What is the Blue Ridge Institute?

"Peopleizing" Services a la Blue Ridge
by Harold J. Weekley, 1914-98

Values of Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge may mean a place where you gained new insight into some problem that concerned you-perhaps you shared an idea with another new friend who used your technique, or a modification of it, to solve a similar situation. Maybe Blue Ridge has helped you to clear the "cobwebs" from your brain to see your community, your state or region, your organization, or the Southland in a different perspective, in order that you could make a greater contribution to a better way of life. We gain through this fellowship.

We have had over 70 years of outstanding programs, making possible an opportunity to gain practical knowledge on current problems facing us at the office, or in the field. It provides a chance for enrichment of professional knowledge in an atmosphere of great physical beauty and warm friendship. Blue Ridge is not a typical conference-more like a workshop. Blue Ridge lends an informality for the exchange of ideas which is difficult to find at a specialized professional conference. Herein lies the uniqueness, effectiveness and real value of Blue Ridge.

Although actual attendance at the Institute affords the primary benefit to attendees, Blue Ridge has also contributed to the national health, welfare, recreation and community organization literature on important subjects. For example, the 1957 Proceedings of Blue Ridge on "Staffing our Community Health, Recreation and Welfare Services" was completely exhausted, during the fall of 1957, in preparation of the United States Report to the United Nations on the use of personnel. Also, in 1967 "The Thrust for Community Betterment—Whose Responsibility" became the source of information for Public Affairs Pamphlet No. 413—"New Ways to Better Communities."

During 1942-47, terrific interest was shown, particularly in the South and somewhat throughout the country, to "Si" Buell's social breakdown series and the resultant "hard core" family concept that grew out of it. Here cities of the South pioneered in developing research material through programs at Blue Ridge which helped perfect the technique and the theories which developed from it.

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