Message from the Co-Chairs	Sponsors	Schedule at a Glance
Keynote Speakers and Plenary Sessions	Concurrent Sessions	Networking Sessions
Speaker Profiles	Special Events	Conference Hotel & Venue
Tourism & Transportation	Attendee List	Literature Exchange
Registration		All-Canadian Alumni - CCAE Golf Tournament

 

Concurrent Sessions 

 

Sunday, June 6
1:30 - 3:00 p.m.	Making Headlines Presenter: TBA
	Stewardship: It’s Everyone’s Job! Presenters: Susan Rankin, Director, Stewardship & Donor Relations, McMaster University; Natalie Cook Zywicki, Director, University Partnerships, University of British Columbia; Jennifer Bendl, Director, Stewardship and Events, UBC Development and Alumni Engagement
	Bringing the Canadian Brandscape to Botswana Presenter: Chuck Cunningham, Director of Communications & Public Affairs, University of Guelph
	From Campaign Director to Data Geek: Two Perspectives on Common Problems and Solutions in Fundraising Technology Presenters: Cathy Collins, Chief Development Officer, Mohawk College; Robin Porter, President and CEO, RESolutionsTECH
	Learning to Connect: Turning New Grads into Engaged Young Alumni Presenter: Andrea Eccleston, Alumni Relations Officer: Student and Young Alumni Engagement, University of Saskatchewan
	Effective Solicitation Technique: Where the Rubber Hits the Road Presenter: Guy Mallabone, Vice-President of External Relations and Chief Development Officer, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) Polytechnic
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.	From Corporate Relations to Strategic Partnerships: Best Practices in Corporate Philanthropy Presenter: Jane Potentier, Associate Director of Development, Strategic Partnerships, University of Alberta
	Many Players, One Message Presenter: Vaughan Dowie, Executive Head of Public Affairs, McGill University
	The Mighty, Yet Elusive Fundraising Volunteer Presenter: Lisa Woodcock, Associate Director: Annual Fund, Alumni Affairs and Development, University of Guelph
	Reunion Unions: Strengthening the Bonds between Alumni & Development Presenters: Liz King, Senior Alumni Relations Manager, Alumni Affairs, University of British Columbia; Laura Quilici, Program Manager, Annual Giving, University of British Columbia
	Celebrating a Major Milestone: Plans, Pitfalls and Opportunities Presenters: James Allan, Senior Director, Alumni, York University; Cynthia Bettcher, Project Director, York's 50th Anniversary, York University; Kerra St John, Director of Ceremonies and Events, University of Victoria
	Advocates and Ambassadors: Engaging Community Leaders Presenter: Andrea Marsh, Director, External Relations Calgary, University of Alberta.
Monday, June 7
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon	Generation Digital: Photography, University Marketing, and Young People Who Know Everything About Pictures Presenter: Jason Jones, JonesFoto, Inc.
	The Downtown University: How to Build a Brand in an Urban Environment / L’université au centre-ville : faire sa place dans le trafic (bilingual session) Presenters: Nathalie Benoit, Marketing Communications Director, Communications Services, (Directrice de la promotion, Service des communications), , Université du Québec à Montréal; Maxim Bonin, Project Manager Communications Services (Chargé de projet, Service des communications), Université du Québec à Montréal
	Cross-Country Check-up: A Scan of 'Au courant' Strategies from Across Canada Presenters: Stu Reid, Karen Willson, and Bob Edgett, , KCI (Ketchum Canada Inc.) Senior Vice Presidents; Penny Blackwood, Director, Alumni Affairs & Development, Memorial University of Newfoundland; Gary Durbeniuk, Chief Development Officer, University of Calgary; strong>Adam Kahan, Vice President, University Advancement, Ryerson University
	Why Bother with Alumni Events? Presenter: Steven Drover, Manager, Event Programming and Faculty Relations, University of Ottawa
	Parents – The New Frontier: Building a Comprehensive Parent Program Presenter: Leisha LeCouvie, Director, Parent and Affinity Programs, McGill University
	Making it Happen! Presenters: Frank Cerisano, Executive Director, Advancement, Centennial College; Sharon Aitken, Director, Alumni and Annual Giving, Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.	Donor Recognition: Everything You Need to Know for Successful, Sustainable Recognition Solutions Presenters: Frank Cerisano, Executive Director, Advancement, Centennial College; Deborah Burgess, Principal, Octopus Recognition Inc.
	Twitter (and Other Social Media): A Love/Hate Relationship Presenters: Doug Sweet, Director, Media Relations, McGill University; Leisha LeCouvie, Director, Parent and Affinity Programs, McGill University
	Pipe Dreams? Repopulating a Dried-up Campaign Pipeline Presenter: Guy Larocque, Director, Alumni Relations and Annual Fund, University of Ottawa
	How to Build Large Gala Dinners Far From Home Presenters: Lynn Cadigan, Assistant Director, Alumni Affairs, Memorial University of Newfoundland; Jennifer O’Neill, Associate Director, Development, Memorial University of Newfoundland
	Networking…Is It Really a Dirty Word? (Hint: No!) Presenters: Rose Terzariol, Vice President, KCI (Ketchum Canada Inc.); Andrea R. Wink, Director of Development, Faculty of Applied Science, Dean's Office, University of British Columbia
	Watch Out, Universities, Other Schools Have Designs on Your Alumni Presenter: Jay Goulart, Executive Director of Advancement, Ridley College

 

 

Click here to Register Now!

 

Sunday, June 6, 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.

  

Making Headlines
Presenter: TBA 

What does it take to get into the newspaper or on air these days (let alone on the front page)? With newsrooms strapped for staff and resources, and the incessant demands of the 24-hour news cycle, there's an art to getting noticed and getting the media coverage you merit. A senior journalist from the Victoria Times-Colonist will tell us what attracts an editor's or reporter's eye, and what we need to do to promote our stories. 

Go to top

  

Stewardship: It’s Everyone’s Job!
Presenters: Susan Rankin, Director, Stewardship & Donor Relations, McMaster University; Natalie Cook Zywicki, Director, University Partnerships, University of British Columbia 

Stewardship is an ethical responsibility, the requirement and expectation that our institutions are accountable for careful, effective use of gifts for their designated purposes. Proper stewardship of the funds we receive takes careful consideration and becomes an essential component of any good donor relations program. Join us as we explore case studies of effective and less-effective stewardship. We’ll discuss the critical importance of engaging the entire campus community (starting at the top) to effectively steward gifts and to be our best advocates in strategic donor relations. Stewardship is, in fact, everyone’s job… they may just not know it yet! 

Go to top

  

Bringing the Canadian Brandscape to Botswana
Presenter: Chuck Cunningham, Director of Communications & Public Affairs, University of Guelph 

This presentation will explore a recent Canadian mission to help the Southern African nation of Botswana create a corporate brand, visual identity and marketing strategies for its second public university, the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST). Find out how the University of Guelph, BIUST, AUCC and WUSC helped connect creative teams from two continents; learn how a tagline was born and a design platform came to life; and discover how you too can use a collaborative approach to solve branding and marketing challenges and overcome international barriers. 

Go to top

  

From Campaign Director to Data Geek: Two Perspectives on Common Problems and Solutions in Fundraising Technology
Presenters: Cathy Collins, Chief Development Officer, Mohawk College; Robin Porter, President and CEO, RESolutionsTECH 

Cathy and Robin examine common issues with fundraising technology that have been identified across a number of universities, colleges and schools, from the perspective of the Fundraiser and the Data Geek. They will walk through examples of issues and provide case studies from actual schools. Cathy will identify issues, solutions, and best practices from her extensive experience at a number of institutions; Robin will identify issues, solutions, and best practices from case studies of RESolutionsTECH clients. 

Go to top

  

Learning to Connect: Turning New Grads into Engaged Young Alumni
Presenter: Andrea Eccleston, Alumni Relations Officer: Student and Young Alumni Engagement, University of Saskatchewan 

If the first five years will determine a young graduate’s affinity to his/her alma mater, and his/her propensity to give, how do we motivate cash-strapped new alumni to stay connected with our institution? Learn how the University of Saskatchewan, using only in-house services, received feedback from over 8,000 students and young alumni, and used this feedback to create recommendations for this ever-evolving demographic. The Young Alumni project pulled together individuals from all units on one integrated project to solve the problem of keeping our young alumni engaged with USask after graduation. The presenters will share their experiences on this project, including some of the biggest surprises in the data, lessons learned, and next steps. Questions and discussion will get participants thinking about how they could implement this in their own institutions. This session is for anyone who wants to engage young alumni, whether from an alumni relations or development standpoint. 

Go to top

  

Effective Solicitation Technique: Where the Rubber Hits the Road
Presenter: Guy Mallabone, Vice-President of External Relations and Chief Development Officer, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) Polytechnic 

Major gift fundraising ultimately means…asking someone for money face-to-face. Not an easy task, and not natural, in many ways. But if you are going to be successful in major gift fundraising, you need to be successful at major gift solicitation. Struggling to find the best strategy to ask for money? Not sure how to get to the point of asking? Looking to find the correct words? Attend this practical session for a strategic overview of major gift solicitation; review the elements that influence a decision; examine the psychology and the secrets of a successful ask; and have fun participating in solicitation role-play. This session will use adult learning techniques to maximize the benefit and learning outcomes for participants, including small-group work, group discussion, role-play, and lecture. 

Go to top

  

  

Sunday, June 6, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

  

From Corporate Relations to Strategic Partnerships: Best Practices in Corporate Philanthropy
Presenter: Jane Potentier, Associate Director of Development, Strategic Partnerships, University of Alberta 

What does the corporate giving landscape look like in 2010? What are we hearing from our corporate donors/partners about trends and influences in corporate giving? How can institutions develop strategies to better connect and engage with corporations to maximize potential gifts and influence long-term partnerships? In this session we will share some practical tools, tips, and background research. We will delve deeper into new ways of thinking about how we can enhance and reshape our corporate giving programs.  

Go to top

  

Many Players, One Message
Presenter: Vaughan Dowie, Executive Head of Public Affairs, McGill University 

Universities and colleges are big, complicated places with both common goals and competing internal agendas. What's the best way to deliver consistent, coherent messages to a wide array of audiences, both inside and outside the institution - students, faculty, staff, alumni, external stakeholders, government and the public? Vaughan Dowie brings considerable experience to this topic, as the chief communicator for one of the country's largest universities and from his years as a high-level administrator with the British Columbia government.  

Go to top

  

The Mighty, Yet Elusive Fundraising Volunteer
Presenter: Lisa Woodcock, Associate Director: Annual Fund, Alumni Affairs and Development, University of Guelph  

With time and budgets stretched to the max, fundraisers are forced to become increasingly creative in using volunteers to help reach financial goals and engage alumni. But if good fundraising is an art, how can we expect to find enough voluntary Michelangelos? Join Lisa Woodcock in an exploration of the multiple roles a volunteer can take in the wide world of fundraising. Together, we’ll learn how to use this precious resource through a best-practice tour, and brainstorm ways to tell a wannabe-artist that they’re really just a doodler.  

Go to top

  

Reunion Unions: Strengthening the Bonds between Alumni & Development
Presenters: Liz King, Senior Alumni Relations Manager, Alumni Affairs, University of British Columbia; Laura Quilici, Program Manager, Annual Giving, University of British Columbia  

Alumni associations and development offices may serve different purposes ("friend-raising" versus "fund-raising"), but many educational institutions, including the University of British Columbia, have integrated these two offices. Alumni and development professionals are increasingly being called upon to break down the silos and barriers that have traditionally existed between them, and work together in a more integrated fashion, sharing tools and techniques. The results can contribute to both alumni engagement and development goals. A collaborative approach to reunions and homecomings may contain elements of volunteer engagement, planning, programming and philanthropy. Liz King from UBC’s Alumni Affairs and Laura Quilici from the UBC Annual Giving office will share some best practices using case studies, benchmarking and evaluation techniques. They will discuss how the team at UBC is beginning to use class and affinity-based reunions to forge a stronger partnership between alumni affairs and development.  

Go to top

  

Celebrating a Major Milestone: Plans, Pitfalls and Opportunities
Presenters: James Allan, Senior Director, Alumni, York University; Cynthia Bettcher, Project Director, York's 50th Anniversary, York University; Kerra St John, Director of Ceremonies and Events, University of Victoria  

Whether it’s every ten years or every 25, anniversaries roll around like clockwork. While a major milestone is always a great excuse to celebrate, an anniversary also provides opportunities for an educational institution to leverage its history and engage its communities in building for the future. York University celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2009, and the University of Victoria is already planning for its 50th in 2013. Join a group of advancement professionals from both schools for a lively interchange about the planning, pitfalls and opportunities that come with any major milestone.  

Go to top

  

Advocates and Ambassadors: Engaging Community Leaders
Presenter: Andrea Marsh, Director, External Relations Calgary, University of Alberta 

Community leaders depend on educational institutions to achieve great things.  Whether it is to attract outstanding people, bring prominence to our geographic regions or solve important issues through research and teaching, we share common goals. Community leaders want to help us achieve these goals, but as advancement leaders, how do we make sure our institutions build deep relationships with the most influential people so that they know how best to help? Learn how to create meaningful interactions and how to leverage insight so that we not only raise more money, but make our institutions more responsive and relevant.

Andrea Marsh, has led the University of Alberta President’s Think Tank initiative since 2007. She will share the story of its impact at the U of A and discuss the strategies, tactics (and yes, pitfalls) that have led to the model’s success.

 

Go to top

  

  

Monday, June 7, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon

  

Generation Digital: Photography, University Marketing, and Young People Who Know Everything About Pictures
Presenter: Jason Jones, JonesFoto, Inc. 

Prospective Canadian university students are not just sophisticated when it comes to web and print-based communications - they are defining the genre, via their own Facebook, MySpace, website and social media outlets. Put something in front of them that you think the VP for Enrollment Management will find acceptable, and they are likely to have some real fun at your expense. Nowhere is this more true than in the photographic images these bright, innovative kids deal with every day. In this energized, fast-moving presentation, Jason Jones, a photographer now based in Toronto, will use music, humour, and over 500 photos to emphasize the importance of edgy, relevant photographic material in anything you send to Generation Digital.  

Go to top

  

The Downtown University: How to Build a Brand in an Urban Environment / L’université au centre-ville : faire sa place dans le trafic (bilingual session)
Presenters: Nathalie Benoit, Marketing Communications Director, Communications Services, (Directrice de la promotion, Service des communications), , Université du Québec à Montréal; Maxim Bonin, Project Manager Communications Services (Chargé de projet, Service des communications), Université du Québec à Montréal 

A university located, for better or for worse, in the heart of downtown Montreal, UQAM has implemented a partnership strategy for positioning itself in its environment through public events. Using concrete examples, such as the Montreal All-Nighter, the presenter will describe this strategy and its results in terms of visibility.
Université ancrée dans le centre-ville de Montréal, pour le meilleur et pour le pire, l’UQAM a mis en place une stratégie de partenariats pour se positionner avantageusement dans son environnement, par l’entremise d’événements grand public. À l’aide d’exemples concrets, comme l’activité de la Nuit Blanche à Montréal, les présentateurs décriront en quoi consiste cette stratégie ainsi que les retombées en termes de visibilité.   

Go to top

  

Cross-Country Check-up: A Scan of 'Au courant' Strategies from Across Canada
Presenters: Stu Reid, Karen Willson, and Bob Edgett, , KCI (Ketchum Canada Inc.) Senior Vice Presidents; Penny Blackwood, Director, Alumni Affairs & Development, Memorial University of Newfoundland; Gary Durbeniuk, Chief Development Officer, University of Calgary; Adam Kahan, Vice President, University Advancement, Ryerson University 

Advancement offices across Canada are strategically adapting to the evolving philanthropic environment throughout the nation. Based on their ongoing work with universities in all corners of the country, a panel will provide a snapshot of where leading advancement teams are focusing their energies and the positive impact it’s having on their bottom line. They will identify ‘of the moment’ strategies being used on issues such as: staff retention and organizational planning; the decentralization of development and alumni functions; transitioning from capital campaigns to sustainable annual major gift programs; and the increasing role of government relations in post-secondary fundraising.   

Go to top

  

Why Bother with Alumni Events?
Presenter: Steven Drover, Manager, Event Programming and Faculty Relations, University of Ottawa  

Why not take all those precious resources and give them to the Development Office? Would you not get a bigger bang for your buck? Absolutely not! Events are a fantastic opportunity to discover, steward and cultivate crucial, long-term, high-impact relationships that can help take your organization to the next level. But as stand-alone activities, they achieve very little except short-lived warm-and-fuzzies. Alumni events must be part of a long-term, multi-year, strategic relationship-building process to achieve their full impact. Events can be essential steps in a critical path to institutional uplift. They can be rallying points, around which all key internal stakeholders optimize institutional investments in public relations. In this session we will discuss where the real value of alumni events lies, how strategic they can be, and how a coherent program - with a clear sense of purpose, good leadership and simple but consistent tactics - can bring your institution to higher ground.   

Go to top

  

Parents – The New Frontier: Building a Comprehensive Parent Program
Presenter: Leisha LeCouvie, Director, Parent and Affinity Programs, McGill University 

Parents: Love them or hate them, they are here to stay. Today’s students are products of parents who like to be involved and engaged in their children’s lives, so why fight the trend? This session will show you how to deal with the hovering helicopter parent, and to work with them to build a strong parent engagement and solicitation program. From gathering parent information, to developing a parents weekend, to engaging parents in regions around the world, and finally to tapping into parent fundraising, this session will cover it all.   

Go to top

  

Making it Happen!
Presenters: Frank Cerisano, Executive Director, Advancement, Centennial College; Sharon Aitken, Director, Alumni and Annual Giving, Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning  

Struggling to do more with less? Trying to exceed results and implement new, exciting programs while keeping staff and budgets at current levels? Look no further! Join us as we share how Sheridan is delivering results with the same number of staff and a dynamic, engaged volunteer community focused on delivering value today and in the future.   

Go to top

  

  

Monday, June 7, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

  

Donor Recognition: Everything You Need to Know for Successful, Sustainable Recognition Solutions
Presenters: Frank Cerisano, Executive Director, Advancement, Centennial College; Deborah Burgess, Principal, Octopus Recognition Inc. 

The session looks at how to develop successful, sustainable recognition strategies and solutions that will enhance your fundraising initiatives and aid in your stewardship efforts. We will cover the importance of policy, strategy, program selection and how to develop successful means for recognition - donor walls, naming opportunity signage, room recognition, and awards. We will show how to identify needs and how to implement solutions. The session outcome is an understanding of how to plan for and invest in donor recognition to move forward with your initiatives in an impactful, efficient, cost-effective and sustainable manner. It’s about donor recognition as a launching point for opportunity, not just a “necessary evil” or end in itself.   

Go to top

  

Twitter (and Other Social Media): A Love/Hate Relationship
Presenters: Doug Sweet, Director, Media Relations, McGill University; Leisha LeCouvie, Director, Parent and Affinity Programs, McGill University 

Twitter is a great way to communicate with an enormous audience with very little effort. Twitter pumps out mindless dreck that at best fails to enlighten, and at worst spreads misinformation and outright falsehood. Who's right? Our "Point/Counterpoint" session will pit McGill's Leisha Lecouvie (pro-Twitter) against her colleague Doug Sweet (anti-Twitter) in what promises to be rousing discussion of the pros and cons of social media.   

Go to top

  

Pipe Dreams? Repopulating a Dried-up Campaign Pipeline
Presenter: Guy Larocque, Director, Alumni Relations and Annual Fund, University of Ottawa  

Breaking the silos. We hear about it all the time. They exist in university advancement, like everywhere else. They are difficult to address and they inhibit the ability of an institution to build, nurture and expand a quality pipeline. How can we deal with them? Today, postsecondary institutions are committing to increasingly ambitious capital campaigns. Given the complexity of our field, operational specialization is not only desirable but necessary. Yet only a systematic, integrated, cross-sector approach can help an organization meet and even exceed its goals. This session will present and analyze a specific, real-life scenario of turn-around planning. The re-conceptualization process was designed to create a virtual cycle of growth, with performance measurements and periodic, comprehensive business reviews.   

Go to top

  

How to Build Large Gala Dinners Far From Home
Presenters: Lynn Cadigan, Assistant Director, Alumni Affairs, Memorial University of Newfoundland; Jennifer O’Neill, Associate Director, Development, Memorial University of Newfoundland 

Upon graduation, many alumni move far beyond the immediate environs of their university. The highly educated are mobile, and this movement has traditionally been compounded at Memorial University. Although Newfoundland and Labrador is currently enjoying relative prosperity, outmigration - necessitated by economics and lagging employment - is still a factor. Our alumni take up residence all around the world, establishing careers and becoming community leaders. Memorial is keenly aware that these global networks represent opportunities that extend back to the university. Most prominent are the potential gains for financial advancement, student recruitment, and employment opportunities for work-term students and graduates. Although technology allows us to stay connected, alumni (and donor) engagement remains a challenge. The Affinity Dinner Event has emerged as an integral component of our outreach strategy. Memorial has moved beyond geographic constraints to take on a major, tangible, physical presence in a number of cities. Each year our Affinity Committees branch out to offer new events to their respective markets that include socials, family events, and professional development seminars.   

Go to top

  

Networking…Is It Really a Dirty Word? (Hint: No!)
Presenters: Rose Terzariol, Vice President, KCI (Ketchum Canada Inc.); Andrea R. Wink, Director of Development, Faculty of Applied Science, Dean's Office, University of British Columbia 

Networking – it’s critical to making contacts, spreading your message, and ultimately raising money. For many people, though, the thought of it evokes sweaty palms and butterflies. Using practical tips and anecdotal examples, KCI Vice President Rose Terzariol will identify the seven secrets to successful networking and the proverbial landmines to avoid. By the end of this session, quiet introverts and energetic extroverts alike will feel at ease conversing with strangers, and will understand how to use the power of networking to their advantage.   

Go to top

  

Watch Out, Universities, Other Schools Have Designs on Your Alumni
Presenter: Jay Goulart, Executive Director of Advancement, Ridley College 

For years, independent schools have been concerned with their perceived position of weakness when competing with universities for their alumni attention. The facts are compelling that the private school market has the tools to outmaneuver universities in alumni relations, fundraising and, most specifically, stewardship. Hear the specific strategies that a private school used to out-play one of the most prestigious Ivy League schools in the U.S. with one of America's largest foundations.   

Go to top

 

 

Click here to Register Now!