about : president's letter

FROM THE PRESIDENT by Johnne Syverson, CFP®, CAP
September 2007

While the Summer has come and gone since we last gathered for the AiP Conference in Chicago at the end of April, there has been much activity going on behind the scenes through the activities of the various AiP committees populated with "regular" AiP members just like you. Following is an update on what has been going on in your AiP organization. If you want to join in the fun with any of our progressive committees, just call Jackie Farnham who will direct you to the appropriate committee chairperson so you too can become more involved in our most unique professional organization.

Administrative Director - Our transition from Deb Tinkler to our new Administrative Director, Jaclyn Farnham, has been successful. One of the first projects Jaclyn has taken on is an upgrade to our on-line database system. You will see the results of this upgrade shortly, such as new opt-in features including a message board system and email alerts by subject or topic.

Conference Committee - Alan Pratt, Chairman of the 2008 Conference on Philanthropy, has reported that 16 speakers have been invited to speak in 2008 and commitments received to date include Barb Culver and Anne Ellinger. Mark your calendar for April 24-26th at the Embassy Suites in Chicago for a spectacular line-up of top-notch industry speakers.

Education Committee - Drake Zimmerman, Don Gleichman, and Les Winston have been working with the American College in regard to the CAP designation and our ability to teach courses and promote the designation. We are happy to announce that our Memo of Understanding with the American College has been extended until 2010. We are offering at least one CAP course at the Conference in April and possibly more. The Education Committee is also working on: 1) developing a CAP light course that can be taught by AiP members who are CAP graduates, to Planned Giving and Community organizations; 2) developing a schedule of quarterly teleconferences.

Membership Committee - Jerry Nuerge Chairman of the Committee has developed subcommittees to make personal contact with new members, provisional members, late renewals, and Past Members. We currently have 329 members, and the goal for the next year is to exceed 400.

Governance Committee - Your Board of Directors will be meeting on November 11-13 at the Deerfield Hyatt to update the AiP Strategic Plan with Renata Rafferty as facilitator.

Marketing Committee - Yale Levey, along with Hank Whiffen and Jerry Nuerge, are working on several developments with the charity Starfish Television Network. Yale is also in negotiations with Investment News to write an article that could work into a regular column on philanthropy. We have also negotiated on alliance with the Wealth Advisors Institute (WAI).

Finance Committee - Bob Thompson has secured Thornburg Investment Management’s commitment as AiP’s Corporate Philanthropic Partner to support our CAP related activities.

Endowment Committee - Les Winston has filed the paperwork necessary to start the Advisors in Philanthropy Foundation, Inc. and plans to begin writing grant requests to carry on our work in larger measure beginning in 2008.

Yours for Inspired Giving,

Johnne Syverson, CFP®, AEP, CAP
AiP President