Join! Get Involved!

Several years ago, I was honored to receive the Barbara Marion Award for Outstanding Service to AFP.  I served on AFP’s Foundation for Philanthropy Board for about eight years during two terms and have been in various positions on the Professional Advancement Division for AFP. I was happy to serve on several task forces to revise both the CFRE Course and the Fundamentals of Fundraising Course, be a long-time member of the Research Council, and on hold several other positions for professional advancement.

Advancing our profession is so important. I encourage you to get involved with your local or regional chapters, and the International AFP board or committees.

On the local level I’ve served in various board positions including being president of AFP Eastern PA and AFP Sierra Chapter in Reno.

I’ve also been involved in CharityChannel almost if I have been in AFP and again, it is amazing to think of the lifelong friends I’ve made through these two professional organizations.

Besides the wonderful friends I’ve made, I’ve had the honor to meet some pretty fantastic people like John Legend, Colin Powell, Steve Wozniak, Jane Goodall, Sydney Poitier, Desmond Tutu, and Queen Latifah. I love when I see celebrities and athletes giving back to their communities.

Although I’m now devoting most of my time to writing books like Fundraising as a Career: What, Are You Crazy? and teaching. I will forever treasure the friendships I’ve made through AFP.

So, if you are not a member of a professional organization--JOIN!

And, if you’re a member, GET INVOLVED. You will learn for your personal satisfaction, advance in your career because of the knowledge and contacts you gain, and even more important, you will have the opportunity to give back to this wonderful profession.

To learn more about getting started in or advancing in your fundraising career, take my course, Fundraising as a Career, sign up here