We don’t talk about mental health enough as a sector, especially since this profession can be an incredibly stressful career choice. In this session we’ll cover a range of topics, including the signs of fundraiser stress and burnout, and strategies you can use to build your resilience while continuing your career. We’ll also discuss our role in recognising when colleagues are struggling, and brainstorm ways to create a development workplace culture that prioritises mental health and wellbeing. I’ll also ask you to share (if you wish) your personal strategies for reducing stress and promoting work-life balance. Competencies: Industry / Sector Expertise, Relationship Building

Sometimes an enthusiastic "yes!" from your donor is just the beginning of a complex negotiation to close and celebrate a gift to your institution. Using case studies, this session will focus on the critical information, negotiation skills, key partners and due diligence necessary to come to an agreement we can all be proud of and live with. It will also focus on the importance of having institutional gift acceptance policies in place, ideally before you need them. Importantly, this session will also help you determine when it might be necessary to say no, and how to approach that potentially tricky conversation. Competencies: Industry/Sector Expertise, Relationship Building

The annual & regular giving programme can be a hive of activity for your organisation–attracting new donors, cross-pollinating with other departments, and helping your fundraising efforts blossom. This plenary will look at the fundamentals of annual giving to help you build a strong, diverse base of loyal donors who will buzz back year after year, growing the culture of giving at your institution. We will explore new and emerging trends of annual and regular giving in higher education, medical philanthropy, and the arts. This plenary demonstrates how a thoughtful, integrated annual and regular giving programme can contribute to long-term fundraising success for major gifts, capital campaigns, legacies, and ‘bee-yond’. Competencies: Industry/Sector Expertise, Emotional Intelligence

If you're like most, you'll find yourself spending one-third of your life, if not more, working! To not only excel at your job but to truly enjoy it takes strategy and rigour as well as knowledge and experience. We'll talk about how to think about your career and what to undertake and reflect upon along the way to ensure you enjoy and make the most of every step on your career journey. 

The plenary explores how institutions can focus their energies and efforts in planning and delivering ambitious multi-year, comprehensive-yet-concentrated, fundraising efforts known as campaigns. Using examples and case studies, this session not only sheds light on what a campaign actually is but also how to get campaign ready. A campaign can be a key enabler in building the culture of institutional philanthropy you and your leadership are seeking. Lorna and Marcus will outline how a campaign integrates all aspects of engagement, leadership and governance, strategic communication and development programmes to advance the mission of the organisation. We will also take time to study lessons from some of the larger, completed international campaigns and what their success (and challenges) lead us to predict about fundraising campaigns as a global enterprise.    Competencies: Industry/Sector Expertise, Global and Cultural Competence, Relationship Building, Strategic Thinking

Curtain up! Spotlights on! Actively asking is an essential skill for all development professionals, no matter what your specific role. This workshop will help equip you for success. We will use small group role plays and scenarios so that you rehearse and practice in a safe space, establishing rapport and engaging the interest of potential donors, elegantly engaging with them so that you can comfortably, and respectfully, ask for their gift and continuing support. Bravo!  Competencies: Industry/Sector Expertise, Relationship Building, Leadership

Ethics are fundamental to human endeavours, enabling personal and professional growth. An ethical compass provides individuals with purpose and authenticity. An ethical practice also ensures professionalism in the field of fundraising and promotes philanthropy by increasing trust and public confidence. This session will help us reflect on the significance of purpose and authenticity in fundraising, and how ethics shapes the fundraising profession. We will also examine various scenarios where taking an ethical stance is necessary to uphold institutional purpose and authenticity. Competencies: Relationship Building, Industry/Sector Expertise, Global and Cultural Competence, Emotional Intelligence

Fuelled by the pandemic, the last two years have seen a rise in global and civil unrest and political instability. Never have opinions about politics, health, civil rights, and personal rights become more polarised. Difficult conversations within the workplace, with our donors and key stakeholders are becoming more commonplace from everything to EDI issues, climate change, the right to work from home, and mandatory vaccination. In addition, as advancement professionals we may encounter unwanted overtures or excessive antagonism or criticism.  This session will be an interactive workshop providing an opportunity to focus - in a safe and supportive environment - on key challenges that you are keen to tackle. Are you, for example, struggling to engage with senior or academic colleagues? Are there times when you feel like you’re treading water? Are you wondering how best to resolve a complex issue? Bring your experiences and challenges. We'll explore the ways of navigating around these issues to achieve the best results.  Competencies: Industry / Sector Expertise