I became a member of the AFP-NYC chapter in 1995, which was also the first year I attended Fundraising Day in New York. I’ve attended every year since and my involvement has deepened, as I went from an attendee to speaker, moderator, track chair, and program chair.  I was so excited and honored when I was asked to be Conference Chair in 2020.  We named the conference “Moving Forward….Together”, and we added representatives from our IDEA and Emerging Professionals groups to the Conference Steering Committee. Over several months, we worked to develop interesting sessions with dynamic, expert speakers. We’d even planned a delicious and fun luncheon program.  Then the world changed, and we had to quickly pivot to make the conference virtual. 

 

I am proud of the two successful virtual conferences we organized in 2020 and 2021, but I am beyond excited to welcome you all back to our first in-person conference in three years!  Our fantastic Steering Committee has planned a full day of meaningful sessions featuring nonprofit leaders who will share their experiences and ideas. It will be an inspiring, energizing day.    

 

The true benefit of attending, however, is the opportunity to meet other people (in-person!) who also work as fundraisers in the nonprofit sector.  People who share your commitment to helping to make the world a better place, especially in the wake of the pandemic. I have met many conference attendees over the past 27 years who have become colleagues and friends.  Allies who have helped me throughout my career by giving me advice when I needed guidance, pointing me in the right direction when I was looking for resources, and laughing (sometimes even crying) with me as we have experienced ups and downs together over many years.

 

It is more important now than ever before that we come together as an industry and celebrate each other and all that we have accomplished over the past three years.  I know I am personally grateful to have been part of AFP-NYC during this challenging time.  Let’s hear each other’s stories and  recognize that we are strongest together. 

 

Thank you to everyone who has already registered to attend Fundraising Day in New York 2022 at The Marriott on Friday. June 17^th.  It’s not too late to register: https://nycafp.org/News-Events/Fundraising-Day-in-New-York-2022

 

I look forward to seeing everyone later this month.  Please introduce yourself to me if we haven’t met before.  I’ll be the guy with the huge smile on his face all day!