Director's Report

Linda Saunders, CFRE Regional Director

Every once in awhile we hear one of our colleagues lamenting that the most sought after leaders in his or her community are suffering from volunteer burnout. I am happy to report that is not a phenomenon we need to worry about within AHP Canada!

Having just chaired the first teleconference meeting of your new AHP Canada cabinet, I can tell you that we have a stellar cast of leaders to guide the affairs of our association for the next two years. There is a great mix of returning and new members and energy and enthusiasm abound.

Of course, a lot of that enthusiasm will continue to come from Debbie McGarry, CFRE, who will continue to serve on the cabinet as past regional director, with responsibility for government relations and nominations. At the AHP International Conference in Philadelphia, I had the privilege to thank Debbie, on behalf of all of us, for her dedicated leadership as regional director of AHP Canada for the past two years.

At the AHP Canada cabinet meeting, held during the AHP International Conference in Philadelphia, a new organizational structure was approved. One major change was the addition of provincial councils, which will allow for greater member involvement at the provincial level. Please look for an in-depth article in January’s edition of Healthy Attitudes for more details. Marg Jones, CFRE, who previously served as secretary, has taken on the new role of provincial affairs chair and will be a mentor and liaison for the provincial representatives.

Another major change is the addition of a sponsorship chair to ensure the continuity in recognizing and stewarding our AHP sponsors and exhibitors in the same way we do with our sponsors and donors in our own shops. Helen DeBoer did an excellent job as sponsorship chair for the Deerhurst regional conference and has agreed to accept this new position.

Besides Helen, other new members to join the cabinet are Saskia Ages, CFRE, as secretary and Andrea Page, CFRE, who will bring her journalistic background to chairing the communications portfolio. Jory Prichard Kerr, FAHP, who was honoured in Philadelphia as AHP’s newest Fellow, will join us as education chair.

Nancy Hewatt, FAHP, who was until recently the Ontario provincial representative, becomes regional director elect and chair of the Annual Fund, fresh on the heels of having chaired the AHP International Conference in Philadelphia, which was a wonderful educational experience.

New provincial representatives are Jill Price from British Columbia; Rob Dalzeil from Saskatchewan, Jon Einerson from Manitoba and Julie Thebeau, CFRE (from my own shop,) representing New Brunswick.

We are very fortunate to have Rhonda Cunningham, CFRE, continuing as membership chair and Georgina Altman, CFRE, returning as treasurer. Mitze Mourhino, CFRE, who was the roundtable chair, is now the provincial representative from Ontario. Returning provincial representatives include Joyce Law, CFRE, from Alberta; Doralin Fredericks, CFRE, from Nova Scotia: Barb Dunphy Gotell from PEI and Paulanne Jushkevitch, CFRE, from Quebec. I am thrilled to tell you that Paulanne has agreed to chair the 2009 AHP Canada regional conference in Montreal.

Also present at the cabinet table is Bill Bean who is chairing the organizing committee for our 2008 AHP Canada Voyage of Discovery regional conference which will be held in Halifax April 13-15. Bill and his team promise us a stimulating educational program focused on best practises in health care philanthropy coupled with heaps of that famous Maritime hospitality. It will be an unbeatable combination so plan now to attend! The brochure will be available online and in your mailboxes early in the New Year.

Many thanks to Cathy Chrones, CFRE; Sarah Nelems, CFRE; Susan Skinner; Tim Cameron; Lyn Russo, CFRE; Tony di Cosmo and Sonya Smith who have all completed their terms of service on the cabinet.

There remains one vacancy on the current cabinet – we are still seeking a provincial representative from Newfoundland.

As we enter the season of giving, I extend my thanks to each of you who made a gift to the AHP Annual Fund this year. Because of your generosity, AHP Canada received three AHP Foundation awards at the Philadelphia AHP International conference. The awards were for highest percent over donor goal, greatest percentage increase in dollars over 2006 and greatest percentage increase in donors over 2006. Far more important than any award is the benefit we will all receive as the result of the more than $24,000 contributed to the Hospital Development and Education Fund of Canada.

Speaking of international awards, congratulations to Cathy Chrones, CFRE; executive director, St. Paul's Hospital Foundation who, along with Americans John Drake, CFRE; president, Irving Healthcare Foundation; and Rick Bragga, J.D., FAHP; senior consultant, Corporate DevelopMint, was awarded first place in the AHP Journal Awards, for their article “Funding the function: What do you do to pay the price of generating contributions?” which was published in the Fall 2007 AHP Journal. If you haven’t already done so, this is a “must read”!

I hope your holiday season will be filled with happy moments shared with family and friends - and the opportunity to relax a little from the hectic pace of this wonderful and demanding profession of ours. As you sip a little eggnog and contemplate the New Year ahead, please make one of your resolutions a vow to get more involved with AHP in 2008!

Linda Saunders, CFRE
Regional Director, AHP Canada

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2007-2008 AHP Canada Regional Cabinet

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2008 AHP Canada Regional Conference
April 13–15, 2008, Halifax Marriott Harbourfront

Program details will be mailed and will be posted on the AHP Canada Web site in January.

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AHP Canada Showcase Awards

Voyage of Discovery – Exploring Best Practices is a fitting theme for the 2008 AHP Canada Regional Conference in association with HCPRA. For three full days, we will be exploring all that is new and innovative in health care fundraising and public relations.

But this conference is not just about discovering new ideas and learning best practices, it’s also about celebrating excellence! And this is your invitation to join in the celebration with your colleagues.

For the first time, AHP and HCPRA have joined forces to provide you with a joint application form for our respective professional excellence awards. The Showcase and Hygeia Awards will be presented at the closing dinner in Halifax on April 15th, 2008 when we will honor those health care fundraisers and public relations professionals who are setting the trend for others to follow.

Showcase Awards are presented in three categories: Culture of Philanthropy Award, Outstanding Development Program and Health Care Fundraising Professional of the Year. Two awards are presented for Health Care Fundraising Professional of the Year – one for a small shop and one for a large shop, allowing opportunities for all professionals to participate.

Look for an e-mail in early January with detailed application information.

So don’t be shy, show us your best, whether you’re in a small shop or a multi-site institution. Share your success stories and help your colleagues to benefit from your knowledge and experience!

Deadline for nominations in February 29, 2008.

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AHP Canada Bursaries and Scholarships

Don’t let a meager education budget keep you from enjoying the many education programs that AHP has to offer.

As a member in good standing of AHP, you can apply for a bursary to one of three outstanding AHP educational opportunities. Bursaries are also available to volunteer board members or CEOs of member institutions for both the AHP Canada Regional Conference and the AHP International Conference.

Five bursaries worth $1,200 each are available for the following opportunities:

• Two bursaries to attend the AHP Canada Regional Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia from April 13-15, 2008
  
  
• One bursary for the Madison Institute at the University of Wisconsin from July 12-17, 2008
  
  
• Two bursaries for AHP International Conference in Chicago, Illinois from September 24-28, 2008

You can read reports from last year’s winners and download the application form from the AHP Canada Web site.

Don’t miss the February 22, 2008 application deadline!

For more information, please contact:

Jory Pritchard-Kerr, FAHP
Regional Education Chair
kerrj@cgmh.on.ca
705-444-8645

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Philanthropic Quotes to Inspire…

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.
-Dr. Seuss, from The Lorax

He who cannot give anything away cannot feel anything either.
-Nietzsche

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
-Margaret Mead

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.
They must be felt with the heart.
-Helen Keller

What you give for the cause of charity in health is gold, what you give in sickness is silver, what you give after death is lead.
-Jewish Proverb

They who give have all the things. They who withhold have nothing.
-Hindu Proverb

I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.
-Mohandas Gandhi

How wonderful it is that nobody needs to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
-Anne Frank

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New Year’s Resolution of a Fundraiser

1. I will take the time to celebrate the small successes.
   
   
2. I will be a mentor.
   
   
3. I will spend more time talking to board members and volunteers and go that extra mile in thanking them.
   
   
4. I will make more phone calls (each and every day) to connect with donors, volunteers, and board.
   
   
5. I will laugh and smile, no matter how busy things get.
   
   
6. I will encourage more “fun” time with staff, talk more about issues, or just surprise them with pizza, treats or flowers.
   
   
7. I will ensure a healthy work/life balance.
   
   
8. I will submit samples of my work to the AHP Resource Library (RIC).
   

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Editor’s note

I’m truly honored to be part of producing a newsletter that connects health care development professionals from across Canada. This publication will be what you want it to be! In order for that to happen, we need your input, your sage advice and even your criticism. Our aim is to ensure that the information is topical, interesting, thought provoking and value-added. But we need your help.

Here is your chance! We are especially seeking stories, ideas, paragraphs or even short tips on philanthropic ideas that have worked for you and your organization.

Have you found a wonderful way to turn your special events into an amazing opportunity to garner long-term supporters? Do you have important ideas on recruiting major gifts? On involving board members? On creating awareness of your organization? How has gaining your certification (CFRE, FAHP) helped you in your work? Tell us about your e-philanthropy program, about your direct mail program, or about your annual campaign. What is working for you?

Our goal is to publish Health Attitudes quarterly, with special issues as needed. Ideas we wish to incorporate into the newsletter include:

• An “expert” tips section involving sponsors or prospective sponsors on topics ranging from planned giving to branding.
• Profiles on members across the country.
• Provincial representative highlights from across the country.
• A membership survey to engage members to make the newsletter yours.
• Highlights from new submissions to the RIC.
• Highlights from educational conferences with links to the conference handouts.
• Philanthropic quotes.
• Donor stories (inspirational).
• Chair’s report.
• Successes and salutes (highlight awards, accomplishments, etc.).
• Best practice teasers…building excitement for the national conference.
• More submissions from AHP members from throughout Canada.

“Thank you” in advance to the AHP Canada membership for your input and assistance in making this newsletter the best that it can be. I hope you enjoy this holiday edition. Our next edition will be published at the end of January. Please e-mail your submissions by January 20th.

Wishing you health, happiness and prosperity.

Andrea Page
Communications Chair
andrea.page@hpha.ca

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