Association of Fundraising Professionals
WASHINGTON CHAPTER
WASHINGTON STATE MEMBER E-NEWS UPDATE:
Fall 2006 edition
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Table of Contents
- From the Desk of the President
- Honor Your Volunteer Stars at National Philanthropy Day
- The Hot Tip: Stay in Touch with Key Donors
- New AFP WA Scholarship Program Deadline is October 20 so act quickly!
- Nonprofit Internet Strategies : Seattle, WA
- 12 things I wish someone had told me when I started
- Plan for your CFRE Certification
- New Job Listings on AFP WA Website
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From the Desk of the President
This year, the Association of Fundraising Professionals - Washington Chapter (AFP) is honoring the power of individuals during National Philanthropy Day.
Your name doesn´t have to be Rockefeller or Gates to make a difference. Every individual can do something significant - whether that means donating money, time or talent: Consider the hairdresser who donates her time to cut the hair of foster children; the 12-year-old soccer player who raises money for cancer research every time his foot touches the ball; the moving company executive whose company doesn´t charge to move furniture for domestic violence victims who need a new home. As an organization of professionals who help philanthropists commit to their communities, AFP Washington is proud to sponsor National Philanthropy Day to honor these philanthropists´ achievements and encourage others to do the same.
The 17th annual National Philanthropy Day awards luncheon takes place on November 16 and will honor individuals, families, businesses and foundations that have made a significance difference in our community. The event runs from 11:30 to 1:30 pm. at the Seattle Sheraton Hotel. Tickets are $55 before October 27 and $65 after. Register for National Philanthropy online.
This year´s theme is the "Power of the Individual" and recognizes the incredible impact individuals can have in strengthening their communities - whether that is through donating their dollars, their time or their talent. We all have a passion for something. If we could take that passion and put it toward helping support our favorite organization or cause, the world would be a better place.
Jane Kuechle, MNPL
President
AFP Washington State Chapter
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Honor Your Volunteer Stars at National Philanthropy Day
Finding creative ways to recognize our volunteers and donors for their invaluable contributions to our philanthropic community is important to all of us. This year, as we welcome you to National Philanthropy Day, we also invite you to highlight the contributions of these important supporters. You know who they are: maybe it is an unsung hero, a board member, or a superlative donor.
You can accomplish this in a very public way by recognizing your outstanding volunteers as "Stars" at this year´s National Philanthropy Day luncheon on November 16th. Invite them to sit with you at the event, and honor them for only an additional $10 per ticket (tickets are $55 before October 27 and $65 after that). As a "Star", your volunteer will:
- Be recognized in the program next to your organization´s name
- Have their name scroll on the screen during the luncheon
- Receive a special lapel pin as an ongoing reminder of how much their commitment to your organization is appreciated
Sound good? For more information call 206-367-8704. Here´s how it works!
- Fill out the Stars information on the RSVP card in the invitation you recently received
- If you did not receive an invitation, you can get it here: 2006 NPD Registration Form
- If you already sent in your RSVP form and want to add a Star, or call (206) 367-8704
Take us up on the offer, we´d love the chance to recognize the "Stars" of your organization, and to provide visibility for you! Here is an image of the lapel pin.
(larger than actual pin)
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The Hot Tip: Stay in Touch with Key Donors
As fundraising professionals, we all know how important it is to stay in touch with key donors. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. When our inboxes are overflowing, our to-do lists are a mile long, and the phone won´t stop ringing, it can be tough to fit it all in. Here are a few ideas for making sure your donors stay at the top of your priority list where they belong.
Use your calendar. Most of us use electronic calendars, such as Outlook, to keep track of appointments, conference calls, and lunch meetings. Make your calendar do double duty by using it to schedule donor communications. If you know you´ll need to follow up with a donor in one month, don´t let it drag into two or three. Schedule the call in your electronic calendar. When your appointment reminder pops up, don´t close it until you´ve made the call.
Read the newspaper every day. Why? Because our donors are active and involved citizens. You´ll be surprised how often their names will pop up in the business pages, the editorial section, and the local news. Seeing your donors name in print gives you a great excuse to pick up the phone, or put a quick note in the mail. It also keeps you abreast of important national and local news so you can captivate your donors with your brilliant conversation if you happen to find yourself sitting next to them at a major community luncheon event, such as….
National Philanthropy Day! Show your donors how much you appreciate their support by bringing them to the National Philanthropy Day luncheon on November 16th. NPD provides a fantastic opportunity for you to cultivate your most important donors, and help them feel more connected to your organization.
Don´t let your donors fall to the bottom of your to-do list. Find strategic ways to maintain personal connections, and the rewards will follow.
Thea Kleiber, CFRE
Development Director
Mount Baker Theatre
Thea Kleiber is Development Director of Mount Baker Theatre in Bellingham, Washington, and the President Elect of AFP´s Washington Chapter. Before heading North, Thea was Executive Director of the American String Project in Seattle.
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New AFP WA Scholarship Program Deadline is October 20 so act quickly!
The goal of the AFP Scholarship Program is to help AFP Washington Chapter build a professional fundraising community that best represents the communities we serve.
Benefits of the scholarship program are valid for ONE calendar year and include:
- One-year Introductory Membership to AFP.
- Admission to a maximum of 8 programs (and attendance at a minimum of 4) throughout the year (not including special workshops or AFP National/International events).
- Opportunity to be paired with a mentor from the Board of Trustees.
- Paid admission to the National Philanthropy Day celebration.
- Opportunity to apply for the Washington State Chamberlain Scholarship award to attend the International AFP Conference.
- Travel stipend not to exceed $200. To be used to attend out of town events.
More information and the scholarship application.
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Nonprofit Internet Strategies : Seattle, WA
Join us on November 1st
Every registration includes a guest pass for use by one of your organization´s trustees or executives (offer valid only if guest is named during registration)
The United Way of King County and AFP Washington State Chapter in conjunction with the ePhilanthropy Foundation, presents the Nonprofit Internet Strategies Seminar on Wednesday, November 1, 2006 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Seattle, Washington. In this seminar, participants will move forward in developing a sound ePhilanthropy strategy while learning the following from these three certified Master Trainers in the field:
- "ePhilanthropy 101: Where Technology and Philanthropy Meet" presented by Ted Hart, President and CEO of The ePhilanthropy Foundation
- "Coordinating Online Fundraising Techniques with Traditional Fundraising Techniques," presented by Sheeraz Haji , President and CEO GetActive Software
- "The Art of the Possible - Internet Strategies for Building Relationships, Raising Money and Achieving Your Goals," presented by Steve MacLaughlin, Practice Manager, Internet Services Blackbaud, Inc.
~ Register today at http://www.ephilanthropy.org/etour_schedule or call Kim at 877-536-1245 ext.1
Don´t just take our word for it; read what these eTour attendees had to say:
"Three different speakers, three different perspectives"
"Valuable information presented in straight-forward but engaging manner"
"I thought it was informative, up-to-date and specific to the needs of non-profit organizations"
"All of the information was very helpful and I have a lot of great ideas to bring back to my organization"
"Specifics like the information about Guidestar and charitable contributions registration are very helpful"
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12 things I wish someone had told me when I started
from Virginia Carter Smith
Reprinted with permission from CASE VIII
- Be smart. Work hard. Get along with people. You won´t find many people who do these three things who aren´t successful.
- Ask for what you need. You can´t expect support to be forthcoming unless you make your needs - money, space, time, etc. - known.
- Pay attention to relationships. People are the most important part of our work.
- Compliments and thank you´s are free. They cost you nothing and are the best gift.
- Know your organization´s power structure. Be aware of the culture and know the gatekeepers.
- Providing counsel is our No. 1 job.
- Advancement is everyone´s job.
- Internal factors determine external perceptions. If your organization is REALLY one way and looks, walks, talks and acts THAT way, all the slick brochures in the world won´t change it.
- Deal with problems face-to-face. Talk it out, don´t send memos, be cautious of e-mails, work it out like adult professionals. Do it before it´s a big problem.
- Communicating one-to-one is the best way.
- Get more feedback. Do more research. Listen more.
- Be the communicator in your organization.
The spotlight shone on CASE District VIII´s legendary Terry Maurer when he received the Distinguished Service Award at February´s CASE District VIII annual conference in Vancouver, B.C. But in standard Maurer fashion, he turned the spotlight on others. In closing his eloquent acceptance speech, Maurer shared the wisdom of Virginia Carter Smith, founding editor of CASE Currents and former president of the international organization. He handed out cards bearing "Ginny´s 12 Rules," excerpted from Smith´s closing remarks at the District VIII 1992 conference in a talk she titled "12 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Started (33 Years Ago)." We thought these worth sharing.
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Plan for your CFRE Certification
The next CFRE testing cycle is in March 2007. The deadline for submitting your application is January 10, 2007. Visit the CFRE site. Did you know that AFP Washington has our own CFRE ambassador--Karl Legget. Read more about Karl´s tips about CFRE certification and to ask Karl a question. Congratulations to Washington´s most recent CFRE recipients: Ann Hargrave and Michelle Wilkinson.
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New Job Listings on AFP WA Website
Seattle Mental Health, Eastside Catholic High School, Trust for Public Land, American Red Cross, Billings Middle School, Center for Courage and Renewal. Visit the jobs page to view other interesting jobs.