Editor's Note: Welcome, 2010

But like Jocelyn Harmon explains in this month's To the Point column, those are tools, and you don't start building a house by picking up a hammer. There are blueprints to be made, and in the case of nonprofit fundraising, those blueprints are built around certain rules of stewardship and donor care. So in 2010, consider committing to (or renewing your commitment to) things like:

• Communication — establish and maintain personalized, two-way interactions with donors and other supporters where you talk with them rather than just at them.

• Respect — once you know what your supporters want, give it to them; once you know how they want to be treated, treat them that way.

• Patience — accept that even the people who know and love your cause need (and deserve) you to take the time to earn their trust.

It's a new year … the perfect time to shake off bad habits, let in some light, and embrace ideas and practices that will move you toward your goals. May 2010 be a year of great successes, much joy and many blessings for each of you, both personally and professionally.