Chapter Committees

AFP South Sound (AFPSS) is fortunate to have many engaged members who make our chapter great! The dedicated members of our chapter committees volunteer their time to assure that we are a success. Committee members have the opportunity to learn, contribute, and shape our chapter.

Committees are always looking for additional volunteers, and serving is a great way to give back to your local AFP chapter and get to know others in the chapter more closely. If you would like to join any of the committees below, please contact afpsouthsound@gmail.com.

Development Committee

The Development Committee strives to support the AFP South Sound 2023-25 Strategic Plan by discovering opportunities for sponsorship and giving from the community. Committee members will create opportunities for sponsorship and giving, seek out partners and steward donors and sponsors. The committee will meet monthly to discuss opportunities, and create and follow up on action items. For more information, please contact Laura Rose, Chapter President, at lrose@charleswright.org

    • Meeting schedule: Second Mondays of the month at 12 pm PST
    • Members: Laura Rose, Charles Wright Academy; Emily Happy, The Philanthropy Collective; Jennifer Li Dotson, Fundraise Up; Audrie Jones, eliseo; Emily Mendez Bryant, Tacoma Community College Foundation; Camille Perezselsky, Washington State Historical Society; Jill Rose, CFRE, Amara; Lee Warnecke, Southern Poverty Law Center

    IDEA Committee

    The IDEA Committee works to expand inclusion, diversity, equity and access (IDEA) in fundraising in the South Sound.

    • Meeting schedule: Third Friday of the month at 10 am PST
    • Members: Miranda Beiermann (Martens), Director of Annual Giving, Pacific Lutheran University;

      Jesse Bohlin, Fund Development Manager, YWCA Pierce County; Kyle Franklin, Good Samaritan Foundation | MultiCare Health System; Jennifer Li Dotson, Fundraise Up; Emily Mendez-Bryant, Tacoma Community College Foundation

    • Chair: Jill Rose, CFRE, Amara
    Jill Rose
    "AFP South Sound provides great networking and training opportunities for both new and seasoned fundraising professionals, so we can enhance our work and impact. I’m inspired by those doing this work, and enjoy working alongside other committed, passionate people who are taking action to elevate philanthropy and strengthen our community." 
    — Jill Rose, IDEA Committee Chair



    Marketing and Communications Committee

    The Marketing and Communications Committee shares and promotes chapter opportunities to learn, network and grow; shares resources and information with our members; and increases the visibility of AFP South Sound in our region.

    • Meeting schedule: Third Thursdays of the month at 2 pm PST
    • Members: Jim Hushagan, The Philanthropy Collective; Kaitlin Bauer Huynh
    • Co-Chairs: Sabina Ibragimova Bartlett and Laura Badeaux, Safe Streets Campaign

    “AFP has been an incredible networking and educational resource for young and seasoned fundraising professionals. I am very fortunate to join such an amazing and diverse community and be able to gain new skills that are crucial for a nonprofit sector and share my own fundraising journey”
    — Sabina Ibragimova Bartlett, Marketing and Communications Committee Co-Chair


    “I have had the pleasure in being involved with AFP South Sound since 2013 where I know I will continue to learn and latest methods in fundraising and keep making connections with more impactful people. Serving as Co-chair of the Marketing and Communications Committee has given be a chance to creative while stepping out of my comfort zone.”   
    -Laura Badeaux, Marketing and Communications Committee Co-Chair

     





    Membership Committee

    The Membership Committee aims to attract, engage and retain members to AFP South Sound. We do this by spreading the word about the impact of our chapter, asking people to participate, and offering opportunities to be involved.

    • Meeting schedule: Second Fridays of the month from 9-10 am PST 
    • Members: 
      Celyna Addison, Center for Resolution; Missy Zenczak Candler , Greentrike; Sally Glover, South Sound Care Foundation; Emily Happy, The Philanthropy Collective; Sue Loiland, Pacific Lutheran University; Kari Young, Degrees of Change; Mike Goodell, UWPC 
    • Co-Chairs: Jennie Griek, CAP®,CFRE, Pacific Lutheran University: Teddy Wingo, Columbia Land Trust



    Programs Committee

    The Program Committee seeks to inspire and inform greater professionalism in fundraising practice by planning a diverse mix of educational programs that appeal to our members and friends. Our committee seeks CFRE-approved topics and presenters on par with those at national conferences. We coordinate with the other committees to ensure that AFP South Sound programming and events complement one another and meet ongoing needs for professional knowledge, networking and development.  We invite you to join one of our meetings should you be considering service to the chapter. Please contact afpsouthsound@gmail.com for details.  
     

    • Meeting schedule: First Monday of each month, 12 pm
    • Members: Anquida Adams, ALA Consulting; Jan Brazzell, Advancement Consulting; Amy Geier, Peace Community Center; Jim Hushagen, The Philanthropy Collective; Shayla Miles, Foothills Rails to Trails;  Laura Rose, Charles Wright Academy; Ruth Tollefson, Amara; Missy Zenczak Candler, Greentrike
    • Co-Chairs: Lee Warnecke, Southern Poverty Law Center; Audrie Jones, eliseo


     “I am grateful to be part of the South Sound community and AFP South Sound since 2014.  Serving on the Programs Committee provides meaningful connection with fundraising leaders and rising stars at the local and national level. I volunteer my time as I owe my professional success to the relationships I have formed through this chapter.”

    — Lee Warnecke, Programs Co-Chair




    “I’ve been a part of AFP since I started my fundraising career in 2013. I love the comradery and support from my fellow chapter members and am grateful for the opportunity to get to serve the community and to help plan educational programs for the chapter. There is always so much to learn in fundraising!

     —Audrie Jones, CFRE, Programs Co-Chair




    Summit Committee

    The South Sound Philanthropy Summit Committee is a joint project of AFP South Sound (AFP SS) and the South Sound Planned Giving Council (SSPGC) formed to plan and execute the annual South Sound Philanthropy Summit. The goal of the Summit is to bring together development, allied professionals, and philanthropists for a day of education and networking in late September every year.

    • Meeting schedule: First Tuesday of each month
    • Members:
      Jennifer Li Dotson, Co-Chair
      Robin Callahan, Co-Chair
      Jenn Brink, Fundraising Professional
      Shelley Buck, Foundations of MultiCare
      Rick Oldenburg, Oldenburg & Associations
      Doug Page, Pacific Lutheran University
      James Plourde, JP Fundraising Solutions
      Tom Ryan, Bernstein Private Wealth Management
      Emily Happy, The Philanthropy Collective
      Todd Blodgett, Eisenhower Carlson

    Emerging Professionals Group

    AFP South Sound is excited to introduce the Emerging Fundraisers Group (EFG). Whether you're a young professional or new to the fundraising profession, the Emerging Fundraisers Group serves to create a strong community of colleagues to strengthen our collective future. The EFG will meet every other month via Zoom to discuss relevant issues, share best practices and build community among emerging fundraising professionals in our area.

    The purpose of the Emerging Fundraisers Group (EFG) is to create a strong community of new fundraisers within the AFP South Sound chapter. EFG provides educational and networking opportunities with the aim to strengthen the future of the fundraising profession in the South Sound area.

    Meeting Schedule: First Wednesday of each month, 8:30-9:30 am

                     
    BIPOC Affinity Group

    The BIPOC Affinity Group meets at least once per month to allow AFP members to self-identify and have this informal way to connect, network and build relationships with one another. The BIPOC Affinity Group will create casual conversations for you to share stories, ask questions, provide resources and build friendships.  We welcome your participation!
    Meeting Schedule: Watch for updates and registration links in each monthly newsletter

    Facilitators: Jennifer Li Dotson, Fundraise Up and Emily Mendez-Bryant, Tacoma Community College Foundation

    "In my work as a fundraiser, I struggle to find others who share my same ethnic background and lived experiences in the philanthropic world. But when I do, it’s a cause for celebration! I love the comfort of speaking Chinese, honoring my ancestors’ rich histories, comparing citizenship stories, or cheering for another barrier broken by a BIPOC trailblazer."
    — Jennifer Li Dotson, BIPOC Affinity Group Facilitator












    “Sharing our cultures, lived experiences, communities we have served and represent are all beautiful ways to uplift philanthropy. The ability to be honest, brave, and proud about being a BIPOC fundraiser, within an industry that has a small BIPOC percentage, positively contributes to the overall advancement of our profession. I especially appreciate AFP South Sound Chapter’s lead in empowering this affinity group.”

    — Emily Mendez-Bryant, BIPOC Affinity Group Facilitator