President’s Welcome

Welcome to the first NSW/ACT eNewsletter of the year!

As the first Term of 2023 concludes, I am delighted to send this first newsletter on behalf of the NSW/ACT Chapter. It has undoubtedly been a busy start to the year from an Educate Plus perspective, and no doubt for you too. As Advancement professionals, we are often pulled in many different directions, trying to juggle numerous tasks and responsibilities. As a result, it can sometimes be easy to lose sight of our intent and impact, particularly during busy times.  

The end of a term provides that chance to reflect, refocus, and regroup. 

Bringing intent and impact to our roles does require a deliberate and mindful approach. So as we reflect and regroup, following are some thoughts:

• Keep our organisation’s strategic direction and goals at the forefront of every action and approach each day with a sense of intent and impact.
• Prioritise tasks based on their importance and impact, rather than simply trying to check items off our to-do lists. A clear purpose and intent should drive every action, whether drafting a Fundraising email, organising an Alumni event, or creating a social media post.
• Seek opportunities for growth and development: Explore opportunities for ourselves and our teams to continuously learn and grow in our roles and as a team. 

In May, the NEXUS Summit – Passion and Impact, will be held in Canberra, providing the perfect professional growth and development opportunity for you and your team. Over 100 Advancement professionals have already registered for this event, from over 50 organisations, and I encourage you to join us too. The NEXUS Summit, hosted by Canberra Grammar School, will be the premier event for the NSW/ACT Chapter in 2023. The program is extensive across all pillars, from senior practitioners to keynote speakers and expert leaders. In addition, you will be able to connect and collaborate with your peers across NSW and ACT. Please also note the following with regards to the Summit:

• If budget constraints are challenging, please consider applying for a Summit Bursary to assist with associated costs. 
• Also, please consider nominating a colleague, team member or peer for the Passion & Impact Awards. These awards recognise individuals in our NSW/ACT Chapter who have made a positive impact within their team, school community, local community or throughout Educate Plus in the Advancement area. The process is simple, but the impact is powerful in recognising the achievements of our peers.

Finally, I would like to thank the members of the NSW/ACT Chapter Committee who have been busy planning and organising this Summit. You have been so generous with your time, commitment, expertise and professionalism, and for this I am very grateful.

And to all of our NSW/ACT Members, I look forward to connecting with you in May at the NEXUS Summit.

Lyn O’Neill

NSW/ACT Chapter President | Educate Plus

Director of Marketing and Enrolments
NEGS
E:  lyn.oneill@negs.nsw.edu.au
M: 0407 010 007

Meet the Committee

The NSW/ACT Chapter Committee is an amazing group of volunteers, working tirelessly behind the scenes to create engaging PD opportunities for our Members and Non-Members (all whilst also holding busy jobs at their Institutions!) 

We are incredibly grateful to those on the Committee, and proudly introduce them to you: 

Office Bearers

• President: Lyn O’Neill, Director of Marketing and Enrolments, NEGS
• Vice President: Yvette Graniero, Director of Community Relations, Santa Sabina College
• Treasurer: Grant Birse, Head of Community Engagement, Redlands
• Secretary: Mary Cook, Director of Advancement and Community, Kincoppal-Rose Bay School

Committee Members

• Geoff Anderson, Video Producer, Sonic Sight
• Hannah Atwell, Director of Advancement, St Andrew’s College
• Dana Casimaty, Director of Development, Redlands
• Jackie Dalton, Director of Philanthropy, Frensham Schools
• Paul Dennett, Director of Development, Queenwood School
• Sandy Goddard, Director of Community Development, Canberra Grammar School
• Levina Huirua, Registrar, St John’s College within the University of Sydney
• Lyn Jarvis, Director of Community Engagement, St Andrew’s Cathedral School
• Clare Lacey, Head of Community Relations, Newcastle Grammar School
• Karen Smith, Registrar, William Clarke College
• Myfanwy Stanfield, [Educate Plus Board, Deputy Chair] Director of Community Engagement, Ascham School
• Sebastian Wattam, Marketing and Communications Manager, St Joseph’s College
• Philippa Zingales, Director of Alumni and Community Relations, PLC Sydney

Please feel free to connect with our Chapter Committee and introduce yourself at any of our upcoming events.

To view the NSW/ACT Chapter Committee on our Chapter page, CLICK HERE

SUMMIT – The Premier Event of the Year!

There are only 4 weeks to go until the NSW/ACT premier event of the year – the NEXUS ‘Passion & Impact’ Summit! 

We are thrilled to invite you to join over 120 of your NSW/ACT colleagues who have already registered to attend the 2023 Summit, being held in our Nation’s Capital and hosted by Canberra Grammar School.

With a choice of over 30 Professional Development sessions, spanning the Pillars of Admissions, Alumni & Community Relations, Marketing & Communications, Fundraising and Leadership, there’s sure to be something for everyone, and much, much more!

Event Details

Date: Thursday 18 and Friday 19 May, 2023
Time(s): 10am – 4.55pm (Thursday)
Time(s): 8.30am-3pm (Friday)
Place: Canberra Grammar School
Plus: Networking Drinks and Dinner (7pm Thursday)

The Summit Committee is led by Sandy Goddard, Director of Community Development, Canberra Grammar School, who is ably assisted by Yvette Graniero (Summit Co-Chair), Director of Community Relations, Santa Sabina College, and the NSW/ACT Chapter Committee. 

NSW/ACT Summit Program

An exciting program has been created including all streams that support and propel forward the success of our schools, including Admissions, Alumni, Community Relations, Events, Fundraising, Marketing & Communications and Leadership. 

Join your colleagues and hear from Keynote speakers and presenters including Anders Sorman-Nilsson, a global futurist and innovation strategist, and Emily Kucukalic, the Managing Director and Founder of Brand New You. There are also many opportunities to learn from engaging and insightful presentations from our colleagues and experts in their areas of Advancement. Our Summit Partners will be exhibiting and supporting the Summit through the social program and sponsorship and you will have opportunities to view their products and services.

To view the Summit Program, CLICK HERE

NSW/ACT Summit Pricing

Standard Fee 

• Member Registration $625 (+gst)
• Non-Member Registration: $725 (+gst)

Additional Summit Dinner

The cost of the Summit Dinner is included in the Registration Fee. If you’d like additional tickets:

• Member Registration $120 (+gst)
• Non-Member Registration $150 (+gst)

Bursary Application

To ensure equity of access to the NSW/ACT Summit, the Summit Committee is offering a number of needs-based bursaries for the event to be held in Canberra (18 – 19 May, 2023). A bursary amount of $250 is available, thereby reducing the cost of full registration. Applications close Friday 5 May, 2023.

To apply for a Bursary, CLICK HERE

Registration

There is no underestimating the value of coming together, learning from each other, making new connections and celebrating those enduring friendships made through attending our Summit and Educate Plus events. Register now to attend the NSW/ACT Premier event of 2023!

Click Here for More Information and to Register

Thank You to our Educate Plus Strategic Partners

Thank You to our NSW/ACT Chapter Partners

Thank You to our NSW/ACT Summit Partners

Thank You to our NSW/ACT Summit Dinner, Lunch, PD, Venue and In-Kind Partners

PASSION & IMPACT AWARDS – Nominate Now!

Do you know or work with a colleague who continually goes above and beyond in their role, who is passionate about what they do, and/or who has made a positive impact within their team, school community, local community or throughout Educate Plus in the last two years?

If so, we encourage you to nominate them for the inaugural Passion & Impact Awards, which will be announced at the upcoming NSW/ACT Summit. We have received some wonderful nominations so far and we’d also love to hear from you!

Nominating your colleague, team member or peer is a small act that can have a big impact making them feel valued and respected by your recognition, and helping them to grow their professional capabilities and broaden their community and professional networks.

The process is very quick and easy and is a powerful way to give back to others. There are only 2 main questions to answer in your nomination. (No supporting documentation is required):

1. How does your Nominee positively impact their team, school community, local community, wider community or Educate Plus in one of the following areas: Admissions, ALumni & Community Relations, Fundraising, Leadership and/or Marketing & Communications (Max 500 words).
2. Finish this sentence … “My Nominee deserves to be recognised by Educate Plus for their impact and passion because …” (Max 25 words).

Nominate a Member now … your one act of nominating can have a big impact!

Click Here to Nominate

Upcoming Events

We invite you to join us at (or Save the Date for) the following Professional Development opportunities:

WEBINAR – Successful Storytelling

Back by popular demand … Cameron Pegg’s highly engaging session at last year’s International Conference was standing room only!

• Date: Tuesday 2 May 2023
• Time:  2.00 – 3.00 pm AEST
• Location: Online (via Zoom)
• Cost: $35 for Members (+ gst); $50 for Non-Members (+ gst)
• Presenter: Cameron Pegg

Thank you to the QLD Chapter for organising this Webinar.

Click for More Information and to Register

WEBINAR – Excellence Series # 4 – Annual Giving Campaign

• Date:  Thursday 4 May, 2023
• Time:  1pm-1.45pm AEST 
• Location: Online (via Zoom)
• Cost: Free for Members, $35 for Non-Members (+ gst).
• Presenters: Geelong Grammar School and Scotch Oakburn College

Thank you to our 2022 Excellence Awards Partner Global Philanthropic for facilitating this session.

Click for More Information and to Register

SAVE THE DATES – Upcoming NSW/ACT Events & Webinars 

• 18-19 May: Event – NSW/ACT Summit
• 24 May: Webinar – Tertiary
• 30 May: Webinar – Admissions
• 1 June: Webinar – Leadership
• 7 June: Webinar – New Member Meet-Up
• 15 June: Webinar – Excellence Series #5

The Power of Versatility

By Myfanwy Stanfield | Director of Community Engagement | Ascham School

Versatility – the ability to use a wide variety of skills to adapt to changing circumstances.

I recently read an article about versatility and that in this VUCA world, versatile leadership is becoming a much sought-after core competency. Afterall, the world isn’t going to become less volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous, so how can we as Advancement professionals lean into our versatility?

Firstly – have you or your teams ever completed any personality tests or profiling? We need to understand our own behaviours first – what comes naturally to us and what doesn’t, before we can lean into our strengths and develop our weaknesses. Asking our colleagues, direct reports and/or manager for feedback regarding your behaviour and the impact it makes, may sound daunting – but it may be the most valuable process you ever undertake. Furthermore, understanding our teammates’ behaviours, strengths and weaknesses will engender even more generous collaboration and clever thinking … win-win!

Secondly – we can flex those versatility muscles by taking on new challenges or setting some stretch goals aimed at developing our weaknesses. As we know, growth comes when we operate way outside our comfort zones! The growth goes where the energy flows.

Finally – get comfortable with asking open ended questions rather than jumping straight to the solutions. I believe, as Advancement professionals we all share an achievement mindset – we don’t naturally sit in the uncertain and ambiguous. We are a vibrant and goal-oriented bunch – we move quickly, and we jump to solution thinking and laser focus. I challenge us all to take a minute, breathe and lean into the VUCA-ness of it all…you never know where it may lead.

Hot Tip!

Want to know more about how to the develop the skills to thrive in this VUCA world? Book your spot now for the NSW/ACT Chapter Summit, being held in May in Canberra. Don’t miss this opportunity, places are limited. Book now.

Myfanwy Stanfield | Director of Community Engagement | Ascham School

Creating Impactful Alumni Stories

By Geoff Anderson  | Video Producer, Presenter, Author  |  Sonic Sight

I love the impact that engaging Alumni stories have for a school, college or university.

At the end of the day Alumni are the showcase of what your institution provides. They are the best people to demonstrate the future.

When producing videos for schools I have been impressed with the different ways Alumni can help a cause.

Fundraising:

The stories told by bursary/scholarship recipients emotionally connect with the viewer and motivate them to donate. Even during COVID we saw schools successfully run campaigns that focused on the need to support students who could make a difference if they were given the chance.

This video for Riverview told the story of bursary recipients who grabbed the opportunity with both hands and went on to give back to society. Even during the tough times it was a very successful campaign.

Marketing:

Of course, hearing of success stories from alumni is a valuable marketing tool. Showing the leaders of the community who went to your school or college is a clear way to demonstrate what’s possible from your institution.

These types of videos can demonstrate the character of the alumni that are molded through their years of immersion at your institution. Depending on the age of your institution you will have generations of impressive alumni to draw upon.

Students:

Another great benefit of alumni stories is for current students. They can see what is possible, what careers they can aspire to and be connected with alumni who have already walked the path. 

In seeing these stories the students can be inspired to set challenging goals for themselves based on what they can see others have done.

Alumni stories can be emotive, persuasive and inspirational. They are incredibly powerful and an amazing resource for any institution. How well are you leveraging the power of your alumni stories?

By Geoff Anderson | Sonic Sight  |  0419 244 447

Award Winning Video Producer, 2 x times Best Selling Author, Keynote Presenter. Video Specialist, President Macquarie Park Ryde Business Chamber, Occasional comic.

Thank you to our NSW/ACT Chapter Partner: 

Thank You to our Partners

We’d like to extend a huge ‘Thank You’ to our valuable partners, who support the Chapter in our activities and enable us to provide wonderful opportunities to our Members and Non-Members. We ask that you please consider supporting them, so that in turn, they can continue to support us. 

Thank You to our Educate Plus Strategic Partners

Thank You to our NSW/ACT Chapter Partners

Thank You to our NSW/ACT Summit Partners

Thank You to our NSW/ACT Summit Dinner, Lunch, PD, Venue and In-Kind Partners

Regional Professional Development Survey

Are you part of our valued ‘regional’ contingent of the NSW/ACT Chapter?

If so, the NSW/ACT Chapter Committee would love your thoughts and feedback on the Professional Development opportunities you would like to receive this year.

Please spend three minutes responding to the questions below so that we can tailor sessions for you that are meaningful and have content that you need.

Thank you in advance for your input!

To complete the NSW/ACT Regional Professional Development Survey, CLICK HERE

New Member Welcome

We extend a very warm welcome to our latest Members, who have recently joined us since the last Chapter eNews. We are thrilled to have you as part of our NSW/ACT Chapter community!

For those that join from March-May 2023, the next ‘New Member Meetup’ is on 7 June, 2023. Closer to the date, we will send you a link to participate in this online session, which is open to all new Members across all Chapters. 

These sessions are a wonderful, informal way catch up with other new Members, and to hear more about the benefits of being a Member and what is available to you on our website. 

Welcome!

Keep Connected

Connect on the Educate Plus Socials!

Stay connected with your fellow Advancement professionals to keep abreast of best practice, discover new approaches and technologies, and gain valuable industry insights.

To keep you to up to date with what’s happening in the Advancement sector, please connect with Educate Plus on LinkedIn and Facebook. In addition, we invite you to follow the NSW/ACT Chapter Facebook page for even more localised connecting and informational updates.