April 29th BACK TO BASICS for tough times

Association of Fundraising Professionals
Genesee Valley Chapter

For immediate release Contact:
March 19, 2010 Deborah Zeger, Conference Chair 585-329-8032 or dzeger@tbk.org

BACK TO BASICS for tough times

The troubled economy is challenging many non-profit organizations to tighten their financial belts and shore up their funding bases. That’s the genesis behind BACK TO BASICS, a regional conference to help volunteers and professionals hone their fundraising skills and connect with others in the field.

On April 29th, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Genesee Valley Chapter will host its annual Great Lakes Regional Conference at Temple B’rith Kodesh in Rochester. The event is one of the premier fundraising conferences in the Northeast and is expected to attract some 200 attendees from Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and the Finger Lakes.

“The conference offers a range of practical workshops that provide relevant and usable information to help non-profits navigate these changing times,” explains Deborah Zeger, the conference chair.

BACK TO BASICS will feature Roberta (Robbe) A. Healey, Chair of the Board of Directors of AFP International, who has more than thirty years experience in non-profit organization management and development. Healey, who has lived and worked in Western New York, will share her unique perspective about how to “Crisis Proof Your Fundraising Program.”

Other headline speakers include Frank Interlichia, Associate Vice President for University Advancement and Martha Krohn, Executive Director of Annual Giving Programs. Both speakers are with the University of Rochester and will give a joint talk about the University’s success in growing its Annual Fund despite the recession.

The AFP Genesee Valley Chapter offers several financial incentives to make it easier for volunteers and professionals to attend the conference. Those incentives include Meyers Scholarships for members and non-members, a discount for early registration (by March 26th), half-day or lunch only participation, a new member discount and multiple-attendee discount. For more information, visit www.afpgv.org and look for information about the conference and Meyers Scholarships.

Conference sponsors include the University of Rochester, Temple B’rith Kodesh, Advanced Marketing Direct, Oser Press and Parachute Graphic Design and Writing.
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Who: AFP Genesee Valley Chapter is a volunteer-based organization representing more that 250 fundraising professionals in the Greater Rochester area. As part of an international organization of fundraising professionals, our mission is to advocate for philanthropy and promote ethical and successful non-profit development by addressing the needs of diverse professionals in our region. Our members represent colleges, universities and secondary schools, hospitals and health care facilities, social service and cultural agencies, and local charities.

What: Great Lakes Regional Conference, BACK TO BASICS, featuring Roberta (Robbe) A. Healey, Chair, AFP International. The event is open to the public.

When: Thursday, April 29, 2010 from 8:00 am to 4:15 pm.

Where: Temple B’rith Kodesh, 2131 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester.

How: Visit http://www.afpgv.org/ and register on-line.