The AFP Western New York Chapter is made stronger every day by our leadership and the committees that support our programming and growth. Active and effective committees boost the value and quality of membership for all chapter members. We encourage and welcome any current chapter members that would like to join a chapter committee. Interested in learning more or joining a committee? Drop us an email at afpwny@afpwnychapter.org.
Download a copy of the Chapter Committees summary.
Chapter Committees
Estimated time commitment varies throughout the year, with an average minimum of 1 meeting per month, plus 1-2 hours a month of email, research, and related work; some additional time when preparing for events. We are dedicated to making committee membership accessible for our chapter members throughout Western New York, so conference call-in options are available for all meetings.
National Philanthropy Day
Chair: Liz Lucas of FeedMore WNY - elucas@feedmorewny.org
Overview: National Philanthropy Day is AFP’s annual celebration of the exceptional philanthropic efforts that change our community with a giving heart. Held every year around November 15th, the event draws nearly 500 fundraisers and representatives from local businesses and non-profits. The committee manages all aspects of logistics, day-of-event operations, invitations, securing sponsorships, production of the event program book, script, awards and event promotions.
Meets: second Thursday of the month, March through November, at locations around downtown Buffalo, 12:00-1:00 pm
Busiest time: September-November
Membership
Chair: Kelly Campbell of Bertrand Chaffee Hospital – kcampbell@bch-jbr.org
Overview: Committee drives member recruitment and retention, engages and welcomes members, provides information about member benefits, helps with prospect mailings, produces member-only events and recruitment events.
Meets: one Friday a month (about 10 months of the year) metro-Buffalo location, 8:30-9:30 am
Busiest time: the week before events in January, April, October
Professional Development
Chair: Laura Dawidowicz of the School of Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo - lauradaw@buffalo.edu
Overview: Committee prepares and executes a plan for monthly professional development lunches and an annual conference. Develops new programs to meet the educational needs of chapter members and other potential attendees. Secures speakers, researches venues, promotes events, hosts/emcees events.
Meets: one Monday a month (about 10 months of the year) at United Way Buffalo, 3:30-4:30pm
Busiest time: in the weeks before annual spring conference, and when planning monthly programming (May, August, December)
External Relations
Chair: Leslie Nickerson of Niagara Organizing Alliance for Hope (NOAH) - leslie@voicebuffalo.org
Overview: Committee guides and executes efforts to promote, expand impact and presence of our chapter, AFP, philanthropy and fundraising profession. Effectively market chapter events to members and non-members, the media and the public through social and other media presence and engagement. Steers chapter newsletter, website and marketing materials.
Meets: schedule TBD, likely once a month in the morning at a metro-Buffalo location
Busiest time: TBD, likely in the weeks before NPD and other major chapter events.
I.D.E.A. (Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Access)
Co-Chairs: Danielle White of SUNY Alfred State – whitedm@alfredstate.edu
Karen Buchheit of Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation - karen@cattfoundation.org
Overview:
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) WNY is committed to developing and maintaining a diverse organization that reflects, is responsive to, and embraces the diversity of the communities we serve throughout the world; respecting and valuing all people.
AFP WNY is committed to promoting an inclusive, equitable and accessible organization where every member, volunteer, staff and board member can realize their potential and have their contributions valued.
AFP WNY recognizes that Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access (IDEA) are central to its mission.
The following are AFP WNY’s Statement of IDEA Principles:
· Recognizing others as different but equal.
· Respect and empathy for all.
· Trust and integrity that facilitates the integration of different and multiple voices in organizational discourse.
· Demonstrated appreciation for different voices, active listening; open to disparate viewpoints and opinions, and facilitating dialogues among the diverse groups.
· Practicing and encouraging transparent communication in all interactions.
· Developing participative decision making; problem solving; and, team capabilities.
· Exploring potential underlying, unquestioned assumptions that interfere with inclusiveness.
Meets: Schedule TBD
Busiest time: Work is spread equally throughout the year
Committee on Directorship
Overview: Composed solely of current Chapter Board Members, this committee is responsible for annual review of all policies and procedures, and recommending revisions to the full board. The committee also engages in building a slate of potential new board members through work with committee chairs and in reviewing the membership list; makes a slate recommendation to the Board two months in advance of the annual meeting and elections in December.
Busiest time: October through December (finalizing slate for board elections)
Interested in learning more or joining a committee? Drop us an email at afpwny@afpwnychapter.org