Association of Fundraising Professionals May Seminar: Leading Through Change

We’ve heard these before: Change is scary. Change is difficult. Change is uncomfortable. The reality is that change is probably the only thing that is guaranteed in this world. If we avoid change, we avoid potential for growth and opportunity. Remaining stagnant or developing “sameness” in today’s competitive market is not an option for fundraisers or organizations as a whole. Part of initiating change or conversely, adapting to it, is knowing what is happening now and how making the changes will impact progress and future successes.
Whether you’re the sole development person in your agency or part of a large fundraising machine, change is going to affect you throughout your career. “Leading Through Change: Adapting to New Regulations and Progressing Organizational Culture” will help prepare you for potential changes through the use of real-life examples of organizational and departmental change during “good” times and during some significant hardships, like the lack of an Illinois state budget. The seminar will also address the historical component of an organization, where many Board members and members of the leadership team have significant tenure, and the challenges that arise when trying to make significant changes that impact those individuals directly. How messages are communicated and the way all stakeholders in an organization are involved can directly impact how change is perceived and the effectiveness of what the future will hold once those changes are implemented successfully.
“The secret of change is to focus all of you energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” Dan Millman, Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives
 
Meet the Presenters:
Melissa Webster is a Director of Programs for Placement for One Hope United. She also holds responsibilities in Fund Development and is a firm believer in fundraising being part of everyone’s role within an agency. In the first year of being an official part of the development team, she helped increase fundraising for the Central and Southern Illinois region of One Hope United by over 60%. She brings to One Hope United experience building successful teams and a background in not only communications and fundraising, but mental health and counseling. Melissa is a licensed therapist (LCPC) and has worked in the field for over 17 years. Melissa is a graduate of Indiana State University, with a BS in Communications and an MS in Agency Counseling.
Jayme Godoyo is a Fund Development Officer for One Hope United, covering the Central and Southern Illinois region. In her five years with the agency, Jayme has been involved in numerous changes, the most recent being the realignment of the team into one entity, thus dissolving the regional lines. Since that transition began in early 2015, development income has more than doubled agency-wide. Jayme brings experience in direct service work with residential youth to the team as well as a background in marketing and communications. Jayme obtained a BS in Advertising from the University of Illinois and an MA in Nonprofit Administration from Lindenwood University.