Experiencing the 2012 CASE VIII Conference as a Newcomer
Emma Bentley is Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Montana Wildlife Biology Program. Prior to joining the UM development team, Emma worked as a grant writer and researcher for a development consulting firm in the Twin Cities area.When I started my job as a development officer for the Wildlife Biology Program at the University of Montana back in July of 2011, I had no idea what CASE was. I also didn’t know how to cultivate a prospect, steward a donor, or make a successful ask. Let me be clear: I was a newcomer to the field.
I wasn’t employed for long before I heard about CASE. I quickly became convinced that I needed to go to a CASE conference where, my coworkers assured me, I would learn plenty about my new profession. With the University of Montana Foundation’s budget tighter than ever, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to apply for a CASE Newcomer’s Scholarship. I’m incredibly grateful to have received the award, which covered the District VIII Conference registration cost.
I arrived at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center in Seattle excited about what I thought lay ahead: two days of informative sessions about philanthropy. The sessions were great, but the real value of the conference, I soon learned, went far beyond that.
At the Breakfast Roundtable led by Susan Mainella of SAIT Polytechnic I talked with advancement professionals about how teamwork can lead to major gifts. During a cab ride I shared with a fellow newcomer from Portland State University, we discussed social media in higher education marketing. The interactions I had with others in the field were among the most valuable aspects of my time in Seattle. Networking Happy Hour and CASE “After Hours” presented great opportunities to mingle with other conference attendees. Lunch was perfect for squeezing in an introduction with a CASE Board member. An afternoon snack break was prime time to strike up a conversation with the woman I sat next to in the morning session.
Throughout the conference, I was happily confronted time and again with the kindness, intelligence and insight of my fellow advancement professionals. Although I learned plenty in the six sessions I attended, the personal interactions I had with peers through my time in Seattle were equally, if not more, enlightening.
Seven months into my new job and with a CASE conference under my belt, I’m less of a newcomer these days. In fact, although there are still plenty of times when I’m not sure what in the world I’m doing, my attendance at the CASE District VIII Conference proved that I’m on my way to understanding the nuances of my new career.
I just spent two full days geeking out about advancement. It was arguably the most fun (and informative!) 48 hours I’ve had since becoming a development officer.
Congratulations CASE District VIII Communications Awards Recipients
Congratulations to all 150 communications award recipients for 2012, announced at the communications awards lunch during the CASE District VIII conference in Seattle last week. Visit the awards website to view the Grand Gold recipients in each category, and to download the awards booklet listing all winners.
Congratulations also go to Gonzaga University, recipient of the 2012 Virginia Carter Smith Grand Crystal Award, for their 2010 Advent calendar website. The Grand Crystal Award recognizes the most outstanding entry of the year, and was announced at the Celebration of Professional Achievement Luncheon on Friday, Feb. 17.
If you earned an award and someone from your institution did not attend the conference and pick up your certificate, your award will be mailed to you in the next two weeks.
To order multiple copies of award certificates, please return the form found on the awards website and follow the appropriate payment instructions.
Be sure to enter your work in CASE’s Circle of Excellence awards program. The entry deadline is March 16.
Finally, we thank all members for your support of the communication awards program this year and we look forward to your engagement in the program again in 2013. Look for an email launching the campaign this fall.
Sincerely,
Matthew Fox,
University of Calgary
CASE District VIII Awards Program Chair
mbfox@ucalgary.ca
Ann Mary Quarandillo
CASE District VIII Awards Program Co-chair
The Evergreen State College
quaranda@evergreen.edu
Thank You to our 2012 District Conference Sponsors
Sapphire Level
Emerald Level
Ruby Level
In-Kind Sponsors
2012 Conference Registration is Now Closed
Wow! Thanks to all of your support, we have received a record number of registrations for the 2012 CASE District VIII Conference in Seattle. Online pre-registration is now closed due to space limitations. Don’t worry, the 2013 CASE Conference in Portland is right around the corner.
Check out the conference web site in March for more details. www.case8conference.org
New CASE District VIII Website Launches
District VIII has a new website to better serve district membership. The website is easier to use and offers new features that we expect to take advantage of in next several months.
The website was built in cooperation with the excellent folks at CASE’s headquarters in Washington, DC.
Please let us know what you think and what you’d like to see in the future! http://www.case8.org
CASE VIII Conference Registration Closes February 10
Please note that since registration is now closed, links to the registration form have been disabled.
Registration is still open for the 2012 CASE District VIII Conference in Seattle.
With over 45 informative sessions to choose from, this year’s conference will help you build valuable leadership skills crucial to the success of any individual or organization. Registration closes on Feb. 10.
Register today!
Featured Speakers
We are excited to announce our featured speakers, all recognized leaders in their field—Nathaniel “Nate” Miles, VP for Strategic Initiatives at Eli Lilly and Co.; Bill Stainton, Beatles expert and Emmy Award winning producer; and Andrew Shaindlin, AVP for Alumni Relations and Annual Giving at Carnegie Mellon University. Find out more about these speakers, and all the conference programming, on the conference website.
Conference Events
Every leader knows how to work hard, but still have fun. That is why the conference has planned several fun events for you to attend. Join us at the Opening Night Extravaganza (wear your school colors to this event), Networking Happy Hour, CASE After Hours, Breakfast Roundtables, and Award Lunches.
Master Sessions
Don’t forget to add one of the fantastic master sessions to your registration. These sessions are filling up quickly, so sign up today. Already registered? You can always add a master session through the registration form.
Follow us on Twitter at @case8seattle. All followers will be entered into a drawing for a CASE Conference Seattle-Fun VIP Package.
We can’t wait to see you in Seattle!
Early Bird Conference Registration Closes Tonight!
Early-bird registration CLOSES TONIGHT at midnight. Register now!
The 2012 Conference in Seattle will feature inspiring speakers like Nate Miles, amazing programming like “Turning Ticket Holders into Donors” and “Borrowables: Doing More with Someone Else’s Stuff,” plus fun events like the Opening Night Extravaganza in the Maritime Discovery Center.
Choose from over 45 informative and engaging track sessions. Whether you are in marketing communications, advancement services or are a seasoned chief advancement officer, there is something at this conference for you.
Already registered? Look forward to the amenities, food, and beautiful views at the Bell Harbor Conference Center. Discover the Seattle waterfront — you will be steps away from the famous Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum sculpture park, and the first-ever Starbucks store.
Conference Registration Fees
Early-bird Registration: $425 CASE members / $525 non-members
Standard Registration: $475 CASE members / $575 non-members
Single Day Registration: $250 CASE members / $300 non-members
Master Sessions (with conference registration): $40 CASE members
Register Now!
Group Rate
Save an additional $50 off the early bird registration price per person when you register three or more attendees from the same member institution. In order to qualify for the group member registration discount, three or more conference attendees must register at the same time online. All attendees must be from the same CASE member institution. Discount only applies to registrations for the full conference, not individual workshops or days.
Passports
For our colleagues travelling across the border from Canada, don’t forget your passport!
Follow us on Twitter at @CASE8Seattle
All followers will be entered into a drawing for a CASE Conference Seattle Fun VIP Package. More details to be announced soon.
We can’t wait to see you in Seattle!
Early Bird Registration Deadline is Jan. 6!
Early Bird Registration Deadline
Early-bird registration ends this Friday, Jan. 6 at midnight. Register today and join us at the Conference in Seattle this Feb. 15-17.
Group Discount
Did you know? You can get a group discount by registering three or more people from your institution at the same time. You can save $50 per registration in addition to the early bird discount!
Keynote Speaker
Start the conference off with amazing keynote speaker Nathaniel “Nate” Miles, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives for Eli Lilly and Company. As a scholarship recipient himself Nate’s first hand account of how education can changes lives, will captivate and inspire you.
From out of town?
The conference will be held at the Seattle Waterfront Marriott, steps away from the Conference center and all the downtown activities. Reserve your room today.
From Seattle?
We all know that downtown parking can be a challenge. That is why this year’s conference has arranged daily parking for local commuters. Add the parking option when you register–it’s that easy!
Conference Schedule and Program
The conference schedule and program are now online. Check out the diverse master sessions, the events, the amazing programming, and then go ahead and register. Your registration includes three days of programming and events, four meals, the opening night extravaganza, plus plenty of opportunities to network with your colleagues and peers.
CFRE hours
This conference has been submitted to CFRE for assignment of contact hours to be used toward CFRE certification. Check the conference web site in mid-January to find out more.
Follow us on Twitter at @CASE8Seattle
All followers will be entered into a drawing for a CASE Conference Seattle-Fun VIP Package. More details to be announced in January.
We can’t wait to see you in Seattle!
District VIII 2012 Leadership Award Announced
Dr. Indira V. Samaraseke
ra, OC, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Alberta is the recipient of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District VIII 2012 Leadership Award.
The Leadership Award recognizes a district member institution president or head, chancellor, educational system head, or CEO for outstanding efforts to promote the understanding and support of education.
Dr. Samarasekera was nominated by O’Neil A.S. Outar, Chief Advancement Officer for the University of Alberta. Impressive letters for support for the nomination also came from the Premier of Alberta, the Mayor of the City of Edmonton, the President of the Canadian National Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Chair of the Canadian Science, Technology and Innovation Council, and the VP of Community Investment and Engagement at TELUS.
Dr. Samarasekera has been president of the University of Alberta since 2005. She spearheaded the Dare to Discover Strategic Plan and the Dare to Deliver Academic Plan, blueprints for the University’s next phase of growth. Under her leadership the university has established funds, institutes and program that are evidence of her capacity to inspire. Her nominator noted her “ability to build consensus with a deft touch” to align the university’s 19 faculties and schools.” Letters of support acclaimed her as a “leading Canadian voice for innovation and mission driven science as she successfully argues for government investing during difficult and uncertain economic times.” Her visionary leadership launched visionary reforms to reposition the university for growth and sustainability. By introducing external benchmarks against global peers, she has inspired the faculty, students and staff to help the university become a Top 20 public university by 2020, a task they have enthusiastically embraced.
“The CASE District VIII Recognition Program celebrates exemplary achievement in the field of advancement by member institutions,” says Cheryl Nations, Chair of the CASE VIII Board of Directors. “On behalf of the board I would like to congratulate Dr. Samarasekera for her outstanding leadership, she is an exemplar to what our program stands for, her accomplishments exemplify standards by which we compare our work, and educate and inspire ourselves to greater success.”
Dr. Samarasekera will receive her award at the 2012 CASE District VIII Conference in Seattle, WA, in February 2012.
You Say Tomato, I say Tomahto: Sharing the Advancement Message Across Generations
Join us for the CASE VIII Regional Program in Eugene – Registration is open now!
Friday, January 20, 2012
8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (includes breakfast)
Ford Alumni Center – University of Oregon
1720 East 13th
Eugene, OR 97403
$95 for CASE Members; $115 for non-CASE Members
All of us in advancement know we shouldn’t communicate with someone from the class of 2009 in the same way we talk to someone from the class of 1959. But how do we make sure we are staying true to our institution’s message and brand when we’re planning events, posting on Facebook and asking for annual fund support, all targeting multiple generations? How do we keep track of the ways in which different constituents want and need to receive information? And most importantly, how do we make sure we’re doing it consistently across our departments?
This session is designed to provide tools that can be immediately applied at your institution. No matter your responsibility within advancement – development and annual giving, alumni relations, stewardship, marketing/communications – all will benefit from this session, designed to provide tools you can immediately put to work in your institution, regardless of size.
The format will be a combination of information-sharing from experts and group discussion. You are encouraged to bring representatives from across your division to maximize the opportunities for integration. This is your opportunity to ask the experts, bringing knowledge and information from both the marketing/communication and higher education industries.
Schedule
8:00-8:30 a.m. – Breakfast Buffet/Check-in
8:30-8:45 a.m. – Welcome/Introduction of Speakers
8:45-10:15 a.m. –Generational Marketing in the ‘Real World’: What’s the research showing us?
10:15-10:30 a.m. – Break
10:30-11:30 – Generational Marketing and Advancement at Your Institution
11:30-12:30 – Bringing it Together: Tools & Take-aways
CASE District VIII is committed to the continued professional development of our members. Regional programs are held throughout the year on advancement topics relevant to our membership in areas where access to other opportunities may not be as assessable.