JANUARY 2022


AFP First Coast Chapter Newsletter
Happy New Year and welcome to the Florida First Coast AFP Chapter E-Newsletter! Here you will find the latest fundraising news and chapter updates.

News & Updates

President's Message
Welcome Dave Cognetta, CFRE!!!
2022 AFP First Coast Chapter President
We have an exciting year of education and networking planned for you! Alyce Lee Stansbury, Alice Ferris, Jim Anderson, and Dale Beaman are just a few of the special guests we have on deck. Be sure to save these dates on your calendar and stay tuned for more details throughout the year.
February 16*
Networking & Program Meeting

March 16
Half-Day Education Seminar

April 20*
Networking and Program Meeting

May 2-4
AFP ICON in Las Vegas

May 18*
Networking and Program Meeting

June 5-7
in St. Petersburg


June 15*
Networking and Program Meeting

July 20*
Networking and Program Meeting

August 17*
Networking and Program Meeting

September 21*
Networking and Program Meeting

October 19*
Networking and Program Meeting

November 15
National Philanthropy Day Luncheon

AFP Members: Purchase this year's Chapter Program Bundle and save 15%
*Included in Bundle pricing



Thank you
University of North Florida
for being AFP First Coast Chapter's 2022 Educational Program Sponsor!
Looking to make a career change? Check out the AFP First Coast Chapter Job Board.

Would you like to post an open job with your organization? Simply Submit a Job on our website. $25 for members, $100 for non-members. Postings stay on website for 60 days.
AFP First Coast Chapter Scholarships will open in February! This year, we'll offer scholarships for:
  • AFP Membership
  • Education
  • CFRE exam/recertification
  • Planet Philanthropy Conference
  • AFP ICON Conference

Be sure to check our Scholarships page for more information soon.
Membership Updates
Member Spotlight: Samantha D'Agostino
Major Gifts Officer, Community Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation
How many years have you been in the nonprofit sector?
9 years

What do you tell people you do when asked?
Build relationships and connect individuals and organizations to the mission of Community Hospice and Palliative Care.

I work in fundraising because...
I love making a difference in our community and sharing the great work of so many amazing organizations!

How long and what capacity have you been involved with AFP?
I have been involved with AFP since I joined in 2020 and served on the National Philanthropy Day committee helping bring the event to a virtual space in 2020 and as the Relationship Chair in 2021. Currently, I serve as the Chapter's Communications Co-Chair.

What is your favorite thing about being an AFP Member?
I love being able to connect with and learn from our members!

The thing I do that is most therapeutic after a hard day/week is...
Relax with the sweetest pup in the world, my black lab Jax.

What's the best book, TV show or movie you've consumed in the past year?
Too many to count, but I just finished It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover and really liked it.

People would be surprised to find out that...
I was in a holiday commercial for a local car dealership this past year.
New & Renewing Members
Makayla Buchanan
Cheyenne Genovar
Jaime Hamilton (NEW!)
Barzella Papa, CFRE
Kendall Sisisky Valliere (NEW!)

For information regarding membership to AFP First Coast, visit our website or email AFP First Coast VP of Membership, Nicola Barnack.
Are you interested in volunteering or becoming more involved with the AFP First Coast Chapter? Take a look at our 2022 volunteer committees and reach out today! Volunteer Committees include:
National Philanthropy Day, IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access), Membership, Communications, and Scholarships.
Spotlight on Ethics & IDEA
IDEA to Start the New Year
by Meredith Jespersen

As we think about the New Year, we have time to reflect and set goals to help improve ourselves and our organizations.

The questions below will help you to dive a little deeper into IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) and figure out where you stand and what more you can do.
Inclusion: Who I am? (Who are we?) The ability of our organization to attract, retain, accommodate, and involve a range of diverse people who are valued, accepted, and comfortable.

Diversity: What describes me? (us?) How do I describe/identify myself? Diversity is an inclusive concept encompassing, without limitation, race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation or identity; religion, nationality, age, economic class, educational level, language, physical, mobility and ability, geography, and marital and parental status. The state of being diverse means having the broadest possible representation of individuals, experiences, and perspectives in all-encompassing terms.

Equity: How I (we) enter in (the conversation, the playing field, the workplace, socialize, etc. Creating a level playing field for individuals or groups according to their respective needs, which may include equal treatment or treatment that is different but is considered equivalent in terms of rights, benefits, obligations and opportunities.

Access: Why it matters (How do I reorder my inner world, see through other lenses, transform myself and my sphere of influence?). The commitment to foster attitudes, behaviors, and procedures to facilitate access that promotes equity and diversity, fosters inclusion and allows people to maximize their contribution to our association and communities that our members serve.
Spotlight on Ethics
by Jan Kary, CFRE

As a grant writing contractor, a question I often receive is “Can we pay you by a percentage of the grant you’re writing for us, if won?” This exact topic is discussed in last October’s Advancing Philanthropy magazine. See it online or read your own print version. Due to the frequency of this question to contractors like me, our colleague organization GPA (Grant Professionals Association) has issued this statement: “…it is in violation of the GPA Code of Ethics for any member to accept a percentage of a grant award as compensation for grant writing or any services related to a grant submission.” The language is similar in AFP’s Code of Ethics and for all CFREs. (And it is a likely question on CFRE exams.)
 
So the short answer to “Can we pay you a percentage?” is a definitive NO! It is not an ethical fundraising business practice; it’s a payment method to be avoided by professional fundraisers.

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