Thoughts for Thursday: What's really on your mind?

I've named this column "Thoughts for Thursday" and mostly it gives me a weekly space to bring up whatever topics I want to discuss. But, this week, I asked myself, "What's really on my mind?" I have a few things that have been buzzing around my brain lately. 

But, I'd also like to hear from you.

What are you struggling with? What solutions are you lacking right now? What trends are you baffled by? What ideas are you really digging right now? Please comment and let me know. 

Here are some of the bees in my bonnet: 
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• Phonathons are a recruitment ground for fundraising professionals
  

Assuming the push to dismantle college phonathons continues and gain traction, where will young people get introduced to the profession of fundraising? Where will the new fundraising professionals learn to ask? Formal programs to study fundraising as an academic discipline are still nascent. Are we willing to drop telefunds and lose this important space of introduction and early training into our industry?

• Communications, too much or too little

I've always been a fundraiser. I've picked up some public relations experience along the way but it has never been my area of focus. I'm struggling with what to do when donors tells you that your institution should improve communicate, when I truly feel like your organization is communicating well, with a solid plan of regular and meaningful stories and data. Other donors might say the communication is too much. And the organization has limitations in terms of staff and capacity. It's a puzzling place to be. All I can conclude is that we must keep doing what we are doing and continue to innovate and experiment too.

• The Importance of Strong Alumni Relations
  

Also, I've been thinking A LOT about alumni relations. I've been lucky to have worked for most of my career in "big shops" in higher education where there was always a dedicated alumni relations staff. I have never until now fully appreciated the work they did and how much their work helped me do my job. I just wrote a strategic plan for the Graduate Association for the seminary I work for and my hope is that we will be able to repair broken relationships, reignite passionate supporters in service to the school and re-engage those that have grown distant. I'm excited that our volunteer leadership is committed to re-building this organization which will mobilize graduates  to help the school recruit students and raise much-needed funds.

Again, what's really on your mind? Watched any good TED Talks about philanthropy and fundraising lately? Read any inspirational articles? What's the question you wish you had an answer to right now?

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