The AFP GLBT Community Blog

I have a particular interest in using technology to further an organization's mission so you won't be surprised to learn that of the various tracks offered I chose to attend the "Internet/Technology" sessions. The generic track name really didn't do justice to the sessions which focused on integrating offline and online campaigns. While this was only my second time at the conference I definitely noticed an increased interest over last year in learning how to use social media to deepen the relationship with donors. Based on the audience's questions it seems many of us are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Some organizations have been experimenting for a few years and have a strategy and metrics for their online efforts. On the other end are orgs who are beyond toe dipping, but haven't yet figured out how to quantify their efforts to justify their time and expense to their boards.

A highlight of the day was hearing Geoffrey Canada, CEO of Harlem Children's Zone, deliver the keynote address at lunch. He's a great storyteller with a sly sense of comic timing. But his jokes had a purpose - to drive home the point that ours is a relationship business. You constantly have to be out talking about your organization and getting to know donors. While I may be a new fundraiser, my background is in relationship management so every word Mr. Canada spoke rang true. And while I spent the day discussing social media, in reality the tech itself doesn't matter as much as how we're using it to tell our stories and engage supporters. 

But the best part of the conference, of course, is meeting colleagues I wouldn't otherwise get to know. To that end I would love if AFP had a member reception at the end of the day. People tend to use the session breaks to catch up with the office so I think a more relaxed, after work atmosphere would go a long way towards member socializing.

Finally, I'll always remember Mr. Canada's pithy summary of our profession: "Here's why raising money is so hard: people don't want to give it to you." That's it in a nutshell, isn't it? Do you have a favorite one-liner?