Member Benefits
Members have access to online training, networking within the membership, planning and organizational tools within Community Connections. Awards for excelling in course completion and continual professional development.
Scholarships, Grants, and Reimbursement Programs
The Stephen Bufton Memorial Educational Fund (SBMEF) has been supporting businesswomen for more than 50 years. The fund is established for women pursuing advanced educational goals enabling them to achieve business and professional success. The National Board of Directors of ABWA serve as the SBMEF trustee's, overseeing the funds administration.
SBMEF offers various scholarship, grant, and reimbursement programs to support women in their pursuit of knowledge: National Scholarship, Outright Grant, Business Skills Tuition Reimbursement, and Impact Scholarship.
SBMEF offers various scholarship, grant, and reimbursement programs to support women in their pursuit of knowledge: National Scholarship, Outright Grant, Business Skills Tuition Reimbursement, and Impact Scholarship.
National scholarships are awarded each year in amounts of $2,000 to $10,000 by SBMEF. All national scholarships have their requirements designated by the SBMEF Board of Trustees. The national scholarships are open to women meeting the requirements of each national scholarship listed on the SBMEF website. A minimum of three qualified applicants must complete the application process for each scholarship to be awarded.
For additional information, please contact the Education Committee.
For additional information, please contact the Education Committee.
The Outright Grant helps to offset costs associated with college tuition, books, and related fees.
Eligibility Requirements:
Each year, the Chapter votes on whether to sponsor a candidate for the Outright Grant. Applications for the Outright Grant must be completed by May 1st of each year.
For additional information, please contact the Education Committee.
Maryland Capital Chapter is proud to have the following past Outright Grant recipients as their sponsored candidates:
Eligibility Requirements:
- The applicant must be female and a U.S. Citizen
- She must have completed a minimum of sixty (60) credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
- She must be pursuing a baccalaureate degree or higher
- She must be attending an institution authorized to confer degrees at the baccalaureate level or higher in the United States
- She must be either a resident of Maryland OR attending a Maryland college or university
Each year, the Chapter votes on whether to sponsor a candidate for the Outright Grant. Applications for the Outright Grant must be completed by May 1st of each year.
For additional information, please contact the Education Committee.
Maryland Capital Chapter is proud to have the following past Outright Grant recipients as their sponsored candidates:
- 2017-2018: Jessica Reedy, $2,000
- 2016-2017: Cynthia Schmidt, $2,000
- 2015-2016: Lindsey Smiler, $2,000
The Business Skills Tuition Reimbursement (BSTR) program is designed to help working women participate in professional development workshops and/or seminars offered by an accredited, licensed, or state approved institution in the United States. Coursework such as ABWA-KU MBA Essentials, Franklin Covey and other accredited professional development learning opportunities (e.g., real estate license, desktop publishing, nursing, and accounting) are examples of non-degree coursework that qualify for BSTR.
Eligibility Requirements
Each year, the Chapter votes on the amount to fund the Business Skills Tuition Reimbursement program. Applications for the Business Skills Tuition Reimbursement program must be completed within 90 days after course completion. The deadline for applications is June 1st each year. For additional information, please contact one of the Professional Development Committee.
Past recipients of the Business Skills Tuition Reimbursement awards:
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a female and a U.S. citizen
- Enhance the applicant's career objective
- Have completed the course prior to submitting her application for BSTR
- Apply for BSTR within 90 days after course completion by completing the application process including:
- Providing a course description
- Rationale for attendance
- Verification of the learning institutions credentials (licensed, accredited and/or state approved)
- Proof of payment
Each year, the Chapter votes on the amount to fund the Business Skills Tuition Reimbursement program. Applications for the Business Skills Tuition Reimbursement program must be completed within 90 days after course completion. The deadline for applications is June 1st each year. For additional information, please contact one of the Professional Development Committee.
Past recipients of the Business Skills Tuition Reimbursement awards:
- 2018-2019: Elsa W. Smith, $125 & Alisa Griffin, $125
- 2017-2018: Elsa W. Smith, $250
- 2016-2017: Christine Crocker, $250
- 2015-2016: Christine Crocker, $125 & Sharon Neighoff, $125
Education Opportunities
The Apex Campus includes professional development courses, tools and resources to support you in achieving your personal and professional best. In ABWA’s Apex Campus, you can take courses on your own time and at your own pace. Some courses are free and some are fee based.
As a member of ABWA, we encourage you to rehearse and master business skills and concepts that are valued in the workplace by being engaged in both local and nationally ABWA sponsored events. Members may register for online courses and webinars focused on workplace productivity from Gemba Academy’s Six Sigma and School of Lean to Laura Stack’s Email Best Practices in the Apex Campus, ABWA’s exclusive learning portal is accessible 24/7.
As a member of ABWA, we encourage you to rehearse and master business skills and concepts that are valued in the workplace by being engaged in both local and nationally ABWA sponsored events. Members may register for online courses and webinars focused on workplace productivity from Gemba Academy’s Six Sigma and School of Lean to Laura Stack’s Email Best Practices in the Apex Campus, ABWA’s exclusive learning portal is accessible 24/7.
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Courses offered:
Click HERE for a full My Apex Campus Curriculum! |
Member Savings
ABWA has negotiated with several companies to offer ABWA members exclusive discounts on products and services for both personal and professional use. Visit the ABWA Member Savings website to learn more about each of the Corporate Partners listed below:
- The Business Source
- Dell Technologies
- Northcentral University
- Seattle University
- Fisher Investments
- bizwomen The Business Journals
- Franklin Madison Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- Budget Rental Car
Local Dues
Local Chapter dues of $50.00 are due by August 31st each year.
How do your local dues benefit you and other members?
How do your local dues benefit you and other members?
- Members in good standing receive a $5 discount on monthly dinner meetings, when they pre-register
- Dues provide funding for various Chapter programs:
- Assisting members in paying for their registrations to regional and national conferences
- Participation in the Business Skills Tuition Reimbursement program
- Chapter sponsorship of a candidate for the SBMEF outright Grant
Existing Members:
If you are a new member that joined the Chapter after October 31st, please contact the Treasurer for your pro-rated dues invoice and payment link.
Voting Procedures
As a membership association, we put many items to the membership for voting. To prepare for a full business meeting where voting will occur, we encourage members to review the following Voting Procedures in the attached document.
