The following has been extracted from a January 15, 1995 memo written by Susan Chapdelaine to the Richard L. Haas Scholarship Committee:

  Detailed Background of the Fund
Shortly after Rick's death in 1987, both NEA (New England Archivists) and ARMA decided independently to establish a scholarship fund in Rick's memory. Since Rick had been active in both organizations, and believed so strongly that records management and archives are an extension of one another, Harley Holden, Curator of the University Archives at Harvard University suggested that the two organizations work together on the formation of one scholarship for the benefit of both professions . The Boards of both organizations agreed, and formed a committee to establish the joint fund. Nora Murphy, then Secretary of NEA and Susan Chapdelaine were charged with developing the overall framework for the fund.

The objectives were to establish a scholarship fund for the benefit of both professions that would eventually become self-sustaining.

The finances were structured in such a way that both organizations were required to make a monitory contribution each year. The amount of the contribution made by each organization was intentionally left to the discretion of the organization. Since the scholarship was established for the greater good for both professions, ARMA and NEA agreed that the exact dollar contribution of individual organizations was not significant as long as they both continued to make an annual contribution and provide support for the scholarship.

The criteria and amount of the scholarship were also intentionally left vague. While the intent of the scholarship was to foster a greater awareness and increased cooperation between the two professions, they did not mean to establish criteria that would later be found restrictive. The specific criteria for awarding the scholarship was left up to the Joint Haas Committee to decide each year. This provides flexibility, allowing the committee to establish criteria based upon the current needs of the profession.

Both the ARMA and NEA Boards approved the organization and administration of the fund.

Over the past seven years the Fund has awarded funding to individuals for several worthwhile projects and educational endeavors.

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