Greater Arizona Chapter 2009 President's Message

Earlier this month we had an encouraging luncheon experience with motivational speaker, Steve Chandler, who spoke to us about strengthening our donor relationships. His topic couldn’t have been timelier as many of us are reexamining our mission and the value we bring to donors and the community.

I had the opportunity to listen to his CD as I was traveling on Make-A-Wish business to Tucson this past week, and it reminded me again of the importance of being relational and giving to donors, volunteers and clients.  Oftentimes it’s easy to get mired in the day-to-day and forget the old adage, “You have to be a friend to make a friend.”

We’re grateful to Steve for donating his motivational CD along with his book, “Reinventing Yourself.” One of the quotes from the book that really struck me states:  “We possess such immense resources of power that pessimism is a laughable absurdity.” – Colin Wilson

Throughout this year, it’s been my hope that many of you have been encouraged and have regained your optimism during our luncheon presentations.  Our Chapter’s Education Committee, under the leadership of Penny Cagney, has worked tirelessly to bring excellent educational programs to us, and during challenging economic times, one of our biggest defenses is to remain positive!

I hope many of you will be attending our Essentials of Fundraising workshops along with the Lodestar Nonprofit Conference this month. And remember to save the dates for our Hispanics in Philanthropy luncheon presentation on November 4th and our 25th Annual AFP Philanthropy Leadership Awards Dinner on November 18th. Remember…YOU have the resources to make a difference in our world!