Philanthropy Day 2008’s Brand New Blog!
Hi! Welcome to the new blog for Philanthropy Day 2008. We will be posting items of interest to potential attendees, and also looking for you to add your thoughts and ideas as well.
To kick off this blog, below is a compendium of responses to Philanthropy Day 2007 and some ideas about what should be included in our upcoming 2008 Philanthropy Day Conference, to be held at the Marriott in Trumbull on Thursday, November 13.
A beginners track – something for the newcomer to the field, so that other tracks can be more advanced.
A “buy one, get one ½ off” for any organization that brings both a managing director/executive director and a development person (or even a Board member and a development person.
That all presenters receive an outline of the presentations by their fellow facilitators – confirm stats, not overlap but rather enhance one another.
Have presentations run 1 1/4 hours – more time to cover material.
Sessions should be rated for basic-midlevel-high level.
Better track program descriptions prior to the event – and softer seats!
Should have tracks for basic and experts in fundraising
Invite high school and college organizations’ members to attend, and match them to tables of mutual interests and a mentor to each attendee to introduce and develop knowledge. Encourage parents/grandparents to get involved and plan accordingly.
Hold a high school/middle school poster contest, where students won based on their portraits of what philanthropy accomplishes in the world. The posters can line the room for all to see with ribbons or awards. Honorees can choose one to take home.
Penelope Burke was memorable!! The gentleman from Iona College was very good, too.
Four ideas: A donor newsletter workshop – what to include, how to say it;
A session on growing your annual appeal; donor cultivation and stewardship ideas; and special events – creating a buzz.
What I liked about the 2007 PDay was the a.m speaker (Penelope Burke); networking during lunch; the major gift track. What I would like to see for 2008 PD are great speakers for tracks and not venders/consultants who just want to promote their products/services.
I like the idea of the event having a theme.
We should have an all-day track with special registration for execs and board members about execs and board members!
Panels should open the program or be created for special pieces of the program – a dynamic facilitator is needed.
Collaborations for organizations and partnerships – a “speed dating” session – how do you partner, the logistics.
And here are some suggested speakers from some of you out there – Any others?
BJ Bischoff, performance improvement consulting (Indianapolis)
Paulette Maehar, President and CEO of AFP International (Virginia)
Marilyn Price, President of MPPI, entertainer, educator and professional development consultant (Chicago)
Kent Rhodes, Organizational Change and Organizational Leadership, Pepperdine University (Los Angeles)
Adrian Sargent, Robert F. Hartsook Professor of Fundraising, Indiana University (Bloomington)
Jane Wales, Vice President of Philanthropy and Society and Executive Director of the Nonprofit Sector and Philanthropy Program, The Aspen Institute (Denver)
February 28th, 2008 at 7:49 am
I think the blog is a good idea. By the way, Paulette Maehara name was spelled incorrectly.
Just a logistical point, in past years some of the Major Gifts Track offerings were too crowded, I suggest you come up with a contingency plan to accommodate the extra people maybe by moving to another room or the ballroom, just an idea. I know it is hard to project how many will attend each session.
Another excellent speaker is Tom Wilson, VP & Western Region Manger, Campbell & Company He recently did an AFP webconference on Listening to Donors.
March 29th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I would also like to suggest two other speakers who have always been popular at Philanthropy Days:
Thad Henry on Leadership or anything else.
Sydney Perry
Both are excellent, inspirational and dynamic speakers