As human beings, we only have the capability to handle so much in our daily lives. We continually pile on the work until we get all of it done, which we never do, get sick, or decide enough is enough and take a cruise. Before you make the decision on next steps, I suggest you sit down at a Starbucks and do what I did last week before a meeting. I mentally called it preparing for the daily grind.
I was sitting at a Starbucks at 7 a.m. waiting for my 7:30 a.m. meeting, rewriting my to-do list and creating meeting notes as I took inventory of the paper in my briefcase. I had coffee and was ready for the meeting. I was happy knowing that I had a three-day weekend ahead of me.
A typical day for me includes a variety of internal and external meetings, telephone calls, countless emails, and bracing for the unexpected. I have to prepare a PowerPoint presentation plus design a daylong leadership session. I have 15 days to generate $76,000 in order to make a Christmas goal. I am attempting to figure out a way to obtain this goal. A meeting with a donor that was held yesterday will provide a tremendous boost toward this goal, and he knows it. I await his final response on the ask.
I must plan for statewide trips to various locations as part of an intensive fundraising audit process. I am now scheduling training sessions with several advisory boards in various locations. I am working with my boss and organizational leadership group on developing a significant planning study. I am doing research on potential capital campaigns. I just created a meeting with the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy on a learning matter. I am prioritizing many other items related to management of my staff at work.
- Categories:
- Fundraiser Education
- Companies:
- Association of Fundraising Professionals

F. Duke Haddad, EdD, CFRE, is currently associate director of development, director of capital campaigns and director of corporate development for The Salvation Army Indiana Division in Indianapolis, Indiana. In addition, he is also president of Duke Haddad and Associates, LLC, and freelance instructor for Nonprofit Web Advisor.
He has been a contributing author to NonProfit PRO for the past 13 years.
He received his doctorate degree from West Virginia University with an emphasis on education administration, master’s degree from Marshall University with an emphasis in public administration and a bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University in business administration, with an emphasis in marketing/management. He has also done post graduate work at the University of Louisville.