Harding Scholarship

Michigan Traveling Circus

The Michigan Traveling Circus was formed in 1938 as a fraternal organization made up of MBA Associate Members. Circus members attend several MBA functions each year and receive extra recognition at these events. As such, Circus members have excellent opportunities to form lasting relationships with MBA member banks.

The Traveling Circus also raises funds to support the George Harding Scholarship, a stipend awarded to a number of college students each year who are enrolled in business or finance-related studies. Over two hundred scholarships have been awarded since 1985.

Membership Requirements:

1. Company must be an MBA member in good standing.
2. Must attend eight (8) of the nine (9) MBA Group Meetings each year for two successive years. (These are generally held in May.)
3. Pledge class must prepare and present a skit to only the current members of the Circus. (This is after one of the Group Meetings during your second round meetings.)
4. Must attend the MBA Bank Management and Directors Conference between the two sets of Group Meetings. (This is usually held the first week of December.)
5. Must attend the MBA Annual Convention following the second set of Group Meetings. (This has been held in June for the last several years.)

The attendance requirements are designed to allow Circus pledges to meet a large number of bankers and fellow Circus members in a short amount of time. The settings are social and informal presenting an excellent opportunity to do so.

Class size is restricted so as not to exceed a reasonable number of candidates. Out of pocket expenses during the two years are generally limited to the registration fees for Group Meetings and the conferences, an initiation fee of $20 at the end of the two year cycle, the cost of a pin and two badges of about $60 and any incidental expenses your class elects to incur for your skit in year two. Annual dues following the second year run about $20.

To apply for membership simply send a letter or email to our membership coordinator indicating you are interested in becoming a member of the Circus and understand the time commitment over the next two years. The admissions committee will then review your request for membership.

Membership Coordinator:

Debbie Haught
Michigan Bankers Association
507 S. Grand Ave
Lansing, MI 48933  
Email: dhaught@mibankers.com

“Covers the MBA Like a Tent”