Application deadline: April 11, 2008

If you are interested in professional development this year (for example, attending the TriState Conference, attending the SHRM National Conference, taking a Certification Prep course, or taking another HR program or course) and your company does not provide funds for professional development, then you are eligible to apply for the
David L. Taton Scholarship for Professional Development, administered by the Rhode
Island 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 May 2008.

Applications are available by contacting Heather Abbott at Raytheon at Heather_J_Abbott@Raytheon.com or the application form may be downloaded from the Rhode Island State Council site at:

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

How to Apply

Return the completed an signed application form, with all supporting documentation, to the address indicated below. Submitted applications must be received by the Selection Committee no later than April 11, 2008, and must contain all supporting documentation to be considered for the upcoming year.

Applications are to be mailed to:
 
The David L. Taton Scholarship Award for Professional Development Committee
C/O Heather Abbott
Raytheon
1847 West Main Road
MS N15
Portsmouth, RI 02871

Timeline

January -- Announcement to Rhode Island SHRM members
April 11th -- Deadline for submission of scholarship applications
May 31st -- Awardees are selected and notified

Award checks will be mailed to recipients after May 31st and within 30 days prior to the date specified by the awardee in the application.

For Assistance With Application Form

If you require additional assistance in completing the scholarship application, please contact Heather Abbott at Heather_J_Abbott@Raytheon.com.

For More Details

For additional information about this scholarship, visit:
http://www.shrmri.org/scholarship.htm

David L. Taton Scholarships Awarded at 9/07 Breakfast

HRM-RI Members Included Among Award Recipients

During a special awards breakfast held at Bryant University in September 2007, the Rhode Island State Council of SHRM (RISC) honored the memory of its former President, colleague, and good friend, David L. Taton, by awarding scholarships to the following high school students and Human Resource professionals:

Chris Loffredo -- Narragansett High School
  
Thomas Mendes, Jr. -- Cranston High School
  
Cesar Martinez -- Cranston High School
  
Valerie O'Connor -- Consultant, Human Services
  
Theresa M. Snyder -- Human Resources Manager, Coventry Credit Union

The Taton Scholarship Committee awards 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).

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 David L. Taton Scholarship Fund
C/O Heather J. Abbott
Raytheon
1847 West Main Road
MS N15
Portsmouth, RI 02871
  

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