“Six Month Countdown to Fundraising Day in New York”
Chapter Leadership Brief 12.17.2021
By Jill Scibilia, CFRE, AFP-NYC President-Elect
Vice President, Development, Phelps Hospital, Northwell Health
I miss seeing people. In fact, it is what I have missed the most since the onset of the pandemic. There is something about being with others that energizes and nurtures me. (And yes, I am one of those strange people who loves crowds).
Speaking of crowds…six months from now, we will be gathering at the New York Marriott Marquis for the return of our in-person Fundraising Day in New York. Fundraising Day in New York is the largest single-day conference on philanthropy. There is nothing like it.
I will always remember the first one I attended. It was also my first AFP event. I think I knew one (or perhaps two) other people out of the 1,800 or so in attendance. That might seem intimidating…and yet…it was not. There seemed to be a welcome committee cheerily directing attendees as we arrived. (I later learned this was part of the team of volunteers, who help make the day possible). The educational sessions were organized into tracks that made it easy for me to identify sessions that were relevant and interesting to me. Throughout the day, I noticed attendees made a practice of introducing themselves to each other and to me. We may have started each session as strangers, but we left as colleagues.
Then there was the unforgettable lunch. When I walked into the ballroom, the energy in the room was palpable. I saw just how many people were in attendance. I found a seat and the process of introductions and meeting everyone at the table continued like it had during the morning sessions. The lunch program included a top ten list focused on fundraising!! (I later learned this was one of the hallmarks of the day). The keynote speaker made me cry because she addressed me in a way that made it clear she understood me as a fundraiser. I realized in those moments that I was home. Here were people I understood and who understood me. I have not missed a Fundraising Day in New York since.
I hope you will mark your calendars for Friday, June 17, 2022 and join me in Welcoming Back our in-person Fundraising Day in New York. I have missed this annual gathering very much, and I cannot wait to be there and to see you all. I hope you will come say hello to me and other chapter leaders in our AFP-NYC booth. Whether this will be your first Fundraising Day or 40th, please know how welcome you are to this community.
Finally, AFP-NYC is a volunteer-driven organization. I’d like to thank all of our volunteers who plan our events and activities and make all of our programming possible. If you are interested in learning more about ways you can get involved, visit our Get Involved page.
Thank you for your leadership and commitment to professional fundraising.
With gratitude,
Jill