AFP - GTS Monthly Newsletter

A Letter From Our President

Hello Colleagues and Friends,
 
As 2023 comes to an end, so does my role as Chapter President. I feel that I have a lot to be thankful for. Thankful that our board was able to come together and make decisions over the past year. Thankful that communications were clear and consistent, membership made fabulous contacts, we provided great educational programs, a fun summer social and a beautiful celebration of National Philanthropy Day. The year has been full. Full with dedication and commitment from our board, members and friends.
 
Also, looking back, the Greater Tri-State Chapter board and committees worked hard in 2023 to ensure we promoted membership opportunities to our local chapter and provided value in that membership through education, activities and gatherings and so much more.
 
The membership and communications committees rolled out a new member campaign. The campaign was released electronically via social media, website and via email. If you get a chance, head over to Facebook and catch one of our members talking about their experiences with AFP. And, did you know we have scholarships available for current and prospective members? Membership has four scholarships available right now and the Chamberlain Scholarship is open for applications. That is FIVE scholarship opportunities. What are you waiting for??
 
The education committee filled nearly every month with an educational opportunity with topics such as ethics, recurring gifts, and even hosted a coffee and conversation gathering. During the summer the members and friends were invited to a social at the Yardarm and food and beverage was provided. If you missed it, you should attend our final annual board meeting and winter social on Wednesday, December 6. The board meeting begins at 3:30 pm and the social, which includes food and beverage, begins at 4:00 pm. All are invited. See you there.
 
National Philanthropy Day was a HUGE hit, as always. If you are not familiar, National Philanthropy Day is celebrated locally and nationally on November 15 to honor philanthropy and the good works it makes possible in our community. This committee works hard year-round to organize, plan and host the local celebration. They accept nominations throughout the summer for outstanding local philanthropists and then select recipients of these awards. It is truly honorable to be a part of and I encourage you to consider attending in 2024.
 
Again, I would like to thank our present board for all the hard work and dedication to our chapter and our Tri-State area. Thank you all for doing what you do, and doing it well. Your work does not go unseen.
 
In January, the reins will be handed over. Elections will begin soon, and I encourage you to accept the elected, as these board members are committed to you and this community.
 
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Chapter President, I sincerely appreciate it.
 
I wish you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
 
Gratefully yours,
 
Karen Ann Tuecke, MBA, CFRM, bCET
2023 AFP Greater Tri-State Chapter President

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Educational Opportunities


Upcoming Chapter Programs:

The AFP-IA, Greater Tri-State Chapter, is proud to present a variety of Education/Programming Events in the next few months. Whether you are a new AFP member, a returning AFP member, or exploring networking and education, AFP-GTS has valuable events for you!

Education Committee

Are you interested in supporting the Educational Programming of our chapter? Have a few new ideas for things we should discuss?
 
Contact Wendy Sweeney at wsweeney@hillsdales.org with any suggestions for 2024 or if you are interested in joining our committee! We could use at least one or two more members.
 

Stay tuned for information on events in early 2024!

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2023 Annual Meeting/Winter Social

WHEN: Wednesday, December 6th from  4 pm - 6 pm                                                                
WHERE: Backpocket, 333 E 10th Street, Dubuque, IA, 52001, US

During this annual meeting, we will honor our AFP Board and long-time members. Members will also vote on next year’s Board officers and sign up for committees to become more involved with the Tri-State AFP Chapter.

Join us to spread holiday cheer and reconnect with fellow AFP Members. We will honor our AFP Board and members, celebrate achievements, and share ways to become involved.

We look forward to connecting again in 2024 as we navigate another year of philanthropy in the tri-state community. Check your email and Facebook for more information, events, and other opportunities provided. Special thanks to our committee members who have been hard at work to bring continued value to your membership. Thanks to Roberto Dominguez, Courtney Chaffee, and Wendy Sweeney.

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AFP International Webinar Opportunities

AFP International is offering a wide curriculum of live and prerecorded webinars facilitated by industry experts. To learn more and register, visit https://www.pathlms.com/afp/events.  Webinar participants are eligible for 1.0 CFRE education point upon completion of the session.

FREE Member-Only Webinar Opportunities 
AFP International offers many membership benefits at no additional cost. The following programs are FREE to AFP members from the comfort of your own home or office space. https://afpglobal.org/professional-development/webinars

To access these webinars, members will need an account with Blue Sky. Create an account here AFP (pathlms.com)

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Fundraising Professionals Announce
2023 Outstanding Philanthropy Awards
 

DUBUQUE, IOWA—Annually, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Tri-State Chapter (AFPGTS) honors donors, volunteers, and fundraising professionals whose gifts of time, talent, and treasure make an impact on nonprofits in our community and celebrates the incredible impact of philanthropy in our community.
Since 1986, National Philanthropy Day has recognized the remarkable contributions of philanthropy that enrich our world. This year, we celebrated and honored those who demonstrate significant contributions to philanthropy in our tristate community with an event held in person at Hotel Julien in Dubuque on Wednesday, Nov. 15. The event included a luncheon and awards program. To learn more about AFPGTS, visit us online at www.afpgts.org.

2023 Award Recipients

Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy–Nora Noonan
A first-generation scholar, Nora is a junior at Loras College, Dubuque, majoring in public relations and business administration. She first learned the importance of community and supporting one another in her hometown of Bernard, IA. Nora often describes herself as a small-town girl with a big heart. After graduation, she hopes to find a career that can support her passion for helping others. Aside from her studies, she is employed at the Moracco Supper Club and is copresident of Loras College DuTHON (formerly known as Dance Marathon), for which she was recently awarded Outstanding Officer in an Organization. Nora had what she described as amazing internships with Crescent Community Health Center and Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and thanks them for providing her with opportunities to learn and grow.

Outstanding Individual Philanthropist–Anonymous
Our Outstanding Individual Philanthropist wishes to remain anonymous. Although remaining anonymous, the impact of their philanthropy is evident in our community, and we thank them for their continued support.

Outstanding Philanthropic Organization–Theisen’s Home Farm Auto
Founded in 1927 by Leo and Kathryn Theisen in Dubuque, Iowa, Theisen's Home • Farm • Auto started as Theisen’s Battery & Electric, selling batteries and tires. Now in its fourth generation, the family business not only sells batteries but also thousands of quality products for your home farm or vehicle. They recognize that without customers and communities their longevity would not be possible. Over the years, Theisen’s has supported thousands of nonprofit organizations including FFA, 4-H, Toys for Tots, Boys & Girls Clubs, United Way, county fairs, educational programs, local parishes, and many more. In 2012, the More for You Grant Program was established to help serve the basic needs of the communities that we call home. To date, this program has donated over $2.4 million! 

Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser–Bob Anderson
Bob has centered his passion for giving around a directive from St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta: “Take care of the children, especially those children most in need.” He heard this at a meeting in 1975, where he recalls shaking hands with her. This directive and being a grandparent to Ava, who has Down syndrome, guided him to provide children a chance to succeed, put smiles on their faces, and give them opportunities to reach their potential. He works to create acceptance of all children in our society.
A lifelong resident of Dubuque, Bob has served with multiple organizations, boards, and committees, raising thousands of dollars to benefit children. Some of these include the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dubuque (BGCGD), Hills and Dales, St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Dubuque County Right to Life, and GiGi’s Playhouse Des Moines (GGPDM). Bob said the first and last are special places for him. He has been involved with BGCGD for over 42 years and served as a board member for 28 years, with two terms as president. As chair of the largest annual fundraising event for over 40 years, he helped raise over $6 million through the Golf Fun Day. He and wife Debbie have been involved with GGPDM since granddaughter Ava was born 10 years ago. GGPDM is an achievement center for individuals who have Down syndrome and their families, offering free programs for social and motor skill development, math, reading, sign language, music therapy, computers, and more. Daughter Meghan, Ava’s mom, has been on the board since Ava’s birth and served as board president the past seven years. Bob shared, “For nine years, Debbie and I have raised money from Dubuque. The past two years, we have raised $50,000 each year.” Reflecting on why he volunteers, Bob said, “I have been very blessed, and I want to help as many children as I can.”

Outstanding Fundraising Professional –Amy Schauer
Amy has been the executive director of development at Stonehill Communities for over seven years. She has more than 20 years of experience working for nonprofit organizations and is passionate about connecting donors with causes they care about. Amy is also an adjunct professor in the Communication department for University of Dubuque and a freelance writer. She serves on the Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools board and is a former board member and chair of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Tri-State Chapter. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and Women’s Leadership Network.
Amy holds a Master of Arts in Communication degree from the University of Dubuque and a Bachelor of Science-Sociology degree from the UW-La Crosse. She and her husband, Jim, reside in Asbury and have two children, Layney and Landon. Amy supports her children’s schools through the booster club and parent staff association. In her free time, she enjoys attending her children’s various sports and arts events, reading, exploring the beauty of our local outdoor areas, traveling to northern Wisconsin with her family, attending live music events, and collecting vinyl records.
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Membership Update

New and Renewed Members Update – 
Welcome to these new members!
Janelle Keeffer – Midwest Medical Center
Anna Berns – NICC
Hannah Mitchell – American Cancer Society
Josh Boots – Loras College
Kathy Gable – Clarke University
Michelle May – Compass to Care Childhood Cancer Foundation

Membership Renewals
Liz Heins – Two by Two Character Development
Greg Orwoll – DuRide
Whitney Sanger – Project Rooted
Jeff Schneider – Archdiocese of Dubuque
Kara Leglar Murphy – Dubuque Symphony Orchestra

2023 Be the Cause Campaign

 
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Be The Cause campaign so far! To date, we have raised $745 toward our Be the Cause goal.
Thank you for your assistance as we continue fundraising through the end of the year to hopefully reach our high goal so that we receive the highest percentage possible back for our chapter!
2023 Chapter High Goal: $1,466,25
2023 Chapter Low Goal: $1,275.00
 
 

New Member Discount

 
Don’t forget, there are currently TWO membership discounts for new members! See details below:
 

Meet Deanne Althoff!
 

Deanne is Director of Mission Advancement and Community Relations for Hills and Dales.  She has been involved in the nonprofit world for over 18 years. 

What do you enjoy most about working in the nonprofit world? 
A few things:

• The variety of people you meet and interact with from one day to the next
• The overall variety of the job – no two days are the same
• Assisting donors in helping to meet the philanthropic needs of the organization

What advice would you give to someone starting a career in fundraising?
Stick with it and give it time – the nonprofit profession overall, the mission you are working to support, your ability to learn the ever evolving skills needed for your position and so much more!  Be patient and be sure to give yourself grace in knowing you can’t do it all!

What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Funny – Social – Easy-going

What’s your favorite place or thing to do in Dubuque?
As a foodie, I love all the restaurant options!

What’s something about you that not many people know?
As a tourist destination, Mackinaw Island in northern Michigan does not allow motor vehicles but does have ambulance and fire trucks available for emergencies.  It’s a long and funny story, but thanks to a horse and buggy incident on the island, I can claim to have taken a ride in the island’s ambulance.  This happened when I was in junior high. 

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AFP Job Openings: 



Click the IMAGE ABOVE for the most recent local job announcements.

Job postings will go on the website and on the Facebook page as they are received. Also, a link to all current postings will be included in the monthly newsletter, which comes out the last Tuesday of the month. The postings will be removed during the first week of the following month if your organization does not reach out to the communications committee and reaffirm the position is still open. All current opportunities are listed at the link above.

If you would like to post a position, please use this link for your request: Request Form
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Are you interested in being more active with the AFP – Greater Tri-State Chapter?

The Communications Committee is in need of more members. We invite you to be a part of our committee as a perfect way for you to become actively involved in AFP.
 
We meet every other month to discuss the structure of our committee, new ideas, social conversations, and contributions to communicating the activities that take place in our chapter. This is a wonderful opportunity to network with other AFP members. Please contact Angie today at angie.herting@gmail.com or hertingan@uwplatt.edu.
 

Angie Herting - Communications Committee Chair
angie.herting@gmail.com

Karen Tuecke 
Karen@dbqpbvms.org

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Get Social with us! Facebook Link below:


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