Words that matter

*Editor’s Note: This week, with Tom away, Karen was kind enough to help out by writing the introduction. Basically, Tom owes Karen big time.

You may have heard that I do not like the word “central.” You may have even heard that the word “central” has been banned. Regardless of what you have heard, it is important that you hear why the word “central” is not my favourite.

Central. Faculties.

The use of these two words could imply that if you work in “central” you are by definition distinct from the faculties, and, perhaps, even in opposition to them. Categorizing the Office of Advancement into these two groups suggests that if you are part of “central," you are by definition not part of or engaged with the faculties.

I hope you agree that this is a false narrative. Advancement staff that work in Summerhill and Old Meds fulfill some responsibilities on behalf of the entire university that cannot be duplicated elsewhere. Gift processing is one example of this. Some functions, such as research and information management, are completed on behalf of the entire university for better co-ordination between faculties or to capitalize on consistency of practices and economies of scale. And, of course, faculty-based staff across campus work with colleagues in annual giving and finance for instance to move faculty initiatives forward. These examples – and many others – demonstrate that advancement staff outside of faculties work on behalf of the entire university and in support of faculties, and faculties-based advancement staff benefit from the work of their colleagues.

Words and labels matter. I have therefore suggested that the units in Summerhill and Old Meds are more "university-wide" than they are "central.” Admittedly we still need to define how the university-wide efforts in the Office of Advancement complement faculty-based efforts. I have not "banned the word central,” but I have suggested that our labels could evolve so that our language supports our efforts to go Forward, Together.

This is my position. Now you decide.

An Update on the Metrics Review

An ad-hoc committee has been reviewing the metrics established two years ago for major gift fundraising. The members have been open minded and vocal. And the support of Stephen Hornsby and his Advancement Services team colleagues has been seminal in telling exactly what the existing metrics measured and what activity resulted. What has been learned is that certain well intended metrics resulted in outcomes that were not anticipated nor did they drive major gift revenue it seems.

Work is continuing in the review under the leadership of co-chairs Adam Say and Tom Hewitt with a recommendation due to ALT for consideration at the end of February. This important exercise will shape our behaviour going forward and the draft metrics place greater emphasis on dollars raised with the hope that other important and related activities will result.

More to come. Thanks to all those who have or will contribute their thinking to this project.

To offer your thoughts, please contact the co-chairs or any of the committee members listed below:

• Karen Bertrand
• Rachel Deir
• Tom Hewitt
• Steve Hornsby
• Will Pennell
• Virginia Perry
• Adam Say
• Amber Wallace
• Tim Wowk

JDUC Revitalization Campaign Gaining Momentum

The JDUC Revitalization Campaign is gaining momentum on the heels of an announcement in late 2019 by Canadian Architect magazine that plans for the JDUC revitalization project had won the 2019 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence

The award jury lauded the sustainability focused designs and incorporation of historic features, describing them as complex and skillfully executed.

The JDUC was built in 1949 and expanded in the 1970s. The present structure has been criticized for its lack of designated space for student life and student governance.

The public phase of the JDUC campaign will be launched in the coming months in addition to the major gift solicitations that are still ongoing for this important campus initiative.

For more information, please contact Adam Say or Tom Hewitt.

Global Philanthropist John McCall MacBain to visit Queen’s

Last February, John and Marcy McCall MacBain announced the creation of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill through a landmark gift of $200 million (Canadian) – the single-largest gift in Canadian history.

As part of a cross-country tour of 17 universities to create awareness of this new and unprecedented academic opportunity, and to discuss the importance of philanthropy for education, Mr. McCall MacBain will join Queen’s philanthropist Stephen Smith, Principal Patrick Deane and others on a panel on Feb. 26, following a presentation on the initiative.

The McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill will provide outstanding students from Canada and internationally with the opportunity to pursue a master’s or professional degree, combined with a world-class enrichment program.

In addition to full funding to cover tuition and fees plus a living stipend, scholars will benefit from mentorship and immersive learning experiences including retreats, workshops, and internships. It will be the most generous and comprehensive graduate scholarship to exist at this level in Canada.

In initiating this gift in honour of McGill’s bicentennial, the McCall MacBains and their Foundation recognize an important gap in the Canadian higher education landscape: that there is currently no comprehensive, leadership-driven scholarship in the country for master’s and professional degree students. As a result, the McCall MacBain Scholarships will invest in students who are developing expertise in their respective fields and have a track record of collaborating with others to understand and address important problems and challenges. By creating Canada’s first comprehensive scholarship at this level – one that builds on but is not limited to academic excellence – John and Marcy McCall MacBain hope to bring together a resilient community of students dedicated to solving pressing global issues and complex problems, to ultimately improve the lives of others.

Scholars will be selected for a combination of civic engagement, intellectual curiosity, entrepreneurial spirit, academic excellence, and exceptional character.

Mr. McCall MacBain has been active in many other philanthropic activities, including serving as Chair of the McGill Principal’s International Advisory Board, and as a Trustee of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation in Cape Town. Mr. McCall MacBain is a Trustee Emeritus of the Rhodes Trust in Oxford, a Foundation Fellow of Wadham College at the University of Oxford and is the Founding Chair of the European Climate Foundation.

This is an invitation-only event and has been opened up to a number of Advancement staff. If you’re interested in attending, please contact Tom Hewitt or Judy Griffiths.

Make Your CASE

The nomination deadline for the 2020 CASE Circle of Excellence Awards is just around the corner, and we want to make sure Queen’s wins as many awards as possible.

All initiatives that were nominated for CCAE Prix d’Excellence awards will be nominated for CASE awards in the corresponding categories, but there’s always room for more.

Check out the 2020 Circle of Excellence categories to see if you have a project that qualifies, and contact Ellen Babb by noon on Wednesday, Feb. 26 to make sure we add it to this year’s nomination list.

QBAC to Takeover Alumni Stories

On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the Queen’s Black Alumni Chapter has been invited to takeover the Queen’s Alumni Instagram (@queensu_alumni) and Facebook stories. Members of this active and dedicated chapter will share information about their membership, purpose, direction, upcoming events, and personal stories about themselves. Be sure to follow along!

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 vacancy below with your networks and let’s find some amazing new team members.

Applications (including a cover letter and resume) must be submitted through CareerQ. For additional information on this posting, please reach out to either Katelyn, Carla, or the hiring manager for the position you are interested in.

Available Position:

The First Homecoming

The first official homecoming took place in 1926 — known then as "Reunion Weekend." It retained that name until the 1950s when students began using the American term "Homecoming." In 1988, the event was officially named Alumni Weekend before the term Homecoming returned to recognized usage.