AFPMASH ● Summer Newsletter ● August 2015

he Mahoning-Shenango Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals is comprised of a diverse group of members, each

with their own story and unique background. This section of the newsletter will highlight a current member, providing readers with a glimpse into their

peers’ life and career.

Lisa Gentile, Development Director at Copeland Oaks Foundation

Was fundraising your first career choice? Most of us don’t set out to become professional fundraisers;

I think you just kind of “fall into it.” My first career plan was to work in HR at a for-profit manufacturing

company. Transitioning from a for-profit company to a not-for-profit organization was certainly a huge change for me. When I would spend the day meeting and talking with donors, I remember thinking, “Wow, I’m getting paid for this, is this really considered a job?” And I’ve been in development work for more than 17 years now and still loving it just as much as I did when I started.

What do you like best about your work? As the Administrator of the Oaks Foundation and the Director of Development for Copeland Oaks Retirement Community, the best part of my job is meeting with donors and learning about them and their families. I find people interesting and absolutely enjoy the time I spend getting to know them better. I spend the most time with donors that I know are passionate about the organization I work for and understand our mission.

AFPMASH MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

AFPMASH in partnership with the Mahoning/ Shenango Planned Giving Council presents:

Donor-Centered Fundraising The Key to Philanthropic Success

“Member Spotlight” continued on page 3

This year’s full day seminar focuses on donor-centered fundraising, leadership and public policy impact, presented by qualified professionals Penelope Burk and Bob Carter, CFRE. The agenda also includes a Hot Bench Panel discussion of several cases of ethics. CFRE Continuing Education Credits are available. PENELOPE BURK

Keynote Speaker BOB CARTER, CFRE Luncheon Speaker

Register today at www.afpmash.org! Seminar Fee $100 after September 18th

$10 Discount Each for AFP and PGC Membership

Thursday, October, 22, 2015 Holiday Inn Boardman│8am-3pm

Event Sponsors: Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley│Catholic Diocese of Youngstown│Community Foundation of Western PA and Eastern Ohio│Farmers Trust│Home Savings Charitable Foundation Key Private Bank│PNC Bank│YSU Foundation

Dear Friends,

As the dog days of summer slow the pace down a bit, your AFP board and committees are still hard at work. (Did you know that the term “dog days” was so named because the ancient Romans associated the hot weather with the Dog Star Sirius?) The Program Committee is finalizing the rest of its plans for this year, including a revamped Meet the Funders, scheduled for September this year, and a workshop in October on getting the most out of your special events. We’ll end the year looking forward with fundraising trends and what you can anticipate in 2016.

The National Philanthropy Day Committee has once again selected the recipients who will be honored in November, a daunting task as always. There are so many deserving individuals, groups and organizations that it makes the final choices difficult. One thing that we always take away, however, is the fact that there are so many in our community willing to help others, and many who do so without receiving or wanting recognition for their efforts. They do their work quietly, their personal satisfaction reward enough. Our community is so much better because of these dedicated individuals.

Of course, there is the Annual Seminar committee, which has an amazing day planned for us on October 22, with nationally known speaker and author Penelope Burk, as well as Bob Carter, former chair of the AFP International Foundation, as our guests. It will definitely be a great day in the Mahoning Valley for those in the fundraising profession!

Several other committees are working to make AFP Mahoning / Shenango stronger and more responsive to members’ needs. The Diversity, Communications and Scholarship, as well as Government Relations, Membership and Mentoring are all moving their agendas forward in accordance with our strategic plan. Members will hear more at our annual meeting in October.

While I truly hate to see summer come to a close – and those of you who know me well know how much I loathe winter – I am looking forward to what our chapter has to offer this fall in the way of programming. I think we have an outstanding array of educational opportunities for fundraisers at every level. I hope you’ll take advantage of them!

Linda Kostka, CFRE, AFP Mahoning-Shenango Chapter President Coordinator of Development and Donor Services, Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley

Brian Amos, President Amos Communications, Inc., Beloit, OH

David Baker, Annual Giving Coordinator YSU Foundation, Youngstown, OH

Kathy Evans, Director or Marketing & Recruitment NE Ohio Adoption Services, Warren, OH

New AFPMASH Members January 1-June 30, 2015

Scott Landy, Development Coordinator Meridian Healthcare, Youngstown, OH

David Lee-Morgan, Development Officer YSU Foundation, Youngstown, OH

Chaney Nezbeth, Development Officer YSU Foundation, Youngstown, OH

Brian A. Nord, Development Officer YSU Foundation, Youngstown, OH

Kaitlyn Pinter, Development Associate YSU Foundation, Youngstown, OH

RECENT PROGRAMS AND EDUCATION Did you know statistics show women are more involved than ever in giving to charitable causes? Did you know Baby Boomers are primarily interested in local charities? Or that 64% of donors are from the population’s least wealthy segment?

Those facts, along with the trends and best practices that follow them, were presented at two recent AFPMASH programs: “The Browning & Graying of America” (April 25th) and “Women as Philanthropists” (June 11th). Join us for the next program and see what leading technique or helpful hint you can take away and apply within your everyday setting.

Meet the Funders Registration & Networking 11:00 a.m. Lunch 11:30 a.m.│Program 12:00-1:00 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 10, 2015│Tippecanoe Country Club

Board and Annual Meeting Registration & Continental Breakfast 8:00 a.m. Board Meeting 8:30 a.m. Annual Membership Meeting 9:00 a.m. Thurs., Oct. 2, 2015│Details TBA

TBD Registration & Networking 11:00 a.m. Lunch 11:30 a.m.│Program 12:00-1:30 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 3, 2015 D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center

When I’m having a bad day, I reach out to those who are making a positive impact in the community and it always makes me feel better.

What suggestions would you give to someone entering the field? The best advice I can give to someone entering the fundraising field is to be a great listener. Really listen to

what your donors and prospective donors are saying. If a donor has questions about a particular project you are raising funds for, get them the answers they are seeking. Always follow through and do what you say you are going to do and keep the communication going. Remember to step outside of your comfort zone; we can’t grow unless we challenge ourselves to step into unfamiliar territory.

To read the rest of the Member Spotlight with Lisa Gentile, visit www.afpmash.org today!

National Philanthropy Day Registration 11:00 a.m.│Welcome & Lunch 11:30 a.m. Award Presentation 12:30 p.m. Fri., Nov, 20, 2015│Mr. Anthony’s

Top: Attendees at “Women as Philanthropists,” presented by Dr. Suzanne Allen (left),

president and CEO of Philanthropy Ohio

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT—LISA GENTILE Continued from Front Page

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AFPMASH needs your help to grow its membership! Listed are just four of the top ten reasons to join AFP. Share these and your own experience as an AFP member with colleagues and friends. Show others how they can make a difference as a member of AFPMASH!

The rest of the 10 Ten List, along with the variety

of membership levels available, can be found at http://www.afpnet.org/Join/ . Use the below coupon to join today!

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“AFP Mahoning/Shenango Chapter”