Alexandra Brovey

Welcome to the fall season at PPGGNY! Over the summer both returning and new Board members have been working hard with their committees, developing our fall programs and exciting new initiatives. Kudos go out to Sonja Carter, who has been an active member of the Board and Executive Committee for the past few years. Sonja must step off the Board to focus her efforts on work  this year. We welcome Hugh Williams, who will be stepping up to take Sonja's place as Treasurer.

The fall programming is now set, thanks to the efforts of Program Chair Meryl Cosentino. And although we will all benefit from the experienced speakers and array of topics, our attorney members may be especially glad to hear that CLE credits may be forthcoming for some of the programs with such speakers as Stacy Sulman (September speaker), Neal Myerberg (October speaker), Lawrence Katzenstein (November speaker) and our annual favorite Jonathan Tidd (December speaker). Those who seek CFRE credit will also benefit from an initiative which began at NYPPS 2011. Providing credits for our educational programs is an added benefit that has been suggested by members in surveys over the years.

Another frequent survey request is for a printed member directory. While all members have access to the online (user updated) directory, we will make available a PDF which can be printed. Members who take advantage of this directory should bear in mind that members join or renew all year long, therefore a monthly update will keep the print version reasonably up-to-date.

Finally, I am proud to announce a new committee, the Philanthropic Committee, led by veteran members Barbara Diehl, Claudine Donikian and Hugh Williams. The purpose of this Committee is to formalize PPGGNY's annual appeals and to empower a group to make decisions on awarding your generous donations for a variety of good causes.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the fall meetings, and welcome your input anytime.

PPGGNY President   

SEPTEMBER 21 LUNCHEON

Where Do Big Donors Keep Their Charitable Dollars in a Dismal Economy? A discussion of DAFs, PFs and SPORGs  

Stacy Sulman

During the past two years of economic uncertainty, giving from private foundations has held steady at over $45 billion (per Foundation Center) and Donor Advised Funds have reported increases too. Indeed over the last decade, strategic donors have increasingly turned to these and other entities to hold and administer their charitable dollars, complicating the solicitation process but also expanding the opportunities. This talk will address the what, why, and how of soliciting and closing gifts from private foundations, DAFS, supporting organizations, and other places donors keep charitable dollars with the goal of providing new resources and tools to achieve both the charity's and the donor's philanthropic objectives.

Stacy B. Sulman, J.D. is the Director of Gift Planning for the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science. She works closely with donors and their professional advisors to develop strategic gifts that mesh donors' financial and estate plans with their philanthropic objectives. Previously, Stacy served as Associate Director and General Counsel for the Jewish Community Foundation of MetroWest, New Jersey, the largest community foundation in New Jersey and one of the largest Jewish community foundations in the country. Stacy currently teaches Planned Giving at New York University, and speaks on various aspects of planned giving to local and regional groups. She has also served on the faculty of the University of Arizona College of Law. Stacy received her JD from the University of Arizona College of Law and her bachelor's degree from Bryn Mawr College. She also spent a year at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem as a Raoul Wallenberg Scholar. 

Note: The "Meal of the Day" for this luncheon will be an Entrée Salad with chicken and vegetables; the Kosher meal will be similar.  

Registration fee for Members is $60, for non-members $75, on-site $75. Luncheons will continue to be at the 3-West Club, 3 West 51st Street in Manhattan, from Noon-2:00 pm. 

Register Now

PPGGNY NEWS  

Sponsorship Update 

The Philanthropic Planning Group of Greater New York welcomes back National Madison as our Premier Sponsor for 2011-12 and Pentera as our Lead Educational Sponsor. National Madison will sponsor monthly luncheons. Pentera provides the lead sponsorship of our educational seminars. Thanks to both for their continued support.

PPGGNY offers a wide variety of sponsorship and advertising opportunities. Through our sponsorship packages and recruitment advertising, our sponsors gain access to more than 800 development professionals and executives throughout the greater New York area. Sponsors benefit from exposure to key decision makers and influencers. For more information, please contact us. 

And the Winner is....

The winner of the free registration for the October PPP Conference in San Antonio, TX, is Steven Meyers, from the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science. Steve's name was chosen at random from the list of those who have renewed their membership for 2011-12. In addition to participating in the conference, Steve will participate in the "by invitation" pre-session, Council Conversations on Marketing, along with PPP speakers and local Council leaders. Congratulations Steve!  

Summer Survey Results 

A survey was sent to PPGGNY members in mid-August and nearly 100 responded...a very high response rate as surveys go. Here is some of what you said:

• You're not using the website very much, but when you do it is for the Member Directory, to get event information, and to review The Planner archives.   
• About 1/4 of respondents have ideas for future articles for The Planner, and a number of you are willing to author articles. Thanks, we can use your help!
• Only about 1/3 of you would be willing to pay for a printed directory, but many of you want one. Read below for some good news. 
• Most of you don't yet use social media.  
• 1/3 of respondents are attorneys.
• Most respondents reported that their organizations did not eliminate any gift planning positions in the last 3 years, and just over 1/3 reported that they actually added positions.
• The recent economic downturn has taken a toll on budgets, but respondents have sharpened their focus and generally feel their organizations are more efficient.

As with all surveys, the most valuable information we received came as free form text responses. The Board and committees will be reviewing all of these very closely so that they can act on your your feedback and good ideas. Thanks to all of you who provided PPGGNY with valuable feedback.  

Printable Membership Directory

Printable Directory

You asked for it...you got it!  A printable membership directory is now available on our website for those who would like to have a hard copy.  Just log on to the website, click "Member Directory," then click the link "Printable Membership Directory." The print document will be about 22 one-sided pages and will be updated monthly (the most recent date is displayed next to the link). 

NOTE:  the print version will include only those who have joined or renewed for 2011-12. To ensure that you are listed in the directory updates, please be sure to renew your membership. Enjoy!

Programs 

PPGGNY has been working hard this summer to ensure an innovative and inspiring fall luncheon line-up. Be sure to reserve the following Wednesdays:

• SEPTEMBER 21 (Luncheon Only)  
• OCTOBER 26 (Masters Forum & Luncheon) read more 
• NOVEMBER 16 (Seminar & Luncheon) read more 
• DECEMBER 14 (Seminar & Luncheon) read more 

We know you will want to join us as we delve into hot topics in Planned Giving such as: Estate Administration, Charitable Planning Tricks & Traps. A favorite for many years in a row, Jon Tidd returns again in December with his Annual Gift Planning Quiz.

PPGGNY now has a LinkedIn Group...check it out! 

To supplement The Planner and our website, PPGGNY has created a Linked-In group.  This will be a place for informal discussions and postings like those John Bacon has initiated. And if you join the group, this affiliation can be part of your personal LinkedIn profile, complete with our logo. Check it out:

Membership
We ended the 2010-11 membership year with 244 members; to date we have 171 members for 2011-12...a very nice summer membership drive:   

• 79 Early Birds renewed before June 30 
• 22 New Members joined PPGGNY this year 

Some of you have not yet renewed your membership. Please take this opportunity to renew now. If you are not yet a PPGGNY member, why not join now.

Our new PPGGNY Philanthropic Committee 

A new Philanthropic Committee is being established to formalize PPGGNY's annual giving program by providing a platform for discussion and prioritizing of needs, soliciting contributions and awarding funds for special projects, scholarships and other needs that serve PPGGNY and its membership. Examples include: scholarships to PPGGNY luncheons, seminars, programs (including NYPPS), memberships (full or half-year), PPP conference costs, etc. 

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS  

PPGGNY welcomes:

• Patricia Boutiette, Vice President, Customer Services, State Street Global Advisors
• Valerie Broadie, Director of Development, NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc.
• Kevin Callahan, Vice President-Development, Covenant House 
• Jason Cole, CFP, Managing Director, Abacus Wealth Partners 
• Matthew Freeman, Associate Director of Gift Planning, ACLU Foundation. 
• Katherine Hartman, Development Associate, New York Presbyterian Hospital. 
• Jan Hesbon, Vice President & Dir. of Gift Planning, National Audubon Society. 
• Ali Rosof, Development Executive, UJA-Federation of NY. 
• Ira Weiss, President, Ira C. Weiss, LLC. 
• Kenya White, JD, CEO & Founder, Kenya White & Associates, PLLC 

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Claudine Donikian, JD, MBA 

Claudine Donikian

Claudine Donikian, JD, MBA, is the president, chief executive officer, and chief marketing officer of Pentera, Inc. She oversees all aspects of Pentera's business and marketing strategies, as well as new-product development, with an emphasis on digital marketing.  

Claudine graduated from Indiana University, received an MA in French from New York University, and holds a JD and an MBA from Boston College. She is an active member of PPP, PGGNE, and PPGGNY; she currently serves as Co-Chair of PPGGNY's Philanthropic Committee and previously served on the planning committee of PPGGNY's day-long conference for three years; she is on the board of directors of the Massachusetts Children's Trust Fund, a state agency charged with child abuse prevention; and she is a recent member of the steering committee of the Council at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.