President's Keyboard

Dear Colleagues,

Frank Lloyd Wright said, "I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen."

For almost one year, I have had the privilege of working with the Board of Directors of GCPGC who exemplify that dedication and devotion.  In September, the entire board meeting centered on planning for the stable financial future of our organization.  Everyone participated in the discussions and everyone took on a task that will be completed by the end of 2009.

We reviewed our on-going programs, such as the always well-attended Conversation and Coffee monthly meetings.  The 2009 Voices of Giving program highlighted 22 planned gift donors in our community before an audience of nearly 200 people.  This year's successful Spring Seminar will be followed in March of 2010 by a one-day seminar in collaboration with AFP. 

The membership committee discussed the fact that membership is down this year, but that the response to the Every Member campaign was even with past years.  A members' survey will be conducted very soon.

Most of our marketing efforts are now being conducted electronically.  This is a great cost savings for GCPGC.   The website is new and interactive this year.  Planned Giving on the Run will start its fourth year in January, 2010.

On November 19, 2009 is National Philanthropy Day, a joint program with AFP.  In addition to the programmatic work of the Board, we are also undertaking a review of our by-laws and procedures, continuing to implement our three-year strategic plan, and establishing a task group to look into fund-raising and sponsorships.

It is through the hard work of the GCPGC Board members that the organization gives its members the wide variety of "things you want to see happen."

Sincerely yours,

Andrea Herzig
President