Introduction
STRIVE is a motivational program developed by Don Mooney targeted to high school seniors who want to improve their grades. The STRIVE program has a proven track record of helping students, the school, and the community. Together, Rotary, community businesses and organizations, and your local school can make a difference in the lives of one of the most valuable resources in the community.
Students in the lower one-third of the class often have the same natural abilities and gifts as those who are in the upper two-thirds of the class. The difference is often motivation, attendance, work habits, self-esteem and success in the classroom. STRIVE is one way to address all of these factors.
STRIVE is a program that can begin small and be expanded as the success and promotion of the program grows. The program can be administered, supervised, and mentored through the efforts of a few enthused individuals from Rotary, the community, and the school who form the STRIVE Committee.
How STRIVE Works
STRIVE is a scholarship program which recognizes and rewards students from the lower one-third of the senior class who show the most improvement in their class standing. The STRIVE Committee can determine the nature of the scholarships and the amounts.
The original program began by providing the following:
n One fully paid scholarship (tuition and books) for one year at the local community college m Two cash scholarships of $250 each x Ten summer work opportunity scholarships at a guaranteed hourly rate, usually $1.75 higher than minimum wage
The winners of the Scholarships are determined by the net increase in their GPA from the end of the junior year to their final high school GPA. All students who show improvement in their GPA are given certificates of recognition. The GPA accounting is done by the high school.
STRIVE Begins in the Fall
As students return in the fall the school promotes the program to all students in the lower one-third of the senior class with general and personal invitations to consider the program. (Announcements about STRIVE should also be made in the summer newsletters to parents and students.) A meeting of all interested students could be held with a representative of the STRIVE Committee joining the school leader/advocate in encouraging the students to sign up. STRIVE covenants are distributed and time lines for response are established.
Covenants are verified with a letter to the STRIVE students and their parents congratulating them on their commitment to the program. An orientation meeting with all STRIVE students to review the criteria and check points of the program should be held. It is also important to hold a fall open house for the parents of these students to encourage parental support and involvement. (This is optional.)
Monitoring of Student Progress
The following procedures are helpful in monitoring the progress and providing the ongoing support for the students throughout the year:
Monthly before school meetings for encouragement and support. These meetings are held 15 to 20 minutes before class. Rotarians cover the three basics: a) Attendance (Show up!), b) Develop a good attitude, and c) Positive work habits.
Individual contact with students who are not showing improvement. This is done by the school administration.
Affirmation of those students who are showing improvement. Invite the students to a Rotary breakfast or lunch and applaud their improvement.
Student Scholarship Winners and Recognition
Student Scholarship winners are selected on the basis of GPA improvement. These students and all others with improved GPA standing need to be included in all student recognition ceremonies. It is also important to have a parent-student banquet similar to the honor students' banquet to add further affirmation to their accomplishments.
Scholarship Fund
The STRIVE Committee will need to establish a scholarship fund under the most beneficial legal status in the state. In the original program, a non-profit STRIVE Scholarship Corporation was established under the state statutes for such a non-profit fund.
Money was raised through specific fund raising activities, such as a bike-a-thon and walk-a-thon, and individual and corporate contributions.
The scholarship fund provided the one year scholarship directly to the community college upon proof of enrollment and satisfactory progress as agreed to by the student. Additionally, cash scholarships to the school of choice were given upon enrollment. Also, the fund subsidized hourly wages as needed for summer jobs that were secured with participation of local city, county, and business employers. These job scholarships were awarded to students with further educational plans.
Developing regular funding sources is crucial to meet the annual needs of the scholarship fund.

Benefits
STRIVE is a proven way to make a difference (many years of proven success) in the performance of students. School leaders and teachers pointed to notable improvement in increased self-esteem, confidence, and motivation. Many students discovered that when they attended class and worked a little harder they had success in the classroom. Many also made the decision to go on to college.
Statistically, 75-80% of those who made the commitment to STRIVE criteria improved their GPA. These students had a 91% attendance average. They knew that the school and the community were pulling with them and for them!
Getting Started
STRIVE can become an effective service project for your Rotary Club and can make a difference in the lives of the youth of your community.
To start STRIVE, you can establish a STRIVE Committee under your Vocational Service or your Community Service areas. The key is to find two or three club members who have a vision and commitment for a program like STRIVE. Next, expand your committee by going to your local school district or high school and sell the concept and program to some key people. Usually, you can find someone who is looking for a way to make a difference for those youth who are the target audience of the STRIVE program.
Also find a couple community business or civic leaders who also have high interest in finding ways to increase the school community partnership in education.
Now you are ready to plan your approach to STRIVE that will fit the needs and goals of your school and community.
Most STRIVE programs start with one school and with scholarship goals, which are attainable for the club, and school. You can build one year at a time and expand from the initial school, depending on the size of the district.
We wish you the best. If you would like a speaker or personal presentation about STRIVE, please call the resource number indicated in the materials.
Scholarship Fund
Establishing, developing, and maintaining the scholarship fund is a key to STRIVE program success. A number of important decisions will have to be made by the committee.
· the number and amount of the scholarships to be awarded each year.
· identify and develop methods and sources of funding.
· the amount of reserve needed beyond the annual scholarships.
· the amount needed for administration and expenses related to the fund.
· who will administer and be accountable for the fund.
· procedures for incorporating and registering the fund for non-profit status.
Funding Sources
· Your Rotary Club budget
· Other community service clubs
· Individuals in the community
· Local businesses and organizations
· Area foundations
· Fund raising activities and events
Developing regular funding sources is crucial to meet the annual needs of the scholarship fund.

Recognition of Students
One of the primary ways to insure the excellence and the success of the STRIVE program is to affirm and support the students who make a commitment to the program. It is important for the STRIVE Committee to work with the key school leader for the program to develop these incentives and recognition.
Program Suggestions
Letter to all students who commit to the program from the STRIVE committee and the school leader or principal.
Monthly or bi-monthly meetings for STRIVE students before school for 20 minutes. Rotary can provide a roll and juice. The school leader and a committee representative should attend to touch base with the students and encourage student progress.
Publicize STRIVE students where and when appropriate during the school year.
Recognize STRIVE scholarship winners at regular school honors programs.
Hold an annual STRIVE banquet modeled after other honor banquets with parents invited. Provide school and/or Rotary award certificates to all students who demonstrate improvement in class standing.
Publicize STRIVE winners along with all other school award winners in the local newspaper.
The STRIVE Committee should work with the school to give as much emphasis and recognition to STRIVE students and winners as other award programs.