Fred Kretz was a California public guardian who served as a member of the National Guardianship Association’s board of directors and as NGA’s president. In his leadership role, Fred Kretz was an unassuming consensus-builder who donated many hours of personal time and financial resources to help create a certification process for guardians. For Fred, ethics and credentials were important pieces to the profession of guardianship.
The Fred Kretz Memorial Scholarship, created in his honor, rewards a public guardian who is a member of the National Guardianship Association, or one of NGA’s state affiliate associations, who has earned certification from the Center for Guardianship Certification, and who:
- provides a depth of experience
- exercises the highest ethical standards in decision-making
- displays competency in his or her actions
- demonstrates professionalism, integrity, and understanding
- treats every person under guardianship with dignity and compassion
A public guardian is defined as an individual who acts as guardian through either:
- a government agency serving as guardian of the person and/or estate for persons under guardianship
- a private non-profit organization that serves as guardian of the person for persons under guardianship, through a contract with a government agency such as a state or county
This scholarship is defined as one complimentary registration to the National Guardianship Association’s National Conference on Guardianship taking place in the year of the nomination and up to $500 in travel and lodging expenses. It does not include any items for which there are separate charges such as the conference intensives. The holder is also responsible for his/her own travel and lodging above the $500 maximum, as well as any meals not included as part of the conference.
Scholarship Criteria
- Any NGA or CGC board member, NGA member, or CGC certified guardian may nominate an individual for the Fred Kretz Memorial Scholarship. No self-nominations will be considered.
- Nominations must be received online via the Fred Kretz Memorial Scholarship nomination form.
- The nominee must be a National Certified Guardian or a National Master Guardian.
- The nominee must be a member of the National Guardianship Association or a state affiliate association of NGA.
The NGA scholarship committee will review all nominations. The committee will make a decision and notify the recipient at least 30 days prior to the conference. The committee reserves the right to not present this award in any one year.
Scholarship applications are due by Friday, July 7.