About US Operation Reach Back, Incorporated The Mission Operation Reach Back is an organization of Seventh-day Adventists dedicated to holistic enhancement of Black communities including selected communities in Africa. The Vision To be the primary organization through which Seventh-day Adventists and others address the social needs of Black Communities. National Signature Project “Support for Young Black Males at Risk” Operation Reach Back, Inc., (ORB) is a charitable, educational and nonprofit organizational of professionals of African descent within the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Its purpose is to foster research, provide scholarships, facilitate role models, promote professional and spiritual development and undertake other projects, programs and activities that will strengthen and solidify the Black community with special attention to Africa. • Fostering research. Through such projects as the book Perspectives: Black Seventh-day Adventists Face the 21st Century (Review and Herald Publishing Association, Hagerstown, Maryland, 1996), ORB strives to conduct analysis that is the basis of planning and action. • Providing scholarships. ORB is sensitive to the education challenges of our youth and young adults, but especially those seeking Christian education. • Facilitating role models. ORB understands the value of example and encourages identification and exposure of Black Adventist achievers as a means of inspiring others. • Promoting professional development. ORB's programming includes both education and sharing in intradisciplinary and interdisciplinary networking. • Promoting spiritual development. ORB is not organized as a devotional activity, but is thoroughly committed to socioeconomic initiatives that are based upon and inspire spiritual commitment. • Undertaking activities that will strengthen the Black community with special attention to Africa. ORB believes that "charity begins at home", but as Joseph who was taken against his will from his home, placed into bondage, delivered from slavery, blessed with a position of advantage and authority in Egypt, reached back to help his family - so should we. MOTOR CITY OPERATION REACH BACK CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES In keeping with the National Signature Project: “Support for Young Black Males at Risk”, the Motor City Operation Reach Back Chapter will provide, based upon availability of funds, $500 – $1,000 scholarships or Books and Supplies Vouchers to eligible graduating male high school seniors. Consideration will be given to eligible applicants demonstrating leadership potential and who are planning to attend college, a university or vocational technical school in the fall of 2014. Who is eligible? African-American High School Male Seniors who will be enrolled no later than the fall of 2014 in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited college, university, or vocational-technical school in the United States. Only applicants who are members of one of the Motor City Seventh-day Adventist Churches are eligible to apply for the scholarship. Eligibility/Application Requirements To be eligible for a Motor City Operation Reach Back Scholarship: 1) Applicants must be Male African-American Graduating High School Seniors (Class of 2014). 2) Applicants must show leadership potential. 3) Demonstrate a dedication to community service. 4) Applicants must have and maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5. 5) Applicants must be members of the Motor City Seventh-day Adventist Church 6) Applicants must: a) Produce a 2-3 minute video presentation telling what “Climbing Upward – reaching Back” means to him or b) Write and submit a 500 Word Essay telling what “Climbing Upward – reaching Back” means to him. Note: Video presentations containing inappropriate music or gestures will not be accepted. 7) Applicants must attend a four-year college/university or vocational education school 8) Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation (pastor, teacher or counselor) Incomplete or late applications will not be considered! DEADLINE FOR RECEIVING ALL ENTRIES (2-3 minute video and Typed Essay) March 7, 2014 Mailing Materials We will not accept applications or supporting documents later than March 7, 2014. Faxed information is not accepted. Verification Applicants will be invited to participate in a telephone interview with one of the committee members. Dates to Remember!!! March 07, 2014: Deadline for Applications, which include your essay or video presentation) March 13, 2014: Winners of the Video Presentation Competition and Essay Writing Competition will be notified. March 13, 2014. March 16, 2014: Teleconference with winners of the video and essay competition. March 22, 2014: Recognition of winners announced during ORB Day. March 22, 2014: Award Ceremony will take place during Dinner Banquet. WINNERS MUST BE PRESENT TO RECEIVE THE AWARD! How do I apply? Review the above eligibility requirements and then complete the application below. You, the student, are responsible for gathering and submitting all required information. This is a competitive scholarship. Your application is evaluated on the information supplied; therefore, answer all applicable questions as completely as possible. Read and follow the instructions provided for each section of the application. Before submitting your application, make sure you have answered all of the questions. Also check to see if all of the requested information is included in your packet. Please ensure that your Video Presentation (DVD) is mailed in the appropriate mailing envelope. Thank you for your interest and we look forward to receiving your application. Please visit www.operationreachback to download additional information.