A Look Ahead and A Remembrance
Philanthropy Forecast 2012 was once again a great forum for information and predictions in several key areas important to our work. One hundred seventy-five nonprofit fundraisers, executives and volunteers heard from an impressive array of panelists. The speakers were informative and candid in their assessments of corporate and foundation giving, trends in media and communications, and the impact of the current political climate on the nonprofit sector. With fundraisers in attendance good audience participation was guaranteed! There were lively exchanges among the panelists and thoughtful questions from the floor.
NCSU Distinguished Professor and Economist Michael Walden gave an exceptional keynote address on The State of the North Carolina Economy. I understood more about the whys and wherefores of the state of our economy than I ever have, and frankly it’s a subject which sometimes goes over my head. Kudos to longtime member and past chapter president Tom Hull, the driving force behind this unique event for the past three years, and to the entire PF12 committee. If you missed it this year, make plans to attend in 2013!
Programs Chair April Anthony has been busy lining up amazing chapter breakfast programs. Coming up soon on February 16 national speaker Jason Lee, general counsel for advocacy and ethics at AFP International, will give a presentation on “Navigating Ethics in Fundraising.” He will discuss how to handle requests that border on the unethical, illustrate common mistakes, and use interactive examples demonstrating how to determine the right and wrong sides of what is often a fine line.
AFP Triangle will host Michele Lynn, Principal of Michele Lynn Communications, on March 15. Michele will show us how to communicate impactful stories, connecting us to our prospects and donors on an emotional level that motivates action. Registration is open for what will be an interesting and interactive presentation. I hope you will plan to attend the upcoming chapter meetings and bring along a colleague who would benefit from the presentations and from learning more about our professional association.
Finally, as you all know, our philanthropic community lost an incomparable leading light in the recent passing of Mary D.B.T. Semans. Whether you are one who had the pleasure of knowing her personally, or one who simply knew or experienced the significant impact of her extraordinary passion and commitment to many causes deeply felt, we pause in remembrance of Mrs. Semans, who made the world a better, more beautiful, more compassionate place. I encourage you to listen again and take to heart the spirit of her message as Honorary Chair of our National Philanthropy Day celebration last November.
Genevieve
Genevieve Joseph is President of the AFP Triangle Chapter, and Individual Gifts Officer for NC Prevention Partners. /em>
