What’s staying the same:

• Dues rates. Active members will continue to owe $125, students will owe $50
• Registration fees for regular meetings will continue to be $20 for members, $25 for member organizations, and $30 for guests.
• Registration fees for the Awards Luncheon will also remain steady, at $30 for members, $35 for member organizations, and $40 for guests.
• The cost to post a job opening will remain at $35 for members and $75 for nonmembers.

What’s changing:

• All of VAFRE’s communications, from job postings to e-newsletters to the web site, are being consolidated under one system, Wild Apricot, which will also allow us to create a new, more user-friendly web site with more features for members, including member forums. Based on the research we have done, this appears to be a more cost effective alternative than continuing with our current systems and paying for a redesign of the current web site.
• The budget includes a 3% increase in management fee.
• Fees for National Speaker Workshops in September and February. When the budget committee met and analyzed the numbers we realized that the current member fee is not covering our per person costs for the program. It is proposed that all workshop fees increase by $10 per person, to $60 for members, $85 for the first guest from an organization and $75 for additional guests from the same organization.
• Due to this change in workshop fees, the Season Pass price will go up from $235 to $250, which is still a savings of $30 off the pay-as-you-go pricing. As a reminder, the Season Pass covers the registration costs for all of VAFRE’s monthly meetings.

For a copy of the complete draft budget, click here. If you would like more details on the revenue and expense assumptions used in developing the budget, click here.

VAFRE members will be asked to vote on the budget at the June 5th Annual Meeting. A proxy is available for those who cannot attend in person.

The following slate of officers and directors was prepared by the Nominations Committee and presented to the Board of Directors for review at their May 1st meeting. New members of the Board are listed in bold. Click here for a brief biography on each of the prospective Board members.

Officers

• President -Toni Maxey, HOME of Virginia
• Immediate Past President – Sue Acri, CFRE, Virginia Commonwealth University
• VP-President Elect – David Thomason, Special Olympics Virginia
• Secretary/Treasurer – Susan Early, Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia

Other Directors

• Lynn Berkness, Collegiate School
• Richard Corbett, Richmond CenterStage Foundation
• Betsy Edwards, Preservation Virginia
• Lisa Freeman, CFRE, E. L. Freeman Associates
• Jennifer Gentry, Virginia’s Community Colleges, Program Chair
• Amiee Koch Grindon, The New Community School
• Loren Hatcher, YMCA of Greater Richmond
• Suzanne Hogg, DSG Consulting LLC
• Randy Howard, 501 Advisors, Inc., Membership Chair
• David Huffine, CFRE, St. Joseph’s Villa
• Dave Johnson, West Avenue Associates
• Sarah Melvin, Steward School
• Ruth Modlin Ellett, CFRE, Modlin Ellett Associates
• Alex Moore, VCU Development & Alumni Communications
• Jennifer O’Rourke, CFRE, ChildSavers
• Kay Penninger, St. John’s Church Foundation
• Kristina Preisner, Virginia Association of Insurance Agents, Communications Chair
• Nick Sollog, UR and The Sollog Group
• Dan Stackhouse, Library of Virginia
• Evelyn Terry, CFRE, Union Presbyterian Seminary
• James Wasilewski, VCU Massey Cancer Center

The slate will be voted on by the membership at the June 5th meeting. A proxy is available for members who are not able to attend the meeting.

 Join VAFRE for our June 5^th Luncheon as we welcome Susan Horne, President and CEO of LEAD Virginia since March 2007, to discuss Collaborative Leadership: The Currency of Social Capital. We will also hold our Annual Business Meeting to elect the new Board of Directors and approve the 2012-2013 budget. 

With growing needs and limited resources, how can we build collaborative relationships that create win-wins and address some of our more challenging needs?  As CEO of LEAD VIRGINIA, Susan Horne has a first-hand view of some of the more successful examples of collaboration and truly transformational initiatives at work across the Commonwealth.  What lessons can be learned from these examples and how are we able to build thriving communities by working together toward a common goal?

Prior to heading LEAD VIRGINIA, Susan served as president and CEO of Leadership Fairfax, Inc., the largest community leadership organization in the Northern Virginia region. During her 15-year tenure with LFI, Susan played an integral role in the inception of LEAD VIRGINIA by serving on its steering committee and board of directors. She is a 2006 graduate of LEAD VIRGINIA and was selected by her class colleagues to serve as class graduation speaker.

Susan was elected to public office in 2004 to the Leesburg, Virginia Town Council and in 2006 was elected vice mayor of the Town of Leesburg. During her four years in elected office, she co-founded the annual community Keep Leesburg Beautiful campaign and was a driving force in the creation of citizen task forces to successfully collaborate on community initiatives of neighborhood improvements, parks and trail networks and economic development. While on the council, she served as a voting delegate to the Virginia Municipal League representing Leesburg. She also served as council liaison to the Airport Commission and to the Leesburg and Loudoun County Economic Development Commissions.

As LEAD VIRGINIA’s president and CEO, Susan works closely with the board of directors to guide the organization’s strategic direction, and ensure its financial stability and the successful delivery of the annual class program and alumni activities. She works to build and maintain relationships with corporate and community partners across Virginia and is responsible for recruiting a class representing a widely diverse group of Virginia’s leaders each year. Susan and her staff collaborate closely with regional planning teams to execute a strong class program, annual alumni conference and launch of a new program, Conversations with Leaders.

Susan holds a master’s degree in public administration and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Texas at El Paso. She is a 1999 fellow of the Thomas C. Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership from the University of Virginia. She is the former CEO of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce where during her tenure she established a major business-to-business expo and an array of business networking events, and served on the Loudoun School Business Partnership Executive Council to broaden business involvement in the local schools.

Susan is a member of the Virginia Leadership Association and serves on the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership Richmond Regional Board. She is a member of a national consortium of state leadership program directors and will serve as host to the 2012 state directors’ conference in Williamsburg. She was honored in 2007 by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce with its Blue Diamond Award recognizing Excellence in Corporate Citizenship, is an honorary member of Leadership Fairfax and has been recognized by Fairfax County for her work with Leadership Fairfax. In 2011 Susan was named by Virginia Business magazine among the 25 best connected people in the state and is frequently called upon to serve as a speaker and presenter on community leadership. Susan and her husband, Bob, are parents of two daughters and reside in Richmond. They co-chair the Shepherding Team of the Newcomer’s Ministry at their church and serve as volunteers with the Commonwealth Prayer Breakfast.

Schedule:
Registration begins at 11:30 a.m., lunch and the program begin at noon. The session will adjourn at approximately 1:15 p.m.

Location:
Jefferson Lakeside Country Club, 1700 Lakeside Avenue. Click here for directions.

Menu:
Regular: Thai Chicken Salad.
Vegetarian: Substitute Black Bean Cake for Chicken.
Dessert: Brownies.

Cost to attend:
$20 for members (no additional fee for Season Pass holders), $25 for nonmembers employed by a member organization, and $30 for nonmember guests. Fees support program costs and administration. Registrations should be received by Thursday, May 31^st.

Register now!

Questions?
Contact VAFRE Administrator Mary Kidd at (804) 288-2950 or by e-mail to vafre@catapult-inc.com.

Bring your lunch along with questions you need answered.

Schedule: Registration begins at 11:30 am; the program begins at noon.

Location: Virginia War Memorial, 621 South Belvidere Street, Richmond, VA  23220-6504; downstairs in Freedom Hall, Galanti Education Center.

Menu: Bring your own lunch. Drinks will be provided.

Cost to attend: This program is free to participants, but advance registration is required. Registration should be received by Thursday, August 2.

Registration will open soon.

Join Elizabeth Gilkeson King, Director of Special Events for Advancement at the University of Richmond, as she shares tips on how to make a special event “different and special in its own way.”   Beth has been at UR since January 2005.  Prior to UR, she gained event planning experience while working for several organizations, including a trade association in Washington, D.C., the Virginia Engineering Foundation at the University of Virginia, and Monticello.

She has a B.A. in math from Sweet Briar College and says there are similarities between math and event planning: “If you’re working on a math equation and you get the smallest little detail wrong, you won’t get the right answer. And the same holds true for events.  If you miss the smallest detail, the outcome is not going to be quite right.”

Bring your lunch along with questions you need answered before planning your next event.

Schedule: Registration begins at 11:30 am; the program begins at noon.

Location: Virginia War Memorial, 621 South Belvidere Street, Richmond, VA  23220-6504; downstairs in Freedom Hall, Galanti Education Center.

Menu: Bring your own lunch. Drinks will be provided.

Cost to attend: This program is free to participants, but advance registration is required. Registration should be received by Thursday, August 2.

Registration will open soon.

Status:  Non-exempt (S-6), Part time 
Reporting:  Reports to the Principal.

Responsibilities: 

• General:
  • Supports the Mission and philosophy of the school.
  • Articulates and embodies the mission and philosophy of the school to the public, especially to the local community and parishes.
  • Has working knowledge of all policies and procedures in school handbook and in the Diocesan policies as relates to development and finance.
  • Attends meetings and Diocesan trainings as requested.
  • Conducts regular research on prospective donors, local businesses, foundations, and grantmakers.
  • Other duties as assigned.
• Development:
  • Develops and implements a comprehensive development program for the school, under the guidance of the principal and the Diocese, including cost analysis and budget guidelines.
  • Prepares short (annual) and long (3-5 year) range goals and objectives for the development program in conjunction with the Finance Committee and the School Board.
  • Cultivates and stewards relationships with potential and current donors.
  • Solicits service and gifts for the school, and coordinates solicitations for the principal/vice principal and school board members.
    • Contacts 3-4 donors each week.
    • Invites donors to major events of the school or events that interest them, and provides prompt and appropriate follow-up and stewardship.
    • Informs principal of cultivation of donors, updates her weekly, and invites her to solicitations.
  • Maintains the development database to include maintaining a gift log, gift entry, acknowledging gifts, updating constituent information (address changes, obituaries, etc.)
  • Generates correspondence at the direction of the principal.
  • Coordinates the activities of a development council of parent and local volunteers.  Activities of the council include (but are not limited to):
    • Annual Dinner and Auction Night
    • Annual Appeal (process, mailings, follow-ups, and solicitations).
    • Gift solicitations
    • Annual Report/Alumni Newsletter
    • Grant opportunities (research and write grants as well as implement and report).
  • Prepares a monthly development report for the school board and/or principal of all gifts and donors.
  • Coordinates planned giving opportunities and organizes information sessions for school community regarding estate planning and bequests.
• Alumni:
  • Coordinates the establishment of an Alumni Association.
  • Ensures database is updated with alumni information and actively seeks to cultivate relationships with alumni through events, surveys, etc.
  • Researches former students and informs principal about accomplishments, funerals, marriages, etc.

Background: 

• Catholic in good standing.
• Bachelor’s degree in development, business, communications, marketing, or related field, and/or
• Development experience in school or business setting.

Skills Necessary: 

• Ability to reflect mission and philosophy of school to wider community.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• High level of organization.
• Ability to coordinate efforts of volunteer committees and individuals to accomplish goals.
• Working knowledge of database software, word processing, and graphic design.
• Ability to utilize social networking, the Internet, and the school website to contact and interact with donors, alumni, and community members.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of development best practices and principles.
• Ability to negotiate with vendors, facilities managers, caterers, etc.

Cover letter and resumes should be sent to Sister Mary Amata Mueller, Principal, St. Mary Star of the Sea School, 14 North Willard Ave., Hampton, VA 23663, principal@saintmarystarofthesea.com, (T: 757.723.6358).

Applications are invited for the position of Director of Development and Alumni Relations of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Engineering Foundation, a non-profit organization with over $130 million in assets. The Director of Development and Alumni Relations is responsible for securing leadership annual gifts ($1000 +) from a portfolio of 125-150 corporate and alumni prospects. This position reports directly to the Vice President of the Engineering Foundation and has the primary responsibility for planning, executing, managing, and evaluating a comprehensive annual leadership giving program.

This position will work closely with the central annual giving staff to prepare a calendar and strategies for annual alumni, senior class, and faculty/staff giving campaigns. They will also work closely with VCU’s alumni office to coordinate and schedule a calendar of events for the School to build a robust and engaging alumni relations calendar that will help to create a sustainable tradition of involvement and annual support for the School of Engineering.

Some office management needs for the Foundation will be coordinated by this position. The Director is responsible for providing quality service to other offices at the institution as well as outside the institution in an accurate, timely, and professional manner. In addition, this position will staff the School of Engineering’s Alumni Board and the Advancement Committee of the Foundation Board.

The Director will work with the Vice President on other special fund raising initiatives on an ongoing basis.

Qualifications: This position requires at least two years of fund raising or external sales experience with a documented history of arranging appointments and working with alumni and/or business leaders. The ability to handle sensitive/confidential matters and provide excellent customer service to a diverse population is also required.
Qualified candidates will also need to demonstrate proficiency in the following areas: writing/proofreading and organizational skills, Microsoft Office. Familiarity with donor database software and external relations/communication/social media skills are a plus.

Preference will be given to a responsible, self-starter with good judgment and strong interpersonal skills. Some university level training is preferred and previous years in similar positions at a university would be advantageous. An appreciation for the entrepreneurial aspects of a small shop environment and multi-tasking will be critical to the success of this position. The successful candidate must have demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

A Bachelors degree is required, and a Masters degree is preferred.

Application Process: Information about the School of Engineering can be found at www.egr.vcu.edu. Interested persons should submit via email a cover letter, resume, and names of three references to: Ms. Judy Frederick Finance Manager School of Engineering Foundation jjfrederick@vcu.edu

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women, minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

For Additional Information: Judy Frederick Phone:828-2611 Fax:(804)828-1591 Web: http://www.egr.vcu.edu/

ChildSavers is seeking an Annual Fund and Event Manager in the Development Department.  This is a full time, exempt position that reports to the Vice President for Development.  The primary responsibilities of this position are overseeing and coordinating the Annual Fund campaign and donor events throughout the year.  Responsibilities include; Annual Fund campaign management, data base management and reporting, gift tracking, donor stewardship management and event management.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university required
• Two years experience in a non-profit setting and donor database experience preferred
• Ability to work in a deadline oriented environment
• Excellent organizational skills
• Skill and experience interacting with donors, board members and volunteers
• Ability to function independently
• Proficiency with a variety of computer programs including MS Word, Excel and Outlook
• Flexible schedule ability to work weekend or evenings when needed

 ChildSavers, first established in 1924 as the Children’s Memorial Clinic, is dedicated to providing comprehensive mental health and childhood development services that holistically embrace the needs of children and those who care for and educate them.  In order to facilitate a strong community, improved understanding, and greater outreach, ChildSavers staff model and promote the shared values around building strong relationships, diversity, integrity, passion, and impact. 

Located in the historic Church Hill neighborhood, with an annual budget of over $3.8 million, and comprised of a staff of 36 people, ChildSavers fundraises $1.4 million a year in support of our mission.  We do this by building long-term relationships with individuals, businesses, foundations and groups who share our concern for the wellbeing of children and families. 

Interested applicants should send cover letter, resume and application Attn. Linda Whitaker, Vice President for Administration and Human Resources, 200 N.  22^nd Street Richmond, VA 23223, or fax to (804) 644-9596 or email to:  lwhitaker@childsavers.org by Friday, May 11, 2012.  Applicants are requested to provide their salary requirement.  Employment applications are available at www.childsavers.org.  ChildSavers is an EEO Employer.

Job Description:
To manage development initiatives related to supporting and fostering activities of The Faison School for Autism and the Faison Centers of Excellence in a donor centered program.  To ensure major gift prospects become and remain engaged to strengthen and sustain the organization’s objectives, operations and long-term stability.

Primary Responsibilities: 
The responsibilities include but are not limited to implementation of annual plans and budgets.  Preparation of cultivation and solicitation strategies for prospective major gifts donors. Setting policies, priorities and goals and ensuring they are in line with Faison’s mission.  Collaborating with other staff to advance overall strategies and priorities including special fund drives, development of planned giving, special events and grant funding.

Major Gifts and Grants

• Develops, implements and manages strategies for identifying, researching, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major donors, grants, foundations and prospects.
• Manages reporting and tracking to meet internal planning and management needs and external compliance requirements.
• Develops, conducts and manages special fund and Capital Campaigns.

Donor Stewardship and Constituency Building

• Develops sound program of donor stewardship that cultivates, informs and thanks donors.
• Provides direction and carries out initiative to increase the number of individuals familiar with and actively supporting the Faison mission through weekly visits.
• Through Open Houses/Community Awareness events, develops, implements and manages strategies to promote awareness and involvement with the organization and its programs though on-site tours. Promotes donor involvement in generating and hosting informational and awareness events.
• Through Donations and In-Kind Contributions, provides direction to maximize individual, corporate and in-kind contributions program.
• Coordinates and provides oversight to ensure maximum participation and to maximize corporate matching contributions.
• Coordinates the design, marketing, implementation and monitoring of planned giving/bequest program in accordance with fiscal and legal requirements.

 Staff Management

• Works with the VP of FCE and the School Board to promote cost effective, high quality functioning of the development department.
• Works in unison with the Vice President and School Board providing direction on staffing, training, supervision and evaluation of the development staff.
• Supervises development staff that design, implement and manage special events, including annual fundraising events, annual meeting, annual campaigns and other events to increase individual giving, expand constituency base and enhance FSA visibility.

Requirements:

• 5 years proven leadership experience in private philanthropy with experience in major gifts and capital campaigns
• Bachelor’s degree, CFRE preferred
• Ability to work with and motivate volunteer leaders
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, professionalism, and good judgment
• Ability to communicate well, orally and in writing
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize effectively
• Ability to work with development technology

 Submit resume to Francesca Jones, The Faison School for Autism, 1701 Byrd Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230.

About World Pediatric Project
World Pediatric Project (WPP) is a 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization dedicated to helping children in the developing world gain access to lifesaving critical care resources that are so plentiful in the industrialized world. WPP accomplishes this mission by mobilizing volunteer pediatric specialist teams in nearly every surgical specialty to travel to treat children in their home countries, while also bringing children with more complex needs to a partner hospital in St. Louis or elsewhere for more advanced care. To learn more about WPP, visit www.worldpediatricproject.org.

Position Summary
The Vice President for Development –Richmond will build, implement, and manage all aspects of the annual development program, primarily for WPP-Richmond campaign. The Vice President for Development is a high-impact leadership position within the development department and serves in a “player/coach” role.  He/she directly leads and implements more senior development efforts, while also managing and overseeing the successful implementation of annual campaign activities of the Richmond office.

Specific Responsibilities Include:

• In partnership with the SVP for Development, develop key components of development strategy to expand revenue and other milestone achievements.
• Oversee successful implementation and attainment of annual campaign goals of WPP-Richmond.
• Lead high net worth annual auction event, including volunteer leadership recruitment and relationship building, patron campaign and donor cultivation, and stewardship before and after the event.  Logistics of the event are handled by a separate coordinator position, for which this position has oversight.
• Build donor base of $1,000 and up for individual contributors by cultivating existing donors and acquiring new outright contributors.
• Implement effective donor cultivation strategies, including receptions and other opportunities for contributors to witness WPP’s philanthropic impact.
• Assist in attracting and cultivating development leadership volunteers.
• Assist in writing and creation of annual campaign mailings and materials.
• Direct staff supervision of three development positions.
• Responsible for 2012-2013 fiscal year goal of $1,200,000 from all sources.

Skills and Qualifications:

• A minimum of 3-5 years annual campaign or related experience in fast pace, entrepreneurial environments.
• Demonstrated experience and success with staff coaching, team building, and attainment of comprehensive goals.
• Experience and demonstrated outcomes in initiating a high volume of prospect and contributor networking and visits.
• Proven collaborative experience working within staff and volunteer teams.
• Demonstrated successful experience in accomplishing annual goals and activity benchmarks toward reaching financial goals.
• High energy and passion for philanthropy and the development profession overall. 
• Superior communication skills, both verbally and written.
• Basic computer skills.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.  Must hold a valid passport.

Success will be measured both by overall dollar goals being attained and activity benchmarks related to number of visits and phone contacts weekly and monthly.

Education
Bachelor’s degree required.

Please e-mail information to dangstadt@warrenwhitney.com.