Greetings! Greetings to all GCPGC members and supporters. The current issue of the eGCPGC includes an article about the strategic planning process GCPGC is currently undertaking. During the past year, the GCPGC held a strategic planning retreat facilitated by Tanya Howe Johnson, President and CEO of the National Committee on Planned Giving for board trustees and officers of The Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council (GCPGC). The goal of the planning session was to reach a shared vision for the council and build consensus on manageable priorities for the next three years, focusing on membership, administration, programs and LEAVE A LEGACY®. Strengths and successes were identified in each priority area as well as the challenges and opportunities for improvement. Outcomes for each of the priorities were also established. Consideration was given to reduce, increase or create anew the programs and activities of the Council. The complete strategic plan is available for your review on GCPGC web site at http://www.gcpgc.org. While the strategic priorities of the Council have been identified, along with outcomes and strategies to achieve success, the major work lies ahead. A special task force, headed by board members Karen Zerhusen Kruer and Steve Hegge, has been established to make sure the recommendations and outcomes outlined in the strategic plan are implemented throughout all Council activities, programs and administration over the next three years. Karen and Steve plan to meet with each committee chairperson to gain their insight and use their experiences to successfully incorporate the strategic plan in each priority area. While board members and committee chairpersons provide leadership for Council activities and educational programs, each and every member plays a vital role. The future effectiveness of the Council depends upon the current leadership to motivate members to join in the work to achieve the shared outcomes envisioned in the strategic plan. What can you do to help achieve the shared vision of our Council? You can serve on one of the current committees, volunteer for a special task force or offer your expertise for a particular project or task. While board terms are a commitment of three years, committee activities require just a few hours a month for a limited time. To ensure the continuation of quality programs and future effectiveness of the Council, you are invited to offer your talents and time. The Board is looking for individuals who can conduct grant research and writing or contact sponsors to support educational events. If you have a flair for writing or editing, you can volunteer on a task force that is currently updating the by-laws and job descriptions. Simply contact me at (513) 768-6137 to find out more about the various committees and how you can participate in the shared vision for the future of The Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council. Other news: LEAVE A LEGACY® update Tami Tarpley, Director of Strategic Initiatives, NCPG, recently announced changes to the LEAVE A LEGACY® program that will help you more easily manage and promote your local efforts to participate in the LEAVE A LEGACY program. LEAVE A LEGACY campaigns are no longer required to register annually with NCPG. While the benefits of program registration are important for national reporting, it is no longer a requirement. Updated LEAVE A LEGACY marketing material is available for viewing at http://www.leavealegacy.org. You may view the PSA, campaign ads and donor stories with just the click of your mouse or contact Association Connection at (513) 554-3071 to order material for your campaign. Voices of Giving You should have received your packet to nominate a donor for the 2008 Voices of Giving Award that honors donors who have indicated that they have left a planned gift to Greater Cincinnati organizations and institutions. This year’s event will be held at the Taft Museum of Art. Nominees should arrive 4:45 P.M. to get their photographs taken. Cocktails are from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and the award ceremony will be held from 6:15 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. There is no charge for this event, but reservations are required. Please contact Jim Friedman, chairperson at (513) 985-1524 or jffriedman@jfedcin.org for more information. The deadline for nominations is May 15, 2008. Committee members are Steve Hegge, Rene McPhedran, Mary Newman, and Melissa Robich. NCPG National Conference It’s not too early to start making plans for the 2008 National Conference on Planned Giving to take place October 22-25, 2008, in Denver, Colorado, at the Colorado Convention Center. Information on how to register is posted on the NCPG home page at http://www.ncpg.org. Registration for the conference will start at the end of May. Sincerely, Margaret L. Gaither, President GCPGC
What is GCPGC? The Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council is a professional association for people whose work includes developing, marketing, and administering charitable planned gifts. Members include persons who raise funds for nonprofit institutions, consultants, and professional advisors who work in a variety of legal and financial settings — people whose life work is helping others leave a legacy through a planned gift to the charities they love.	Mission The mission of the Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council is to increase the quantity and quality of planned giving in our community by providing a forum for education, training, and networking among various professional disciplines involved in gift planning, in accordance with The Model Standards of Practice for Charitable Gift Planners.
GCPGC is a local council of the National Committee on Planned Giving (NCPG). It is one of the largest and most active planned giving councils in the country. Membership makes great sense and is a terrific value with a host of benefits. None of the work of GCPGC would be possible without the great support of our sponsors. Please support them! Website designed and developed by Two-Fish Web Design.