Pre-Conference Workshop for Newcomers to the Field of Advancement
Saturday, Dec. 11, Noon-5 p.m.

If you are new to advancement — whether you are just starting to work in alumni relations, development, institutional relations, or communications — here is a great opportunity to hit the ground running! Join us for this pre-conference workshop designed to give you an overview of advancement, as well as an opportunity to build a professional network with CASE V colleagues.

The small-group setting of the workshop gives you a chance to meet others before the regular conference begins. The pre-conference workshop will begin with lunch and a chance to meet the other participants and speakers. Then, break into smaller groups by each advancement discipline for a chance to interact more closely with others in your particular field and to pick up tips from a seasoned professional. The breakout sessions are designed to:

• give newcomers a chance to meet other professionals in their careers
• provide a quick insight into key programs and trends to develop a framework on which good decisions can be made
• share information on career advancement opportunities.

Following these profession-based sessions, you’ll have an opportunity to become familiar with the hotel and where to find various features of the conference. Participants will also hear from a special guest speaker: John Lippincott, president of CASE.

We’ll end the day with an opportunity to ask the day’s speakers your most burning questions on how the different professions work together to achieve their missions as well as that of the institution. You’ll learn of the challenging landscape of educational advancement and the emerging challenges faced by all advancement officers, regardless of their roles or levels in the organization. This will be your chance to ask those difficult questions or questions you aren’t yet comfortable asking in your own office. No question is too difficult, too easy, or too unimportant. Ask them about the biggest mistakes they have made. What have their greatest successes been? How do they mentor their employees?

The workshop will end with the presentation of the CASE V Newcomer Fellowships for 2004 — make sure your application is turned in by Oct. 15.

Breakout sessions

Communications
As a communications professional, positioning your institution and yourself within your institution are key. Leveraging story ideas in major media markets, training faculty and staff on meeting the media, and leading marketing efforts are just a few tips covered.
— Linda Crossley , vice president of communications/editor-in-chief, The Ohio State University Alumni Association
— Carol Wilcox, director of communications, University of Iowa Alumni Association

Development
Development professionals facilitate activities that build strong relationships between donors and their preferred charitable giving interests. This interactive session will describe the various development specialties and offer proven strategies for becoming successful in each area. The overview will be given from the viewpoint of a professional who has been in the field for more than 15 years, with 11 of them being with the same institution, and someone who has recently made the transition from the alumni relations profession.
— Stephen G. Sokany, associate vice president, University Development, Kent State University
— Mike Worley, regional director of development, Washington University in St. Louis

Alumni
Alumni relations professionals are charged with developing or enhancing programs for alumni around your institutions’ needs. What’s new; what’s tried and true; what brings out the crowds; what gives the best bang for the buck are just a few of the questions probed.
— Jennifer Heisey, director, outreach and engagement, The Ohio University Alumni Association
— Becci Menghini, senior director of campus and affiliate relations, Wisconsin Alumni Association