Explanation

The Bluebonnet Committee invites ten children from around Texas to attend the Bluebonnet Luncheon each year.  Librarians who represent each of the ten TLA Districts apply to bring a student to the luncheon, and the participants are selected in a random drawing, The TBA Committee members have been told by several students who have represented their schools that this event is a highlight in their young lives.

The ten student participants are selected from registered schools and public libraries.  The students selected are in grades 3 through 6, or a home schooled student who is doing work equivalent to grades 3 through 6.  Each student must have read or heard read aloud, at least five of the books on the current Bluebonnet master list, and each must have read the book which won the Bluebonnet Award for the year they attend the Bluebonnet Luncheon.

Christina Woll, TBA Coordinator from 1990-1995, wanted this honor to be available to any students in Texas by providing travel expenses to the children selected.  Annette Nall, TBA Coordinator 1995-2000, established the Texas Bluebonnet Award Endowment and began raising money for this fund.  Pat Jefferson, TBA Coordinator from 2000-2003, was able to see the fund fully endowed at $25,000. 

The Texas Bluebonnet Award Committee will continue to raise funds for the Texas Bluebonnet Award Endowment by offering raffles at the annual Bluebonnet Luncheon, through sale items offered through the TLA Office, and by accepting contributions to the fund.

Description

NAME OF FUND: Texas Bluebonnet Award Endowment Fund

DATE CREATED: The TLA Executive Board approved the establishment of this fund in December 2000. 

SOURCE OF PRINCIPAL:     The major source of revenue has been raffling items at the annual TBA Luncheon, selling certain inventory items, and individual contributions.       

PURPOSE OF THE FUND:  The fund was first conceived and presented by Christina Woll during her term as coordinator of the Texas Bluebonnet Award program in the early 1980’s.  Annette Nall, who succeeded Woll as the coordinator, began the initial fundraising.  The endowment was fully funded in April 2002 with Pat Jefferson as the coordinator.  The TBA Endowment Fund is to provide travel stipends to the ten students who attend the TLA Annual Conference and participate in the Texas Bluebonnet Award luncheon. 

PERSONS OR UNITS AUTHORIZED TO EXPEND FUNDS:  The TLA Executive Board (with assistance from the TBA Coordinator) is authorized to expend funds from this account and to determine how the funds will be used.

GUIDELINES FOR USE OF FUNDS:  The TBA Endowment Fund is separate from the TBA project fund.  This fund will be used to help defray the expenses for each student participant at the TBA Luncheon.  The TBA Endowment will pay for the following:

• Luncheon tickets for the Student Participant and four guests (total of 5 tickets per student)

• For students living outside a 50-mile radius of the conference center where the conference is held:

• Travel expenses to and from the conference.

• One hotel room in the conference city for one night’s lodging in a conference hotel arranged by the TBA Committee.