Wisconsin Mycological Society Envoy Opportunity - 2025

Hey WMS members!

Have you wanted to attend some cool NAMA forays?

Would you like to go to any other mycological conference or gathering across the globe but don't quite have the time or money?

Are you excited to represent WMS and help grow our Mycological Society?

Apply for an opportunity to attend one of these wonderful events representing WMS, with WMS reimbursing you for the cost of attendance fees, lodging, and food up to the maximum total of $600!

What WMS can provide to envoys:

Up to $600 will be awarded per envoy. (Not ALL costs will be covered by WMS)

Note: WMS considers only lodging, food and event registration as qualifying expenses, your
transportation will not be included in the reimbursement of this scholarship. All expenses must have receipts showing payment was made, and any additional expenses for events can be considered by the committee on a case-by-case basis but are not likely to be approved without some documentation.

Exclusions: Alcohol cost and transportation cost will not be included in the reimbursement for events.

Who qualifies? What will an ‘envoy’ do?

Five total $600 envoy scholarships are available in our budget for 2025.

These positions are open to any paying WMS member in good standing for the 2025 calendar year.

To be considered, you must agree to complete the following qualifications at or just after the event and will sign an envoy agreement we provide you when we announce you have received the envoy position for your event.

An envoy will agree to:

- Represent the Wisconsin Mycological Society and consider yourself an envoy for the club. This is a great opportunity to make connections for WMS, and to spread the word about the
organization.

- Conduct yourself with respect and professionalism.

- Provide a schedule of the event to WMS and attend the full schedule of programming,
documenting each session with a written description.

- We may ask you to further document the event with notes, pictures and videos for WMS.

- WMS reserves the right to use your writings, photographs, etc for newsletters, social media, or other purposes. Credit for these materials being given can be considered on request.

- Connect with possible future monthly speakers for WMS lectures. You are required to provide at LEAST two potential speaker contacts, with emails, to WMS.

- Submit these materials within two weeks of completion of the event. Send the write-up, photographs, event/conference program, etc to [email protected]

- If these tasks are not completed in a timely manner (as outlined above) by the attendee, the
amount awarded to the attendee will be recalled by the club within 30 days of the event.

What events can this year’s envoy scholarship apply to?

The event can be any time this year (2025) after June 15th.
It must be an event with published dates that is in some way a mycological event. WMS may approve envoys to events that are not strictly mycological but could encompass some aspect of mycology (e.g., ecology, biology, foraging events).

How to apply:

Applications are open now! Last submission date is June 15, 2025.
To apply, email [email protected]
Have “envoy scholarship application” in the subject line.

In your application please also include your name, address, relevant contact info and which event you would like to attend, and the dates for that event.

Include in your email an attachment with a short essay (~1-2 pages double or single spaced) describing:

- How mycology or mushrooms are important to you,

- How familiar you are with the Wisconsin Mycological Society,

- How you would represent us at the conference, foray or other event you are proposing to
attend,

- If you can demonstrate your aptitude for or desire to learn about something that also applies to the event you are proposing to go to, such as: foraging, herbalism, iNaturalist, photography, that can help your application

Explanations of financial need can also be considered.

When do I find out if I have received a scholarship?

Selections will be announced 1st week of July at the latest.
Questions can be directed to [email protected]

What if the event I am applying for occurs after June 15 but before July 6?
WMS may be able to consider and choose to respond to applications within that time period, provided they are complete and compelling. We would then provide the awarded funds after your event as usual following our receiving your envoy documentation materials. As always be sure to retain receipts related to expenses you are seeking reimbursement for.

What if I have a financial need to have registration for my event paid up front rather than reimbursed?
If this is the case and you request WMS to pay your registration up front, and your event and envoy position is approved by WMS, we can choose to pay your registration fee up front. We would need to be in close coordination with you when this occurs.