Almost 100 fantastic sessions are planned over the two and a half days of the conference ... but you'll want to make sure to attend these "sessions to watch:"

Barb Laporte

AlumnI
Juggling on a Tightrope: The Work Life Balancing Act
— Barbara Laporte, Owner, Laporte Consulting Services
Tuesday, 9:15 a.m.

Why this topic is hot:
Maintaining work/life balance has ramifications that include improved health for employee and increased profits for the organization. It is especially relevant to anyone who finds him/herself pulled by the responsibilities of giving 100 percent at work while simultaneously parenting children and caring for aging parents, or for those who feel work consumes
too much time.

Why this session is hot:
It's an interactive session designed to take a closer look at work/life balance, why it's important and how to achieve it.

You'll leave with:
The Power of P.L.A.Y. in balancing all of their roles.They will
be provided with 10 easy stress-reducing tips and have the
opportunity to create a personal action plan to help achieve greater
work/life balance.

Alvin P. Sanoff

Communications
The Rankings Dilemma
— Alvin P. Sanoff, freelance writer and higher ed consultant
Monday, 9:15 a.m.

Why this topic is hot:
Potential donors, especially business executives, are accustomed to measured, tangible outcomes. But tangible, comparative outcome data is in short supply in higher education. Rankings, whatever their flaws, provide a tangible measure of an institution’s relative standing and progress. Many in the extended university community pay close attention to them.

Why this session is hot:
The presenter’s perspective is unique. He was managing editor of the U.S.News and World Report’s college and graduate school rankings projects and subsequently worked as a higher education consultant. He has dealt with the rankings from the perspective of both U.S. News, and colleges and universities. No one else has dealt with the rankings from both sides of the fence.

You’ll leave with:
A new understanding of why the rankings have become so important. Hear about their use and misuse. Learn how the rankings can serve as an internal assessment tool.

Community College, Two-year Independent Schools
The Independent Schools Pre-K-12 Luncheon:
The Best Ideas of 2004
— Marina Spheeris Krejci, Director of Advancement,
University School of Milwaukee (K-12)
Monday, 12:15 p.m.

This is a wonderful opportunity for Independent School (Pre K-12) representatives to network and share experiences with their colleagues. Luncheon participants should be prepared to share their “Best Idea” of 2004. Handouts and/or samples of your idea would also be appreciated. Cost for the session and lunch is $25 — see the registration form.

The Community College Luncheon: Leadership Opportunities at Community Colleges
— Joe Cipfl, Adviser to the President, McKendree College
Monday, 12:15 p.m.

With the great number of retirements, community colleges need new leaders. Are you ready for the challenge? Joseph J. Cipfl, Ph.D., has more than 37 years of administrative and educational experience. He is currently an adviser to the president of McKendree College. In May 2004 he was elected to the National Advisory Board of Scholarship America, the nation’s largest nonprofit private-sector scholarship and educational support organization. Prior to joining McKendree in January 2004, Cipfl served seven years as president and chief executive officer of the Illinois Community College Board. Before his service at ICCB, he was president of Southwestern Illinois for nine years and an Illinois public school superintendent for 12 years.

Cipfl will give his insight on leadership and the role community colleges have in higher education. Cost for the session and lunch is $25 — see the registration form.

Development
Back from the Edge: Reinvigorating a Comprehensive Advancement Program
— Steve Ragan, vice president for university advancement, Lawrence Tech University
— Peter Remington, Remington Group
Tuesday, 11 a.m.

Why this topic is hot:
For every “Circle of Excellence” award-winning program, there are dozens of advancement programs struggling. Whether a once great advancement program suffering staff turnover and neglect or one that has never gotten off the ground, many advancement professionals must lead a program through turnaround. What do you do first when you have to do everything — including recruit an entire staff — at the same time? The lessons apply to those building a new program or an entire department.

Why this session is hot:
It’s not unusual for a new chief advancement officer to be faced with recruiting an entire staff and rebuilding. Development professionals face increased and sometimes unrealistic expectations about how quickly and easily a solid and sustainable advancement program can be established.

Why this session is unique:
The presentation will rely on a case study and draw heavily on experiences at Lawrence Tech., where in five years, it has grown from a program without staff for almost a year to a Circle of Excellence award recipient. Also, Lawrence has raised more than $32 million in four years, including $6 million and $4 million gifts, and four $1 million gifts. Lawrence received AFP's Award for Innovation in Internet fund raising.

You’ll leave with the following messages:

• Effective recruitment and maintaining stability in your staff are most important to rebuilding a program. This means you must offer creative performance compensation programs.
• Managing expectations of leadership and stakeholders is essential. Too often leadership wants results overnight.
• Changes in culture are critical. Not only should board members give, but faculty and staff, graduating seniors, and vendor giving is just as important.

VIEW ALL development SESSIONS

Timothy Seiler

Management
Advancing Yourself, Advancing the Sector
—Timothy Seiler, Director of public service at The Fund Raising School, Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University
Special Sunday day-long workshop*

Why this topic is hot:
Increasing scrutiny of the role of advancement calls for thoughtful engagement with the underlying premises and assumptions that inform the voluntary (independent) sector.

Why this session is hot:
The session is as much conversation and even debate among participants than its content presentation.

You’ll leave:
Re-energized about the motivating factors that make advancement work such a challenging and integral piece of institutions.

*Extra $150 registration fee (lunch included) — see registration form

Christopher Simpson

Senior Professionals
Crisis communications: How to plan for and react when the inevitable hits the fan
— Christopher Simpson, President/CEO Simpson Communications
Monday, 2 p.m.

Why this topic is hot:
College and university images and reputations are influenced greatly by public opinion shaped in good times and bad. Mishandling a crisis can have a profoundly negative impact in recruiting, fund raising and public support. Advanced planning to proactively handle a crisis is essential.

Why this session is hot:
The power-point presentation includes the “do’s, don’ts and bridging” techniques in effective media and crisis communications, along with historic video — from Bill Clinton to Richard Nixon to 9-11. The presenter was vice president of public affairs and government relations and chief public relations architect and university spokesman for Indiana University during its infamous controversy that led to firing basketball coach Bob Knight.

You’ll leave with:
Tips, tactics and techniques on effective communications in times of crisis.

Back from the Edge: Reinvigorating a Comprehensive Advancement Program
— Steve Ragan, vice president for university advancement, Lawrence Tech University
— Peter Remington, Remington Group
Tuesday, 11 a.m.

Why this topic is hot:
For every “Circle of Excellence” award-winning program, there are dozens of advancement programs struggling. Whether a once great advancement program suffering staff turnover and neglect or one that has never gotten off the ground, many advancement professionals must lead a program through turnaround. What do you do first when you have to do everything — including recruit an entire staff — at the same time? The lessons apply to those building a new program or an entire department.

Why this session is hot:
It’s not unusual for a new chief advancement officer to be faced with recruiting an entire staff and rebuilding. Development professionals face increased and sometimes unrealistic expectations about how quickly and easily a solid and sustainable advancement program can be established.

Why this session is unique:
The presentation will rely on a case study and draw heavily on experiences at Lawrence Tech., where in five years, it has grown from a program without staff for almost a year to a Circle of Excellence award recipient. Also, Lawrence has raised more than $32 million in four years, including $6 million and $4 million gifts, and four $1 million gifts. Lawrence received AFP's Award for Innovation in Internet fund raising.

You’ll leave with the following messages:

• Effective recruitment and maintaining stability in your staff are most important to rebuilding a program. This means you must offer creative performance compensation programs.
• Managing expectations of leadership and stakeholders is essential. Too often leadership wants results overnight.
• Changes in culture are critical. Not only should board members give, but faculty and staff, graduating seniors, and vendor giving is just as important.

Michael Stoner

Web and Online Marketing
Content Management 101
— Michael Stoner, president, mStoner
Monday, 11 a.m.

Why this topic is hot:
Relevant, up-to-date content is the most important element of a Web site. Content helps prospective students and parents understand how and why colleges differ. Content inspires alumni to deepen their affiliation with the institution and each other. Content helps motivate donors to give. But, creating and managing this content is most challenging.

Why this session is hot:
The session’s focus on content management as a communications issue — and not a technology issue — is unique.

You’ll leave understanding why:

• Content is the most important element of a Web site.
• Content management is not a technology issue.
• Effective content management considers content and people before technology.

Award-Winning Web Sites
— Michael Stoner, president, mStoner
— Kari Chisholm, senior web strategist, Lewis & Clark College
Tuesday, 9:15 a.m.

Why this topic is hot:
Advancement professionals use CASE’s award-winning Web sites as benchmarks. This session dives under the surface, providing an inside look at both the judging process and the reasons why sites were given awards.

Why this session is hot:
You’ll meet two of the 14 judges who review this year’s CASE entries. They’ll cut to the chase on what works, and what doesn’t.

You’ll leave understanding why:

• Winning an award for your Web site isn't about clever design, but smart design.
• Judges value sound fundamentals.

Roundtables
Roundtables: Small groups with big ideas!
Monday, 8-9 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, 8-9 a.m.

New this year: Roundtables have been extended to 1 hour! These focused small-group discussions meet over breakfast and lunch. They continually yield great contacts and new ideas for CASE V conference participants. Roundtables run from 8–9 a.m. Monday and Tuesday, and 12:30–1:30 p.m. Monday in the Resource Center. Coffee, juice and baked goods will be provided free of charge during the morning roundtables. Monday, lunch will be available for purchase. Roundtables are limited to 10 participants to ensure discussion by all.

VIEW ALL roundtables