Geared towards early-career advancement professionals, this pre-conference session promises a vibrant session filled with rich content, collaborative ventures, and interactive problem-solving. Participants will delve into crucial CASE competencies such as relationship building and leadership, as well as explore the emotional intelligence essential for thriving in the workplace. Attendees will walk away with valuable skills to successfully navigate the early phases of their careers. *Separate Registration Required

Most development professionals have experienced an uncomfortable, offensive, or harmful donor-constituent interaction. This cannot just be seen as “part of the job” rather something that is addressed to create a culture and systems that build brave spaces and policies and procedures that result in greater safety and professional satisfaction.

On March 8, 1901, California Governor Henry Gage signed legislation establishing Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. This exciting announcement came after a group of local citizens led by journalist Myron Angel had been lobbying for a state school in San Luis Obispo since 1894. The idea of hosting a Founder's Day celebration stemmed from the desire to engage as many alumni as possible across all our Alumni communities in the United States; with the goal to commemorate this special day in Cal Poly's history. There were 17 Alumni communities that hosted gatherings across the United States on March 8, 2024. Our Alumni Engagement team worked with many volunteers to facilitate the planning, timing, marketing, pricing, food & beverage and all other details to pull off one night of celebrations across the Country. Learn what it took to collaborate with volunteers, other campus partners, Board of Directors and colleges to pull off this successful engagement event!

Why is it that there is sometimes a tension between frontline staff and Advancement Services? Is it because we don't speak the same language? Join us in a lively interactive session with Dhiraj Chand, Principal Gifts and Paul Majnik, from the University of Utah along with Clay Buck, Kindsight Fundraising Coach and Caroline Chang, VP Product Evangelism, as they dive into why there is a communication gap and what we can do to bridge that gap to speak the same (love) language.

Are gift clubs dead? Not if you ask their members! But Starbucks, Target, and Amazon have changed what people expect from loyalty programs, and fundraising needs to follow suit. See how the annual giving team at Caltech put personalization over perks and stewardship over rewards to build a leadership annual giving program that accounts for nearly 90% of their annual gift revenue and is growing at a rate of 10% each year.

Explore the future of public relations as AI reshapes the way press releases are crafted and distributed. This session will cover the latest AI technologies that PR professionals can use to enhance their writing, personalize messaging, and increase the reach and effectiveness of their press releases. Gain insights into how AI can help you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

In the dynamic world of advancement for education, effective management and support of volunteers is crucial for organizational success. This session, "Advancing Board Management," delves into the volunteer component of advancement, exploring how to optimize work with a variety of volunteer groups including alumni boards, advisory boards, foundation boards, governing boards, task forces, and committees.
We will begin by examining the best practices of high-functioning boards, highlighting key strategies that drive efficiency and impact. Learn about proven techniques to cultivate a productive board culture, establish clear roles and responsibilities, and implement robust governance structures.
Next, we’ll explore effective engagement strategies for board members that enhance participation and commitment. We’ll share innovative approaches to involving board members in meaningful ways, ensuring they are both motivated and empowered to contribute their best.
Finally, we’ll discuss ways to leverage communities of practice to increase collaboration among colleagues doing similar work, helping to provide for a more cohesive and coordinated approach towards effective board management.

Want to maximize your Gala ROI? Discover the transformative power of volunteer engagement. In this presentation, we will delve into innovative strategies to enhance your return on investment (ROI) by empowering your volunteers. Learn how the Chinese American International School (PS-8), leverages our volunteer's unique skills and passions to create a more dynamic and efficient event that not only meets but exceeds our fundraising goals.