Dear Fellow GI Members:
Last month in Minneapolis, we had a remarkably successful Summer Symposium. There was a record attendance of over 120 people. We also had 23 first time attendees from member firms and 21 Golden Ticket registrants. The program was terrific and opportunities to network abounded. It was especially gratifying to see so many GI members leading sessions throughout the Symposium. Between early morning walks and evening activities we were at it from dawn until well after dusk. And the weather was great. Thank you again to Summer Symposium co-chairs Sally Ehrenfried and Allison Gannon. Thank you also to our friends at MCI who helped make the entire event go smoothly.
Also, in Minneapolis we honored Giving USA Foundation Chair Laura McDonald as she finished her two-year term and welcomed Josh Birkholz as the new GUSA Chair. I look forward to working with Josh over the next year. In the GI board meeting, we approved the DEI Change Framework and began a process of streamlining membership approvals with a new policy. We also approved our budget for the fiscal year 2022-23.
Our membership committee has been very busy. In recent days, three new firms have been approved for membership with GI: Publishing Concepts, McAllister and Quinn and Forrester Fundraising. We hope to see representatives from these firms at our fall meeting in Chicago. Also, there are five firms in the application process. Thank you to membership co-chairs Aly Sterling and Todd Baylis and the whole membership committee for their great work.
Please plan to join us for the fall board meeting November 2-3 in Chicago. On November 2, Jim Bush will lead our popular Mentor Series for firm members who are newer to our field. Please consider sending colleagues to this career development educational event. The fee is $350 per person. Those attending the Mentor Series should plan to arrive in Chicago on November 1.
We will have a dinner event on November 2 and a full day of programs and board meetings November 3. We are trying a more compressed schedule for this fall, so people can get home the evening of November 3. We expect the day to end at 4:00pm. Remember that all GI firm members are welcome at board meetings and programs on November 3; there is no admission charge. Those attending the Mentor Series are also welcome to stay for events on November 3.
It is very exciting to see all the engagement we have across Giving Institute. I have met so many new GI colleagues through the membership process, through their work in helping make the Summer Symposium a success and through other activities sponsored by GI. Thank you all for making GI such a dynamic association!
