The Review Panel for the September 2007 Round of funding will consist of:

Paul Ramsbottom - ASI Managing Director (and Chairman of the Fund)

Julie Willett - ASI Director Administration/Human Resources; and

Jay McCormack - ASI Solution Architect (on rotation)

September is almost upon us!  Applications for the September quarter of funding will close on Monday 10th September.  Funding is available for a range of professional development opportunities including the FIA Skills 1,2, 3, Diploma in Business (Volunteer Management), AICD’s Company Diectors Course and others.

All applications must arrive to our offices by the 10th September.  If you have any queries on how to apply, eligibility and the courses available please contact Marla Nelson at ASI on 03 9869 7503 or email mnelson@advsol.com. 

T Bailey
Planned Giving Officer
Diabetes Australia - Victoria

With the generous support of a half scholarship from ASI ‘SMART Company’ Scholarship Fund I participated in ‘Madison Down Under’ held from 4 to 7 August (incl.) at Sunset Cove Resort in South Australia. Organised by the Fundraising Institute Australia (FIA) 102 fundraising practitioners from both Australia and New Zealand attended the conference. Seven separate learning tracks relating to various aspects of philanthropy were conducted by eminent field professionals from Canada and the United States. They received able assistance in each of the streams from an Australian fundraising professional who enhanced the content presented by the conveners by relating it to our current not-for-profit (NFP) scene.

Being from the Planned Giving team at Diabetes Australia Vic (DA-Vic) I was privileged to attend Track 5 - Bequests/Planned Giving - convened by Sid Mallory who is EVP - Philanthropy, Allina Hospitals & Clinics, Minneapolis ably assisted by Ralph Roath MFIA,CFRE. The intensive course covering some 22 sessions including all aspects of planned giving from: marketing a planned giving program to the general public as well as within an organisation’s staff; acquiring prospective bequestors; developing a relationship with same; approaches to adopt/be aware of when visiting prospects; encouraging independent estate/financial planning; targeting specific community groups (e.g. “baby boomers”); utilising different forms of media to impart the message; to ethical issues and much, much more. In addition some seven plenary sessions were held providing brief overviews of different aspects of the fundraising sector.

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