Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Networking 11:15 a.m.; Lunch 11:45 - 1:00 p.m.

Charlotte Convention Center

Mayor Anthony Foxx proclaims November 15 National Philanthropy Day® in Charlotte. We are celebrating on Wednesday, November 9. Join us! Help us honor those who change the world with a giving heart. Tables and individual tickets are on sale. Table sponsorship (seating for 8) is $500.   Individual registration is $60. To purchase click here.  For more information contact Stephanie at 704-887-0298 or email Stephanie Stenglein.  

HEART OF PLATINUM MEDIA SPONSOR

HEART OF GOLD SPONSOR

In October, AFP Charlotte sent two representatives from the Chapter Board of Directors to AFP Leadership Academy, the annual gathering of AFP chapter leaders from around the world. The 2011 Leadership Academy was held in Montreal, Canada. Besides 2012 President Katie Benston and 2012 President-elect Patton McDowell, chapter members Doug Hartjes, John Joslin, and Ben Mohler, who participate in committees at the international level, also attended the Academy.

Much of the three-day Leadership Academy is spent learning about chapter leadership best practices, networking with chapter and international volunteers from across North America, and receiving information from AFP International (AFP IHQ) that we can put to use in our chapter. Katie and Patton will be sharing the best of these ideas with the Board during our annual planning retreat and throughout the year. The weekend also includes several meetings devoted to governance, such as electing district representatives to AFP IHQ committees.

Besides learning that in French-speaking Montreal, fundraising is known as "gestion philanthropique", we learned that:

• As a member of AFP, you are entitled to AFP pricing for educational events and programs at any AFP chapter throughout the world.
• You can now change your log in to the AFP site from your membership number to a login that may be easier for you to remember. (To change your log-in, once you've logged into www.afpnet.org, go to My AFP Profile up at the top of the page.  In that section is a link called Password Change and you'll be able to change both the User ID and Password)
• AFP voted to amend membership categories, which will be implemented in 2012.
• AFP introduced the Ethics Assessment Inventory, a new voluntary and confidential tool designed to help members assess their ethics in practice.
• AFP launched an online community for members called AFP P2P. Set up your profile and check it out.
• If you are interested, consider joining an AFP IHQ committee, to expand your involvement with AFP IHQ.

The 2012 AFP Leadership Academy will be held in October 2012 in Houston, TX. If you have any questions about Leadership Academy, please contact Katie Benston, 2011 President-elect.  

Laurie Schwartz

Development Director

A Child's Place

Where were you born? How and when did you end up in Charlotte?

I was born in Newnan, GA.  My family moved to Charlotte from Fairfax, VA just two weeks before I started the first grade ... back when South Park was a cow pasture ... because my father was starting a new job.

Why did you join AFP? How long have you been a professional fundraiser?

Joining AFP was one of the first things I did after coming to work at A Child's Place in December 2004.  My prior career was in television advertising.  With 26 years in that profession I thought I knew pretty much everyone.  Nothing could have been farther from the truth!  Realizing my mistake pretty quickly, I joined AFP to begin networking and also started getting to know Amy Tribble (a friend of hers from college had been one of my advertising clients).

What has been the greatest benefit of membership for you?

Being the sole fundraiser at the agency when I started, it was really important to find resources I could go to, people with education and experience who were qualified and willing to help me understand my new field and adapt my skills. There are some pretty darned smart AFP members in case you hadn't noticed!  They were there for me, providing invaluable information and context.

What would you say to others who are considering AFP membership?

At my very first meeting Donna Meindt Mitchell requested volunteers for the AFP Philanthropy Day committee.  To help me connect more quickly I volunteered for that committee, serving on it a total of three years.  My experiences on that committee and the talented fundraisers I met there made my first few years in a new career more valuable to my agency and the homeless children we serve.

Jenni Barker

Annual Fund Manager

Mint Museum of Art

Lauren Flanary

Development &Marketing Coordinator

The NASCAR Foundation

Mary Jane Gallagher

Charlotte Latin School

Caila Jaclyn Gorniewicz

Operations Coordinator

The NASCAR Foundation

Melanie E Jones

VP for College Advancement

York Technical College

Beth Levanti

Development Manager

Charlotte Symphony

Marianne Danielle Schild

Donor Relations Manager

YWCA Central Carolinas 

Congratulations to Deepa Naik, Donor Relations Coordinator with United Family Services, who has been chosen as AFP Charlotte's 2012 Chamberlain Scholarship winner!

Deepa will join development professionals from around the world at AFP's International Conference in Vancouver next April.

Special thanks to all of our wonderful applicants!

A Special Evening with Civic Leaders Sally Robinson and John Crawford

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Levine Museum of the New South  

5:30-6:30 PM: Reception and tour of COURAGE: The Carolina Story that Changed America exhibit

6:30-7:30 PM: Program and Q&A

Audience: AFP Charlotte board members, CFREs, and fundraising professionals with 10+ years of experience

AFP Charlotte Chapter has planned a special evening with two of Charlotte's most respected civic leaders, Sally Robinson and John Crawford.  

Twenty years ago Sally and John founded two important institutions, Levine Museum of the New South and The Charlotte Housing Authority Scholarship Fund, respectively. During the program, they will discuss the courage it took to start these organizations, the challenges of the time and the most important lessons they learned. They will share their insights and wisdom on philanthropy and leadership that all fundraisers could benefit from.

Cost: $15 AFP Members - $25 Guests

RSVP by:Tuesday, November 29, 2011  Registration Link

FREE to Nonprofit Board Members and Executives
2 representatives total per organization   

An educational and informative day of networking and direct dialogue with non profit partners and corporate funders - a way to better connect to programs, giving objectives, philanthropic perspectives.  Limited capacity - first 150 to respond will be guaranteed a seat.  Featuring nationally known keynote speaker on corporate philanthropy Curt Weeden.  RSVP