President's Keyboard

Dear Colleagues,

Attending the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning (PPP) Leadership Assembly is always a meaningful experience.

It's an opportunity to learn and become re-energized.  Spending two days working with leaders of 124 Planned Giving Councils from around the country is truly fulfilling.

Kevin from the Houston Council talked about programs with three tracks - beginner, intermediate and advanced.  Karen, a long-time planned giving officer, explained why the Rhode Island council chose to change its name to the "Partnership for Philanthropic Planning of Rhode Island" to be more relevant to its members.  And Diana from South Carolina shared the ways planned giving is different in rural communities.

The GCPGC's Vice President, Karen Kruer, attended the Assembly with me and we both gained much and grew from the experience. 

We arrived in Indianapolis on Wednesday evening to attend the welcome reception at PPP's headquarters.  It's amazing what a staff of only 16 can do for Planned Giving Councils, large and small, in every state of our nation.

Thursday morning started early with a business plenary.  PPP Board Member, Craig Wruck, reported on the Tax Incentives Task Force and PPP's role in advocacy.  The IRA rollover is still on top of the committee's priority list, but they are closely monitoring new legislation surrounding finances and the economy.  A panel discussion provided a practical, comprehensive discussion of Gift Counting Guidelines.  Council Services, PPP's new website and Insurance Best Practices rounded out the morning.  Lunch was served with a great conversation about Leave a Legacy.

Breakout sessions in the afternoon gave us an opportunity to participate with PPP staff and council leaders on a variety of topics.  In the New Leader Orientation, we talked about preparing new leaders for the councils of tomorrow.  A second session discussed effective member surveys and their use to make councils more receptive to members' needs.

Friday morning came early after spending a fun night at Jillian's - bowling, eating pizza and wings and talking with our new friends.  Roundtables on Friday were thoughtful discussions of PPP's goals:

1. PPP is the voice of charitable gift planning
2. Charitable gift planning is recognized as bringing value to charitable organizations
3. Charitable gift planning is widely practiced
4. Charitable gift planners are well-trained and competent
5. Local councils are vibrant, healthy and well-supported by PPP

My table decided that large numbers of member are critical for PPP to have a voice in government affairs and that members are ambassadors to their communities, their peers and their organizations. 

The Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council, as an affiliate of the PPP, is a mission-based non-profit whose goal is educating members and the public about planned gifts. We can approach this goal with renewed energy and commitment.  Information about the Leadership Assembly and discussion summaries will be found soon on www.pppnet.org.

I was proud to represent GCPGC at the 2009 Leadership Assembly.  It was fun to share with other leaders the activities that make us a vibrant and active council with numerous opportunities to help members learn and grow. 

Sincerely yours,

Andrea Herzig
President, GCPGC