Application deadline: March 1, 2007

If you are interested in professional development this year (for example, attending the TriState Conference, the SHRM National Conference, taking a Certification Prep course or another HR program or course) and your company doesn't provide funds for professional development, you are eligible to apply for the David L. Taton Scholarship for Professional Development, administered by the RI State Council of SHRM.

In order to be considered for the scholarship award, applicants must:

• Be currently working in the field of Human Resources or an HR professional
  in transition;
      
• Be a national member of SHRM as well as a chapter member;
      
• Live in Rhode Island or be employed by a company located in Rhode Island;  
    
• Demonstrate need by presenting company policy, or letter from a company officer, indicating that the program expense is not covered by the organization.

Previous applicants and past award recipients must re-apply each year to be eligible for an award. Only one award will be granted to an individual in a 12-month period. Awards will be announced in April 2007.

Applications are available by contacting Heather Abbott at Roger Williams University, habbott@rwu.edu or may be downloaded from the Rhode Island State Council site at:

http://www.shrmri.org/scholarship.htm
 

David L. Taton School to Career Scholarship Awards

On May 10, 2006, the RI State Council of SHRM (RISC) honored the memory of its former President, colleague, and good friend, David L. Taton, by awarding six scholar-
ships to graduating RI high school seniors. These students were active participants in a variety of school-to-work initiatives held at their Rhode Island high schools.

An award ceremony, held at the Community College of Rhode Island Liston Campus, was attended by David's wife, Judi Taton; Heather Abbott, RISC David L. Taton Scholarship Director; Dave Greenan, RISC Secretary/Treasurer; Lynn Watterson, HRM-RI President; and Ken Cahill, RISC School to Career Director. Several award recipients and their families were also on hand to celebrate the awarding of these scholarships to deserving students.

For 2006, the David L. Taton School to Career Scholarship Award recipients were:

Larissa Lopez -- CCRI
  
Keith Richards -- MotoRing Technical School
  
Amanda Conroy -- Lincoln Education Services
  
Roman Allen -- NE Tech
  
Joel Dominquez -- Universal Technical Institute

The Taton Scholarship Committee continues to award scholarships to deserving students annually, selecting award recipients from applications submitted by school guidance officers located throughout Rhode Island. Sizeable awards have also been made over the years to SHRM HR professionals seeking to expand their knowledge of HR and further their professional careers (see article at top of this page).

Applications are available by contacting Heather Abbott at Roger Williams University, (401) 254-4585, habbott@rwu.edu or may be downloaded from the Rhode Island State Council site at:

http://www.shrmri.org/scholarship.htm

Your Tax Deductible Donations Are Welcome

Tax deductible donations to either of these scholarship funds are always gratefully accepted. Please indicate to which scholarship fund you would like to contribute, make your check payable to The David L. Taton Scholarship Fund, and mail it to the address shown at right.

David L. Taton worked for over 30 years at Textron in a variety of HR positions, including Director of Human Resources, Policies and Compliance. He was an extremely active mem-
ber of the Society for Human Resource Management and also served in many leadership positions with SHRM at both the local and national level. He held the offices of RISC SHRM Director and Area 1 Vice President/ SHRM. David also served tirelessly on numerous committees for both the State Council and HRM-RI.

After retirement, David con-
tinued his role as an active community leader, holding positions as President and board member of the Public Education Fund. David was
active in Leadership Rhode Island and he was a former Vice President of Big Sisters of RI, a pacesetter for the American Heart Association Annual Heart Walk, and an active member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
 

Out of respect for David's memory and his passion for individual development, two scholarship funds were created.

Judi Taton established the David L. Taton Scholarship Award for Professional Development -- awarded to SHRM members seeking to further develop their individual HR skills through continued professional education.

The Rhode Island State Council of SHRM created
a second scholarship --
The David Taton Memorial Scholarship Fund -- for graduating high school seniors seeking a school to career education by attending technical-type schools where traditional scholarship funding is often not available.

Both scholarships are managed by RISC SHRM, by Heather Abbott, Director, and her scholarship committee. Get more details at:
shrmri.org/scholarship.htm
 

Mail Donations To:
The David L. Taton
Scholarship Fund
C/O Heather Abbott
Roger Williams University
One Old Ferry Road
Bristol RI 02809