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
To apply for Provisional Membership an Application Packet must be submitted to the OPTION Executive Board. The packet must include:
- Completed Provisional Membership Application (below)
- 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
