JANUARY: "Choose Your Topic"
Attendees will have the opportunity to select one of three topics and participate in lively discussion:
- Professional Development
- Strategic Planning
- Collaboration between Nonprofits
FEBRUARY: Sankofa Fund for Civic Engagement Co-founder Lakweshia Ewing
The Sankofa Fund for Civic Engagement's Co-founder Lakweshia Ewing is the featured speaker for the program in February, which is also Black History Month. According to its mission statement, the Sankofa Fund is a membership organization committed to funding and supporting organizations, projects and efforts which improve Chattanooga's communities of color. Ms. Ewing will discuss the history of the fund founded in 2015, the collective philanthropy model they follow to improve the community and increase awareness of local needs, the types of investments they make in organizations that directly impact African American children, youth and families, and their work to create a legacy of giving in African American communities.
MARCH: Diversity and Cultural Competency in the Workforce (cancelled due to coronavirus/COVID-19)
Our March program will feature Diversity and Cultural Competency in the Workforce, led by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee's Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion Ron Harris. Mr. Harris' role is to cultivate a corporate culture where diversity and inclusion are aligned with the company’s corporate strategies and values. He provides strategic leadership and counsel for diversity initiatives within the organization, including diversity awareness training, recruitment, cultural competency training, employee development and community outreach.
APRIL: Virtual Meeting
Due to the continuing COVID 19 safe practices guidelines, our AFP Chapter meeting will be held via Zoom. Virtually gather with peers and share how you’re coping with this pandemic and these challenging economic times. Since our scheduled speaker will not be able to join us via Zoom, we’ll spend our time sharing what we've learned and experienced as well as what resources we’ve found to help us with these unprecedented challenges during this time of shutdowns and shelter-in-place orders. We will also have our usual chapter meeting business session.
MAY: Ethics featuring Dr. Elizabeth K. Crawford, UC Foundation Associate Professor for the Learning and Leadership Doctoral program at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Please join us for a special FREE Zoom session with Dr. Elizabeth K. Crawford, UC Foundation Associate Professor for the Learning and Leadership Doctoral program at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). Dr. Crawford will discuss ethical practices and processes in business and leadership. Specific topics will include ethical self-tests for leaders, ethical decision-making frameworks, and team decision-making from an ethical perspective. Participants will be asked to engage in the discussion process with specific application to their own professional practice.
View the presentation here.
JUNE: Doug Hartjes, CFRE, and the Five Key Mistakes of Boards
Respected nonprofit consultant Doug Hartjes, CFRE, will join us via Zoom for a discussion about the “Five Key Mistakes of Boards” and how to maximize board participation in fundraising for our June 17 member meeting. Doug founder and President of COR Consulting and has spent the last 16 years of his career in nonprofit leadership. He has served in varied roles in the nonprofit sector including chief executive officer, chief development officer, board member/chair, mentor, volunteer, and consultant. Doug is an accomplished speaker and facilitator who works with boards, leadership, and staff on how to achieve fundraising and nonprofit excellence. His leadership and commitment to the fundraising and nonprofit profession has enabled organizations he has worked with to not only meet but exceed their objectives.
View the presentation here.
August: Black Philanthropy Month
August is Black Philanthropy Month! Join us on Wednesday, August 19 via Zoom for a free panel discussion featuring Josiah Golson with the 800 Collective, Jeana Lee with Unum representing their newly created Social Justice Fund, and more! Donyel Johnson, IDEA Chair of our AFP Chapter, will moderate this session.
View the presentation here.
September: Funders Panel
Our annual Funders Panel, one of this chapter's most popular programs, is back! Representatives from The Osborne Foundation, Young Givers hosted by The Generosity Trust and the Colby Foundation will lead a discussion and answer questions about philanthropic trends and their outlook for future funding. This free virtual programs is open to members and non-members.
View the presentation here.
November: Board Governance with Simone Joyaux
We are honored to welcome Simone Joyaux, ACFRE, Adv Dip, FAFP, with a Certificate in Philanthropic Psychology. Joyaux, owner of Joyaux Associates, is an established and respected consultant for nonprofits in such areas as fund development, board development and strategic planning. Her program for AFP members and nonmembers will address governance and working with boards of directors:
- What governance means
- Role of the board
- What happens at board meetings
Learn more about Joyaux and Joyaux Associates at https://www.simonejoyaux.com/.