Raising Spirits, Raising Money

Newsletter for AFP Nebraska Volume 7, Issue 3, October 2010

Contents:

President’s message AFP Nebraska Chapter Officers for 2011 Every Member Campaign National Philanthropy Day Give and Gain Membership Corner Chamberlain and Chapter Scholars Upcoming programs

President’s Message Chris Sommerich, CFRE I imagine that most of you are like me, with end-of-year fundraising initiatives in full swing. I hope you are experiencing some success and also enjoying this fall weather while it lasts! Leadership Academy Your president-elect Hillary Nather-Detisch and I recently returned from AFP’s Leadership Academy conference, where we came together with AFP staff and more than 300 chapter leaders from all over the country to discuss issues important to chapters, such as membership, education, governance, communications, and finances. Membership seems to be the hottest topic on everyone’s mind. How do we effectively recruit and retain members, and make the value of membership undeniable to professionals at all career stages? AFP has a committee exploring new models for membership that will likely bring

significant changes in a year or two. Meanwhile, at the chapter level we will continue to explore what YOU are looking for in your membership. Strategic Planning Hillary and I have also been laying the groundwork for undertaking strategic planning as a chapter next year during her term as president. We plan to bring one of the AFP chapter services staff to Nebraska to lead us in this endeavor, something AFP-Nebraska has never done. Many of the chapters who have gone through strategic planning have found it very beneficial. Anita Crisp resigning as Chapter Administrator It is with mixed emotions that I report that our beloved chapter administrator Anita Crisp has submitted her resignation effective the end of the year. This would be very distressing and unhappy news, if it were not for the fact that 1) we are thrilled for Anita that the reason for this is a pending promotion at the Nebraska United Methodist Foundation and the demands on her time that will require, and 2) Anita has graciously promised to help make the transition to a new chapter administrator as smooth as possible. As chapter administrator, Anita has been instrumental in keeping AFP-Nebraska a consistently strong chapter over the last decade. Please watch for our announcement of the job opening and help guide any good candidates our way. December 16 luncheon in Omaha The December meeting is traditionally the “President’s Meeting,” and this year I am putting together a panel of executive directors who are really engaged and effective in fundraising to discuss their working relationships with their development officers. How do these two positions work most effectively together to meet the organization’s fundraising goals? Watch for details soon.

AFP Nebraska Chapter Officers for 2011 Here are the 2011 Officers as voted on at the October 21st Annual meeting. President (President Elect in 2009)

Hillary Nather-Detisch, CFRE Omaha Community Foundation

President Elect

Meg Johnson Nebraska Children and Families Foundation

Vice President of Communications

Sarah Grossman-Lopez Inclusive Communities

Vice President of Education

Laura Reznicek Sheldon Museum of Art

Vice President of Membership

Kathy Katt, CFRE Boys Town National Research Hospital

Secretary

Madeline Madden The Salvation Army

Treasurer Scott Larson, CFRE Paul J. Strawhecker, Inc.

National Philanthropy Day Chair

Gary Steiner Millard Public Schools Foundation

Give & Gain Chair

Brian Best Omaha Home for Boys

Government Relations Vi See, CFRE Community Action Program of Lancaster and Saunders Co.

Immediate Past President

Chris Sommerich, CFRE Nebraska Humanities Council

Every Member Campaign 2010 Hillary Nather-Detisch, MPA, CFRE President-Elect Every day many of us our faced with challenges due to the current economic climate and how that affects our organization’s bottom line. As a fundraising professional, we all know the importance of making gifts to nonprofit organizations. The Every Member Campaign is a way for us to give back to our profession by making a gift to support the work of the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy. The AFP Foundation’s primary focus is to generate the resources to fund AFP strategic initiatives that advance ethical and effective fundraising. Our gifts will be used to support education programs and training of professional fundraisers worldwide and increase the public’s awareness of philanthropy and understanding of philanthropy. Also, if we make this year’s chapter goal of $4,540.00, then 25 percent of our chapter members’ giving to the Every Member Campaign will come right back to AFP-Nebraska as a partnership grant in 2011 (Our chapter succeeded in 2009 –CONGRATULATIONS!). That means that we would have access to at least $1,135.00 to help offset costs from our own chapter’s expenses. Our chapter’s board have all committed a gift equaling a 100 percent participation in the Every Member Campaign. Please join us. To make a quick and easy (and secure) gift online, visit the AFP website at www.afpnet.org and click on the “Make A Gift” link on the left hand side of the page. Or if you prefer to mail in a pledge form, that form in included in this newsletter. On behalf of your entire AFP-Nebraska board, thank you for joining us in making a gift to the Every Member Campaign! If you have questions, please contact me at hillary@omahafoundation.org or (402) 342-3458, X1005.

NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY Meg Johnson, National Philanthropy Day Chair

Outstanding Nebraska Philanthropists to be Honored at November Celebration

The Nebraska Chapter of AFP will honor seven individuals, a corporation and a foundation at its annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon. Everyone is invited to join the honorees and their nominators in celebrating their philanthropic achievements at the Embassy Suites Downtown in Lincoln, Nebraska on Wednesday, November 17th at 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Honorees and their awards include:

J. Paul & Eleanor McIntosh, Norfolk, NE – Outstanding Philanthropists – nominated by Nebraska United Methodist Foundation.

Betiana & Todd Simon and Annette & Paul Smith, Omaha, NE – Outstanding Volunteer Fundraisers – nominated by Big Brother Big Sisters of the Midlands.

Brianna Brass, Lincoln East High School, Lincoln, NE – Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy – nominated by CEDARS Home for Children Foundation.

Kitty M. Perkins Foundation and Shoemaker Family Foundation, Cambridge, NE – Outstanding Foundation – nominated by the Nebraska Humanities Council.

American National Bank and Peoples National Bank, Omaha, NE – Outstanding Corporation – nominated by Methodist Hospital Foundation.

National Philanthropy Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of giving and all that it has made possible. Bring your Board, Donors and colleagues and join us as we celebrate difference makers in Nebraska. Reservations are $35/person or table sponsorship is $500 for a table of 10, plus special recognition in the program. Contact Meg Johnson for further information – 402-817-2002 or mjohnson@nebraskachildren.org

Give and Gain Conference Suzanne Sughroue, Give and Gain Chair On Thursday, September 9th, 2010, the annual Give and Gain Conference was held at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Jointly hosted by the Nebraska Chapter of AFP and the Nebraska Partnership for Philanthropic Planning (NPPP), the day-long conference numbered almost 100 attendees. Keynote speaker, Marc Carmichael, JD, President and Publisher of the Charitable Giving Tax Service for R & R Newkirk took the group through, “Better Living Through Charitable Giving” as well as presented an additional breakout session. This collaborative event has been in the making for almost a year and included breakout session tracks for the beginning fundraiser, the seasoned professional, and those fundraisers wanting to improve their tech-savvy skills.

Many thanks go to our conference sponsors American National Bank and Paul J. Strawhecker, Inc. A big thanks also go to the Salvation Army Kroc Center, Omaha Steaks, and Boomer’s Printing Company for their assistance. With the great attendance and feedback at the event, another AFP/NPPP collaboration is in the works for next year’s Give and Gain Conference. Watch your AFP newsletter for the date to save!!!

Membership Corner Kathy Katt, Vice President of Membership AFP Membership…What’s in it for YOU? Speaking from first hand experience, the benefits of AFP far out weigh the cost. By becoming an AFP member, you have unlimited information and resources at your fingertips. From online blogs and ‘hot topics’ to price advantages and an incredible network of colleagues, AFP has much to offer. Visit www.afpnet.org today and browse the member section to take advantage of these great benefits. If you’re not already a member, why wait – join today!

Membership Update Our chapter currently has 129 members. From July - September 2010 we have had 14 members renew their membership and 6 new members have joined. If your membership has lapsed, please renew today so you don’t miss out on any important information or resources that will benefit you and your organization.

Welcome New & Renewed Members

New Members Latavia Chandria Adams – The Partnership for Our Kids Jeffrey W. Beckman – NET Foundation for Television & Radio Julie Corbett – St. Augustine Indian Mission Laura Reznicek – Sheldon Museum of Art Bridget J. Robbins – NET Foundation for Television & Radio Scott P. Shreve – Open Door Mission Renewed Members Barbara Angelillo Brett William Berg – Boys Town Brian Best – Omaha Home for Boys Michelle A. Birkel – Pius X High School Patricia Crisler – Metropolitan Community College Wanda R. Gottschalk – Child Saving Institue

Sarah Grossman-Lopez – Inclusive Communities Meg Klesterman Kester – NE State Historical Society Foundation Kathy J. Larsen, CFRE – Omaha Christian Academy Carla Patton – Habitat for Humanity Vi See, CFRE – Lincoln Action Program Ryan Strawhecker – Project Interfaith Abbigail Swatsworth – CenterPointe, Inc. Pete Tulipana – Missionary Society

New Member Discount – Refer a Colleague TODAY! As a member, you are our best advocate to shine the spotlight on the benefits of an AFP membership. Please help recruit a new member! In honor of National Philanthropy Day, AFP is offering a $50.00 discount to all new members joining in the Active category by November 30, 2010. Please invite a new prospective member to one of our upcoming meetings, or the National Philanthropy Day Luncheon and encourage them to join our Chapter. Please have any prospective members contact Kathy Katt, CFRE at 402-498-6380 or kathy.katt@boystown.org. *Coupon must be included with the application.

Chamberlain and Chapter Scholarships Hillary Nather-Detisch, MPA, CFRE, President Elect Thank you for the hard work of AFP Scholarship Committee members – Laura Reznicek, Suzanne Sughroue and Meg Kester. I am pleased to announce the 2010 Chamberlain Scholar for the APF Nebraska Chapter is Matt Nelson. Matt is the Division Director – Campaigns at the United Way of the Midlands. Matt was selected out of nine outstanding candidates to receive $1250 to assist with the costs associated with the 2011 AFP International Conference in Chicago. The Chamberlain Scholar must be a first time attendee to the International Conference and does not need to be an AFP member. I am also pleased to announce that Ryan Strawhecker is the 2010 AFP Nebraska Chapter Scholarship recipient. Ryan is the Development and Communications Director at Project Interfaith. Ryan was selected out of eight outstanding candidates to receive $1250 scholarship to assist with the costs associated with the 2011 AFP International Conference in Chicago as well. The AFP Nebraska Chapter sponsors this scholarship opportunity for members of the chapter. The recipient does not need to be a first time attendee. Congratulations Matt and Ryan! See you in Chicago in March 2011!

Upcoming Programs National Philanthropy Day, Wednesday, November 17th at 12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m. Presidents Meeting, Thursday, December 16, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (See details for both of these events above.)