APRA-VA Meeting

February 7, 2008

Minutes

 The Winter 2008 meeting of the Virginia Chapter of APRA was held on Thursday, February 7 at The Christian Children’s Fund in Richmond.  The agenda and educational sessions were coordinated by Lisa Cheney, Program Chair.  The educational sessions included the following presenters:

• David Lawson, Kintera, Inc.  “Strategic Campaign Research” – David provided insight into current trends in prospect research during the era of perpetual campaigns.  He emphasized using strategic planning from feasibility to post-campaign analysis and integrating research into the process.  Highlights included discussion on non-profit accountability, fundraising as a business, and new unique resources and reports to assist with identifying new prospects.

• Jane Seegar, James Madison University, APRA-VA member – Jane shared highlights of her knowledge of the horse industry and how this knowledge can assist researchers.

• Laura Thornton, Christian Children’s Fund, “Integrating Marketing & Research Data to Get Bigger Gifts” – Laura shared methods for using marketing data sources and techniques and applying them to donor databases.  She also provided researchers with more tools to identify top prospects and giving patterns. She explored DMA codes, demographics, psychographics, predictive models, surveys and web data to drive better leaders for development officers.  Highlights included adding marketing and demographic data to their system to better target their fundraising efforts.

The business meeting was called to order at 11:58 A.M. by Tricia Ambler, Chapter President. 

Officer/Committee reports:

President Report, Tricia Ambler:

• Tricia encouraged APRA members to renew memberships.
• She also provided the membership report.

Vice-President Report, Caroline Oblack:

• Caroline reminded everyone about the APRA-VA scholarship.  Applications are due March 7.

Program Chair Report, Lisa Cheney:

• Lisa reported MARC will be held June 11-13 at Bucknell.  The early bird registration fee is $325 until April 4.

• She also announced the Spring meeting will be held in Charlottesville on May 1.

Treasurer Report, Lorie Hoover:

• Lori explained that membership renewals are due in January each year.
• She also reported that CASE III will be in Atlanta beginning February 17.  Members representing APRA VA by presenting include Tricia Ambler, Donna Whitehouse, Betty Carol, Lorie Hoover, and Alan Hejnal..

Secretary Report, Leah Payne:

• No report.

Membership Chair Report, Vickie Black:

• See President’s Report.

Publicity Chair & Webmaster Report, Nick Sollog:

• Nick explained he will begin sending monthly emails regarding new job postings to www.vaapra.org.

• Job postings will stay on the site for three months unless otherwise requested.

The business meeting officially adjourned at 12:09 P.M.

The full program ended at 3:00 P.M.