President's Perspective: The CASE Culture

By John Lippincott

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As the longest-serving president of CASE, I am going to exercise the only real privilege that comes with that distinction—the privilege of reflection.

Don't worry, dear reader, I am not going to reflect on my humble achievements during the past nine years. Nor will I attempt to recount CASE's numerous accomplishments since its founding in 1974 (we'll save that for the association's 40th anniversary two years hence).

Instead, I would like to reflect on the CASE culture. In my role as president, I have the enormous privilege of experiencing first-hand the operations of the eight North American districts, CASE Europe, CASE Asia-Pacific, CASE América Latina, and of course, CASE headquarters. In the course of a year, I have the pleasure of interacting with thousands of CASE members and volunteers around the globe.

I also have the opportunity to observe other educational associations through invitations to speak at their conferences, my involvement with the 50-member Washington Higher Education Secretariat, and my service on various boards and committees.

It is based on these experiences within CASE and with other organizations that I have gained a deep and abiding appreciation for the CASE culture. What distinguishes our culture from that of other associations? Four traits stand out.

Service

CASE volunteers and staff clearly recognize that service to members is that from which all else follows. In meetings of the CASE board, the CASE Europe board, and the district boards, discussions are not driven by what is best for the organization but by what is best for our member institutions and the advancement professionals who serve them. CASE staff members are constantly seeking feedback from members on how we can improve current services and what new services we might add.

Collegiality

Those who come into CASE from outside the advancement profession, and especially from outside the nonprofit world, marvel at the degree to which seeming competitors are willing to exchange their "trade secrets" freely and for free. That spirit of collegiality also translates into a spirit of volunteerism and of giving to each other and back to the profession.

What I find particularly impressive is that our members take true delight in helping and sharing. When we were contemplating CASE's endeavors beyond North America, a principal concern was whether we could count on this exceptional level of collegiality and volunteerism in other parts of the world. Happily, that concern proved unfounded.

Integrity

While we may debate the finer points of how to count a deferred gift in our campaign reports, we do not debate the importance of honesty, accuracy, and transparency in building relationships of trust with our donors and other key constituents. Moreover, we believe in promising only what we can deliver and delivering on what we have promised. We are careful stewards not only of our personal integrity but also of the integrity of our institutions and our profession, recognizing that if trust is lost, then all is lost.

Quality

We like to do things well. This is reflected both in the work of the CASE staff and the work of CASE members. While the vast majority of CASE conferences are well-conceived and well-run, for example, we are always looking for ways to improve them. The commitment to quality among the membership can be clearly seen in the awards entries we receive every year at the district, national, and international levels. Our judging panels face a daunting task in deciding which among the thousands of outstanding submissions truly stand out.

How are these cultural traits different from those of other associations? In some instances, they vary by degree or emphasis based on the organization's mission, vision, and values. In a very few cases, a given trait may be missing entirely. At no other association, however, do I think these four traits are as central as they are at CASE. And I am extremely proud to be part of an organization known for a culture of service, collegiality, integrity, and quality.

Forgive me if this column sounds a bit self-serving or self-congratulatory; that's certainly not my intent. On the contrary, my goal is to thank and applaud the members, volunteers, and staff—both past and present—for building and sustaining this remarkable and admirable culture. By acknowledging and celebrating what is special about CASE, we help ensure these traits will endure and that those who follow us will benefit from them as much as we have.

About the Author John Lippincott

John Lippincott is president of CASE.