June 2024 Newsletter
President's Message
Greetings and Happy June to all!

This week I had the opportunity to attend an AFP Symposium put on by our neighbors to the south, the Santa Barbara and Ventura County chapter. The topic of the day was, “Fostering Future Leaders: Nurturing Talent and Strengthening Organizations through DEI.” There were two speakers that presented on the topic: one that focused on organizational culture and one that focused on putting a framework in place to help Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) thrive in your organization, which he called CREATE. Here are some takeaways from both to consider:

Characteristics of an Inclusive Culture: reflects the diversity of the community served, equal access to opportunities, everyone is treated with respect, contributions are valued, supportive environment, open and honest communication, and fosters a sense of belonging.

When creating a framework for IDEA it should be Clear with smart goals, leadership should be Reflective on the goals and their actions to achieve them, the organization should be Engaging in feedback, accountability should be Actionable, reporting should be Transparent and there should be an Equitable practice meaning implementing the things you want to see. 

For me, the bottom line is this: we all want to be heard, to belong and feel a sense of psychological safety in our lives and in our workplace. Anything we can do as leaders to make this happen helps us all in the long run with greater employee satisfaction, retention and the deployment of successful programs in our community.

Food for thought,
Loren
Join the SLO Chapter of AFP Today!
Are you employed by, donate to, or serve on the board of a San Luis Obispo County nonprofit? If so, please consider joining our chapter. With your membership, you will enjoy a wealth of career-building programs, educational resources, networking opportunities and exclusive member discounts. Learn more.

For our nonprofit friends with small operating budgets under $2 million with less than 2 full time fundraising staff, you may want to consider a Small Nonprofit AFP membership. It’s only $125 plus a $60 chapter dues and is transferable if your development professional leaves, as opposed to the Individual Professional membership, which is $290 plus $45 in chapter dues.  
Programs
Coming Up This Month
June Networking Mixer
Thursday, June 13th, 2024
4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

15 Degrees C Wine Bar & Restaurant
3590 Broad Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
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Join us for the AFP SLO County Chapter June Mixer on Thursday, June 13, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at 15 Degrees C Wine Bar & Restaurant, an inviting venue offering a delightful selection of local and global wines paired with small plates and pizza.

Admission to the event is free, providing you with the perfect opportunity to connect and network with fellow fundraising professionals in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

While attendance is complimentary, wine and food will be available for purchase, allowing you to indulge in delicious offerings as you step into summer and engage in meaningful conversations with peers from the nonprofit sector.

Don't miss out on this chance to mingle, unwind, and foster valuable connections within the fundraising community. We look forward to seeing you there!
Thu, Jun 13, 2024 4:00 PM PST
June Networking Mixer
15degrees C Wine Bar & Restaurant, San Luis Obispo
Recap of the May Program
Mastering Legacy Planning for Financial Security and Philanthropy
Last month’s luncheon at the Region Event Center in San Luis Obispo was truly engaging for fundraising professionals looking to enhance their skills in legacy planning. The workshop, led by industry experts Allie Burnett and Brynne Speizer, was a resounding success.

Allie and Brynne brought a warm and charming presence to the event. Their ability to demystify the complex topic of legacy planning made it accessible and relatable to all attendees, regardless of their level of expertise. Both speakers engaged the audience with their approachable demeanor and insightful knowledge, creating an inclusive and welcoming learning environment.

The event was not just a one-way presentation; it fostered a true conversational atmosphere where participants actively participated by asking excellent questions and sharing insights. This interactive format allowed for meaningful exchanges, making it a valuable time for learning and networking. We look forward to more programs that pack a punch like this one did!
Membership
AFP Membership Scholarship
This scholarship is available to professionals, associate, young professional, and small NPO member categories and covers 1 year of global and chapter membership dues. AFP San Luis Obispo County has the ability to grant 5 scholarships to new or renewing members. 

Scholarship includes:
  • AFP Global Dues
  • Chapter Membership Dues
  • Exclusive Member Discounts
  • Access to Complimentary Webinars
  • Professional Development and Networking Opportunities

If you are interested in applying for a membership scholarship with the San Luis Obispo County Chapter of AFP, kindly fill out the form below. Deadline to submit is July 15, 2024.
News From AFP Global
Free Webinars Hosted by AFP this June

Unleash Your Power: Tips for Small But Mighty Fundraising Teams
June 20, 2024 10:00 a.m. PST
Click here to learn more

What Grantmakers (And Their Recipients) Actually Think About AI
June 26, 2024 10:00 a.m. PST
Click here to learn more

AI and the Future of Fundraising
June 26, 2024 11:00 a.m. PST
Click here to learn more
Chapter Job Center
AFP San Luis Obispo County Chapter proudly connects individuals and organizations through job opportunities in development and fundraising on the Central Coast. Click here to learn more about each posting. 
Lumina Alliance
Development Director

Director of Philanthropy
Channel Islands YMCA

Development Director
SLO Food Bank

Director of Philanthropy
Cuesta College

Donor Relations Manager
San Luis Obispo Symphony

Program Assistant
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County
AFP General Chapter Support Fund
Your donation to the San Luis Obispo County AFP General Chapter Support Fund will support a variety of initiatives aimed at fostering professional growth and networking opportunities for fundraising professionals in our community. If you'd like to support our chapter financially, please see the donation link below for more information. Thank you for your generoisty!
Invite Your Board Members
We love meeting board members at our mixers! Invite them to join you and let’s continue to foster a community of collaboration and conversation.
Have a Fundraiser Coming Up?
Got an upcoming event? Send us a direct message on Instagram or Facebook once you've posted, and we'll feature it on our stories! Make sure to follow us using the links below so you don't miss the chance to spread the word!
Board of Directors
AFP San Luis Obispo County Chapter