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CASE-NAIS Independent Schools Conference 2024
CASE-NAIS Independent Schools Conference 2024
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1:30 PM - 2:30 PM CT
Elevating Alumni Engagement: Unveiling the Next-Gen Alumni Platform
In a world where connection is key, alumni engagement takes center stage. Join Punahou School and Almabase for a compelling session that dives into the transformative impact of next-gen alumni platforms. Discover how these innovative platforms are the catalysts behind elevating alumni interactions to new heights. We will delve into the strategies that have reshaped alumni relationships, bolstering mentorship, networking, and community involvement.
Speakers: Erin Kinney, Associate Director of Alumni Relations, Punahou School, Patricia Oshiro, Alumni Programs Officer, Punahou School, Kalyan Varma, CEO, Almabase, Inc.
Competencies: Strategic ThinkingRelationship Building
Experience Level: All Levels
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM CT
Hugging the Third Rail: Non-Best Practices Case Studies
As advancement grows more sophisticated, there is a deeper collection of accepted best practices. At the same time, there are instances when our organizations either intentionally or unknowingly disregard these codified best practices. This session examines real-life examples of times when schools have carried forward with major gift work that has not been supported by conventional wisdom of the industry. This session examines when unusually executed projects have struggled and when have they succeeded.
Speakers: Shelby LaMar, Chief Advancement Officer, Lancaster Country Day School
Competencies: Industry or Sector ExpertiseStrategic Thinking
Topics: Major gifts
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM CT
A Case for Endowment: Building an Inclusive Community
An endowment campaign is an opportunity to amplify an institution's values and formalize, in permanence, a school's commitment to fostering inclusivity and belonging. By investing in endowment, donors are invited to establish legacy by bridging access for students of varied socioeconomic backgrounds and ensuring that all students can access the full school experience equitably and inclusively. How is this possible? With a strong vision and in partnership with key stakeholders. Learn how this vision is being realized at The Winsor School through strong advancement partnerships with the Head of School, Board of Trustees, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Director of Community and Inclusion, and more.
Speakers: Audra McFarland, Director of Admission and Financial Aid, The Winsor School, Erika McMahon, Director of Advancement, The Winsor School
Competencies: Business and Financial AcumenStrategic Thinking
Experience Level: All Levels
Topics: Diversity & InclusionMajor gifts
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM CT
Low-Budget Video Tips for Big Budget Results
Great video does not have to come with a hefty price tag or an experienced on-staff producer. There are many things that anyone with a smartphone and a few low-cost tools can accomplish to build your message and form a meaningful connection with your audience. In this fun and informative session, you will learn a variety of no-cost to low-cost tips that can improve the quality of your in-house video productions, as well as some general tips that can also get more bang for the buck when working with pros.
Speakers: Tommy Smeltzer, Director of Creative Content, Chaminade College Preparatory
Competencies: Emotional IntelligenceRelationship Building
Experience Level: Level 2
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM CT
10 Reasons Alumni Engagement Matters to Schools, and How CASE Can Help Prove It
Let’s face it: measuring engagement is harder than counting gifts, and finding time and resources to get started can be even harder! In this session, we’ll make the case for why it’s worth the investment and how your school can apply CASE’s alumni engagement framework, which measures alumni interaction philanthropically, volunteerism, experientially, and through interactive communication - to meet desired outcomes. The session will draw on data from the CASE Insights on Alumni Engagement survey and engage participants in a discussion about how to get started and take action on results.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand how CASE measures engagement across four modes and the minimum needed to get started
2. Identify key outcomes of engagement and consider which are top priorities for your school
3. Gain knowledge to create your own strategic data roadmap to refine data collection based on your goals
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand how CASE measures engagement across four modes and the minimum needed to get started
2. Identify key outcomes of engagement and consider which are top priorities for your school
3. Gain knowledge to create your own strategic data roadmap to refine data collection based on your goals
Speakers: Jenny Cooke Smith, Senior Director of CASE Insights Solutions, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
Competencies: Strategic ThinkingBusiness and Financial Acumen
Topics: Annual Giving
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM CT
Where Are We Going, and How Are We Getting There?
We are all on the same bus together, so rather than focus on who’s driving, let’s cut through traffic and get on the highway toward long-term financial sustainability so that your school’s mission can thrive in perpetuity. This multi-perspective panel of professionals with decades of combined success in higher ed and independent school business and advancement will illuminate how to tune up your revenue engine and reach further mile markers on the road to fiscal health. Work together effectively by sharing a mentality of stewardship as well as a commitment to transparency and making the business model work for you through the use of intelligent forecasting and metrics. Strong leaders in business and advancement who value partnership are better equipped to make the most of inevitable bumps – and glide through roadblocks – as they steer their school to its fullest potential. Join us to discuss how to lead your institution to its next destination faster, ultimately ensuring that the journey extends for generations to come.
Speakers: Alex Heiberger, Chief Financial and Operations Officer, The Madeira School, Jennifer Hillen, Chief Learning Officer, NBOA Business Leadership for Independent Schools, Emily Kasof, Chief Advancement Officer, The Madeira School, Alex Penry, Senior Director for Finance and Advancement, Headwaters School
Competencies: Strategic ThinkingBusiness and Financial Acumen
Experience Level: All Levels
Topics: Annual GivingMajor gifts
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM CT
Inclusive Strategic Planning - Engaging Community, Board, & Peer Institutions
Join us for a dynamic session that delves into the realities of inclusive strategic planning for independent schools. Our presentation promises to ignite inspiration and share practical insights as we explore how to engage a diverse spectrum of stakeholders, including community members, parents, students, board members, and peer institutions. Discover proven methodologies and innovative approaches that foster a shared sense of purpose, harness collective wisdom, and cultivate a strategic roadmap that drives change and achieves results. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from seasoned experts and gain tools to engage your community and build consensus among stakeholders to create a united vision for the future for your school. When we plan together, we thrive together.
Speakers: Alexis Thompson, Consultant, Dini Spheris, David Mendlewski, Head of School, Briarwood School
Competencies: Relationship BuildingStrategic Thinking
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM CT
Alumni Thought Lab: A Model For Volunteer Led Engagement
Volunteers bring a wealth of knowledge to an institution, but volunteer management is not without challenges. Using Phillips Exeter Academy’s Alumni Thought Lab program as a guide, this session will demonstrate how to efficiently leverage volunteer resources to drive alumni engagement without placing unnecessary strain on staff or institutional resources.
The Alumni Thought Lab is a virtual event series that enables alumni to come together to discuss global issues or topics that are relevant to alumni and society. This series strives to foster engagement and build community through productive dialogue and the thoughtful exploration of ideas.
This event series is planned and executed for alumni by alumni, with support from the alumni relations office.
The Alumni Thought Lab is a virtual event series that enables alumni to come together to discuss global issues or topics that are relevant to alumni and society. This series strives to foster engagement and build community through productive dialogue and the thoughtful exploration of ideas.
This event series is planned and executed for alumni by alumni, with support from the alumni relations office.
Speakers: Alicia Pernaw, Associate Director of Alumni Relations, Phillips Exeter Academy
Competencies: Strategic ThinkingRelationship Building
Experience Level: All Levels
Topics: Special Events
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM CT
Building Dynamic, High Performing Teams
Are you the leader for a small shop, where employees are stretched t--h--I--n? Have you inherited an internal reorganization, or are trying to blend disparate groups? Maybe staff meetings feel more like a burden than a joy? This is the workshop for you!
In this interactive session, team leaders will learn strategies to reinvigorate tired teams, elevate performance, and foster interpersonal cohesion through intentional, consistent practices. Participants will learn activities, formats, and approaches to building an effective annual retreat, align team objectives with the strategic plan, and foster authentic friendships among colleagues on your team.
In this interactive session, team leaders will learn strategies to reinvigorate tired teams, elevate performance, and foster interpersonal cohesion through intentional, consistent practices. Participants will learn activities, formats, and approaches to building an effective annual retreat, align team objectives with the strategic plan, and foster authentic friendships among colleagues on your team.
Speakers: Bethany Burgun, Director of Mission Advancement, Saint Joseph High School
Competencies: Relationship BuildingLeadership
Topics: Talent Management
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM CT
The Whole Shabang: When a Brand Refresh Becomes So Much More
This session will follow a recent brand refresh that became so much more for a pre-nursery through Grade 12 day school located in the highly competitive Long Island market. Learn what went into taking this school from “Who are we?” to “This is us” within months. You will see a before snapshot, learn about the process, and hear the outcomes. Be inspired by how this exercise ultimately bridged departments by bringing clarity to natural ways Development, Communications, and Admissions teams could work together toward one another’s goals based upon renewed common understanding and language. Leave with ideas and inspiration for how better owning who you are as a school strengthens so much more than a marketing message—it strengthens and ignites an entire community.
Speakers: Lisa Leidy, Agency Principal, Square Spot Design, Tara Askeland, Director of Development, Portledge School, Ryann Supple, Director of Communications, Portledge School
Competencies: Strategic Thinking
Experience Level: All Levels
Topics: Branding