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District VIII Annual Conference 2025
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9 Results Found
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PST
Pre-Conference Workshop: Finding (and Keeping) Focus In A Distracting World
We have too many things to do, and there's no end in sight. As fundraisers in higher education, we are all navigating complex issues every day. The daily stream of news, events, and pressure related to resource development in higher education is a lot to manage. Finding and staying in a productive zone can be daunting, and burnout is often nipping at our heels. This will be an interactive session that creates space for sharing best practices for laser focus in a complex and over-scheduled world. *Separate registration required
Speakers: Crystal Froembling, Senior Director of Development, Portland State University Foundation
Competencies: Integrity and ProfessionalismStrategic Thinking
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM PST
The Technology of Mentorship and how to Leverage Alumni Engagement
Mentorship is not a numbers game, it is an opportunity to connect your alumni community in a tangible way to the institution and future alumni. By creating an interconnected, fulsome mentorship platform that encourages connection worldwide, you expand the ability of alumni and students to achieve greater success in their careers and personal development, while enhancing the reputation of your institution.
Speakers: Andrea Christensen, Sr Alumni Career Development Specialist, University of Calgary, Kathleen Ralph, Lead, Alumni Mentorship, University of Calgary
Competencies: Relationship BuildingStrategic Thinking
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM PST
Collaboration Chronicles: A Case Study in Revenue Transformation
In this session, we will explore a real-world case study that demonstrates how collaboration, strategic planning, and effective stakeholder engagement can drive revenue growth and transform an organization. Imagine starting at a new organization raising just $600,000 a year and transforming it to a consistent $3 million a year in revenue after just 18 months.
We’ll explore the practical strategies that fueled our growth and how to create a collaborative relationship with Faculty and Advancement leadership. Join us to learn more about this journey where people power and relationships led to dramatic financial transformation!
Speakers: Karina Chow, Director, Advancement, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Katie Hearn, Senior Associate Director, Advancement - Faculty of Applied Sciences, Simon Fraser University
Competencies: Strategic ThinkingRelationship Building
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM PST
60 Ideas in 60 Minutes: Maximize Your Print Magazines And Major Print Publications
In this lightning-fast session, we’ll condense 25 years of higher ed print communications experience into 60 ideas that you can use TODAY to make your print publications more read, more loved, and more valuable.
From optimizing your print publications for the coffee table to techniques that can 8x the effectiveness of your headlines, to “engagement engineering” to make stories as feedback-friendly as possible, participants will come away with concrete ideas that they can implement immediately and make a real difference for their publications and communications.
Speakers: Erin Peterson, Owner, Capstone Communications, Lisa Kozleski, Writer and Editor, University of Puget Sound
Competencies: Strategic ThinkingIndustry or Sector Expertise
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM PST
Rediscovering Discovery: How OSU Launched Its Most Comprehensive Campaign Yet
In this multi-disciplinary approach, learn how Oregon State University crafted its most comprehensive discovery program to date. This presentation will showcase how we blend traditional marketing and analytics with cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify and connect with potential donors. Learn about our newly formed team of development officers dedicated exclusively to this critical work, and discover how this program is also driving our volunteer engagement efforts. In an industry facing a challenging donor landscape, this program represents a forward-thinking solution to rejuvenate and expand OSU's donor base, ensuring a sustainable and thriving future for the organization.
Speakers: Andrew Phillips, Director of Pipeline Development, Oregon State University Foundation
Competencies: Industry or Sector ExpertiseStrategic Thinking
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM PST
The Evolution of an Awards Program
In 2022, the Office of Alumni Relations (OAR) engaged an alumni volunteer committee as the Alumni Recognition
Focus Group (ARFG) to re-design alumni recognition and awards programming at Mount Royal University (MRU). The
revamped program that emerged in 2023, the Outstanding Alumni Awards, integrated direct feedback from these alumni
volunteers and aligned alumni recognition directly to Mount Royal’s vision and values while supporting the strategic goals from both the Alumni Relations strategic plan and the overall University Advancement strategic plan. This shift has created the opportunity to
celebrate alumni who may not have received recognition under the previous, achievement-focused format and provides the opportunity for deeper relationship building with a wider alumni audience. The Outstanding Alumni Awards (OAA) is a year-round program engaging alumni, priority campus stakeholders and friends of the university actively in volunteer roles and content creation. This evolution process and subsequent awards program recently received a Silver Medal at the CCAE (Canadian Council for Advancement in Education) Prix d'Excellence awards.
Speakers: Johanna Clark, Alumni Program Specialist, Mount Royal University, Erin Mason, Manager, Alumni Programs & Services, Mount Royal University
Competencies: Relationship BuildingStrategic Thinking
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM PST
Reporting Revolution: Streamlined And Sophisticated
Join us as we explore the evolution of principal gift (PG) impact reporting at the University of Calgary. This session will provide insights into our phased approach to improving donor communication, enhancing financial transparency, and strengthening bespoke reporting. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how strategic changes in stewardship practices can lead to more meaningful donor engagement and operational efficiencies.
Speakers: Jessica Halliday, Director, Stewardship, University of Calgary
Competencies: Industry or Sector ExpertiseStrategic Thinking
2:45 PM - 3:45 PM PST
Build a scalable qualification strategy to super boost your ROE/ROI
Come join UVic’s Leadership Giving Team to learn how, with minimal resources and a team of three, they secured a 50% response rate to their invitation to meet, and over 20% positive responses, including major gifts and new student awards.
With a comprehensive campaign on the horizon, all hands are on deck to help identify new prospects to support UVic’s ambitious goals. Through a multi-channel, personalized qualification strategy, the newly established Leadership Giving team (raising gifts in the 1k-25k/year range) launched a personalized invitation to meet -- and in the process, developed a scalable qualification model on a shoestring budget.
Learn about their DIY approach and leave with ideas, and a solid plan to uncover prospects in your own database.
Speakers: Amber Arthur, Manager, Leadership Giving, University of Victoria, Cheryl Webb, Leadership Giving Officer, University of Victoria
Competencies: Relationship BuildingStrategic Thinking
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PST
Crafting a Dynamic Day of Giving for Non-Traditional Student Communities
Discover how Portland State University, an urban campus with a non-traditional student body, has created a vibrant and successful Day of Giving campaign with nearly 100 participating funds. This session will reveal the unique strategies used to garner widespread support and brand recognition among campus partners, alumni, faculty/staff, and students. Attendees will learn how to leverage challenges, foster effective partner communication and training, boost student involvement, and execute a comprehensive communications strategy. Join us to gain actionable insights and proven methods to elevate your institution’s Day of Giving.
Speakers: Amanda Gabriel-Landis, Digital Communications Manager, Portland State University Foundation, Carol Perales, Associate Director, Annual Giving, Portland State University Foundation, Connor Tudbury, Director of Annual Giving, Portland State University Foundation
Competencies: Strategic ThinkingRelationship Building