Dear WFPSEWI Chapter Colleagues,

I sincerely appreciate being chosen as a scholarship recipient for the AFPSEWI Chapter’s Professional membership for the 2021-22 fiscal year. Although I began my Fund Development career in 1987 joining NSFRE (now known as AFP) as a member of the Development staff at the Medical College of Wisconsin and have continued professional association memberships throughout my 34 years in this profession, this is the first, and only scholarship, I have ever received! So, ‘thank you’ seems inadequate – like when you call to thank a donor for a major gift. I feel there should be something more I can add – like ‘Gracias’, ‘Danke schön’ or ‘Merci beacoup’. It sounds more significant in another language.

My employer, Saint Lawrence Seminary High School has more limited resources than some of my previous employers and the Covid Pandemic only made things worse. Professional development always seems to fall victim to “budget constraints”, especially in the non-profit community. I have also been a CFRE since 1992. So, the many benefits of belonging to a professional association like AFP, especially continuing education, are invaluable. The networking, access to educational and job opportunities are just a few of the many benefits afforded AFP members.

So, thank you, again, for the opportunity afforded me to continue my AFP membership and have access to the many benefits that an AFP membership provides.

May you have a very merry Christmas, a joyous and prosperous new year and blessings throughout your life’s journey.

Peace and blessings,

 Tre

H.M. “Tre” Waldren, III, CFRE