Adventures in Networking!

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Please help a future fundraising leader

It’s not often that I quote rappers. But Mr. Worldwide has quite the opening line in his song “Feel this moment” ( video below )

“Ask for money, get advice. Ask for advice, get money twice”

Indeed Pitbull, indeed.

So many of you know I’m co-hosting an event on May 27 called “Director School” to help my network and other future leaders in fundraising reach their potential.

I’m directing this post at 500 leaders in my network, who have held or currently hold a position at the Director level or above. Could you answer just 3 questions and give advice to those who attend this event?

Click here to take the survey

I won’t share your name, so please be critical. You’ve got beefs with this generation, tell them what problems they need to overcome to reach their goals. Believe me they’ll appreciate it.

I have personally achieved every job I ever wanted, every professional goal I have ever made because of this network. I am eternally grateful and work hard to host events like this out of gratitude and to be the change I want to see in this profession and world.

As always, thank you dear network for sharing news of this event with people you’re mentoring and for all your support. Please always consider me a resource in all you do!

With great gratitude and humility,

Paul

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Networking on the go! Walking meetings

Sitting is the smoking of our generation.

Says Nilofer Merchant, and I agree.

I hang out with a lot of business owners and entrepreneurs who maintain an awesome healthy lifestyle. They don’t do it because they’re hippies, they do it to make more profit, personal or social.

And I respect that. And I want that for me. And I want it for you too.

I spent my childhood behind a desk in school, my entire career in cubicles and offices. I only attend meetings where everyone sits and talks in order. There is no standing, there is NEVER any standing. Whose fault is that? Mine! I chose this life and lifestyle – if change is to be, it must start with me.

After all, there are so many awesome thinkers I admire and many of them insisted on walking and talking meetings. This spring, I went for a long walk with Jaime Stein on one of his #KilihikeTO walks to network and prepare to climb a mountain for #Climb4Cord to create Canada’s first “cord blood” bank. It was truly an “ah-ha” networking moment for me.

Sure if sitting is the new smoking, getting up for meetings could save my life but there is also the creativity aspect. Our brains evolved not to think more, but to accommodate more complex movement – moving more helps the brain digest and create better!

I know we’ve gotten so used to meetings, we often say “let’s grab a coffee” ( and I’ll still be starting at Starbucks ) but the office has evolved, so should meetings!

And of course fresh air to creativity is what they originally meant by “thinking on your feet” – which is what my favourite chef James Barber used to say. His specialty was “cooking with what we have” instead of trying to create a dish with all new ingredients. Does this sound like your office? There is no new revenue, no more budget money, no more hours in the day. So we cook with what we have and it CAN be delicious.

So! Enjoy Nilofer’s great TED talk below, you’ll see me out and about for more meetings and I’ll be hosting a networking idea-walk this summer in June! Details to follow.

If you’re around May 27, I hope you’ll walk on over and join me at my career event, “Fundraising Director School” until then…

Happy walking, Paul

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Fundraising Director School May 27

Many people know that I try to help fundraising peers who are skilled and passionate, get ahead in career and life.

But there comes a point, where you hit a wall. Because you can’t learn more, or don’t know what you need to learn. Or no one will let you be more where you are.

AFP Fundraising Day in Toronto is coming up. Many people will get a chance to reconnect with mentors at this important event, maybe you’ll meet a new mentor there….

IT’S TIME TO TAKE YOUR CAREER INTO YOUR OWN HANDS.

You know that your future leads to leadership. Many great fundraisers who didn’t get any training became bad bosses. You know who I’m talking about. You don’t want to be them, but you know you could do better if you knew how to prepare over these new few years!

So I’ve partnered with leaders in my network to put together an event that I hope will help you become the leader our profession, our country needs.

David Hutchinson, our host is a recruiter. Plain and simple. He will share trends where current skills are lacking that you want to hear about.

Janice Cunning is a coach who helps star fundraisers do their best! She will share tips on how keep your joy and your soul. It’s not a ‘nice to have’, this is a BIG reason why Directors quit!

Ahmed Nizam who helped me understand the power of a good picture will be present to help you with a professional social media headshot for LinkedIn ( now you can get rid of that photo of you from that wedding/graduation ceremony ) so you’ll feel like the leader you will soon be.

And yes, I’ll be sharing some key strategy tips on personal branding for career development for the busy fundraising professional.

This will be worth the investment of your time! There is even a surprise for the first couple dozen folks to register! Come and see the new Centre for Social Innovation in Regent Park!

After all, it’s your career, your future.

You’re worth it right?

See you in school, Paul

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Exclusive inclusive social media training at #CAGP2013

It’s just hours before the CAGP National Conference. I’m crazy excited.

Several peers have contacted me with the same request, “hey Paul, there is no social media training for planned giving fundraisers on the program, can we talk about it when I see you?”

Now, I don’t fault the conference team, this is NOT a required job skill in 2013 for fundraisers or other professionals. But by 2014? Maybe… by 2015? Watch the video below and tell me this is a fad.

Respected peers of mine continue to marvel, falsely so, at my social media prowess. It's a trick! I tell them, I have time saving strategies! They don't believe me, so the magician is sharing his secrets, all before breakfast.

15 minutes, free resources. Crash course.

It's about time saving, I have a full time job and a family after all. I will prove to you that you can do it.

I will teach you 3 ways to make it possible in your work and life.

Come to the registration booth, 7:30AM on Thursday April 18. They’ll tell you where it is ( or follow the Twitter team at #CAGP2013 ) tell others please!

Non-early risers, you tell me if you want to engage at my Tuesday night event or on Wed/Thurs. I’ll make it work. You’ll always hear me say “I’m at your service”, make me prove it.

If you're willing, I'm ready.

Bright and early.

Paul

Sunday, April 7, 2013

May 2 Celebration for UofT Fundraisers

Fundraising is an amazing profession, but it has an odd caveat.

The real fundraisers – are invisible.

Sure you run the events, you work hard to bring in the money that makes real world-changing research, education, progress … possible.

But professional fundraisers know, the recognition belongs to the donors who fund the work and we need to shine the spotlight on the staff of the charity who do the work because they make ideas and hopes for change into reality.

Never is that more important than during a campaign and the dreaded “fiscal year-end”, and you my UofT peers are right in the thick of both!

For those who don’t know, I have a large UofT network, partly because I worked there and partly because I live and breath UofT. It’s where I met most of my friends, my wonderful spouse, found my career and purpose. But we’ve both been so busy we’ve kind of lost touch… so! I remember needing a drink when year-end was done. Why not ring in the fiscal new year together!

And by fundraisers I mean the researchers, the admin staff the report and stewardship specialists – we like to say the word team but how often do we party together? You’re ALL invited.

Where else would we gather but the University of Toronto Faculty Club!

Now networking is great but in keeping with the “New Year” theme I thought we’d start the year off with some skill building. I’m constantly learning about the future of social business. Well I recently listened to a great talk about “digital productivity”. We’ll have someone present to teach us about the power of taking our notes, digital! I’m a life-long Moleskine fan – and even they have teamed up with the uber-popular Evernote to make this progress a reality.

So on May 2, think about yourself for just a moment dear fundraising colleagues. I’ve made an RSVP online for those who know they’re coming for sure. No pressure though, just drop in!

Let’s help you start fiscal 2013/14 with the kind of bang in the video below!

And if you can’t make it, and I can be of any help with your career goals, let me know. I’m always at your service,

Paul

Monday, April 1, 2013

Networking at CAGP 2013 Conference

Gift Planner s from across the country will soon assemble in Canada’s beautiful capital region for our 20th Anniversary conference!!

Many of the country's best and brightest will soon.....wander the streets and eat dinner alone?!?!

Every year it happens, to newbies and veterans of the profession. You fly in and don't know who's in town and end up eating dinner alone the first night when you could be casually getting to know peers do some REAL relationship building - not the stuff done on breaks and over loud lunches at circular tables.....

I’m teaming up again with fellow CAGP super-fan, Christina Att ard to host not one but TWO networking events.

Tuesday April 16 – I’m excited to be co-teaching the CAGP All-In-A-Day Course with the awesome Jill Nelson and the class will be full of great ideas to share with you!

We'll meet in the hotel lobby between 6 and 6:30pm and leave for dinner from there. Not sure where we’ll go, we’ll play it by ear. No RSVP, bring anyone you like ( these are NOT official events so spouses and non-delegates are welcome! Ottawa fundraisers, I’m talking to you! ). Come late even! Ask for us at the concierge or..tweet us - Are you following the CAGP Twitter team?
@UinvitedU ( that's me )
@GPTekkie ( that's Christina ) are team members.

The second event? Friday April 19th in the afternoon, touch base or tweet us for details as it forms….last year we had a couple dozen folks come out and it wasn’t just fun, it was on the job valuable learning!

Bottom line is, we came to connect and learn - why not have some fun too! The conference theme is after all: Creating Capital Connections ~ so let’s connect!!!

Here’s a fascinating article to start the conversation – an article about the psyche of many fundraisers I know… whether you're a type-a networking machine or an ambiverted professional you'll meet someone who does what you do and can help you do it better - that's why we come to this thing right?

RIGHT?! Heck yes.

See you there, Paul Nazareth

CAGP 2013 Conference Twitter Team

We’ve been gathering as a Gift Planning professional community for 20 years! A lot has changed since then, the technology of connecting being a big change for sure.

Today, there are a lot of benefits to using Twitter at conferences.

A lot of ways it can be used to add value to both attendees and sponsors.

So! Delegates, sponsors, CAGP members across Canada please join myself and the team in tweeting up and around #CAGP2013 ( the official hashtag )

Not on Twitter? This is your chance to sign up, learn with your peers – I’ll be hosting a private 15 min social-media crash course Thursday morning to help ( details on Twitter of course )