Chapter Leadership Brief 9.27.19

Craig Shelley, Orr Group

By Craig Shelley, CFRE, Chapter Treasurer &
Managing Director, Orr Group

There’s a lot going on in our sector right now.  We’re debating the ethics of fundraising in the wake of the college admission and Epstein scandals.  We continue to worry about fundraiser retention as yet another study illustrates many of us are unhappy in our jobs and planning to make job or career changes.  In the midst of these scandals we approach the “giving season” and I am certain are daily faced with looming fundraising objectives and the need to increase philanthropy to support the work of our organizations.

In this hectic environment it would be easy to ignore the Association of Fundraising Professionals, our own professional development and our peers.  That would be a mistake.  When our sector is stretched as it is now is the most important time to ensure we’re investing in ourselves and our profession and connecting with our peers.  Our AFP New York City Chapter is a safe place in which you can discuss the crises we face, learn from peers facing the same challenges you are and, yes, if you’re one of those fundraisers we keep reading is eager to change jobs network to your next professional adventure.

Through our professional development events, member only gatherings, Emerging Leader Happy Hours, National Philanthropy Day and our signature event, Fundraising Day in New York, AFP NYC offers unique opportunities to grow as a professional and grow our profession.  Now more than ever I know we all need that.  I encourage you to check out and attend one or more of our upcoming events.  You won’t be disappointed and you can find the calendar here.

If you have ideas or suggestions for our AFP chapter please always feel free to contact me directly at cshelley@orrgroup.com.  If you’re interested in my thoughts on fundraising and news in the sector, sprinkled with the occasional picture of my kids, please follow me on Twitter @craigshelley.

Thank you for everything you do.