Greater Dallas Chapter AFP May 2010 E-Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Recently, I received a reminder that my CFRE credential is due for renewal in July. There are many reasons that I value my membership with the AFP Greater Dallas Chapter, including good friends and professional colleagues, access to helpful reference materials on the AFP website (www.afpnet.org) and the opportunity to attend CFRE-approved workshops and conferences to help me meet my certification requirements! On Thursday, June 24th, the Fort Worth Chapter AFP will present, in cooperation with your Dallas chapter, the 2010 DFW Philanthropy Conference, Building Relationships: Sustaining the Future. You have until May 22th to register at the early-bird rate of $125. If two or more individuals register from the same organization, that registration drops to just $100. Once again, the conference committee has convened some of the top thinkers in our field to address essential topics such as branding, direct mail, career management and strategic planning.

After returning from the AFP International Conference in Baltimore, I concluded that stepping away from my workplace for a few days had been not only a welcome change but also an opportunity to learn from others and well worth the time and expense. There were several good ideas I learned in Baltimore that will have immediate benefit back home. Without a doubt, the 2010 DFW Philanthropy Conference will be equally productive for us all.

At our April luncheon, we announced the AFP Now Campaign. This year marks the first time we'll be combining the traditional Every Member Campaign with fundraising for ourown chapter. For each dollar donated to AFP Now, 70 cents will stay here and 30 cents will be directed to AFP International. Our goal for the 2010 AFP Now Campaign is $17,500. These funds will enable our chapter to maintain the level of services that our membership expects and demands. With additional financial resources we'll be able to augment our programs with increased educational opportunities and scholarships, while continuing to contribute to the important work of the AFP Foundation of Philanthropy. I am proud to report that everyone on your board has already made a gift. We are now asking our members to do the same. Contributions may be made directly on the chapter website at www.afpdallas.org.

Greater Dallas chapter member Jonathan Schick presents Secrets and Stories from the Nonprofit Sector at the next chapter luncheon meeting on May 26th at Arlington Hall. I first met Jonathan at a workshop he gave at the Center for Nonprofit Management and was so impressed, I hired him as a consultant. He will bring to our meeting a number of concrete ideas that will strengthen your skills as a fundraising professional. .

My best,