Monday, January 23
7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
CASE Registration Desk
7:45-8:45 a.m. – BREAKFAST – State Meetings
Session I
8:45-10:00 a.m.
ASAP Panel Discussion regarding the growing field of student advancement programs. (ASAP)
Panel Presenters – Carin Huffman Grinch, Coordinator of Student Programs & Athletic Events, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO; Michael Jennings, Director of Student-Alumni Programs, University of Denver, Denver, CO; Roy Mann, Director of Alumni Relations, Emporia State University
Representation from an array of diverse institutions will ensure the issues discussed will apply to you and your student population. Be prepared to share your questions and obstacles, as well as successes! Join in this highly interactive session and you will leave inspired and motivated to try something new or reinvent something old.
The Changing Color of Philanthropy (Small Shop)
Sonya Garcia-Ulibarri, Grass Roots for Fundraising Training, Denver, Colorado
This session will explore the role of “philanthropy” in our society, as well as through several different cultural lenses. We will review and dispel common fundraising myths, and discuss the personal experiences we may bring to fundraising including ideas and perceptions that may get in the way of asking for money. In addition, we will discuss effective fundraising strategies for diverse communities.
Building a Pyramid: Working Towards an Integrated Identity (Comm)
Devendra Shrikhande, Director of Web Communications for St. Ambrose University
Integrated Communications is considered the benchmark for contemporary educational institutions. This seminar will explore the mechanics of developing an integrated identity. This will be a “how-to” session that covers the building blocks of communication and how institutions can fit them together for an integrated result. We will address practical examples of the process.
A short lesson on the art of being more effective (PD)
Kari Kovar, Principal Consultant, Stamats
Let's face it: You can't work any harder on the job. The real solution to getting more work accomplished during the day is to increase your effectiveness of doing what you do. This humorous and poignant session presents strategies for enhancing the performance of staff members, managers and leaders.
Wanted: A Few Good (People) Managers (Mgmt)
Karen Drake, Director of Human Resources & Organizational Development, St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri
Even the smartest, most talented people need clear expectations, goals, and ongoing coaching and feedback to succeed. Attend this interactive session to learn critical ingredients for workplace effectiveness. Hint: you’re one of those ingredients.
Feature Writing That Sings (Comm)
David Gibson, Director of Communications for Development, Dartmouth College
What gets a story read? Learn how to engage your audience through memorable prose from lead to conclusion, whether it’s 400 or 4,000 words. Engage your audience, and you’re on your way to building an informed alumni base.
Planned Giving Raises Dollars. Gift Planning Raises Dedicated Donors (P)
Rebecca (Becky) Zimmer, CFRE, Director of Planned Giving, Westminster College
Learn how to make planned giving a natural part of your comprehensive advancement plan. This presentation will share the eight basic steps that over the presenter’s 21 year career have not changed, however continue to create dedicated donors who make significant lifetime and testamentary gifts.
Beyond Black Tie Too (P)
Geni Greiner, Director of Special Events, Purdue University
This session will help you redesign your rubber chicken dinners into a well-camouflaged marketing tool. Under the influence of the Experience Economy, Special Events are one of the hottest advancement tools of the decade. We will discuss the secrets for the creation of Wow events, and learn about marketing trends which will enhance your success. You will gain ammunition to help you fight for event resources to do events that have strategic results. Join us for a WOW!
The Future of Alumni Associations (Senior Prof)
Ed Paquett, Executive Director, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Alumni Association; Laura Chauvin, Assistant Vice Chancellor Alumni Affairs, Washington University in St. Louis; Sherri Schmidt, Associate Executive Director, North Dakota State University Alumni Association
Description: Will the alumni associations of tomorrow look at all like today’s alumni associations? Will there even be Alumni Associations 25 years from now? This experienced panel will share their insights about the future of alumni associations
10:00-10:30 a.m. - EDUCATIONAL PARTNER BREAK
Session II
10:30-11:45 a.m.
Collaboration and Cultural Change (Alumni)
Jeff Todd, Executive Director, Oregon State University Alumni Association
One thing is certain, in alumni relations today it is impossible to be successful and relevant without strong campus collaborations, but frequently campus cultures and the routines of our own offices make it a challenge. While there are an almost infinite number of potential collaborations – academic units, athletics, student affairs, career services, and development are just a few examples – how do we determine which ones are most critical? And which ones will also assist us to better serve our various campuses? How can we leverage our campus relationships to do more for alumni? How can we break down silos on our campuses within our own organizations and facilitate cultural change that ultimately leads to more engaged alumni?
Best Practices in Alumni Relations
Hauli Sabatka, Director of Alumni Relations, Hastings College
Seeking inspiration? CASE District VI alumni professionals share their most innovative and successful ideas. Be prepared to share your “best practice.” Join in this highly interactive session and you will leave inspired and motivated to try something new or reinvent something old!
“Building Bridges”: working with different schools and colleges to improve information and eliminate shadow databases (Adv. Services)
Tom Boren, MPA, Director of Advancement Services, University of Missouri
This presentation explores building relationships and cooperative efforts with different academic and administrative units at your institution. We will discuss ways to build relationships and some of the rewards associated with these efforts. Cooperative efforts include jointly managing information on department web sites, exchanging data, and shared programming efforts. See why it is in your best interest to construct the bridges in the first place. You can expect to see reduced development times, better data, shared costs, and improved trust.
University and College Professionals Engaging Today’s Students: Negotiating their Perceptions of Us (ASAP)
Dr. Joe Seabrooks, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, University of Arkansas
This presentation explores, in depth, the perceptions that students have of professionals in higher education, and how those perceptions can hinder our ability to make meaningful connections. In addition, this multimedia presentation provides a snapshot of today’s students, who are often referred to as the “Millennials.” This presentation will ultimately provide the participants with justifications and strategies for engaging students during their academic pursuits on our respective campuses.
Strategic Communications: Sending the Right Messages to the Right People at the Right Time (Comm)
Mary Wade Atteberry, APR, Director of Communications, University of Indianapolis
Whether your shop is large or small, if you aren’t thinking strategically about media exposure and integrated communications you are not maximizing your effectiveness. Transform your public relations office from a press release production center to a strategic communications command post. Presenter Mary Wade Atteberry will share some of her strategies, and attendees will be encouraged to discuss their own successful initiatives.
Best Practices in Alumni Magazines (Comm)
David Gibson, Director of Communications for Development, Dartmouth College
From content to writing to design -- to sensibility -- what drives the best magazines in the field? And what's preventing you, if anything, from doing the same? A faculty member from CASE's Summer Institute in Communications and Marketing will share insights into the best practices in our business.
Empowering Your Board to Succeed in Fundraising (Small Shop)
Illene Roggensack, Owner/Presenter, Third Sector Innovations, Inc.
As lead staff person, your role is to create and manage a system that allows the board to engage and succeed in fundraising, rather than setting it up for failure. This workshop will explore:
the board role and commitment to fundraising, determining what tasks the board members will actually do, and how to make sure their efforts are worthwhile formal and informal outreach opportunities for board members.
Come and contribute to this discussion that will be beneficial for both staff and volunteer leaders.
Effective strategies for dealing with conflict in the workplace (PD)
Karen Drake, Director of Human Resources & Organizational Development, St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri
No one likes conflict, especially in the workplace. Yet, conflict happens all the time – and can be resolved if dealt with effectively. This session will present practical solutions for handling conflict on the job.
Is your Faculty/Staff campaign stuck in the Dark Ages? (P)
Joyce Martin, Director of Fundraising Programs, Washburn Endowment Association
Discover the forces that can drive a ‘rebirth’ on your campus. Explore strategies to build a development minded campus and inspire consistent growth and increased participation! Revolt from the way things have ‘always been done’ and help foster a new movement on your campus.
Creating the Dean and Development Officer Relationship: A Partnership for Success (P)
Mitzi Richards, Sr. Director of Development and Dr. Terry King, Dean, KSU College of Engineering
The strength of the dean and development officer relationship impacts the ability to attain a college’s development and alumni engagement goals. The dean must do more than proudly state the college’s vision and academic plan. This session will cover important aspects of this complex relationship and provide a roadmap to foster a positive and productive way for working together. Using a simple illustration to demonstrate the interdependency between the vision/academic plan and development, the dean and development officer will learn how to deploy resources and leverage successes long term.
Trends in Educational Fund Raising (Senior Prof)
Cheryl Milvalsky, Vice President Resource Development, Kirkwood (IA) Community College; Rickey McCury, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and CEO, Southern Illinois University Foundation; Jack Miller, President The Miller Group Worldwide, LLC
What’s old, what’s new? Join this outstanding panel as they peer into the future of educational fund raising.
12:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. – Recognition Lunch – This special lunch will recognize the Chief Executive Leader and Volunteer of the Year award recipients.
Session III
1:45-3:00 p.m.
What can a Student Foundation do for your organization? (ASAP)
Kansas State University Student Foundation
The Kansas State University Student Foundation acts as a bridge between the student body and the KSU Foundation. The purpose of the Foundation is to raise private funds to help support the University. The Student Foundation develops, coordinates, and performs various projects over the course of the year. Learn how this type of organization can help your foundation.
“Horses, Software and Bad Art”: The latest news on booking non-cash gifts and giving credit where credit is due (Adv Services)
Liz Landry, Director of Advancement Services, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Sometimes you must look a gift horse in the mouth. Not all gifts are easy to accept and receipt. Some may be more expensive than they are worth, others don’t further the mission of your organization, and sometimes it’s nearly impossible to tell who should get the credit (or blame). This session will review the policies that guide us in determining what counts for whom and will provide the latest news on booking non-cash gifts.
Creating a culture that nourishes exceptional followers (PD)
Kari Kovar, Principal Consultant, Stamats
All effective organizations need exceptional leaders—and exceptional followers who support leaders and their visions for success. Whether you’re a leader or a follower (or both!) this session will benefit your understanding and ability to build and contribute to workplace environments that cultivates the role of followers in your organization.
Internal Campaign: Achieving Success (Small Shop)
Toni DeAngelis, Alumni Development, Trinidad State Junior College
The organization’s employees are the people closest to the organization, and 100% participation can send a strong message to the organization’s constituents. This session will illustrate a model for successfully engaging employees in a major gifts or capital campaign at your institution. Participants will be guided through an overview for planning, organizing, implementing, and completing a successful employee campaign. Learn techniques for structuring the internal campaign, selecting and recruiting respected leaders, training volunteers, and soliciting your peers. A copy of the Power Point presentation will be available to the participants as a handout following the presentation.
Building a Lifelong Relationship Plan: 21st Century Engagement (Alumni)
Todd Coleman, Executive Director, Purdue Alumni Association
The adage “students for four years, alumni for life” has never been more appropriate in the alumni relations business than it is today. In order to develop engaged, supportive alumni and donors, we need to be involved in the lives of the students before they even set foot on our campuses. Please join us for an informative and entertaining session that will send you off with a medley of good ideas about building lifelong relationships that engage alumni from cradle through the retirement years.
Elements of Good Web Design (Comm)
Sara Clark, Director of Web Services, Missouri State University
The web is a unique medium that can potentially reach millions of visitors, but you need a well-designed site to keep your visitors interested and coming back. This session will discuss how to write for the web as well as uncover best practices for the layout and format of web pages.
Media Relations in a New World (Comm)
Tracy Syler-Jones, Director of Communications, Texas Christian University
Yesterday it was film at 11. Today’s it’s rarely film and it’s always 24/7. If you like choice you’ll love doing media relations. The challenge includes knowing which media your target audiences use and how to harness new information technologies to ensure they are helping rather than hindering your efforts.
In this session, we will be looking at the latest ways colleges and universities are using the Web as a critical marketing and communications tool. We will be evaluating several sites to understand how they are communicating with key external audiences, and what you can do to incorporate these ideas.
The Care and Feeding of your Team (MGMT)
Colette Murray, President & CEO, Pascal*Murray Executive Search, San Diego, CA
Now that you have recruited your “Dream Team” how do you keep the members motivated, energized and “delighted” with their receptive positions? This session will focus on motivating staff members to do their best, how to get them to take individual ownership in the institution’s overall goals and how to measure individual performance without demotivating others. It will address why employees leave and what supervisors can do to create an environment that inspires “teamness” and peak performance.
What I wish I Knew Then That I Know Now (P)
J. Eric Buchanan, Director of Foundation Relations, University of Nebraska
Learn how to avoid meaningless paperwork and loss of precious time so that you can maximize the gift potential of your foundation prospects.
Closing the Major Gifts: The Guaranteed Way to Get the Answer You Want (P)
Ann Louden, Director of Principal Gifts, Texas Christian University
This session on major gifts will cover not only the strategy of how to successfully close a major gift, but also how to quickly respond when the donor says "yes", "maybe" or "no". You'll also learn the top ten mistakes to avoid when you do get a "yes" response. There will be time for discussion at the end, so come with your case studies and questions.
Employment Trends in Higher Education (Senior Prof)
Christopher Bryant, President and CEO The Bryant Group
Moderator: John Lippencott, President, CASE
Presentation Description: Looking for greener pastures? What’s happening on the salary front? What’s involved in negotiating a contract or bonus? Join us in this informational session whether you’re job shopping or not.
3:00-3:15 p.m. – EDUCATIONAL PARTNER BREAK
Session IV
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Alumni-in-residence: Getting students connected to their Alumni Association (ASAP)
Shellie Henry, Assistant Director for Membership and Marketing, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
The Iowa State University Student Alumni Association has the largest student alumni association membership in the country. It offers over 80 business discounts, access to ISU’s alumni online community, and much more. Find out how to start your own group or to enhance your current student alumni association.
“Is there a best way to run your shop?”: Best practices in gift processing
(Adv Services)
Jennifer Warwick, MA, Managing Director and Principal for Education, Training and Coaching, Burdenski and Taylor Consulting Group
The best way for you to manage your group depends on many variables. This session will discuss tools, services and organizational structures that are useful in gift processing and donor records – ones that will help you increase efficiency and accuracy. Find out how you can benchmark your efforts to measure improvements in quality and workflow. Explore strategies you can use to get ahead in your organization and your career, using the skills you’ve learned in this vital behind the scenes work of gift processing.
Trends in Alumni Relations (Alumni)
Jeff Todd, Executive Director, Oregon State University Alumni Association
While none of us have a crystal ball, we do have the ability to stay current with the world around us to help us understand how social and economic changes are impacting our graduates’ lives. These changes can also tell us something about how we can best engage and involve alumni with our schools, colleges and universities. Perhaps most important is to learn about ways alumni programs at other institutions are changing and evolving. During this session we will explore the trends that are impacting our work and the ways that colleagues are changing their programs and addressing new opportunities in alumni relations.
A Millennial State of Mind: How to reach today’s teens (Comm)
Bob Brock, President of Educational Marking Group, Ineke Caycedo, Brand Strategist, Educational Marketing Group
Their view of the world is slicker, trendier, and more driven by media than any generation before them. They've grown up on the leading edge of technology and they have high expectations of quality and substance. They are strongly influenced by marketing, yet dismiss it quickly if it doesn't resonate. They are the ultimate consumers. The question is, how can you reach this sophisticated group despite today's fragmented, overcrowded marketplace? And once you've grabbed their attention, how can you motivate them to action? Discover who this audience is, what motivates them, what provokes them, and what it takes to communicate effectively with them.
Beyond the Cool Factor: The Latest Trends in Higher Education Web Sites (Comm)
Eric Hodgson, Director of Client Relations - Estrada Content Management
In this session, we will be looking at the latest ways colleges and universities are using the Web as a critical marketing and communications tool. We will be evaluating several sites to understand how they are communicating with key external audiences, and what you can do to incorporate these ideas.
Diversity and Fundraising (Small Shop)
Sonya Garcia-Ulibarri, Grass Roots for Fundraising Training, Denver, Colorado
Diversity is a key to successful fundraising. Diversity in resources and diversity in people all contribute to a healthy and sustainable fundraising program. From this framework, we will look at building diversity (resources and people) in an organization through grassroots fundraising. We will review the four pillars of a strong grassroots fundraising campaign, which include: the importance of mission-driven fundraising, relationship building, building a fundraising team, and using effective strategies.
Creating Community: Ideas for Harmonizing the Strategic and Campaign Plans for Long-term Campus Success (MGMT)
Dr. Mike Hilgers, Past-President of UMR Academic Council, editor of UMR Strategic Plan & Associate Professor of Information Systems Technology, University of Missouri-Rolla, Rolla, Missouri
Do the faculty members of your institution have any real idea of what you do? During the good times, the campus can operate blissfully unaware of the contributions each other makes. As budgets tighten and resources become scarce, everyone’s fate becomes intimately intertwined. Creating an environment of cooperation and mutual respect is critical to develop a forward-thinking solution process. This session will explore ideas, principles, and techniques used to create an integrated strategic and campaign plan.
Reach your peak performance of major gift management (P)
Thomas Grabau, Bentz Whaley Flesser
This session will focus on a process of performance planning that integrates accountability, motivation and performance. Data from a nation-wide major gift benchmarking survey will be provided.
Do’s and Don’ts of Fundraising (P)
Suzanne Mayo-Theaus, President Maynette Management Co.; Adrienne Johnson and Joseph Johnson, Infinity Worldwide Solutions
This session provides a practical approach for organizations seeking and finding funding for their projects. It will not only help professional fundraisers, but also first time fundraisers seeking funds for their organizations.
Can Old Media Survive in a New World? (Sen Prof)
Charlotte Million, President, Million Creative; Tom Shipley, Manager, University of Missouri-Rolla Video Productions; Kari Kovar, Principal Consultant, Stamats
Moderator: Laura McDaniel, Director, Marketing Communication, North Dakota State University
Does the digital revolution threaten to push your alumni newspaper, sound bites and marketing strategy into the dustbin of history? Attend this session and learn what you might do to avoid that fate.
Dinner on your own
9:00 p.m.-Midnight
CASE After Hours
