Chapter News

By Ben Mohler

The AFP Charlotte Mentoring Committee thanks all the participants in the 2008-2009 mentoring program. This includes this year's mentors for

their leadership and gift of time as they invested in the professional lives of newcomers to the field of professional fundraising. We extend our gratitude to Chris McLeod, J.D., Vice President for The Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust, Patton McDowell of Patton McDowell & Associates, and Stacie Young, Director of Annual Giving at UNC Charlotte. These volunteer presenters shared their professional experiences in special group skill sessions. Finally, the committee congratulates all the mentees that successfully completed the 2008-2009 program.

Mentees were formally recognized on May 20, 2009 at the monthly AFP Charlotte Chapter meeting.

Linda Breen convened the mentoring program graduation ceremony. Breen is the Director of Development for the College of Education at UNC Charlotte, member of the AFP Charlotte chapter board, and the current chair of the AFP Charlotte Mentoring Committee. In her address, Breen overviewed the specific contributions made by mentors, mentees, skill session presenters, and thanked members of the mentoring committee.

Benjamin Mohler, CFRE, Director of Development for The William States Lee College of Engineering at UNC Charlotte, current member of the AFP Charlotte Mentoring Committee and the International Development Committee for AFP International, formally recognized each of the mentees and presented each with individual certificates of completion and an AFP pin.

Amy Tribble, Director of Development at the Council for Children's Rights spoke on behalf of the 2008-2009 mentoring cohort. Tribble is also a member of the AFP Charlotte chapter board and the current chair of the Scholarship Committee. In her address, Tribble challenged seasoned fundraising professionals to consider participating in the program. In her appeal, she offered a mnemonic device:

M, it matters to the future of our profession
E, it is not an ego trip but an act of shared encouragement between you and your mentee
N, it keeps you nimble
T, it tests what you know - or think you know
O, it is an other-directed activity
R, the reward is larger than you can imagine

The program concluded with remarks from Michael Blackwelder, Development Director for the Boys and Girls Club of Cabarrus County and 2008-2009 mentee. Blackwelder spoke about his experience working with his mentor, Mary Ciminelli of Florence Crittenton Services. He credited her for always willing to help by way of "a quick call or email, or longer discussion over coffee." Blackwelder cited that the mentoring program taught him "how important it is to have professional relationships so that we can continue to learn from each other regardless of where we are in our careers."

AFP Charlotte chapter members interested in participating as either a mentor or mentee can now apply for the 2009-2010 program in August 2009. Applications are available here. Questions may be directed to Linda Breen or (704) 687-8489.