Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation Announces 2012 Sabbatical Recipients

From: Z. Smith Reynolds

The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2012 Sabbatical Program.

The Z. Smith Reynolds Sabbatical Program honors leaders of nonprofit organizations across the state for their dedicated service and commitment to the sector. The foundation provides each recipient with $25,000 to take an extended break from work to focus on their personal needs, self-growth and self-revitalization in order to return to their organizations with a rejuvenated spirit and renewed sense of focus.

This year’s sabbatical recipients are:

· Myra Clark of Charlotte, Executive Director of The Center for Community Transitions

· Peggy Eagan of Charlotte, Executive Director of Children and Family Services Center

· Antionette Kerr of Lexington, Executive Director of the Lexington Housing Community Development Corporation

· Walter Klausmeier of Raleigh, President/CEO of Planned Parenthood Health Systems

· April Scott of Wilmington, Executive Director of the Carousel Center

Having made thousands of grants over the years, as well as meeting with and learning from nonprofit leaders across the state, trustees of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation recognized that some of the most creative and inspirational leaders were experiencing burnout from the ongoing challenges of managing and sustaining their organizations with less resources and greater demands. The foundation established this program in 1991, as one of the first of its kind, to give leaders time off in hopes that they would come back recommitted to their work and prolong their tenure with the nonprofit sector.

"Many leaders of the nonprofit sector are selfless, extremely driven individuals,” said Leslie Winner, Executive Director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. "Often times, however, they reach a point where they have completely expended their personal energy. They need this time to re-energize and re-focus so they can return to work with fresh ideas, a different perspective and newfound momentum. This program not only benefits the recipients, but also benefits the staff, the Board and the communities they serve.”

Five sabbatical recipients are chosen annually. Individuals are encouraged to spend up to six months engaging in activities that they are interested in and unrelated to their field of work.

Profiles of the recipients are below:

Myra Clark is the Executive Director of The Center for Community Transitions in Charlotte, North Carolina. The organization’s mission is to strengthen the community by helping people with criminal records find healthier and more productive ways of living, which includes employment and transition services, alternatives to incarceration and strengthening and restoring family bonds. Myra has worked in the non-profit sector for 25 years, 13 of which have been in her current position. She previously worked with the Mecklenburg Board of Election, and has also served on various boards including the United Way, Council of Agency Executives for United Way, Homeless Services Network and the Governor’s Street Safe Task Force.

Described as "creative and innovative,” during her time off Myra plans to rediscover and reconnect with her own interests and hobbies. She plans to rebuild her garden, a place she considers to be her personal oasis. She also plans to travel, focus on health and fitness and enroll in classes, such as stained glass and jewelry making.

Peggy Eagan has served as Executive Director of Children and Family Services Center in Charlotte, North Carolina for the past nine years. Through an innovative collaboration of community resources, Children and Family Services Center is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families that promote strong families and advocates for change. Peggy has been in the nonprofit sector for 33 years, serving as an Executive Director since age 29. Over the years, she has been responsible for undertaking a number of initiatives that have resulted in positive growth for the organizations she has worked with.

As a descendant of Meriwether Lewis, during her time off, Peggy plans to retrace the path of Lewis and Clark, exploring and understanding the history of their trek and documenting her own experience/travels along the way. "This sabbatical will give me the opportunity to quiet my mind, to truly rest and regain my passion for forging new paths. I want to return to CFSC with a renewed sense of possibility and commitment, and a renewed sense of excitement about what could be,” Peggy said. She also plans to spend time with family and enjoy time on the North Carolina coast.

Antionette Kerr is Executive Director of the Lexington Housing Community Development Corporation in Lexington, North Carolina. During her six years as Executive Director, Antionette has successfully met and exceeded a number of the organization’s goals, including increasing client services, increasing staff and opening a satellite office. Over the course of 13 years in the non-profit sector, Antionette has also assumed leadership roles on various boards, commissions and committees, most notably as Vice Chair of the city’s strategic home ownership plan, a Board of Trustee for Thomasville Medical Center and the first African American female to be voted in as a member of The Charity League of Lexington.

During her sabbatical, Antionette plans to spend time researching and better understanding a recent health prognosis, completing a few personal writing projects and attending a national writer’s conference as well as traveling on a five night Caribbean cruise.

Walter Klausmeier is President/CEO of Planned Parenthood Health Systems, Inc. in Raleigh, North Carolina. Planned Parenthood Health Systems protects the rights of women and men to make informed decisions regarding reproduction. Its mission is to provide accessible, high-quality health care and information to clients and to serve as advocate and educator to the community on responsible human sexuality. Walter has worked in the non-profit sector for 36 years. During his tenure with this organization, Walter has taken Planned Parenthood Health Systems to new heights, establishing a number of centers across the southeast. As one of the founding members stated, "the organization’s impact and growth had been relatively limited until Walter Klausmeier took the helm in 1995…(his) impact upon the rights and well-being of North Carolina families has been immeasurable during the past 15 years.”

During his time off, Walter plans to spend several months in the Pacific Northwest developing his digital photography skills and honing his techniques by shooting wildlife and landscape images.

April Scott has 17 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Carousel Center in Wilmington, North Carolina, where she has worked for 11 years, four in this position. The Carousel Center is a non-profit organization committed to assisting victims of child abuse, providing critical care services to children from 15 counties throughout southeastern North Carolina. Described as a "steadfast advocate,” for years April has worked to educate adults, children and the community about child abuse. "I feel I have a mission to make a difference. Using my energy to educate the community on the topic of child abuse and by making a difference in the lives of the children that unfortunately visit the center is all well worth it,” she said. One child, one family at a time, April continually serves as a voice to push these issues forward.

During her sabbatical, April plans to relax at day spas, travel to Hawaii to stay at an all-inclusive resort, take cooking lessons and train to run in a marathon in honor of her beloved, late mother.

###

ABOUT Z. SMITH REYNOLDS FOUNDATION