I am certain I feel as many as of you do - that I can't quite believe summer is just about over.  And as we all gear up for a very busy fall, I wanted to be sure to highlight what has been going on in the chapter.

Philanthropy Day winners have been announced, and the honorees continue to represent the best our community has to offer.  I know you will be moved by their stories and efforts, and I hope you will be able to attend this year's Philanthropy Day on November 1, 2013, at the Overture Center. This year's winners are:

Outstanding Philanthropic Organization
A Fund for Women (Nominator: Bob Sorge, Madison Community Foundation)

Outstanding Business
 Zimbrick, Inc. (Nominator: Leslie Ann Howard, United Way of Dane County)

Outstanding Philanthropists
 John and Coleen Flad (Nominator: Jeff Poltawsky, American Family Children's Hospital)

Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser
 Gordon Derzon (Nominator: Dr. Ken Loving, Access Community Health Centers)

Outstanding Young Philanthropist
 Franny Donovan (Nominator: Michael Johnson, Boys & Girls Club of Dane County)

Lifetime Achievement - Fundraising Professional
 Martha Taylor (Nominator: Amy Overby, Madison Community Foundation)

Lifetime Achievement
 Susan and Jonathan Lipp (Nominators: Steve Freese, Circus World Museum and Randy Hackbarth, Smith & Gesteland, LLP)

By now you should have received your invitation in the mail. (If you have not, please let us know and we will make sure you are added to the mailing list.) I want to urge you to register as soon as possible.  Each year, this event sells out weeks in advance, and sponsorships are again at an all-time high for the coming Philanthropy Day.  Sponsorship dollars are really wonderful for the chapter in that those funds are used for a number of chapter services - including scholarships.  The flip side is that there are far fewer seats available for single ticket buyers. In addition to sending in your reply card, you are also able to register online at Madison AFP Philanthropy Day Registration.

And speaking of scholarships, we have funds available for chapter members. Please login to your AFP account and go to Scholarships for more information.  If you are in the first four years of your fundraising career, you can apply for a scholarship to attend the Fundamentals in Fundraising taking place on September 27 and 28.  You can also apply for a Chamberlain scholarship which can be used to attend AFP's International Conference in San Antonio from March 23^rd to the 25^th.  Finally, our chapter also offers scholarships for members to attend a professional conference of their choice.

I look forward to seeing many of you at chapter meetings and events. Until then, enjoy your last days of summer!