Talking Back

We make a diligent effort to develop a board member’s passion for our organization and the work we do in the community prior to involving them in our campaigns. Insuring they have experience in seeing our programs firsthand [and] meeting the individuals impacted by the programs is a key strategy and gives them stories for their fundraising efforts. It’s also made clear in our recruitment that fundraising is a critical role of our board members.

— Michael Cassidy,
district executive director, Scottsdale/Paradise Valley YMCA
Scottsdale, Ariz.

Key staff members at the American Diabetes Association Research Foundation meet weekly on Monday with our board chair and campaign chair. We update them on travel activity, where their “gentle nudge” is needed with another board member and what gifts will be closing. As volunteers, their insights are so valuable that we’re fortunate to have the dedication and commitment from these leaders.

The mission is ever present in our dialog because all our volunteers have a link to diabetes — they live the mission every day. For all the ADA Research Foundation board members, we divided them into two teams and started monthly teleconferences that focus on cultivation and solicitation
techniques/best practices. For those who miss the monthly meetings, we e-mail them weekly campaign updates.

— Elly Brtva, MPH, CFRE,
managing director, individual gifts,
American Diabetes Association
Alexandria, Va.