Congratulations 2007 Weinberg Fellows

posted by Ann Cotten

October 22, 2007

The members of the 2007 group officially became "Weinberg Fellows" on October 19th during a ceremony at Turf Valley. Numerous fellows turned out to recognize the acheivement of the current class and welcome them into the Weinberg Fellows network.

The fifth group of Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Fellows in Baltimore graduated from the Weinberg Fellows Program, which is coordinated by the University of Baltimore's Schaefer Center for Public Policy. The 2007 Weinberg Fellows completed a year-long professional development program designed to enhance leadership skills and promote collaboration among the region’s non-profit organizations.

The group of 17 executive directors from agencies that serve disadvantaged residents in the Baltimore metropolitan area was selected for the program through a competitive process. The members of the 2007 Weinberg Fellows include Salliann Alborn of Community Health Integrated Partnership, Inc.; Carolyn C. Ames of Community Housing Associates, Inc.; Bonnie Bessor, Rebuilding Together Baltimore; Kathryn Spencer Farinholt, NAMI-Metropolitan Baltimore; Margaret Footner, Creative Alliance; Lena M. Franklin, Recovery in Community, Inc.; Khalilah Harris, The Baltimore Freedom Academy Foundation, Inc.; Sheila Helgerson, United Ministries, Inc.; Virginia Knowlton, Maryland Disability Law Center; Debra Langseth, Spectrum Support, Inc.; Dale Eileen Meyer, People Encouraging People, Inc.; Alfreda Robinson-Dawkins, National Women’s Prison Project, Inc.; Lesley Anne Smith, Washington Village/Pigtown Neighborhood Planning Council; Joyce C. Smith, Operation ReachOut SouthWest; Shelly Terranova, Junior League of Baltimore; Steve Vassor, Hampden Family Center; and Kathleen O’Donnell Weiss, BioTechnical Institute of Maryland, Inc.

The program included a series of four retreats facilitated by UB faculty: Ann Cotten, director of the Schaefer Center; Lenneal Henderson, professor in the School of Public Affairs and senior research associate with the Schaefer Center; and Joseph McNeely, a research associate with the Schaefer Center and nationally recognized expert in nonprofit leadership. The year-long program featured discussions on the full spectrum of not-for-profit organizational issues, each session led by experts from non-profit organizations, local colleges and universities, schools, businesses, consulting firms, and government agencies.

The Oct. 19 graduation took place on the last day of the Fellows’ fourth retreat of the year, at Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center in Ellicott City.

“This has been a very exciting year,” Cotten said. “It has been wonderful getting to know the Fellows, watching them share ideas and mentor each other, and helping them enhance their skills and confidence as executive directors.”

The graduates of the program reported tremendous benefits from the experience.

“This unique opportunity brought together a very dynamic and diverse group of community giants of varied professions, passions and corporate purses yet touched us all, groomed and shaped us all,” said Robinson-Dawkins, executive director of the National Women’s Prison Project. “The training renewed, refreshed and revitalized us to return to our entities with more incisive direction to make a difference while sharing our passions in our communities.”

Meyer, executive director of People Encouraging People, echoed that sentiment.

“The word ‘fellowship’ is the key concept of this program. To be in the company of dedicated, smart and hardworking professionals who understand not only my work but the environment where I do it, is more supportive and pleasant than I had ever imagined,” Meyer said.

Applications for the 2008 Weinberg Fellows Program are being accepted through Nov. 2, 2007. Application materials are available on the program’s Web site at www.weinbergfellows.org.

Including this group, 113 Weinberg Fellows have now completed the Program in Baltimore.



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