis Conference Grant.
This will not replace the Endowment which will continue to run. Through the INA Deborah Davis Conference Grant Fund, INA Members will be able to apply for $250 toward your conference registration expenses.
While applications for this 2020 fund will not be available until October 2019 for the Conference in Montreal, Canada in May, the steps and process can be found below. The exact weekend of the 2020 conference will be announced in the summer of 2019.
- Applications will be open October 1, 2019 – December 15, 2019. At that time all current INA Members will find the application in their member portal.
- Applicants will need to fill out basic personal information as well as complete 3 simple essay questions.
- Once the application is closed the INA Co-Presidents will appoint 2 individuals on the Board of Directors to go through them and give a recommendation to the full Board on which applications should be accepted. In 2020 there will be a maximum of 30 accepted applications but the number in the coming years will depend on finances and perceived needs.
- Accepted Deborah Davis Conference Grant applicants will be notified by January 15th so there will still be time to register for Early Bird pricing.
If you want to donate directly to this fund or know someone that would make a great donor, we have made that simple too. Find our Ways to Give page and click the “Give Now” link.
Thank you so much for continuing to support the INA. We look forward to seeing more people be able to attend the INA Conference through the INA Deborah Davis Conference Grant.