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Pre-Conference Workshop Descriptions

Wednesday, August 2 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Dream and Deliver: How to Create A Strategic Plan That You Can Execute

Presenters: Steve Beshuk, Principal, Benefactor Group and Summers Hammel, Consultant, Benefactor Group
Location:  Chesapeake JK 

An effective strategic plan is comprised of two key parts: dreaming about the future your organization wants to create and doing the work to realize the dream – delivering it. Of the two, one is inspiring, engaging, and without limits (and we’d say more fun). The other requires diligence, stick-to-itiveness, and accountability (and can be a lot less fun). I’ll let you figure out which is which. Much like getting in shape, in the beginning, the energy, intention, and motivation are high. But, because we are human, the zeal fades over time and, before we know it, we’re not where we hoped to be. It can feel daunting to catch up and we may feel like it's too late to start over. So, how do we mitigate this all-too-human tendency? It begins with a well-structured “dream phase” that considers the real-time implications of the choices the organization is considering. Then, it requires applying data-driven “decision science” to determine priorities, strategic value, complexity, and costs of potential initiatives. This all results in a deliberate process to select the right priorities, objectives, and projects. The outcome is an inspirational yet realistic plan that has defined budgets, project owners, and deadlines – and a scorecard you will use to keep it on track.


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Major Gifts Master Class

Presenters: Martha Schumacher, CFRE, ACFRE, MInstF, President & Founder, Hazen and Hazen Institute for Leadership Training and Grace Hong, Director, Philanthropy, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
Location:  Chesapeake 10-11

In this fast paced full-day session, Grace and Martha will cover the three essential fundamentals of major gifts: cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. You'll have multiple opportunities to practice what they preach, plus you'll spend time over lunch networking with your peers. You'll also have the opportunity to ask the presenters your most pressing questions. Bonus: you'll earn 5 CFRE credits for this course!

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Making Your Sustainers ROAR

Presenters: Erica Waasdorp, AFP Master Trainer, President, A Direct Solution
Location:  Chesapeake GH 

If you’re looking to make sustainers part of your overall fundraising strategy, you can’t afford to miss the Bridge Conference’s full-day sustainer workshop designed for the nonprofit professional who is looking to either establish or grow their monthly donor programs. 

No matter the size of your organization, you will benefit from learning more about monthly giving – which has become popular with donors of all ages. In this action-packed day, filled with exercises, quizzes and sharing, you’ll discover proven approaches and new ideas to storytelling, marketing, payment systems, reports and statistics.

You’ll come away with stories, messaging and materials you can implement in your organization right away.

We’ll look at sustainers from an omnichannel perspective: digital, mail, face-to-face, connected TV, gaming, phone, text and social, while focusing on acquisition, stewardship, cultivation, retention, as well as extra gifts, upgrades and conversions.

You’ll enjoy the opportunity to ask questions during discussions and, most of all, you’ll benefit from lots of sharing amongst organizations. If you’re looking to make sustainers part of your overall fundraising strategy, you can’t afford to miss the Bridge Conference’s full-day sustainer workshop designed for the nonprofit professional who is looking to either establish or grow their monthly donor programs.

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