AFPMASH ● Winter Newsletter ● February 2015

he Mahoning-Shenango Chapter of the Association

of Fundraising Professionals now has a committee devoted to diversity and is working to spread that message to its members and the philanthropic community. The Diversity and Inclusion Committee’s mission is to embrace all fundraising professionals, seek diversity, achieve broader representation, and encourage ALL to become active members in the local AFP chapter.

Over the past six months, the committee has researched what other AFP chapters are doing and reviewed resources on the subject provided by AFP

International. Following that research, the committee put together a Diversity and Inclusion Plan to highlight their purpose and objectives.

In support of this initiative, AFP MASH’s board adopted a diversity and inclusion resolution. They also set forth seven accomplishable goals, and in the future, the committee will create timelines for reaching each of those benchmarks. Emphasis will be placed on outreach to diverse groups in fundraising and nonprofits in the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys. Activities of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee will include an assessment of the

chapter’s demographic composition via an internal

“Promoting Diversity” continued on page 4

PROMOTING DIVERSITY IN PHILANTRHOPY AND FUNDRAISING

Thursday, February 19, 2015 Holiday Inn Boardman

Registration & Networking 11:00 a.m. Webinar & Lunch 11:30 a.m.

Members $15 ● Not-Yet-Members $25 ● Students $10

“Donor Communications” In this webinar, Tom Ahern, top authority on donor communications, presents on selling your products, programs, endowments, initiatives, buildings, renovations, and blight.

Registration deadline is Monday, February 16th!Visit www.afpmash.org to register today!

New AFPMASH Members July 1, 2014-December 31, 2014

Doug Wentz, Community Services Director Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic Austintown, Ohio

Julianna Marsco, Resource Development and Marketing Manager United Way of Trumbull County Warren, Ohio

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great holiday season, and got to spend

some quality time with your friends, family and loved ones. It seems like it just

zipped by, much like most of 2014.

Looking back, I think AFP Mahoning-Shenango had an amazingly productive

year. When you think about it, all of the work that goes into keeping our

chapter running is done by volunteers who have their own jobs that demand a

great deal of their attention. (Except for Barb Schuller, our only paid “staffer”,

who does a wonderful job of keeping us organized and on the same page! We

wouldn’t be nearly as good as we are without her.)

Here’s a sample of what was accomplished in 2014:

A strategic plan was created. Led by Pat Palombo, CFRE, this plan will take us through the next

three years.

We once again achieved 10-Star status.

A Diversity Committee was convened to ensure that our chapter is inclusive in everything we do.

Planning began late in the year on our Annual Seminar, which will take place in October of 2015.

I can’t thank our board members and committee members enough for helping move us forward in 2014.

Without them, and our entire membership, AFP Mahoning-Shenango would not exist. So, stay tuned for

2015. It promises to be even better!

Linda Kostka, CFRE

2015 President, AFP Mahoning-Shenango Chapter

Coordinator of Development and Donor Services

Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley

2014 NATIONAL PHILANTRHOPY DAY AWARDEES On Friday, November 14, 2014, the Mahoning-Shenango Chapter of AFP held their 24th Annual National Philanthropy Day Awards Banquet. Eight individuals, groups and businesses were honored for the difference each made in the community through their philanthropic activities. Below and on the back are this year’s honorees.

“The Browning and Graying of America” How changes in demographics affect the diversity of donors Friday, April 23, 2015

Holiday Inn Boardman│Details TBA

“Women as Philanthropists” Now more than ever, development professionals are placing new emphasis on women as donors and potential philanthropists Thursday, June 11, 2015│Details TBA

Meet the Funders Panel discussion composed of funders and foundations in the region Thursday, September 10, 2015│Details TBA

Board and Annual Meeting Registration & Continental Breakfast 8:00 a.m. Board Meeting 8:30 a.m. Annual Membership Meeting 9:00 a.m. Thursday, October 2, 2015│Details TBA

AFP-PGC Seminar Speakers: Penelope Burk and Bob Carter 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursday, October 22, 2015│Holiday Inn Boardman

“What’s Ahead in 2016” Trends in philanthropy and ethics Registration & Networking 11:00 a.m. Lunch 11:30 a.m.│Program 12:00-1:30 p.m. Thursday, December 3, 2015 D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center

CARING KIDS CLUB Outstanding Young Philanthropist

EDWARD W. AND ALICE RESCH POWERS Legacy Award (Posthumous Award)

WKBN-TV Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist

JOANNE PRESTON Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser

P.O. Box 672 Youngstown, OH 44501 330-646-4926 www.afpmash.org afpmash@gmail.com

Continued from page 1

survey and providing a Diversity Program for members each year in conjunction with the Program Committee. Already in the planning stages for this April is a program titled “The Browning and Graying of America.”

During the course of the Diversity and Inclusion Plan’s progress, input from the committee’s members and chairman will assist the process and essentially drive the group toward accomplishing its goals. AFPMASH’s board and those serving on this important committee are very excited about this initiative and look forward to promoting diversity in our communities.

PROMOTING DIVERSITY IN PHILANTRHOPY AND FUNDRAISING

YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE BASE COMMUNITY COUNCIL Outstanding Civic Organization

WALBERG FAMILY PHARMACIES Outstanding Small Business

THE ROTARY CLUB OF YOUNGSTOWN Special Recognition for Valley Impact

ELEANOR WATANAKUNAKORN Outstanding Philanthropist