Fall is here and we are all busy! This issue will introduce the work underway with two new initiatives, the Philanthopic

Committee and the Accreditation Committee.  The Philanthropic Committee is charged with effectively stewarding the generous contributions of our members, and work of the Accreditation team will be of particular interest to attorney members and members who hold the CFRE credential.

This month we welcome back a familiar speaker, Neal Myerberg, who will speak about philanthropy in an uncertain economic climate. Neal will also lead our first Master's Forum for our experienced members.

Members indicated in the summer survey that they use the website primarily to sign-up for meetings and NYPPS, to find other members and to view the job postings. Members can now print a PDF of the member directory if you (like your President!) miss the former printed directory. While you are logged-in, you can also print prior presentations and check out our sponsors. I look forward to seeing many of you in October. As always, I welcome your input at any time.

PPGGNY President

NEW! Ask the President

(Our members have suggested that their President respond to questions posed by them. This is the first of what will be a regular article to address members' questions).

OCTOBER 26 LUNCHEON

Speaker: Neal Myerberg, Esq.

Coming out of the Recession? What's Working in 2011 and What's Ahead in 2012

Neal Myerberg, Esq.

While it is unclear whether the U.S. economy is coming out of the recession or headed for a double dip, either occurrence challenges a planner to take advantage of unique situations. Even if the recession eases, it will be quite some time before individuals regain confidence in investment markets and a willingness to take risks with their assets and their income.

The challenge for the planner is to introduce life income plans that will meet the economic needs of individuals and families and to design strategies to enable the transfer of assets in light of estate tax indecisiveness while preserving income and capital throughout retirement years. The presentation will illustrate examples of vehicles to meet the needs of donors in this uncertain economic climate.

Note: The "Meal of the Day" for this luncheon is Herb Crusted Codfish. The Kosher meal will be similar.

Registration fee for Members is $60, for non-members $75, on-site $75. Luncheons are held at The 3-West Club, 3 West 51st Street in Manhattan, from Noon-2:00 pm.

Register Now 

PPGGNY NEWS

PPP San Antonio Update

Congratulations to the following PPGGNY members who spoke at the National Conference on Philanthropic Planning in San Antonio, TX this month:

• Alexandra Brovey
• Meryl Cosentino
• Margaret Holman
• Wally Munro
• MaryLou Murphy
• Neal Myerberg
• Henry Rubin
• Bill Samers

Highlights of some of these presentations will be featured in future issues of The Planner.

NEW! PPGGNY Accreditation Committee

A new committee, The Accreditation Committee, will be formed to assist in securing CLE, CFRE and other professional continuing education credits for our seminars, luncheons and other programs including NYPPS. Led by members Dianne Armstrong, Bill Scheffer and Elisse Stern, the committee will work hard to pursue this additional member benefit.

September Luncheon Survey Results

We had some interesting feedback about the September Luncheon and some good take-aways from those who attended. Here are a few:

• "I learned about the flexibility for private foundations to make loans, virtual endowments (which I am exploring further through some articles I found online), and letters of intent from donor-advised funds in lieu of formal (and bookable) pledges."
• "Donors have many pockets. Why ask for gifts from just one? It is better to consider the entire capacity of the donor, than just one aspect. But charities have to be wise to what kind of gift the donor is giving, not just what they're asking."

With respect to the question, "What enticed you to join PPGGNY and to keep coming back", what we learned is that it is camaraderie, networking & learning. Here is what some of you shared:

• "I first became involved in the mid-80s when it was a small group who brown-bagged lunch meetings at a meeting room at NYU! The impetus then, and now, was to provide a collegial setting for colleagues to consistently share high quality and relevant information that can be implemented strategically and immediately in one's own individual fund-raising practice."
• "The chance to network with others who are engaged in similar work at a higher level than what is usually offered through more generalist groups like AFP. The learning opportunities through the luncheons, seminars and NYPPS have been great learning experiences."
• "I work in major gifts, and I joined PPGGNY because I feel strongly that individual gift officers need to understand planned giving better and know how to work it into their donor strategies."

Finally, from those who were not members and attended, here's why:

• "I was referred by a Covenant House colleague, Norman Lotz. Glad I took his advice." (Thanks Norman!)
• "I was encouraged by current members of PPGGNY to attend a meeting."

So there you have it! PPGGNY is about networking and specialized educational programs geared to planned giving and major gift professionals, and it is the recommendations of PPGGNY members that bring in new people.

As surveys go, a 20% response rate is pretty good...PPGGNY people generally do better than that and this last survey produced a response rate of nearly 50%!! Thanks to all of you who provided PPGGNY with valuable feedback.

Upcoming Programs

Upcoming programs will likely draw larger than usual audiences and we have limited capacity...reserve your place now.

• NOVEMBER 16: Lawrence Katzenstein, Esq. (Seminar & Luncheon) read more 
• DECEMBER 14: Jonathan Tidd, Esq. (Seminar & Luncheon) read more 

Each of these programs will be submitted for CLE and CFRE credit.

Membership Has Its Privileges
Membership gets you listed in the online and printed Member Directory and access to all Members Only features of our website. Have you renewed your membership for 2011-12? If not, renew now. Not a member? Why not join now and begin to enjoy the benefits.

A Gift That Makes an IMMEDIATE Impact!

PPGGNY's new Philanthropic Committee was formed to manage and recommend uses for all donations received by PPGGNY. The committee considers, among other things, grants for individuals with financial need resulting from such things as organizations that have had to cut back on funding, lost jobs or being in transition, or being self-employed. Other uses of donated funds could be to help PPGGNY members attend special programs (e.g., national conferences), and/or to attract outstanding speakers to enrich the knowledge of PPGGNY members.

Here are some points to consider:

• a gift of $480 will pay for a member to attend the luncheons for the entire year
• $275 will pay for someone to attend the NY Philanthropic Planning Symposium
• $200 will permit a member to attend the Seminar series, and
• $60 will pay for a member to attend a monthly luncheon.

There are undoubtedly many other ways PPGGNY could use donated funds to benefit PPGGNY members, and you can be sure we will use those funds where they are most greatly needed. Pentera, Inc. has already stepped forward with a generous donation, as have several PPGGNY members. We invite and encourage other sponsors and members to do the same. Please donate now.

Thanks, Co-chairs Claudine Donikian, Barbara Diehl and Hugh Williams

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

PPGGNY Welcomes:

• Gail J. Gordon, Sr. Director, Gift Planning & Compliance, The Jewish Federations of North America.
• Mary Sexton, Director of Major Gifts, Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).
• Bruce Temkin, Director of Planned Giving, New Israel Fund.

New members can be identified by a green "New Member" ribbon at their first PPGGNY luncheon... please make a special effort to welcome them.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Hugh M. Williams

Hugh M. Williams

As an experienced development professional, Hugh M. Williams has 16 years of scaling-up business plans for major gift and planned giving efforts for nonprofit organizations in need of revitalization and financial development.

Hugh has maximized fund development results by applying fiduciary responsibilities and successful financial results to non-profits. Over time he has helped them to strategize and re-focus previously untapped revenue sources.

All of this work is based upon his first 20 years as a bank Trust and Estate officer, managing high net worth families' finances.

Hugh is currently serving as Treasurer of PPGGNY.