Melissa Cummins
Fundraising Coordinator
Edith Cowan University

Madison Down Under 5 – 8 August 2006
(Track 5 - Bequests/Planned Giving)

I would like to thank ASI for providing me with the opportunity to attend MDU this year and FIA for providing such a fantastic course for professional fundraisers.

MDU provides the perfect environment for giving delegates the thinking space they need to focus on their fundraising endeavours and how they can do things better.

I went to MDU with the expectation of not only gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to establish and roll out a bequests program at ECU but also to have the confidence to return to work and actually implement all of the great ideas and concepts that I would learn.

My expectations were more than met - I have returned to work with renewed enthusiasm and excitement and a fresh confidence that what I do is an important part of assisting my organisation to continue achieving its mission.

Apart from the excellent educational content of the course, MDU is also a wonderful opportunity to network with other fundraising professionals – it’s the coming together of ideas and sharing of experiences that make it such a practical and useful course.

The people I met at MDU during our 5 days together reinforced my reasons for why I think it is such a privilege to work in this industry – it was a pleasure to come into contact with so many people who are passionate about what they do. MDU certainly creates a unique spirit of friendship and enthusiasm amongst delegates.

I not only have a greater understanding of all of the technical issues surrounding bequests and planned giving but I now have a clear strategy for where we need to go with our bequests program and feel confident that I can implement these ideas and concepts to make our program a success.