School professionals attending APAC 2024 Main Conference are invited to join us for an enlightening school tour at United World College! Departing promptly at 3:45 PM, delegates will be picked up by coach at the side door of the Grand Copthorne Hotel.

Giving Days can be an energizing and dynamic tool to raise funds for critical mission-aligned priorites in a short period of time from a broad array of key stakeholders. We'll share our successes and challenges from UWCSEA's three years of Annual Giving Day initiatives, and the ways in which this annual fundraising tool has helped us to build our donor base, raise more funds, raise awareness about our programmes and mission, and build community and impact across our parents, students, staff and alumni.

Session Description: A case study on how The American School in Japan re-defined the role of its PTA and moved away from event-based fundraising to a new funding model. From a starting point of having two separate PTAs, a Boosters group, Friends of the Fine Arts group, and a Senior Parent group, ASIJ transitioned overtime to a single PTA Board. The session will explore how the school moved from having multiple event-based fundraisers that supported parent group budgets to a school-funded budget model and the creation of a PTA Annual Fund Committee that supports the work of the Advancement Office. These changes contributed to ASIJ having its most successful fundraising year in 2022-23.

Is there any additional information you would like to share about the session, speakers or format? : Having been at ASIJ for 22 years, and as a serving member of the PTA Board, I have been the architect and shepherd for much of the change that has taken place over the years to bring us to this position. I can speak to the challenges, roadblocks, and opportunities that schools have with parent groups and provide insight into how ASIJ was able to complete this journey and how we are stewarding the change as we move forward.

Learning Outcomes : Articulate the pros and cons of moving away from a traditional PTA fundraising model.
Understand how to build consensus and move forward with changes.
Describe the benefits of focusing the PTA on institutionally aligned fundraising. Creating community support for the Annual Fund

What is the key takeaway from this session?: That the traditional PTA model with event-based fundraising is not the only option and the time, energy, and resources used for major fundraising events can be harnessed to move institutions forward more strategically and sustainably.

Session Description: Collaboration holds immense value across various contexts, whether in the workplace, education, research, or community initiatives. In our field of Alumni Relations, there are several reasons why collaboration should be highly considered, particularly regarding synergy and innovation, learning and growth, enhancing problem-solving strategies, etc. In essence, collaboration among Alumni Relations Officers is not just about achieving specific tasks; it's about fostering a culture of shared purpose, mutual support, and continuous improvement. The value of collaboration among professionals in our field extends beyond immediate outcomes, influencing the overall success and sustainability of various endeavors.

In the realm of education, endowments have long been associated with universities and colleges. However, the significance of these financial reserves is now being recognized by an increasing number of independent schools. Sophisticated donors are seeking ways to make a lasting impact, leave a legacy and secure the long-term sustainability of their educational institutions. We will delve into the process of establishing and growing endowments, shedding light on the steps taken to educate the community, raise awareness, and generate excitement.

Milestone events can be daunting as they usually involve managing the expectations and aspirations of a diverse range of community stakeholders. They also present a unique opportunity to build engagement and win hearts - paving the way for success in a range of advancement endeavours - from enrolments to alumni relations to philanthropy. Careful planning with consideration to key audience groups is crucial in maximising good outcomes. In this session, learn more about how to make the most of your milestone event from the early planning stages to execution including engaging leadership, establishing your guiding principles, events, marketing, communications, budgets and merchandise! Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the principles pf planning a multi-event celebration milestone program 2. Build a celebration that is inclusive and accessible 3. Building engagement with your key audiences 4. Consider how to tailor a program for your institution

Universities and Schools are increasingly thinking globally when it comes to strategy, student recruitment and partnerships, but many are uncertain about how to grow or expand global giving. While a number of institutions in the Asia-Pacific region have an established international giving and/or engagement programs, others are still doing little more than dipping their toes in the water. Whatever stage your institution's global giving and engagement program is at, there is tremendous growth potential. This session will present and analyse a variety of approaches made by various institutions who have well-established international giving and engagement programs. We will show detail successful practices, techniques and helpful insights to help equip your institution to seize the moment and go global with your engagement and giving programs.

Get ready to dive into a thought provoking discussion that challenges the very foundation of the fundraising world. Today we will explore the captivating question, "Can AI replace the job of a fundraiser?" Join us as we embark on the exhilarating exploration of the intersection between technology and philanthropy, delving into the potential of AI to revolutionize the fundraising landscape.

Donor-centered fundraising has driven the last quarter-century of philanthropy. For many schools and universities, Annual Giving is the first step in a journey towards transformational philanthropy; a parent or alum makes a choice to support, and as the amount increases, their choices become more specific and directive. At the same time, Annual Giving is also often a lifeblood for the institution, providing essential funding for daily operations. Leadership often counts on this funding to make a nonprofit's budget whole each year, and having an unrestricted source of giving provides the greatest flexibility. What happens when an organization moves from having just one Annual Giving option, the default "Area of Greatest Need", to giving donors the choice to direct their Annual Giving to an area they care about the most? In Fall 2023, Hong Kong International School made the change to move from "unrestricted" to "restricted" Annual Giving. In this session, explore some of the considerations and challenges of moving from one to many Annual Giving choices.

The quality of your answers depends on the quality of your questions! In this session, we're going to talk about why "asking" should be at the top of your list of skills to hone in 2024 and how to become an artful asker. We'll also look at a number of stories straight out of SAS to highlight the good, the bad, and the ugly of what happens when we ask well—or not at all.

In "Beyond the Bell: Tips, Tools, and Tricks for School Stakeholder Success," we embark on an interactive journey to equip advancement team leaders with the essential skills to foster successful engagement with school leadership and governance teams. Delving into past experiences as both a school administrator and a Board member at residential, independent, and international schools in Asia and Australia, this presentation will identify best practice, as well as provide qualitative and quantitative measures to build capacity and confidence of key stakeholders. The session will also provide practical advice around advancement risks and compliance areas that your board needs to engage with for effective oversight and governance. One of the pivotal aspects explored is the art of aligning expectations and desired outcomes between advancement teams and the broader organizational framework. Navigating the delicate balance between ambition and reality, participants will learn actionable strategies to foster cohesion, communication, and collaboration. Join us for "Beyond the Bell" as we explore the dynamic intersection of stakeholder engagement, leadership development, and governance, uncovering the secrets to sustainable success in the educational landscape.