OPTION Categories of Engagement
Provisional Member Definition
- Provisional Members must be a listening and spoken language program for children who are deaf/hard of hearing
- Provisional Members are programs which have been open less than three years
- A program can apply for Provisional Membership anytime during their first 3 years
- Provisional Members can maintain this classification for three years
Application Process
- Complete the Provisional Membership Application (below)
Forward the Application Packet to office.support@optionschools.org to be submitted to the OPTION Executive Board. The packet must include:
- A minimum of two letters of support from current Regular Members
- Review of the OPTION Standards Document evidenced by it being co-signed by one of the supporting Regular Members and the applying program
- A copy of the applying program’s mission statement
- Description of services being provided by the program
- A letter of verification confirming that the program’s board or governing body supports membership in OPTION
- A signed letter of commitment to participate in the Listening and Spoken Language-Data Repository (LSL-DR) upon being accepted as a Regular Member
Provisional Member candidate must be approved by a majority vote of OPTION Regular Members
Provisional Member dues will be invoiced upon approval of application at 50% of the Regular Member rate
Benefits of Provisional Membership
- Participate in the Listening and Spoken Language-Data Repository (LSL-DR)
- Eligible for LSL-DR grants and other OPTION grants when available
- Participate on committees
- Attend Annual Meeting at the Regular Member rate
- Attend the Annual Business Meeting (not eligible to vote)
- Receive eNewsletter
- Be part of a network of like-minded professionals
- Access to OPTION Members Only portal
To maintain Provisional Membership and be considered for Regular Membership
Provisional Member Program must:
- Be represented at the Annual Meeting at least two out of three meetings
- Have at least one representative actively serving on a committee two out of three years. Active participation is defined as being responsive to the Committee Chair’s communication and participating in scheduled committee meetings.
- Pay assigned Provisional Member dues (50% of the Regular Member rate) in accordance with the established deadlines
