I love November, and not just because there is little chance of any more 100-degree days! This is the month we hold our annual National Philanthropy Day celebration. Unless you've been able to avoid email, postal deliveries, and both public television and radio, you know that the 2011 NPD awards luncheon will be held on Friday November 18th in the Landmark Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion. Many thanks to our good friends at KERA for running our NPD public service announcements again this year.

This will be our 26th consecutive NPD event, and it promises to be the biggest and best ever. As of October 31st, nearly 500 seats have been sold for the event and we're expecting a surge of registrations in these last weeks leading up to the festivities. If you haven't made your reservations yet, information is available online at http://afpdallas.org/npd-previous.asp.

NPD is one of my favorite days of the year. Not only do we shine a deserving light on an all-star cast of honorees, we also celebrate the larger purpose of philanthropy in our community. As fundraisers, we are fortunate to live and work in an area where people's willingness to help others is viewed as more than an obligation. Our donors view philanthropy as an honor and a privilege, one they take seriously yet joyfully. The individuals we will honor on National Philanthropy Day know they represent thousands of their generous fellow citizens. They provide an outstanding example for others to follow.

NPD is a celebration that embraces your role as a fundraiser. As a catalyst for the betterment of our community, fundraisers help provide the critical link between important causes and the resources needed to make dreams a reality for both donor and charity. You have the blessing of seeing miracles every day and can take pride in your role as a facilitator of good work. Often, because of your capable assistance, donors are able to do even more that they believed possible. These important efforts take place year in and year out with little or no fanfare. National Philanthropy Day provides a moment for us all to step back and celebrate the honor of our professional philanthropic endeavors.

In this season of thanksgiving, we owe a sincere and heartfelt "thank you" to the small army that brings NPD to life. You won't find better leaders than our NPD Chair Tanya Downing and her co-chair Abi Erickson, and our Nominating Committee chair Plack Carr and co-chair Kathy Friend. Between these two committees, more than 35 members of our chapter have brought their talents to bear to create a magnificent event. I hope you will join me in congratulating Tanya and Plack and their teams of volunteers on a job well done. They have certainly set a high standard for future committees to follow. Should you see them at NPD or at other events, I hope you will take a moment to express your gratitude. They represent the best our chapter has to offer.

The last two months of 2011 represent prime time for many fundraising organizations. Please know that I wish you all the best in your professional endeavors for the balance of the year, and don't forget to take time to make the holidays memorable for yourself and your families as well!

Best personal regards,

 

 Michael George, CFRE
 Greater Dallas AFP President