THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER

Oklahoma Dreamin’

I’ve spent a good part of the past three weeks in California.  First, at the AFP International Conference in San Diego, and, now, as I write this, I’m in San Francisco on a business trip with my husband, Bill.

California is beautiful.  Sun, surf, sand, palm trees….it’s an amazing place to visit.  Notice I said visit.  No matter how beautiful or fun a place California is, I still look forward to returning home to Oklahoma.

I know people from all over the country, and I know they think I’m a crazy Okie hick when I tell them that there’s no place like home….no place like Oklahoma.  I’m sure they think I’ve not been outside my home state much, and they assume I just don’t know better.  Truth be told, they just don’t know better.

I’ve traveled all over the United States, to Europe, to Canada and south of the border.  I love visiting other places, but I always look forward to my return.  I love Oklahoma City, the people, the places, my friends, my family and the work I am allowed to do for the YMCA.

That’s what makes the reality of what’s happening to me this summer all that more difficult to adjust to for me.  For those of you who haven’t heard, I will be relocating to the Dallas/Fort Worth area sometime this summer, probably early June.  My husband is hot stuff in his company and has recently been promoted to run basically the entire western half of the country (as far as rigging and lifting equipment manufacturing sales and distribution goes anyway).  I’m very proud of him, and, since his salary is what allows me to do the work I love and still maintain a certain lifestyle, my son and I will follow.

For years, Dallas has been like California to me….a great place to visit for shopping and fun for a weekend or so.  Now, I’ll be living there.  I am certain I will learn to love the Metroplex, but Oklahoma City will remain a part of my family, my heart and me.  I’ve lived in Texas before, spending seven years in Houston.  We jumped at the chance to return home nine years ago and have never regretted the decision.  Sure, we missed Astros baseball and Rockets basketball, but we traded that fun for a community that embraced us, where we have found lifelong friends and where my son has learned the true meaning of “it takes a village.”

I have already connected with the Fort Worth AFP Chapter President and plan to become involved with that chapter once my move is complete.  I’m currently looking for a job that I’ll love doing there as much as I’ve enjoyed the “dream job” I have at the Y here.  As I said, my husband makes it possible for me to do work that makes me feel proud, and I plan to continue trying to make a difference in my NEW community as much as I can.  (If you hear of anything, please let me know!)  I still believe in AFP and the powerful presence a strong chapter can have in the community it serves.  I’ll do what I can to help the chapter there remain strong.

As for your Oklahoma Chapter, I leave it in very capable hands.  Damon King with the Regional Food Bank is the President-Elect, so he’ll take over.  He and I have already been discussing the transition.  He will be a wonderfully dynamic leader.  You’ll get an extra six months of his leadership, too, so he’ll have the chance to really do a lot during his tenure.  You still get at least one more month of me, though….I’m not leaving until I have to.  My son is finishing the fifth grade at Deer Creek Elementary, and I’ve got a great house to sell. 

Thank you for the work you do everyday to make our community one that I will always fondly call “home.”  Once I’m gone, I’ll still be Oklahoma Dreamin’ even as I sleep beneath the big and bright stars at night deep in the heart of Texas.

Sally Ray

MAY AFP LUNCHEON

Ann Dagg, Merrill Lynch

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Sportsman’s Club

11:45 a.m.

Ann Dagg, a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch, will share her insights on working with donors and their professional advisors.  As an advisor, Ann helps her clients develop strategies and solutions to manage their finances and realize their lifetime goals.  Ann’s services include:  personal wealth management; retirement planning; tax and estate planning; asset allocation; education and risk protection; and charitable foundations.

A graduate of William Woods, Ann has been with Merrill Lynch since 2001.  Prior to her Merrill Lynch work, Ann was a professional fundraiser for 15 years.  She has vast experience in capital campaigns and developing planned giving programs.

Ann and her family are members of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church.  She participates with various community boards including Leaders Read, St. John’s Episcopal School and Smart Start OK.

 

AFP MEMBER SPOTLIGHT…SUE LAMPTON

Position and Organization – Vice President, Development, City Rescue Mission

Years in Fundraising – 11 years

Best fundraising tip received – While I had many years of experience in marketing, when first entering the non-profit world I felt awkward about asking folks for money --particularly face to face. A dear friend acknowledged feeling the same in the early stages of her non-profit career but added, “Sue, you’re not a salesperson in the non-profit world.  You’re advocating for those who have no voice.”  The awkwardness melted away; I’ve been an advocate ever since!

Most useful fundraising resource – AFP Oklahoma.  I know it’s a budget issue for many but I urge each of you to find the funds to enroll your development staff for membership in AFP.  Exposing City Rescue Mission’s development team to the resources and training offered by our local chapter is such a practical resource and immensely more fun than reading a book! 

Why I love non-profit work – I’m an advocate for the marginalized -- what a win-win situation! 

 

2008 EVERY MEMBER CAMPAIGN

The Every Member Campaign is AFP’s annual fund drive.  All local AFP chapters participate on behalf of AFP’s Foundation for Philanthropy.  Contributions support AFP strategic initiatives that advance philanthropy through ethical and effective fundraising.  Funds raised help achieve AFP’s mission to enhance philanthropy and volunteerism through programs of education, research and service that benefit those who lead, serve and support nonprofit institutions.  The National Every Member Campaign goal for 2008 is $520,000. 

The AFP Oklahoma Chapter Goal for 2008 is $2,450.  If we meet or exceed our goal for 2008, AFP Oklahoma will be eligible to receive 25% of the total gifts received through the Every Member Campaign Chapter Partnership Grant.  This year we are submitting a grant proposal in the amount of $616.25 because YOU helped us reach our goal in 2007!  Thank you – and let’s do it again!

A special thank you to those AFP Oklahoma members who have already contributed to the 2008 Every Member Campaign:

 

SAVE THE DATE:  NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY

Friday, November 14, 2008

The Skirvin Hilton Hotel

Thank you so much to the wonderful and hardworking NPD committee members!  This special day to recognize philanthropists in our community and professional development for nonprofits could not happen without each of you!  We value AFP Oklahoma members’ input and suggestions for the event. 

Speakers Needed for NPD:  If you have Speaker ideas, please contact Damon King at dking@regionalfoodbank.org.

NPD Sponsorships:  If you would like to be a sponsor for NPD or know of an individual, foundation or corporation who we should approach, please contact Mandy Ellis at mellis@unitedwayokc.com.

If you would like to join the NPD Committee, please contact one of the Co-Chairs, Stacey Weddington at sw@oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org or Jennifer Harrison at jharrison@occc.edu.

 

AFP OKLAHOMA MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

The newly formed Membership Committee is pleased to announce the following new AFP members as of March 31, 2008:

John Been, OK Lions Service Foundation

Katie Bonebrake, Positive Tomorrows

Diane Caribardi, American Red Cross

Jeanean Marie Castle, Oklahoma Christian School

John Cougher, OU College of Education

Margaret Creighton, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Jilian Day, Boys & Girls Club of Oklahoma County

Richard “Dick” Dulaney, Consultant

Mark Fried, Alzheimer’s Association

Debbie Gage, Rylyn Meacham Center

Elizabeth Kirkland, Prevent Blindness Oklahoma

Kelley McGuire, Big Brothers Big Sisters

Jim O’Brien, Center of Family Love

Crystal Slater, Girl Scouts-Red Lands Council

Johnny C. Upton, IPH Foundation

John Clay Wright, Jr.

The Membership Committee is developing a new Scholarship Program for current members to help with membership dues, professional development and related expenses.  Look for the new scholarship application and policies soon on the Chapter web site.  To download the application, go to: http://www.afpoklahoma.org/Membership.asp.

The Membership Committee is also planning a summer social in June or July.  If you have ideas for the social or would like to join the membership committee, please contact Jennifer Harrison, VP for Membership, at 405-682-1611 x7771 or via email at jharrison@occc.edu.

 

KIRKPATRICK FAMILY FUND MATCH

The AFP Oklahoma Chapter has been given a tremendous opportunity from the Kirkpatrick Family Fund to take part in honoring Mr. Kirkpatrick’s remarkable philanthropic legacy.  We are eligible to receive a matching gift up to $5,000 from the Family Fund to our affiliated fund held at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. 

Your gift will help secure the future of AFP Oklahoma so that future generations of professional fundraisers can benefit from the mentoring, networking and educational opportunities that AFP provides.

You can make your gift directly to the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, PO Box 1146, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1146.  Or you can make a gift online at www.occf.org.  Be sure to designate your gift to the AFP Oklahoma Chapter fund.

 

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

If you’re looking for a new challenge in the development arena, visit the AFP Oklahoma website at www.afpoklahoma.org/JobOpportunities.asp for a list of exciting opportunities and information on how to apply. 

>Oklahoma City Philharmonic
Database/Records Coordinator

>American Red Cross
Director Chapter Development

>Payne Education Center
Administrative Assistant and Project Coordinator

>Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
Executive Assistant - Development

>Oklahoma City Community Foundation
Scholarship Fund Administrator

 

e-mail: afpoklahoma@gmail.com

web: www.afpoklahoma.org

PO Box 217

Oklahoma City, OK 73101

 

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