March 2010
Volume 8 Issue 3
Research and News of Note
Small schools can do little things to communicate with alumni that will have a big impact, according to a speaker at the CASE District III conference held Feb. 21-24 in Tampa, Fla.
Developments that accelerated after the 1960s—an increase in business owners who are women, more women in positions of power, longer life expectancies and increasing income and education—have created a powerful, though often overlooked, demographic in educational fundraising.
While 55 percent of Americans believe a higher education degree is essential for success, 69 percent say it is becoming less and less available to qualified people.
More colleges and universities are using YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other social media tools to recruit and connect with prospective students.
Educational institutions can strengthen their fundraising and alumni relations programs by building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with their surrounding communities. That’s according to presenters at a recent CASE Online Speaker Series on community relations.
Pitching science and research stories to the media can be difficult, especially when the science topic is a bit of a snoozer. One key strategy is to look beyond the subject of the scientific research and find out the “how” and “why” behind it, according to an article in the April issue of CURRENTS.
Inside CASE
The CASE Board of Trustees and the CASE Europe Board of Trustees, during a March 13 joint meeting in Washington, D.C., affirmed CASE’s commitment to being a single international organization strengthened by regional roots and global connections.
Two widely respected professionals who have made valuable contributions to the educational foundation field are this year's recipients of the CASE Commonfund Institutionally Related Foundation awards.
Leading experts in educational advancement will share strategies to maximise fundraising efforts, build stronger alumni relationships and make the best use of shrinking resources in a tough economy at the upcoming 2010 CASE Asia-Pacific Advancement Conference.
"At the minimum, advancement services should be at the table when educational institutions start discussing social media strategies and their use," says Tom Chaves, chair of the upcoming Institute for Senior Advancement Services Professionals.
CASE continued to add new resources and content this month to keep the Web site fresh and relevant to members.
Building on the success of last year's institute program for educational fundraisers, CASE Asia-Pacific will launch a similar week-long training program for alumni relations professionals Aug. 16-20 at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House in Singapore.
Campus communications and marketing leaders who participate in the current CASE Lipman Hearne integrated marketing survey have a chance to win a free branding seminar or CASE book.
Looking for a way to strengthen the advancement skills of an outstanding student leader? Consider sending them to the 2010 CASE ASAP Network Convention this summer in Kansas City, Mo. Scholarship opportunities are available.
Certified public accountants attending the 18th Annual CASE Conference for Institutionally Related Foundations, April 13-16, in Bonita Springs, Fla., can earn up to 12.5 continuing professional education credits by attending CPE credit sessions.
There's still time to register for CASE Europe's symposium on fundraising for European rectors and presidents.
There's still time to register for next week's Editors Forum in Boston. And for the editors, writers and other communications professionals who would love to go but can't make it this year, CASE is offering a live simulcast of five sessions from the conference.
CASE Europe keeps members informed about their colleagues' advancement—whether moving to a new institution around the corner or across continents.
U.S. Federal Relations News
On March 10, the U.S. Senate amended and passed the Tax Extenders Act (H.R. 4213), legislation that would retroactively extend the IRA charitable rollover through Dec. 31, 2010.
To help members navigate the complex landscape of state charitable solicitation laws, CASE has commissioned a white paper (PDF) that outlines the application of these statutes to educational institutions and their institutionally related organizations.
Matched Funding Scheme
CASE Europe and the Higher Education Council for England recognised three educational institutions for their "improved and sustained fundraising performance" during the first year of the UK government's Matched Funding Scheme for Voluntary Giving in England.
CASE District NewsDistrict I
District I has a full schedule for its breakfast series.
"Can You Write Better than a Fifth-Grader?" on March 19 will share new tools and techniques to help attendees sharpen their writing skills-whether tackling the writing on their own or hiring outside contractors.
"A Roundtable Discussion: Securing Principal Gifts," on June 4 will discuss successful implementation of a principal gifts program and strategy. Learn the processes that are important to follow to secure the highest-level gifts. There will be ample opportunity for interaction and conversation about successes and challenges. More details and register.
District II
District II is already gearing up for next year's conference in Baltimore. If you're interested in volunteering, please contact one of the conference co-chairs: Tom Hanrahan at Hanrahan@lvc.edu or Megan Mercier at mmercier@skidmore.edu.
District III
District III thanks its volunteers for their incredible service at the District III Ingenuity Conference in Tampa.
The conference had thought-provoking speakers, great support from resource partners and wonderful networking opportunities with new and old friends.
Mark your calendars for "Jazz it up!" a joint District III and IV conference scheduled for Feb. 20-23, 2011, in New Orleans. Watch for an e-mail notice to District III members about upcoming phone conference calls from Jenna Goodloe Wade, vice president for development at Rhodes College.
District IV
District IV congratulates six members who have received 2010 CASE District IV conference scholarships.
The recipients, who will be recognized in March during the Austin district conference, are:
- Mark Cramer, senior communications specialist, New Mexico State University
- Courtney Hart, manager of special projects for corporate and foundation relations, Louisiana State University
- Daniel Johnson, director of alumni services, Northeastern State University (Okla.)
- Jean Marquardt, executive director, GROW Santa Fe Community College Foundation
- Roberto Vila Quinones, assistant in institutional development, Universidad Anahuac (Mexico)
- Zachary Thomas, director of advancement communications, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
District V
District V-Have an idea for a professional development topic for this year's Dec. 12-14, 2010, conference? Send suggestions to Steve Crawford at crawfords@denison.edu.
Get a spring clean-up with your professional development. I-CASE is planning a day-long workshop at Ball State University on Friday, April 23. Get more info or register.
Also, District V has a ‘Preferred Partner Rate Agreement' with the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers. Get reduced rates throughout the year! Find details.
And finally, find out why the University of Findlay has an "oil fountain" on its campus in CASE V's Parting Shot II.
District VI
The District VI conference will be held on Jan. 9-11, 2011, in Kansas City at the Westin Crown Center Hotel.
The theme is iCase and the conference planning team is working on the program. If you have program ideas or submissions, send them to conference chair Kris Lensmeyer at kris.lensmeyer@westminster-mo.edu.
In other news, the District VI board of directors will convene May 17-18, 2010, in St. Louis to develop a strategic plan for the next five years. The board will review its current structure and areas of emphasis to enable the district to plan for a bright and successful future.
District VII
District VII has launched a series of affordable one-day workshops. Explore the 2010 schedule.
District VIII
District VIII will hold "Regional Program: Social Media Boot Camp," on April 23 in Spokane, Wash. The social media boot camp will give attendees everything they need to get their organization up to speed in the emerging world of social media marketing. Learn practical tools, techniques and ideas that you can use today to create and deploy your social media strategy.
And finally, District VIII welcomes two new board members: Denise Callahan of Willamette University and Lance Kissler of Pacific University. Denise is co-chair of regional programming, and Lance is co-chair of communications.
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.
