The Sheryl A. Blair Scholarships
Established in 2007, Blair Scholarships consist of an award of $1,000 each (US funds) to help defray the cost of registration fees for the ADRP International Conference, as well as additional expenses related to attending the conference, such as hotel or travel. The 2009 ADRP International Conference will be held December 7-9 in Baltimore, Maryland. For 2009, up to ten awards to professionals in the donor relations/stewardship field will be made.
In determining the awards, preference will be given to individuals who have not previously attended an ADRP International Conference or whose organization will not reimburse professional development expenses. ADRP members in good standing may nominate themselves or they may be nominated by someone internal or external to their organization. Nominees must be an ADRP member to be considered for the scholarship. Blair Scholarship recipients will be selected by the Scholarship Committee of the Board of Directors. Click HERE to apply.
About Sheryl Blair
Anyone who knew Sheryl Blair would say the same thing about her-- her wit was as colorful as her lush red hair-- and her devotion to the things that mattered most to her-- family, friends, colleagues-- was fierce. During her lifetime, she took on many hardships with great courage, including rebuilding her life after divorce, expanding her career and, ultimately, coping with the cancer that claimed her body but not her spirit. "I'm watching out for the next 'scud missile,'" she reportedly quipped once, "I've abandoned any attempt to see logic in what life throws at us."
Sheryl was a "straight shooter" who thought things through and was clear about her feelings-- in her personal and in her professional life. Working in the development field for more than a decade, she claimed that stewardship was her very favorite piece of the development puzzle. She was highly organized and willing to share her knowledge and talents with those just beginning their careers, as well as those who had several years of experience. She cared deeply and passionately about the growth of the profession and was an instrumental figure in advancing the ADRP as a professional organization.
After joining the ADRP board in 2005, Sheryl was immediately tapped to coordinate the regional workshops initiative, as the group sought to expand locally-based professional development opportunities. Through her leadership, a regional workshop process and format evolved, forming the basis for a program that continues to grow annually. In addition to her work with the regional workshops, Sheryl also lent her input and guidance to the 2004 Inaugural ADRP International Conference Content Committee, co-presenting a session for newcomers focusing on “Nuts and Bolts of Donor Relations.”
Sheryl Blair was a consummate professional and the genuine article. In what she said and in what she did, she evidenced commitment, enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, and compassion. She gave from the heart, bringing out the best in people, and she challenged each of us to do more and be more. It is our hope that her spirit of giving and her commitment to betterment of self through hard work and sacrifice will continue to live on through the ADRP and through those who will benefit from these scholarships.
