Program
Day 1: Thursday, April 2
12:30–1:30 PM
Conference Registration
Welcome to Charleston! Stop by the registration desk at 12:30 PM to check in and pick up your conference materials.
1:30–1:45
Welcome and Introductions
Join chair Leslie Hutchens to meet the faculty and learn how to get the most out of your time at the conference.
1:45–2:45
Keep Close From Afar
What happens when a donor lives across the country from your institution? How do you manage a productive relationship when you visit a particular territory once a year (or even that)? After their student just came home for spring break, why does a family need to meet with a development person?
In a time when we are all able to connect remotely, but seemingly busier than ever, how do we motivate our donors to want to stay connected with our institutions in a meaningful way? Whether they live just down the road, or on the other side of the globe, we will discuss how to engage supporters in a variety of mediums and ways that create worthwhile, productive relationships for both sides of the equation.
3:00–4:00
Are you there, Donor? It's me, your Alma Mater!
How do you get your foot in the door for that first visit? Is it your email subject line? is it a clever outreach on LinkedIn or Facebook? Is it the two-minutes video your student intern shot on their iPhone with student scholarship recipients? Come to this session to learn and share innovative ways to reach out to donors and get their attention.
4:15–5:30
Anatomy of a Successful Donor Visit
"You never get a second chance to make a first impression." This session will outline key strategies and best practices in a successful donor visit. During this session we will discuss the key components of the visit along with essential strategies to move the conversation to the next level.
5:30 PM
Conference Adjourns for the Day
Dinner on your own
Dinner on your own OR optional small group dinners in Charleston; sign-up required.
Day 2: Friday, April 3
8:00–8:45 AM
Continental Breakfast & Roundtable Discussions
Join your peers for optional small group discussions. Groups will be organized by institution type. A continental breakfast will be provided.
8:45–9:45
Overcoming Objections
Having a donor say “no” feels like the end of the conversation, but is it? We will talk about how to take this as an opportunity to learn more about your donors and find what they really want to support.
9:45–10:45
Role Play Activity
It is time to put what you have learned into action. We will divide into groups and practice making an ask using several prepared scenarios.
11:00–11:45
Large Group Discussion
After we complete our role playing activity the group will reconvene to take a few minutes to learn from each other and how we handled the situations. What worked or didn't work in your small role-play scenarios?
11:45 AM–12:00 PM
Conference Wrap-up and Final Q&A
Bring your last questions to the table…wrap up with faculty and with your peers.
12:00 PM
Conference Adjourns