February 2021
A Message from Chapter President, Mike Wescott
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Dear Colleagues,
This past week, I think I’ve been on Zoom meetings more often than not. For me it goes in spurts – some weeks I just Zoom all the time and then other weeks, not so much. But this week I’ve had the opportunity to take advantage of several quality fundraising professional development programs. I’ve learned, quite honestly, more than I would have anticipated. Isn’t it interesting that you never really grow tired of learning new things, new proven techniques to connect with donors or new approaches for your materials? Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks?
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Soon we will be sending you a listing of all our professional development programs for 2021. Our professional development committee has been working hard to get this together and I think you will be impressed. I hope you can take advantage of many of them throughout the year.
One thing that we tried in our February program, and I think quite successfully, was to host from 11:30 to noon breakout sessions via zoom with others signed up for the call. It was a great way to briefly connect with our colleagues, ask a few questions and get to do what we can best do in person and that is to connect. We are going to continue this aspect as long as we are doing zoom sessions, so please consider joining us.
Finally, I was on a call with AFP Global (the national headquarters) recently and they announced a $40 credit for Online Learning Opportunities through June 2021. You can see more about this at https://afpglobal.org/thankyou. I will tell you that I have gone on the web site and purchased a program that would have cost $59, but with the discount, cost $19. Not a bad deal at all. I encourage you to take a look at this opportunity.
Now, go forth and bravely inspire your donors!
Mike Wescott, CFRE
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Mark Your Calendar!!
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Government Relations Update with Molly Fox
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The 2021 Kansas Legislative Session is underway, and after being cut short last year due to COVID-19, it has been moving at lightning speed!
We all know the enormous impact we have on our local communities. But what we, and others may not know, is that in Kansas nonprofits:
-employ nearly 16k people, almost 9% of the workforce.
-generate $14 billion in annual revenue.
-hold assets of more than $33 billion.
It is important for lawmakers to know our collective impact on the state’s economy, and for our voices to be heard as policy is established that may impact the way we serve our communities. Even if you don’t have an agenda, there is great value in sharing your story with our elected officials.
Here is your chance to get in on the action! Each year, the Kansas Nonprofit Coalition hosts a Nonprofit Day on the Hill at the Kansas State House in Topeka. The goal is to gather nonprofit organizations so our voices can be heard as a collective whole – and there is usually an opportunity to share about the mission and work of individual organizations as well.
This year, the event will be virtual and totally free due to the pandemic, on Tuesday, March 9th. Typically we hear from a variety of ranking members and the Governor. Then we learn a bit more about the session focuses and make individual visits to Legislators from our districts. I am unsure how this year’s event will look, but while it will be different from the many I have attended in the past, I plan to participate in the virtual Statehouse experience and hope you will consider joining me. To register, please click here.
Next month we will share how AFP International plans to have a voice at the National level with members of Congress – and how you can be involved. Questions, ideas and discussion are always welcome – reach me at mollyfox@kansashsc.org.
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Job Board
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AFP Greater Wichita Chapter New and Renewed Members from January:
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Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Newman University
Grant Writer
Step Stone, Inc.
Click here to post a job for your organization.
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Molly Fox, Ambria Gilliland, Eric Litwiller, Annette Rene Lough, Cathy Rutz, Steve Schaumburg, Kari Ames, Greer Horning
Interested in becoming a member? Click here!
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AFP Greater Wichita Chapter
PO Box 1157
Wichita, KS 67201
316.285.0671
www.afpwichita.com
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