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Call for Leadership in AVAP
We are currently looking for fellow AVAP’ers to step-up into leadership positions within AVAP. During the annual business meeting, we will open the floor for nominations for a one-year term at-large member, two-year term at-large member, and Vice-President. To learn more about the positions, click here. Click here to see our current leadership team.
AAVMC Communications Award Reminder
| Colleagues,
Just wanted to send along a reminder that the nomination period for the AAVMC’s 2018 Communications Excellence Award is drawing to a close. Nominations and applications must be received by Friday, March 30, 2018. Please see the following link for additional information: http://aavmc.org/Awards/Communications-Award.aspx Thank you! |
2018 AVAP Conference Information and Registration
The AVAP Executive Committee and Colorado State University Conference Planning Team have been working hard to put together a great agenda for the 2018 AVAP Conference. Check out the 2018 Conference Page for more information! Registration is now open.
Working Together for a Home Run
July 11-13, 2018
Denver, Colorado
Embassy Suites Downtown Convention Center, Denver, CO
$50M Gift to OSU College of Veterinary Medicine
| Dear colleagues and friends,
This was a historic day for the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University. At a lunch-time gathering, OSU President Ed Ray announced that a donor has made a $50 million gift commitment to the college that will support Oregon State veterinary medicine teaching, research and service in powerful ways. This is the largest gift in the university’s history and is an incredible testament to the achievements and dedication of our faculty, staff, alumni, students and many friends of the college. In recognition of this remarkable act of generosity, the college will now be known as the Gary R. Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, the first named college at OSU and only the second named veterinary school in the country. Dr. Carlson is a 1974 alumnus of Oregon State. After studying science at OSU, he went on to medical school and eventually established a dermatology practice in Southern California. As Dr. Carlson is quoted in the press release, “[Our pets] give us a special comfort and support that allows us to embrace life more fully. I wanted to do something that would enrich that experience and help us better understand and care for our ‘best friends.’” Dr. Carlson’s generosity will have both short- and long-term impacts on our work. Most immediately, his gift will allow us to double the size of our small animal hospital, a pressing need, as many of us know firsthand. In addition to this construction, his legacy will touch generations of veterinarians with an endowment to attract and retain top-tier faculty and support other strategic priorities in the college. I am proud to continue the work of fellow deans, advancement professionals and colleagues. I look forward to celebrating with each of you the many great accomplishments to come from the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine and veterinary programs across the country. Sincerely, Stay connected with the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine |
A story to share to inspire
A true story from a colleague…
During a recent university advancement meeting we broke out into roundtable discussions about tips and techniques for getting donor visits and engagement. I shared a tip that I’ve found useful, coined the “drive by” visit. Drive by visits are great when you’ve had a tough time connecting with busy people. They involve a brief stop to drop off a little something- a card, tchotchke, note, treat (I make persimmon bread during the holidays) etc. The individual doesn’t have to be there- it’s simply a chance to drop off something that says- I’ve made an effort to see you because you are important. I went on to share that in most cases, the prospect has responded with a call, email or invitation to meet. Even better, some resulted in contributions.
Fast forward two months. A young colleague and I were making a joint visit to a donor. In route she said, “Say, that “drive-by” tactic works”. Tell me more, I invited her. She went on to say that she made two “drive by” visits that resulted not only in positive communication with the prospects but two end-of-the-year gifts – one that was $10,000.
Keep up the good work everyone! Happy New Year! Let’s make it a great 2018.
December message from AVAP President
IMPACT. Verb. “To have a strong effect on someone or something.”
Are you tired of this word yet? It seems to be one of the big buzzwords in advancement right now. We must show impact of the gift, have impact statements, etc. You all probably know enough about me by now to know how I feel about impact-not only in my job, but in living my life.
In this season of warm fuzzy feelings, holidays, food and fellowship, I have a great year-end story about impact I’d like to share (I’m just full of stories). I know this was the subject of one of my earlier emails, but I wanted to send a reminder (LOL!). This isn’t about money, but about kindness and connection and IMPACT.
A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from one of our alums from the class of 1988. I wasn’t working at LSU at the time, but knew people at the school, and I had a farm. This young alum had a very sick horse when she graduated that she was concerned would not make the trip to the new home/new job. I offered to keep the horse in comfort until she passed away, and I did so. Fast forward almost 30 years and I get an email from this alum (with whom I have not communicated since the call about having to put her horse down) wishing me a merry Christmas, and telling me how grateful she has been for all these years for what I did for her-that she often thinks about it. WOW! Made my day. And reminded me of why I am still around the vet school after all these years.
So, as we roll into this frenetic holiday season, finishing our cards, frantically shopping and honking our horns at crazy drivers (must be them, certainly can’t be ME), let’s stop and take a deep breath and take a moment to consider the impact we have on others, for good and for bad. Let’s stop and thank people, let them know what their presence in our lives has meant; let us be kind and giving, not just taking. Let US, not just our donors, live our lives in an impactful way.
The happiest of holidays to all!!
Gretchen
Survey Results are In!
Thank you to those who took the time to submit your thoughts and suggestions from the 2017 AVAP Conference. Planning has already started for 2018. These comments and suggestions will lead the team as we work to finalize plans, speakers, and the future of AVAP.
Click Here to view the results!
President’s Summer Message
Dear AVAP members,
I am honored and humbled by this opportunity to be at the helm of such a great organization! I have been a member for over 10 years now, and have watched it grow in numbers and strength, and I hope to help continue that progress.
For our over 30 new members, welcome! I believe that I-that WE-have the second best job in the world. There can be nothing finer and more satisfying than supporting people and programs that are making a difference in the lives of people and animals all over the world. Whether in education, service or teaching, people in our veterinary colleges and schools are impacting lives on a daily basis. And we are able to help them.
For those of you who weren’t able to make the conference, it was an incredible one. Chad Rohlfs and his crew at Purdue deserve a resounding round of applause for all the work they put in. From the speakers, to the food, to the social activities, it was a stellar event! These conferences help remind me of the importance of the work that we do. They also help me recharge when I am there-I get new ideas, affirmation of our work and friendship! If you were there, please don’t forget to fill out the post-conference survey, as we will soon begin planning our next one. Pam Jones and her staff at CSU have agreed to host another conference in conjunction with the AVMA conference in Denver, CO next summer (thanks you guys!!) and will use your input. Here’s the link: http://www.avaponline.org/2017-conference/2017-post-conference-survey/
At the conference, we installed our officers for the year, and here they are:
Vice President Danielle Johnson
Treasurer Lynne Haley
Treasurer elect Karen Johnson
Member at Large Joe Montgomery
Member at Large Bill Venne
The secretary position was left open, as Jo Ann Winn is retiring from it after 5 years, but Kelley Marchbanks has volunteered. As we will be migrating our listserv to our website, and she does extensive work with that, this is greatly appreciated. Also greatly appreciated is Jo Ann’s service and friendship over the years!
A point of business that we forgot was to approve the 2016 business meeting minutes. Jo Ann has uploaded them to the website, so if conference attendees would please take a few minutes to review them and advise of any corrections necessary that would be great. Deadline for approval is Friday, August 11. If we don’t get any corrections, we will accept the minutes as written. Here’s the link for that: AVAP 2016 Meeting Minutes final
In closing, I would like to say that this organization and this board is here for YOU! Use it…throw ideas and questions out on the listserv, reach out to members for ideas, contact the board if you need them. We will be having our first meeting soon to discuss goals for the coming year, so now is a great time for your input to help guide the future of AVAP.
Gretchen K. Morgan, AVAP President
Director of Alumni and Donor Relations
School of Veterinary Medicine
Louisiana State University
Conference Materials Added
Videos, PowerPoint presentations, handouts and samples shared during the conference are being uploaded daily. Check back regularity for updates to the 2017 Conference Page.
Post-Conference Survey
For those who attended the 2017 AVAP Conference, please take a few minutes to share your thoughts on the conference to be used to help us plan for the 2018 conference in Denver!