AFPMASH ● Summer Newsletter ● August 2014

embers of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Mahoning/Shenango

Chapter (AFPMASH) were recently visited by Val Lay, director of Chapter Services-Central US, GA and FL, to play a game of Jeopardy. The topic? One, if not the most, significant building blocks of the Association: ethics.

Lay visits the chapter every two years to lend assistance on chapter and membership items, and this year she hosted the game as a part of AFPMASH’s annual education on ethics. The game featured categories such as The Code and Grab Bag, and answers covered many of the standards and principles AFP has on ethical fundraising. The 15 members in attendance enjoyed offering questions to those answers, starting their responses with the well-known phrase “What is.”

Attendees reminded themselves of the importance of the Donor Bill of Rights, learned about the Social Media Guidelines and were connected to the Ethics Assessment Inventory, a self-assessment tool available online to AFP members to measure their ethical behavior and practices.

One of the topics that initiated further discussion was compensation based on percentage, a standard on the Code of Ethical Principles and Standards. Attendees revealed their own experiences, and one member shared she was once offered a bonus by an employer based on a percentage of what she had raised. She

mentioned it was a great learning experience for both her and her employer and that she was able to accept a different type of bonus as the organization offered performance-based compensations to all employees.

Although played as a game, the topic of ethics is an important and necessary subject for fundraisers. Lay shared it is especially important to her while working with many chapters and members across the United States. “Every member signs the Code of Ethical Principles and Standards,” Lay said. “It is important for them to know the resources the Association has to back them up.”

To view many of the documents and topics mentioned in this article, visit www.afpnet.org/ethics.

WE’LL TAKE…ETHICAL FUNDRAISING FOR $500!

AFPMASH members interact during a game of ethical fundraising Jeopardy

Val Lay and Linda Kostka, AFPMASH president

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

It’s hard to believe that 2014 is more than half over, and the Canfield Fair is just

around the corner. Well, literally, it’s right across the street from my office, but I

digress……

As a member of AFP, there is quite a bit to celebrate this year.

Once again, we received the chapter 10-Star Award from AFP

International, given to chapters that have fulfilled a list of

accomplishments that increase professionalism and awareness of

fundraising in our community.

Our member retention rate is the highest in the country! That speaks to

the quality of our programs and commitment of members.

We are in the process of completing a strategic plan that will provide a roadmap for our chapter

to follow during the next three years. Chaired by Pat Palombo, this plan will be voted on by

members at our annual meeting on October 10.

A diversity plan is being constructed, and the Diversity Committee has been working hard to put

together a blueprint to attract and retain members from all segments of the community.

National Philanthropy Day, our chapter’s signature event, will be held on Friday, November 14.

We had so many applications this year that it was exceptionally difficult to choose the recipients

in several categories. When the list is released, I’m sure you’ll agree that all have made the

Mahoning and Shenango Valleys a much better place to live.

If you’re a member, I hope to see you at our annual meeting in October. If you’re not yet a member, I

hope you’ll become one. Try us out—I think you’ll find a great network of support in our local

fundraising community!

Linda Kostka, CFRE

2014 President, AFP Mahoning-Shenango Chapter

Director of Development, Mill Creek MetroParks

New AFPMASH Members January 1, 2014-June 30, 2014

Edward M. Goist, Senior Development Officer Youngstown State University Youngstown, Ohio

Mollie Hartup Youngstown State University Youngstown, Ohio

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES AFP Mahoning/Shenango Chapter is pleased to present scholarship opportunities and dues assistance to new and existing members each year. The scholarship committee accepts and reviews applications for each on a rolling basis and encourages members to take advantage of this program when needed.

The Chamberlain Scholarship, available for AFP members that have never attended an International Conference before, is perhaps the most widely publicized, but it is by no means the only one available. In the past, members have received support for a large array of programs and conferences, all geared toward continuing their education in the fundraising profession.

Casey Bertolette, development director at Beatitude House, received a partial scholarship in 2013 to attend the Seventh Annual Fundraising Classic Seminar at Holiday Inn in Boardman, Ohio. The Fundraising Classic, presented by AFPMASH and Mahoning/Shenango Planned Giving Council, featured Barlow T. Mann, J.D., COO of the Sharpe Groupe and focused on planned giving. Bertolette said the award was integral to enabling her and her staff members to attend the seminar, which she deemed important for their professional growth. “Without that scholarship, we

would not have been able to attend,” said Bertolette. “I was fortunate to receive AFP’s assistance so that we could experience Barlow Mann’s informative presentations.”

Lori Shandor, campaign/gift planning director at the Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services Foundation for Park Vista, was another scholarship recipient who said she was happy to serve as an example of the generosity of AFPMASH. Shandor was the recipient of a scholarship in 2012, which covered the cost of registration for a two-day CFRE preparation course in Connecticut. “It was a great experience,” said Shandor.

According to the application for dues assistance, “The purpose of this assistance is to enable persons to participate in the benefits of AFP membership who are volunteer fund raisers, in part-time positions, or employed as fundraisers by smaller agencies.” New members as well as current members who are serving on a committee or the board are eligible to apply for this benefit.

Both scholarship and dues assistance applications can be found at www.afpmash.org and completed forms should be submitted to Jim Echement of the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, the current chair of AFPMASH’s scholarship committee.

In honor of National Philanthropy Day® AFP will be offering a $50.00 discount to new members joining in the Professional or Associate member categories by November 30, 2014!

Fill out the membership invitation as usual, but deduct $50.00 from the total and include this coupon with your payment.*

Complete your application and send it in via mail or fax by November 30, 2014 *Coupon must be included with payment. One coupon per new member. Can also be

redeemed online by using discount code NPD2014.

Questions, call the AFP Membership Department at (800)666-3863. AFP, 4300 Wilson Blvd. Ste. 300, Arlington, VA 22203 /Fax: 703-684-1950

$50 Professional or Associate New Member Discount!

NON-PROFIT ORG

US Postage

PAID

PERMIT #214

YOUNGSTOWN, OH

P.O. Box 672 Youngstown, OH 44501 www.afpmash.org

National Philanthropy Day Friday, November 14, 2014 Antone’s Banquet Centre, Boardman

Holiday Mixer Details TBD

The Eighth Annual Nonprofit Wean Summit Thursday, September 18, 2014 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Youngstown State University, Kilkawley Center

For additional information about upcoming programs, contact Barb Schuller at afpmash@gmail.com.

Annual Members Meeting & Breakfast Friday, October 10, 2014 D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center Radius Room