August 2008
Volume 6 Issue 8
Research and News of Note
A new CASE global survey of 211 alumni leaders shows that most of them have only recently taken the plunge into the growing pool of online social communities.
Blame it on the “leaky bucket” phenomenon. A new study shows that the number of Americans volunteering has dipped for the second year in a row, which might signal volunteer dissatisfaction with the experience.
If you want a Web site to work well for your institution, don’t assume “if you build it, they will come,” says Lori Croy, director of Web communications for the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Millennials crave feedback, demand input and are committed to public service, social innovation and “servant leadership,” according to a panel of experts speaking during a session at the recent CASE Summit for Advancement Leaders in New York City.
Inside CASE
The CASE membership has formally elected 12 senior advancement professionals to the CASE Board of Trustees.
Has alumni event attendance grown or dropped in 2008?
CASE Asia-Pacific is pulling up stakes for a Sept. 2 move to the newly completed Shaw Foundation Alumni House, the first dedicated alumni facility to be built in Asia.
The devil is in the details when it comes to phonathons, and mastering them takes thoughtful planning and strategic analysis.
Recognize the leadership of your foundation colleagues by nominating them for the CASE Commonfund Institutionally Related Foundation Awards.
Oct. 17 marks the deadline to submit nominations for the CASE Independent Schools Awards.
U.S. Federal Relations News
A discussion document being circulated by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) includes a proposal that would subject the income earned through oil and gas trading by tax-exempt investors.
CASE has learned that Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) will host a college and university endowment roundtable on Monday, Sept. 8, at the Library of Congress.
On July 29 and 30, the Senate again failed to get the 60 votes necessary to proceed to tax extenders legislation (H.R. 6049, S. 3335) that would extend the IRA charitable rollover for one year.
In the coming days, the Internal Revenue Service is expected to release the final instructions for the new Form 990, which nonprofit organizations will begin filing in 2009 (for tax year 2008).
After six years of failed attempts and negotiations, Congress passed and the president signed legislation that renews the Higher Education Act, the law that governs federal aid to colleges and universities.
Beginning Aug. 24, nonprofit mailers will be able to manage their nonprofit permits online, according to the U.S. Postal Service.
CASE District NewsThe District II board and the 2009 conference committee met in Baltimore in early August to continue planning "Charting the Future," set for March 22-24, 2009. District II members should mark their calendars and plan to head to the host city that always draws the largest attendance among annual district conferences.
The board also set goals and priorities for the new year. Hot topics include launching the next round of District II Venture Capital Fund grants, setting board priorities based on District II member interests, and discussing CASE strategic initiatives and market research findings.
The board is sharing input received from roundtable discussions with members who serve independent schools. The next step calls for working with CASE to reach out to advancement professionals from diverse backgrounds.
District II has also made exciting changes to its district awards program by launching online payment for the accolades and achievement awards. This is one of the district's most popular offerings, and it will be easier and more efficient to participate in the coming year.
District III has joined with longtime educational partners to develop one-day "power" workshops this fall. Inaugural workshops will be held as follows:
- Sept. 29-University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. "When Knowledge Is Not Enough: Twelve Practices to Succeed in Higher Education Development," with Doug Alexander, founding partner of Alexander Haas Martin & Partners.
- Oct. 20-University of Central Florida, Orlando, Fla. "Your Category of One: What Is It, And Why Does It Matter?" with Laura Crawley, director of program development at Crane MetaMarketing.
The cost for one attendee is $110 or $100 each for two or more from the same institution. More information and online registration will be posted soon on the District III Web site.
District V-The deadline is Sept. 15 for nominations for the district's advancing diversity program scholarships, newcomer fellowships, retiree recognition and the Distinguished Service Awards. See more at the District V Web site. Registration for the 34th annual CASE V conference-"Converge. Connect. Chicago"-gets under way in September. The conference at Chicago's Sheraton Hotel and Towers is Dec. 14-16.
District VI-August is a busy month for CASE VI as it gears up for the 2009 conference. Take the time to see the latest on the annual get-together set for Jan. 25-27 in Kansas City, Mo. Join your colleagues and "Exhilarate" yourself.
District VI is also soliciting nominations for the district board. Please visit the district Web site and click on "Nominate for CASE VI Board Membership" in the left column. The new board began service July 1. District members will be receiving communication by e-mail and snail mail soon, so please read these materials and respond. Also visit the site for more details on membership and how to make nominations for service awards.
Comments and Questions
Please share your questions and comments with Pam Russell via e-mail at russell@case.org or by telephone at +1-202-478-5680.
Tim Willard is vice president for development at Ranken Technical College.
Pack power words and phrases into phonathon scripts to help callers convey confidence and maintain control of the conversation.