<p> EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDS TERMS OF REFERENCE</p><p>ARTICLE 1.0 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDS</p><p>1.1 Applications will be considered as long as funds are available. </p><p>1.2 Funds will not be granted when financial assistance sufficient to cover expenses is received from any other source. A member who receives partial support from another source may apply for Professional Development Funds as a supplementary grant.</p><p>ARTICLE 2.0 PROCEDURES GOVERNING APPLICATION FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDS</p><p>2.1 With regard to applications for Professional Development Funds for the purpose of attending/participating in activities or events:</p><p>2.1.1 An application for Professional Development Funds should be submitted to the Committee not less than ten (10) working days PRIOR to the anticipated date of departure/start date of the activity/event to be supported by the grant.</p><p>2.1.2 A statement of purpose as to how this activity or event will improve your performance as an employee and a copy of the program for the activity (if available) shall be filed with the application.</p><p>2.1.3 The Committee will require written authorization for release time to attend the activity, and/or written support of the application form from the appropriate administrator. It is the responsibility of the employee, prior to submitting the application, to obtain permission for any necessary release time to attend an activity or event.</p><p>2.1.4 In addition to registration and/or tuition costs for activities, Professional Development Funds may be used for travel and subsistence at the rates provided for by the College and established by the Board, for members attending approved activities. </p><p>2.1.4.1 A travel advance not to exceed seventy-five per cent (75%) of the estimated reimbursable travel costs may be approved by the Committee, to be deducted from the claim for reimbursement of expenses. 2.1.5 Upon the employee’s return to work from the approved activity, a request for payment must be submitted with ALL appropriate supporting documentation to the Committee. </p><p>2.2 With regard to applications for Professional Development Funds for the purchase of tools:*</p><p>2.2.1 An application for Professional Development Funds should be submitted to the Committee PRIOR to purchasing the tool.</p><p>2.2.2 A statement of purpose as to how this tool will improve your performance as an employee shall be filed with the application. </p><p>2.2.3 Upon purchase of the approved tool, a request for payment must be submitted with ALL appropriate supporting documentation to the Committee. </p><p>*Ownership of tools (i.e. equipment and goods) will adhere to GPRC Policy: Computers and Other Goods Purchased from Designated College Funds. </p><p>ARTICLE 3.0 THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE</p><p>3.1 The Committee shall comprise three members of the Employees' Association, elected in accordance with procedures established by the Employees' Association.</p><p>3.1.1 Terms shall be two years in length and, where possible, organized so that no more than two members are new in any given year.</p><p>3.2 All members of the Committee shall be equally responsible for:  Calling meetings as required to review applications or as needed for other Committee business;  Monitoring the Individual Employee Accounts in Matador;  Exercising discretion as deemed necessary to facilitate the work of the Committee.</p><p>3.3 The Committee shall approve or reject applications for Professional Development Funds per the terms of reference herein.</p><p>3.3.1 The decision of the Professional Development Committee respecting the disposition of funds for any application for assistance or claim for reimbursement shall be FINAL. </p><p>ARTICLE 4.0 GENERAL CONDITIONS</p><p>4.1 The guidelines and procedures set out in these terms of reference shall continue in effect until modified by the Employees’ Association. APPENDIX – POTENTIAL SAMPLE REQUESTS</p><p>Please keep in mind the applicant must provide an explanation as to how such activities/events and/or tools improve them as an employee and increase and/or enhance their effectiveness in carrying out their duties at the College. </p><p>When preparing the explanation for those activities and/or items not strictly work- related, some things to consider might include:</p><p> Does the activity/event teach the employee any skills that can be transferred to their work? Does the tool allow the employee to learn and/or practice any transferable skills? If so, what are they and how do they benefit the employee’s duties?</p>