Symposium

6th Annual Symposium on Major Gifts

Creating the Environment for Major Gifts
2013 Focus: Success Starts with Strong Leaders

Friday, September 20, 2013
8:00am - 5:00pm
Seattle Marriott Waterfront

AFP Washington’s 6th Annual Symposium on Major Gifts is designed to go upstream and look at the surrounding environment and culture needed for successful major gifts. We will give fundraisers essential tools they need for success and create an opportunity for executive leadership to understand their role and impact in philanthropy. Read the full Symposium press release.

Our approach to the Symposium will include a mix of regional experts, donor panel, peer case studies, challenging conversations, time to work on our own organization’s needs, a chance to assess your own values and leadership, and of course, a few laughs.

Why you need to come and make sure all of your peers and colleagues are there too:

1. Our profession is in the midst of a crisis and it matters to your success-- “Underdeveloped” released in January 2013 by CompassPoint reveals that many nonprofit organizations are stuck in a vicious cycle that threatens their ability to raise the resources needed to succeed. High turnover rates among development professionals, few good examples of building a real culture of philanthropy, and a chronic absence of some of fundraising's most basic tools are all alarm bells sounding simultaneously. Ignoring them is like letting our donors know we aren't ready for major gifts that can make the breakthrough impacts our sector needs. We need leaders who get it and who see mission-centered value in fundraising and we need them now.

2. Leadership – building leaders who fundraise – is key: We must understand the traits of good CEO/Development Director/Board leaders to help grow these leaders in more organizations. We must become these leaders.

3. While the art is fun, systems and the "science" of fundraising can't be forgotten: Good leaders recognize the impact-critical importance of getting the basics right, like having plans that are unified and visionary and reports to tell you how you are doing.

4. Fundraising leaders have to teach the rest of the organization about the core competencies needed to raise major gifts: We will make sure your backpack is full of survival tools to build a philanthropic culture

Join us for a jam-packed day of thought-provoking and inspiring speakers and discussion sessions, including:

Co-author of the "Underdeveloped" report, Marla Cornelius from CompassPoint.
Dr. Bruce Avolio, Executive Director, Center for Leadership & Strategic Thinking, Michael G. Foster School of Business, University of Washington
Ron Schiller, Founding Partner of the Aspen Leadership Group, Author of forthcoming book: The Chief Development Officer: Beyond Fundraising
Mark McCampbell, CFRE, Chief Development Officer, PeaceHealth, St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation

Agenda

• CEO Summit for CEOs and all attendees: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Everyone starts bright and early (after a great breakfast!), but for executive leadership and trustees who might not be able to stay all day, we offer a ½ day intensive to join the rest of the attendees to focus on the CEO/DD partnership and the authentic leadership needed to advance your organization’s fundraising results.

• Symposium Workshop: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
The rest of the attendees merrily continue on in a stimulating mix of workshops, case studies, management tools and peer reviews, ending with a candid discussion to hear directly from donors.

• Celebration: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Stay for a celebration with your 400 new peers and friends...you deserve it.

Registration Information:

• AFP Members
Early Bird, until 08/23/13: $180
Full Price, after 08/23/13: $205

• Non-Members
Early Bird, until 08/23/13: $225
Full Price, after 08/23/13: $285

• CEO Summit Only
Members & Non-members: $125

Register now!

Coming from Bellingham?
Join your colleagues for a relaxing ride on the AFP-WA Symposium Philanthropy Express. AFP-WA will be hosting a no charge charter bus from Bellingham to Seattle on the morning of September 20th. Coffee and a light morning snack will be provided by the Whatcom Community Foundation. Please indicate your interest when completing your registration.

Hotel Information:

Seattle Marriott Waterfront

Special Discounted Room Rates:
$199/night

To reserve a room, please book online or call 1-888-236-24275 and request the special rate for guests of the AFP Washington Chapter. The discounted rate is available until August 20, 2013.

Quotes from previous symposiums:
“I plan my year around making sure my whole team gets to the AFP-WA Symposium on Major Gifts. We use what we learn throughout the year and have significantly advanced our major gifts program.”

“The mix of professionals in the audience as well as diversity of speakers and exercises is stimulating, fun and inspires me to go further in the fundraising profession”

“The AFP-WA Symposium is unlike any other training in the Northwest. It challenges you to question yourself and your program and give you unique tools to lead more effectively.”

“This is the best use of our professional development dollars all year”

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