As I reflected on what to include in my inaugural ALTogether Now newsletter, I wanted to use this platform to say thank you to our entire Advancement community for such a warm welcome. I have so appreciated everyone who has reached out and those of you who have been so generous with your time over the last month, allowing me to ask questions and taking the time to have chats with me.
As the ALT embarks on our annual planning process, I thought this was a good moment to provide you with a glimpse into our process.
For the benefit of those of you who are new, the ALT meets daily to touch base and ensure a strong flow of communication. Every week, we have a longer meeting to discuss projects, initiatives, or opportunities that require group consultation and decision-making. Every month, we meet for at least half a day with a focus on team development, budget, and how our units are progressing on their operational plan goals. And every quarter, we discuss long-term objectives and goals in a daylong meeting. It may sound like a lot of meetings, but it supports strong alignment, integration, and accountability throughout the portfolios.
I have appreciated the tone set in these meetings. Our conversations are framed around how the team is doing and how we can support everyone to succeed with the work that lies ahead. The group is constructive, forward-thinking, honest, and leading from a place of courage and learning.
This last Thursday, the ALT met for a daylong session to discuss next year’s operational plan. As we reflected on all the change and uncertainty that the pandemic has created last year -- the sheer volume of incredible work that the team has done over that time, the ups and the downs that our staff have faced with the stay-at-home order, the transitions and onboarding of staff -- we recognized the need to build a plan that allows our team to complete the projects already in the pipeline and to minimize the constant push for new projects and initiatives.
As leaders, we need to be equal parts ambitious and pragmatic in considering the year ahead, so we decided to approach this planning by first doing an assessment of what we have already committed to. By understanding what we already have on the docket for FY21/22, we can determine whether there is room for additional projects and initiatives, and to prioritize those based on our vision, mission, and values.
Like you, we have big ideas and big plans for what we can accomplish together. Ensuring that everyone can complete projects and can deliver on tasks sets us all up for success. I know that your ALT lead will be speaking with each department individually, so that we have a sense of what has already been committed to. Thank you for helping us set the stage for an amazing FY21/22.
Congratulations, Tim Wowk!
We are very pleased to announce that Tim Wowk and co-author John Sammis were published in the January issue of Advancing Philanthropy. Their article, "Rolling the Dice on Revenue Forecasting – A Case Study," presents a novel approach to accurately forecasting future philanthropic revenues using Monte Carlo simulation. Congratulations, Tim for this well-earned recognition of your ongoing efforts to bring innovative thinking to both Queen’s and the sector!
Last chance to register
The CASE All Districts Conference is being presented virtually this year, Feb. 16 to 18. Advancement has purchased a group ticket, and today is the last day to register using our registration code.
If you’re interested in learning more about the sessions offered, the program Register here by using our code – DAF121.
Thank you for your submissions
We want to thank everyone who submitted entries -- or worked with us to submit entries -- for the CCAE Prix d’Excellence Awards this year. We had 20 submissions. What a way to highlight all the hard work in 2020 – a truly unprecedented year! If you missed submitting for the Prix d’Excellence Awards, don’t forget that the CASE Circle of Excellence Awards are coming up in March.
Kate Bearse will co-ordinate entries on behalf of the Office of Advancement. Those planning a submission should let Kate know ASAP, and final entry drafts should be forwarded to Kate by no later than Mar. 3 for submission to CASE by the Mar. 10 deadline.
Jobs with Advancement
We need your recruitment help. Know great talent that would be a good addition to our team? If so, please promote the vacancies below with your networks and let’s find some amazing new team members.
Applications (including a cover letter and résumé) must be submitted through CareerQ. For additional information on this posting, please reach out to either Carla or the hiring manager for the position you are interested.
Available Position:
| POSITION | UNIT AND DEPARTMENT | CLOSING DATE | GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Development Officer, Principal Gifts | Principal Gifts, Department of Development | Fabruary 19, 2021 | 10 |
Fun fact
Robert Sutherland Memorial Room
Greg Frankson, the first Black student elected president of the Alma Mater Society, was determined to resurrect the memory of Robert Sutherland. In the fall of 1996, the AMS established the Robert Sutherland Task Force to recognize the contributions of the university's first major benefactor and first Black graduate.
In 1997, the Robert Sutherland Memorial Room was established on the second floor of the John Deustch University Centre.