Mike's Monday Message: Love and Finances

Over the weekend, the AFP Global Association Board met in-person for the first time in two years here in Virginia for our 2022 planning retreat. 

I’m so excited about working with our 2022 Association board, led by our chair, Kevin J. Foyle, MBA, CFRE. It’s our most diverse board ever, and we looked at all kinds of diversity when considering candidates, from race and ethnicity to age and geography. Our new board brings such an extraordinary set of skills, expertise and experience, as well as so much enthusiasm and energy, to our conversations as we work on the opportunities and challenges our community faces in 2022 and beyond. You can learn more about the new board here. 

During the retreat, we focused on a number of issues, including how to develop future partnerships with other organizations; integrating IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) into all aspects of the association; factors in running successful chapters and what AFP Global can do to support them; membership dues; our new association management system that should be ready in early 2023; efforts to create a Fundraisers’ Bill of Rights; and much more.

During discussions, one of our board members, Ken Miller, CFRE, referenced the work of the board as “love and finances.” It was meant in jest, but there’s a lot of truth in that reference. Both of these are what our board—and any nonprofit board—is all about: serving as champions for the organization and supporting it through financial oversight. 

It’s also what fundraising and fundraisers are all about: inspiring donors and helping them see how they can put their caring and generosity into action by contributing financial (and other) types of support. 

The love and care for the fundraising community, as well as an on-going commitment to AFP Global’s strong  financial health, is so apparent on our Board. It’s an amazing group of fundraisers and leaders, and we have some great plans ahead for 2022, including getting ready for our first in-person ICON experience in three years in Las Vegas, May 2 – 4.

I also want to thank our outgoing board members who served so ably in 2021 and will complete their tenure at the end of the year. We would not be in such a great financial condition right now without their efforts and dedication. They, too, exemplify the idea of “love and finances,” and I appreciate everything they’ve given to AFP Global over the years.

I know you are going to be well served by our fantastic AFP Global Board in 2022. They are your representatives, champions and ambassadors, and I encourage you to get in touch with them (and me—I’m always available at Mike.Geiger@afpglobal.org or on Twitter at @AFPMikeGeiger) with any questions, concerns or comments about AFP Global and our work in supporting you—the fundraising community!