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SOCIETY OF
ANIMAL WELFARE ADMINISTRATORS |
October 2008 |
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c/o SPCA Cincinnati
3949 Colerain Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45223
TEL: 888.337.6410
FAX: 513.542.7375
SAWAconnect@ymail.com
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2008 National
Conference
Time to Head for the Valley of the Sun |
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The 2008 SAWA National Conference will convene in
Scottsdale, Arizona on Sunday, November 9th. We will kickoff
the conference with a 5:00 p.m. Margarita Hour sponsored by
the National Federation of Humane Societies followed by the
Opening Reception sponsored by Newport Creative.
Registration will be open on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
On Monday, a continental breakfast will be served beginning
at 7 a.m., exhibits open at 8 a.m., and the first session
begins at 9:00 a.m.
We have an exciting line-up of presentations planned for
you. Paris Pate, Hill’s director of employee relations, will
speak on “Culture of Engagement...Retention Factors.” Our
keynote speaker is Sherri McArdle who will present “Why Dogs
Wag Their Tails”, a look at how to develop bosses people
want to work for. Sherri is an author and consultant. Each
participant at the conference will receive a copy of
Sherri’s book of the same name and she will be available to
autograph those after her presentation.
During lunch, Bob Vetere, COO and managing director of
APPMA, will share the latest date and information from APPMA
surveys and how it is relevant to local animal shelters.
On Monday afternoon you will have your choice of two
breakout sessions including a panel on “Surveys and
Accountability” with Pamela Burns, Bob Vetere and Becky
Ward; and a board fundraising session “Good Governance—A
Journey Worth Taking” by David Sternberg.
J.R. Yeager of Compass Nonprofit Services will wrap up
Monday’s presentations with a session titled “What the
Leaders of Today Can Do to Build Leaders for Tomorrow.” To
download and read a study conducted earlier this year that
is the basis for JR’s presentation, go to:
www.compasspoint.org/assets/521_readytolead2008.pdf |
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We will conclude Monday with “Hill’s Happy Hour” presented
by Hill’s Pet Nutrition immediately following the last
session.
On Tuesday, breakfast will begin at 7:00 a.m. and exhibits
will again open at 8:00 a.m. The first session on Tuesday
will be “Cats in the Shelter”, which will take a look at
ways of managing the mental and physical well-being of
shelter cats. This session will be presented by Dr. Kate
Hurley and Dr. Amy Marder.
Our annual business will precede lunch and then we will
offer two breakout sessions. One is “Cats Count—Marketing” a
panel discuss with Barbara Carr, Joan Miller and Jeannine
Taaffe. The second breakout will be “Evacuation, Rescue &
Sheltering Pets in Disaster” with Mark Tinsman of FEMA.
Our final session on Tuesday is one of the most popular,
“Roundtables”, moderated by Jim Tedford. This is your chance
to share and learn from colleagues.
To close the conference we will have a casual Boot Stompin’
Cowboy Cookout complete with great food, a little music, a
little dancing and a few surprises. This party is presented
by Grizzard and Convio.
Our home for the conference is the Scottsdale Plaza Resort,
located 25 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. The
hotel offers a shuttle for $20 one-way. You simply pick-up
the courtesy phone in the baggage area. The shuttle runs
every half hour from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. We suggest you
call the hotel a few days before your arrival to confirm
costs and pick-up time.
SuperShuttle serves Sky Harbor as well. If you book online
at www.supershuttle.com and enter a discount code of JWB4J
you will receive $4 off the roundtrip rate of $17 each way.
The SAWA room rate for a single or double is $175 per night
plus tax and gratuities and includes access to the fitness
center. Villa/Patio suites are available for $205 per night
and bi-level suites for $245 per night. To take advantage of
the SAWA room rate, you must make your reservation by
October 8, 2008 by calling 800-832-2025 and mention you are
with the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators.
Registration for SAWA members is $195 and $245 for
non-members if registered by October 8. Regular registration
is $245 for members and $295 for non-members.
Scottsdale is known as an arts Mecca with a famed gallery
and museum area in old town Scottsdale. There are 600+
restaurants and 50 upscale nightclubs and bars in
Scottsdale.
The resort is located just half a mile from great shopping
at the Borgata, three miles from Fashion Square and four
miles from Old Town Scottsdale. Taxis are available for
these locations.
Each room at the resort includes a coffee makers, hair
dryer, in-room safe and a high-speed Internet connection. On
the grounds are a salon and spa, putting green, lighted
tennis counts, fitness center, racquetball courts, five
swimming pools, the outdoor whirlpool spas and acres of lush
desert scenery. There are five restaurants at the resort.
November weather in Scottsdale is mild. Daytime highs are
around 75 and nighttime lows can dip to 50.
Go online to register
today. See you in Scottsdale! |
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Keeping Wallets Open
While Belts Tighten
by Rob Blizard |
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 Fundraisers
are feeling the pain. High gas prices, an election season
with political campaigns competing for donations, and a
sputtering economy leaving Americans uncertain about their
future. All of these obstacles to increased charitable
giving may have those at animal shelters nationwide worried
about end of year giving in 2008 and contributions
throughout 2009.
Are we in a recession or aren’t we? The experts may not be
sure but there are, in fact, some things that nonprofit
development directors can be sure of. Several actions can be
taken to combat the deluge of today’s fundraising
challenges.
“It's important during this time that groups don't cut
corners on the basics,” says Jo Sullivan, Senior Vice
President Development and Communications of the ASPCA. “Now,
more than ever, donors are taking their giving seriously,”
she notes. “When they give a gift, there has probably been a
lot more thought and consideration in the relationship they
are building with their charity of choice.”
To capture donors’ attention and enhance that relationship,
shelters should “maintain a good mix of activities such as
direct mail, online giving, memorial/honorary giving, and a
couple of successful special events,” according to Shelley
Stuart, Vice President of Development and Education for the
San Diego Humane Society. “Having a good mix of activities
ensures that you have other opportunities to make up the
difference should one activity fall short.”
She also recommends a strong online giving component as part
of the fundraising mix. “All animal welfare organizations
should build their online giving capacity. It can mean a
significant source of income and provide a cost-effective
way of keeping in touch with donors. Also, don’t forget to
realize opportunities, such as when the San Diego Humane
Society issued special appeals about its rescue and animal
care efforts during the 2007 California wildfires. Special
appeals can be created around rescues, investigations cases,
extraordinary medical cases and even happy adoptions of
long-term, unique or difficult-to-place animals,” explains
Stuart.
Cultivation and stewardship can also prove fruitful.
Sullivan advises communication on organizational
accomplishments: “Don't forget to update them on what you're
doing and how their money is saving animal's lives.” Such
contact lets donors know the charity cares, she believes,
while also spelling out the very reasons that donors will
mull over as they consider gifts. The more they are of the
critical nature of the mission, the more likely they may be
to donate even when hesitant due to economic threats.
Stuart concurs on the value of stewarding donors with a
personal touch. “When budgets get tight, hold firm on
allocating funds for donor cultivation and recognition
activities, which don’t have to be elaborate - maybe just
coffee and cookies with the president and/or board. These
activities help donors feel in the loop and they won’t
forget you the next time they’re writing annual checks to
their favorite charitable organizations.”
She also suggests investing in an old-fashioned approach as
a way of encouraging major gifts in both the near- and
long-term. “Handwritten notes and thank you calls from the
president, staff or board members are always appreciated and
not forgotten.”
Finally, for donors who are truly unable to give in these
rough times, Sullivan urges fundraisers to offer donors an
alternative way of expressing their generosity and support
for the shelter. “If they can't give right now, invite them
to volunteer or donate blankets. Whatever your organization
can use that isn't a cash gift. Just don't forget them! They
will come back one day, so make sure you keep them engaged.”
“Times are tough for donors and charities,” she laments.
“Shelter directors are going to have to spend more time
understanding the point of view of donors who have less
disposable income to donate. The organizations who respond
with the most innovative strategies will weather the storm
best of all.” |
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Rob Blizard is Director,
Gift Planning at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. He is
also a freelance writer on nonprofit fundraising issues and
a SAWA member. |
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If you have a comment,
concern or question for the SAWA Board or management firm, please contact
us:
Society of Animal Welfare Administrators
c/o SPCA Cincinnati
3949 Colerain Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45223
Toll Free Number: 888.337.6410
Direct Line: 513.542.SAWA (7292)
Fax: 513.542.7375
Email:
SAWAconnect@ymail.com |
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