The President’s Corner

Is there anybody listening? Is there anybody watching?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you thought that no one was listening to or watching you, so you let your true colors come out? I recently experienced one of those little nuggets of joy.

I had just gone through the drive-thru at Sonic and made my way back to the office. As I pulled into the parking lot dreaming of my tater tots, Duran Duran’s A View to a Kill came on the radio. I saw no one in any vehicle, so being the nerd I am, I rolled down the windows and began to sing along at the top of my lungs. I had just begun to “dance into the fire” when what do I see but in the vehicle next me, one of my co-workers who had been napping suddenly rises up and proclaims, “Some of us are trying to sleep here!”

Now, for those of you who aren’t familiar with Duran Duran, being caught listening to, much less singing along with them, is grounds for immediate revocation of my Man Card. However, that particular song is at least the theme to a James Bond film, so I guess that’s manly enough.  But, my true colors came out when I thought no one was listening or watching.

For fundraisers, the only concrete evidence of our work is money flowing into the organization. That’s what people see. Yet, fundraisers spend a lot of time working with no one watching or listening. We work behind the scenes most of the time, making sure our CEO and Board Members are well-respected in the community. We support Program staff by carrying the mission and passion for our organization in our hearts to donors. We work evenings and weekends to further the mission, often at the expense of time that could be spent with family or friends.

It’s nice to receive recognition for a job well done, but fundraisers don’t necessarily expect it. Recognition or not, we do what we do because we believe it is the right thing to do. Certainly, we all have to make a living, so it’s not entirely an altruistic activity in which we engage. But each one of you goes above and beyond the 8 to 5 work day. You do this with no expectation of praise or glory. You just as readily sweep the floor as meet with a million dollar donor. You do whatever it takes to make your organization strong.

So what are your true colors when no one is watching or listening? Chances are, when it comes to your passion as a fundraiser, they are the most brilliant you have.

-Damon King

August AFP Luncheon – Please RSVP

August 6, 2008, 11:45 a.m.

Sportsman’s Club (4001 NW 39th, Oklahoma City)

On August 6, Chris Wilson, founder and CEO of Wilson Research Strategies, will discuss the types of research available to nonprofits regarding fundraising and philanthropy.  Understanding and identifying ways to motivate donors to give is an ongoing process that requires nonprofits to completely understand donor motives and what messages are most effective at getting them to donate more.

Chris is widely recognized as one of the world's leading and most credible public opinion research and research-based strategic consultants.  Chris has conducted research for dozens of associations and has directed numerous projects ranging from membership studies to massive public communication efforts.  He helped to pioneer the use of research in assisting clients involved in short-term, crisis management situations.  

A frequent lecturer on research, strategy and national trends, Chris is frequently quoted in such national publications as The Washington Post, The Washington Times, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.  He is also a regular pundit on MSNBC, Fox News, CNN and C-SPAN, as well as a contributing author to various trade magazines.   Chris graduated from the University of Oklahoma and Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

Mark your calendar

The luncheon on September 3rd will be held in an alternate location: The Community Room at 50 Penn Place.  RSVP's will be required for the September luncheon and all those that RSVP will be charged for the lunch (unless cancellation is made before the date stated in the next newsletter).  More details will be in the next newsletter.

Continuing Education

Audioconferences

AFP Oklahoma will offer three more audioconferences this year to help you build upon your fundraising knowledge base.  Audioconferences count as 1.5 points toward CFRE certification requirements.  There is no cost for members, a $10 fee for non-members and anyone is welcome to attend.  Bring your brown bag lunch and learn from some of the best practitioners in the fundraising business.  The audioconferences begin at noon and end at 1:30 p.m.  The schedule is as follows:

Date	Topic	Speaker	Location
Wednesday, August 13	Four Tried-and-True Keys to Fundraising Success	Carole V. Rylander, CFRE	Butterfield Memorial Foundation 50 Penn Place 1900 N.W. Expressway, #310
Thursday, September 18	Keep Your Donors-Part 2:  The Secrets of Successful Communications	Tom Ahern, ABC	Butterfield Memorial Foundation 50 Penn Place 1900 N.W. Expressway, #310
Wednesday, December 10	Guerilla Tactics:  Motivating Your Board and CEO to Raise More Money	Paula K. Parrish, CFRE	Oklahoma City Community Foundation 1000 N. Broadway Avenue

These conferences were selected based on input from AFP Oklahoma members and non-members.  For full descriptions of the session topics and speakers, please visit: http://www.afpoklahoma.org/AudioConferences.asp.

If you plan to attend any of the audioconferences, please RSVP to Gayle Farley, Education Chair, at g.farley@occf.org.

Rocky Mountain Philanthropy Institute

On September 25 and 26, the AFP Rocky Mountain Chapter will present the Rocky Mountain Philanthropy Institute in Vail, CO.  The theme is “A View from the Top” and it promises to be both diverse and relevant.  Speakers include both local and national leaders in the industry who have made it to the "Top."  Registration for AFP members is $150 before August 16.  For more information, visit www.afpcc.org.    

AFP First Course in Fundraising

On November 7 and 8 in Kansas City, MO, the AFP Mid-America Chapter will host the AFP First Course in Fundraising.  The two-day session represents a comprehensive overview of the profession and the fundamentals of development.  The First Course offers state-of-the-art information and techniques in fundraising that will provide a solid basis and improved skills for career fundraisers and those assisting in an organization's fundraising efforts.

The registration fee is $390 for AFP members, $430 for nonmembers.  For more information, contact Mary Ontko, Chapter Administrator, at 913-721-2168.

National Philanthropy Day 2008

AFP Oklahoma Chapter National Philanthropy Day scholarships are available to assist with registration fees to help development and fundraising professionals increase their knowledge and skills even if their resources are limited.  Scholarships will be awarded to individuals with the most compelling need, and preference given to AFP members.  The submission deadline is August 1, 2008.  Scholarship recipients will be notified by August 15. 

All scholarship applications must be faxed or postmarked by the stated deadline date to be considered for funding.  The completed application and all documents should be returned to:

      Ms. Tracie Carter, Special Projects Coordinator

      Chickasaw Foundation

      P.O. Box 1726

      Ada, OK 74821-1726  

      Fax – (580) 421-9031

 

Job Opportunities

Database/Records Coordinator – Oklahoma City Philharmonic

This position ensures accurate data entry, maintenance and coordination of information within each and between the marketing & development departments, and provides clerical support for annual fund solicitations/donations and subscription renewals/invoicing. 

Send cover letter, resume and references to Pam Glyckherr, Development Director, OKC Philharmonic, 428 W. California Ave., Suite 210, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, or to pam@okcphilharmonic.org. 

Community Relations Director – Operation Aware of Oklahoma, Inc. - Tulsa

The Community Relations Director holds responsibility for managing special events, donor and media relationships.  The Director will develop and implement the agency’s plan to achieve revenue goals; identify, cultivate, solicit, and track individual, institutional, and community based partners and/or fundraising opportunities; and develop and monitor revenue and expense budgets for all special events. The Director will also develop internal and external campaigns to further relationships among these groups, building awareness and promoting giving through a better understanding of Operation Aware’s mission, program and events.  Some evening and weekend hours are required to meet the demands of scheduled events and the media. 

Interested applicants should send cover letter and resume to: Martha Desmond, Executive Director, Operation Aware of Oklahoma, Inc., 7226 E 41, Tulsa, OK  74145 or to mdesmond@operationaware.org.

Arts Council of Oklahoma City – Development Director

The Development Director is responsible for the planning and implementation of all fundraising activities.  He/She is expected to develop and coordinate, with the Board of Directors and Executive Director, an aggressive program of long term growth in all areas of contributed income for the Arts Council of Oklahoma City.  He/She will research and coordinate, with volunteers and staff, the cultivation of current and prospective donors.  

To apply, send cover letter and resume to:  info@artscouncilokc.com.

Please visit the AFP Oklahoma website regularly for new job postings.