Summer Institute 2012

Wednesday, August 15  

9:00 a.m. –
10:00 a.m.

Registration

10:00 a.m. –
10:30 a.m.

Welcome, Introduction, CCAE Story

Mark Hazlett, CCAE Executive Director

10:30 a.m. –
12:00 noon

OPENING SESSION

Advancement 101

Mary Williams, VP Advancement, McMaster University

In this comprehensive session, you will hear from one of the country’s advancement leaders on the value in having an integrated advancement operation. You will learn the basics of advancement work, including a look at the advancement cycle and the giving pyramid.

The session will delve into the importance of an integrated, team approach to advancement work, and walk you through the steps of how to become more integrated in your won institution.

You will also learn the secrets of sustained success in the advancement profession, covering such topics as being results focused, mission driven and people centred.

The Advancement 101 session is a must-attend for all new advancement professionals.

12:00 p.m. –
1:00 p.m.

Lunch

1:15 p.m. –
2:45 p.m.

INTEGRATED SESSION I

Integrating Disciplines in Advancement

Julie Castle, Executive Director, Advancement, Toronto French School

This session builds on Advancement 101 by exploring the common ground among Communications, Development, Alumni Relations, Government Relations, Student Life and Recruitment. Through shared goals, vision and mission, and a commitment to collaboration across portfolios, “Advancement” is elevated to a higher purpose rather than a departmental label.

In this interactive session, case studies will provide the foundation for a discussion of the opportunities, challenges and successes of cross-department collaboration. The session will highlight strategies and tools for nurturing collaboration that participants will be able to use in their advancement careers.

2:45 p.m. –
3:15 p.m.

Networking Break

3:15 p.m. –
5:00 p.m.

INTEGRATED SESSION II

Campaigns 101: Do your homework!

Susana Gajic-Bruyea, Associate Vice-President, Alumni Relations & Development, Western University

Many organizations neglect to conduct the necessary preparation before embarking on a fundraising campaign. Regardless of the dollar goal or initiative, in order to achieve success you need to do your homework before moving forward.

In this session you will learn about fundraising campaigns, “from soup to nuts”. Topics covered include: conducting a feasibility study for campaign readiness, identifying needs, focus groups with alumni to incorporate in the campaign, analysis of your donor lists, building and communicating the case for support, identifying and training your campaign volunteer team, conducting intense prospect research, developing gift tables, and setting goals.

Once you have done your homework, it’s time to execute the campaign! In the second half of the session, we will walk through the stages of solicitation, from prospect identification, cultivation, and proposal development, to solicitation and stewardship (to retain them for the next campaign!).

6:00 p.m. –
7:00 p.m.

Reception

7:00 p.m. –
8:30 p.m.

Dinner

Supported by TD Insurance Meloche Monnex  

8:30 p.m. –
11:30 p.m.

Relax on the Patio

Thursday, August 16

8:00 a.m. –
9:00 a.m.

Breakfast

9:00 a.m. –
12:00 noon

GROUPS WORKING TOGETHER ON PROJECTS AND PRESENTING SOLUTIONS

Building Castles in the Sand: Everyone Has a Shovel in the Advancement Sandbox

Jason Moreton, Executive Director, Alumni Advancement, Alumni Affairs & Development, University of Guelph

At one time, the phrase ‘integrated advancement’ sounded like idealistic organizational theory. Today, more and more educational institutions are putting that theory into practice. Advancement Offices are working together to engage alumni in the life of the institution, secure private financial support, and promote and communicate the institution’s successes to build a pool of advocates, volunteers, and donors.

Increasingly, the separation of ‘friend’- and ‘fund’-raising is being replaced with an integrated system to ensure the highest level of engagement from alumni and donors. In this collaborative session, delegates will be presented with a project to determine the best implementation strategy, focusing on a sandbox solution to integrate the entire advancement operation.

9:00 a.m. –
10:15 a.m.

Group work: one member from each discipline to create a strategy based on a topic given to them

10:15 a.m. –
10:30 a.m.

Networking Break

10:30 a.m. –
11:30 a.m.

Group presentations

11:30 a.m. –
12:45 p.m.

Lunch

12:45 p.m. –
2:15 p.m.

INTEGRATED SESSION III  

Socialmania – Incorporating Social Media into Advancement Work

Kyle Kuchmey, Public Relations Officer, McMaster University

Engaging alumni and donors, planning events and campaigns, writing press releases, letters, and endless e-mails – how can I possibly find time to tweet . . . and re-tweet?!

Socialmania will help you master that 140-character-or-less message that has changed the way institutions engage. We will delve into the divide between personal and professional Facebook & Twitter accounts, sharing departmental communication workload with colleagues, the importance of internal training & support (ask, offer, & share), combining work & play to form healthy communication habits (social media hour), measurement, writing the perfect post, and looking beyond text-only messages into photo and video accompaniment. This session will also highlight some of the tangible rewards of becoming a social media ambassador for your institution.

3:00 p.m. –
5:00 p.m.

Special Event: SPIKE'S INDOOR BEACH VOLLEYBALL  

Bump, Set, Spike at Spikes!

Join your Advancement colleagues in a fun, friendly, and summer-inspired interactive team-building session at Spike’s Indoor Beach Volleyball. Designed to challenge how you perceive your own limitations, this afternoon activity will get you out of your seat and onto your feet! Depending on your desired level of participation, volleyball can involve low- to high-intensity physical activity. Whether you’re knee-deep in the sand, or cheering on from the sidelines, the goal of this event is to have fun and work together as a team! Delegates should wear comfortable clothing and athletic footwear for this session.

7:00 p.m. –
9:00 p.m.

Patio Reception & Dinner  

Supported by MBNA  

9:30 p.m.

Visit the Town

Downtown London

Friday, August 17  

8:30 a.m. –
9:30 a.m.

Breakfast

9:30 a.m. –
11:00 a.m.

CLOSING SESSION

Advancement Ethics  

Mark Rittinger, Executive Director, Development and Alumni Relations, Schulich School of Business, York University

Transparency. Accountability. Individual rights. From the global financial crisis to resolving a schoolyard dispute, it seems that the role of ethics in our own lives has never been more prevalent. But what does this mean for advancement professionals, especially newcomers to the field? This session will include a review of ethical principles and tools, but will also include opportunities to consider your own ethics through a variety of case studies related to educational advancement. Discussion will include situations where ambiguous areas of conflicting "rights" present challenges, both personal and professional. Everyone has a role to play in terms of ethics in advancement; come ready to measure your own ethical barometer.

11:00 a.m. –
12:00 noon

Farewell Lunch