Showing posts with label Staff Development. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Staff Development. Show all posts
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Valuable Lessons From Jeremy Lin
I have had several calls in the past week from individuals looking for employment advice and asking if I would be a reference. Then this morning, I read this article online from Forbes magazine. I don't watch professional basketball but I have heard of Lin and this article really does point out some things that we can learn to be more successful in the business world. Enjoy!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Hire a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) or not?
What are you getting when you hire someone that has successfully completed the certification process?
Earning the CFRE is a mark of distinction
that separates you from other fundraising professionals who have
yet to take this important career enhancing step. It indicates that you
have a strong commitment to the fundraising profession, you seek opportunities
to develop your skills and expertise, you take pride in serving
the philanthropic community and you hold yourself to the highest ethical principles.
Excepted from the CFRE 2009 Annual report
In 2009, 603 new candidates applied for certification, 474 were awarded the distinction. As of the end of 2009 there were a total of 5,137 Certified Fundraising Executives.
The process itself consists of documenting educational and practical experience. Then there is the "test". Two-hundred-twenty-five multiple choice questions from various areas of development. This is an international test so it is important to have a broad view of fundraising practices. The most important part of becoming a CFRE is studying for the test. No matter where the candidate's expertise may lie, the reading list guides the candidate to his/her weaker areas and allows him/her to create knowledge in an area of fundraising that he/she may not have been familiar with.
The benefits to the employer are many. My most creative time as a fundraiser was while I prepared for the test. Latching on to a CFRE study group or networking with other CFRE's will only make for a stronger fund raiser.
Earning the CFRE is a mark of distinction
that separates you from other fundraising professionals who have
yet to take this important career enhancing step. It indicates that you
have a strong commitment to the fundraising profession, you seek opportunities
to develop your skills and expertise, you take pride in serving
the philanthropic community and you hold yourself to the highest ethical principles.
Excepted from the CFRE 2009 Annual report
In 2009, 603 new candidates applied for certification, 474 were awarded the distinction. As of the end of 2009 there were a total of 5,137 Certified Fundraising Executives.
The process itself consists of documenting educational and practical experience. Then there is the "test". Two-hundred-twenty-five multiple choice questions from various areas of development. This is an international test so it is important to have a broad view of fundraising practices. The most important part of becoming a CFRE is studying for the test. No matter where the candidate's expertise may lie, the reading list guides the candidate to his/her weaker areas and allows him/her to create knowledge in an area of fundraising that he/she may not have been familiar with.
The benefits to the employer are many. My most creative time as a fundraiser was while I prepared for the test. Latching on to a CFRE study group or networking with other CFRE's will only make for a stronger fund raiser.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Staff Development
How do you keep your staff engaged in fund raising? For me even more than the mission it is that sizable check that arrives in the mail. I know I don't get to spend it on myself but it just feels good to see those zeros. For other fund raisers there is satisfaction and motivation when they see progress towards the greater good. It might be feeding the hungry or clothing the needy.
Sometimes your motivator is not enough. Let's face it these are tough times. Our country is going through some major financial changes that are effecting how we raise funds. It is difficult to get new money, we have to try new innovative ideas, resources are short. I love fund raising but it has its challenges.
To rejuvenate and get fired up, I was able to take a trip to South Carolina. I stayed in a beach house with 12 people and 5 dogs. I am not a fan of pets. To top it off I had poison ivy and was stung by a wasp. All in all it was a very relaxing vacation. So many times, I go out socially and end up talking about work. On this vacation I turned work completely off and just enjoyed my children their extended family, and my new grand dog, Lady Zsa Zsa.
I even had a chance to put away the fundraisng books I have been engulfed in and read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
The mission was still there when I got back but so were a few sizable checks. I am refreshed and ready for our up coming fashion show, Sroudfest, newsletter, annual appeal, etc.
Sometimes your motivator is not enough. Let's face it these are tough times. Our country is going through some major financial changes that are effecting how we raise funds. It is difficult to get new money, we have to try new innovative ideas, resources are short. I love fund raising but it has its challenges.
To rejuvenate and get fired up, I was able to take a trip to South Carolina. I stayed in a beach house with 12 people and 5 dogs. I am not a fan of pets. To top it off I had poison ivy and was stung by a wasp. All in all it was a very relaxing vacation. So many times, I go out socially and end up talking about work. On this vacation I turned work completely off and just enjoyed my children their extended family, and my new grand dog, Lady Zsa Zsa.
I even had a chance to put away the fundraisng books I have been engulfed in and read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
The mission was still there when I got back but so were a few sizable checks. I am refreshed and ready for our up coming fashion show, Sroudfest, newsletter, annual appeal, etc.
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