Importance Around Professional Development - Not An Option But A Must!
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The importance of professional development for prospect researchers.
I just returned from the APRA Prospect Development 2016 Conference where there were over 1,000 attendees. I always returned inspired as well as exhausted which I realize is a good thing. You may be asking yourself why is exhaustion a good thing? I feel that if a conference provides you with an abundance of networking and educational experiences that no doubt make you feel exhausted but exhilarated at the end!
In talking with other prospect development colleagues it was quite apparent that the necessity versus the need or desire for professional development is a must. No other area in fundraising continues to expand and grow like prospect development and to keep up with all the best practices and tools that are available can be obtained through these conferences.
Obviously as a former board member for APRA I am partial to their conferences but quite frankly any conference that provides educational and networking opportunities is great. Having the opportunity to network with other colleagues who speak the same language as you is truly remarkable. Developing new contacts is another highlight of having the opportunity to attend professional development conferences. There is nothing like face-to-face interaction whether it is at a session, workshop or lunch.
Stand up and make a case for yourself and your team members to receive the vital and necessary training that occurs at these conferences. You can achieve a great deal of knowledge at virtual conferences but mingling with others and developing best practices I think can be more easily achieved by in-person interaction.
My charge to all of you is to stand up and make the case for you to attend a conference in the next 12 months. Aside from doing research on individuals, corporations and foundation, you need to also research the many conferences that are available and which ones would provide you with the best educational and networking opportunities.
Remember, this is not an expense but investment in you and your organization and assisting you in being the best possible asset at your organization. The ROI that will result will no doubt be one of the best investments your organization makes.
In talking with other prospect development colleagues it was quite apparent that the necessity versus the need or desire for professional development is a must. No other area in fundraising continues to expand and grow like prospect development and to keep up with all the best practices and tools that are available can be obtained through these conferences.
Obviously as a former board member for APRA I am partial to their conferences but quite frankly any conference that provides educational and networking opportunities is great. Having the opportunity to network with other colleagues who speak the same language as you is truly remarkable. Developing new contacts is another highlight of having the opportunity to attend professional development conferences. There is nothing like face-to-face interaction whether it is at a session, workshop or lunch.
Stand up and make a case for yourself and your team members to receive the vital and necessary training that occurs at these conferences. You can achieve a great deal of knowledge at virtual conferences but mingling with others and developing best practices I think can be more easily achieved by in-person interaction.
My charge to all of you is to stand up and make the case for you to attend a conference in the next 12 months. Aside from doing research on individuals, corporations and foundation, you need to also research the many conferences that are available and which ones would provide you with the best educational and networking opportunities.
Remember, this is not an expense but investment in you and your organization and assisting you in being the best possible asset at your organization. The ROI that will result will no doubt be one of the best investments your organization makes.
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08/03/2016 9:51am EDT
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