AOAP “Kathie Luecker Memorial” Conference Scholarship

The deadline for applications is September 15, 5 pm Eastern Time.

Kathie Luecker, one of the original founders of AOAP, Lincoln Aquatics

Each year at the conference, we host a Silent Auction, 50/50, and Cork Pull to raise funds for the AOAP “Kathie Luecker Memorial” Conference Scholarship and our Life Jacket and Swim Lessons Grants, available to current AOAP members.  The amount provided will depend on the number of applications we receive for that specific year. 

Yes!  This is one of your membership benefits!  You can apply for the Professional Conference Scholarship, or, if you are a full-time student, you can apply for a full-time student conference scholarship. 

If you would like to support our Scholarship program or the Life Jacket and Swim Lessons Grant, you can help in several ways!  One way is to donate online throughout the year to support this great program that brings opportunity to those who may need financial assistance to attend the International Aquatics and Water Safety Conference this year at the Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV.  This opportunity allows those who may not have the means to attend to learn about trends in the Aquatics industry, network with professionals, and bring water safety knowledge back to their community and facilities.

Another opportunity is to donate to our silent auction or to purchase items during it.  We start reaching out in October/November to previous sponsors, BUT we are always looking for new sponsors to help support increasing our sponsorship reach.  The Cork Pull is a great way to support the Scholarship program by purchasing a cork with a number, then collecting the wine bottle with the corresponding number on it.  We also seek wine bottle donations each year.  Bring a bottle or two for the conference Wine Pull!  Lastly, we have a 50/50 each year that has raised around $1770 for the Scholarship, Life Jacket and Swim Lesson Grants.  (The winner received $1770.)

On behalf of the Association of Aquatic Professionals (AOAP), we would like to invite you to support the Kathie Luecker Memorial Fund. We hold the Kathie Luecker Memorial Silent Auction to help raise money for the Conference Scholarship Fund and Life Jackets and Swim Lesson Grants. The funds raised at the Kathie Luecker Memorial Silent Auction and on-line here help assist Aquatic Professionals the opportunity to attend the Conference that perhaps may not be able to afford it otherwise, thus, bringing in more attendees to the conference as well as helps AOAP provide Life Jacket and Swim Lesson Grants.

Donate to the AOAP Annual Silent Auction and Life Jacket and Swim Lesson Grant Program

Maybe you are wondering how we award the scholarships?  

Awards are based on the appropriateness of the educational opportunity related to the applicant’s job, financial need, contributions of the applicant to his/her community and to the AOAP. Full or Partial Conference Registration Scholarships may be awarded to attend the AOAP Annual Conference. Scholarship recipients MUST be current AOAP members. Scholarships will be awarded based on availability of funds from the AOAP Annual Silent Auction and will vary each year.  Recipients of scholarships must be able to attend the entire conference from Monday morning Keynote through the Thursday morning endnote.

Selection criteria used to determine the conference scholarship awards can be found on the website in more detail.

NOTE:  If you are applying for a conference scholarship please do not register for the conference in advance.  If you do not receive a scholarship a promotion code will be provided to still get the early bird registration rate.  We are not able to provide any refunds or credits once you are registered.

* If you are granted a scholarship it is understood that you will attend the Annual AOAP Conference, reserve a room and stay at the conference hotel (with a minimum of a 3 night stay) and volunteer to assist during the conference where needed (but, especially during all exposition open hours with the silent auction and ticket collection).

If selected, I look forward to meeting you and working with you during the conference helping to assist with the Silent Auction!  As a committee, we are always looking for members to be part of the team in raising money to support this awesome benefit for our members.  We have a goal to increase the money raised by 10% over last year, which is about $1500 more this year! 

Kathie wanted to ensure that all aquatic professionals and full-time students had the opportunity to learn more about water safety and take that back to their communities!