Chapter Announcements

Overview

You can access time-sensitive announcements and news from AFP South Sound on this page dating back to the launch of our new website in April 2018. To submit an announcement, email the Chapter Administrator at afpsouthsound@gmail.com.

Announcements

  • Statement from AFP South Sound

    8 months ago

    To remain transparent and open with our members, AFP South Sound would like to share a statement further contextualizing the decision made on Friday March 19 to cancel our planned March program. For reference, we include our reasons for canceling this event here and, in fairness, recognize that the speaker has made public apologies on his personal twitter account and e-newsletters.

    Our chapter is committed to the ongoing work of recognizing and dismantling racism and white supremacy within our profession, and elevating the voices of people who have been and continue to be underrepresented. We recognize that we are in the early stages of this work, and are grateful for our members and community allies who continue to hold our chapter accountable to uphold our values. Our chapter plans to make space for thoughtful, respectful dialogue on how these problems continue to show up in our profession and encourage the hard - but necessary - conversations. We look forward to sharing next steps in these conversations with our members soon.

    Chapter leadership is assessing this incident internally to establish what lessons we can take away regarding both internal policies and guidelines for future speakers to ensure our guests and presenters align with our chapter’s IDEA Values Statement, approved by Board vote November 2020, which we share now publicly for the first time. We welcome community feedback as part of this process and also look forward to sharing our findings. 

    Thank you for joining us in this work,

    AFP South Sound WA Chapter Board of Directors
     

    Resources:

    AFP South Sound Strategic Plan and IDEA Values Statement

    Statement Regarding March Program

    AFP Global Blog Post

  • Statement Regarding March 26th, 2021 Program

    8 months ago

    AFP South Sound is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We believe in creating safe, inclusive environments where people feel valued, heard and respected, and recognize that is an ongoing process.

    Yesterday our board became aware of recent messaging from planned speaker, Tom Ahern, that we and our community members experienced as divisive, derogatory and hurtful. We heard and felt the negative impact these statements had on our community, especially those who face racism and white supremacy every day. 

    The statements made by Tom Ahern are his own, and are not in alignment with our values. The previously scheduled program for March 26 has been canceled. Registrants will be issued a full refund.

    We are grateful for the honest feedback and dialogue from our global community.

    Association of Fundraising Professionals, South Sound Chapter Board of Directors

    Dated:  Friday, March 19, 2021