2020 Educate Plus NZ Chapter Professional Development Survey

Thanks to those of you who completed the Professional Development survey sent out in early December. The results were very useful is assisting the NZ Committee to plan professional development offerings for the next two years.

We were pleased to have responses from members across private and state schools and tertiary institutions as well. 60% of responses came from members who work in 1-3 person teams highlighted the prevalence of small offices and part-time, multi-faceted roles throughout our sector. The majority of respondents indicated that they would prefer a half-day morning PD session format that cost up to $140 and included lunch.

After the success of the 2019 NZ Chapter Conference in Dunedin it was great to see that 100% of respondents see value in the relevance and affordability of the “homegrown flagship event” and are planning on attending next year’s 2021 NZ Chapter Conference (venue and date announcement is in the pipeline!).

Many of you are also planning on heading to the 2020 Educate Plus International Conference in Adelaide, although 56% did say it was dependent upon financial support (of which there is plenty on offer in the form of Travel Grants!).

Finally, and of huge assistance to us for our planning, the range of preferred topics for professional development sessions was varied dependent on respondent responsibilities. Several topics came through repeatedly, and these will be featured in your NZ Chapter “Advancement in Action” initiatives throughout 2020 and 2021:

Bequests and Planned Annual Giving Programmes
Measurement and Reporting Impact and Engagement measurement
Advancement Systems and Procedures Database and Records Management; Legal Matters; Grant Applications
Fundraising appeals and campaigns e.g. Annual Appeals; Online Giving; Major Gifts and Capital Campaigns
Utilising Linked In for Finding Lost Alumni
Institutional Leaders Training
Case Studies and Field Trips to member institutions

The 2020 Educate Plus NZ Professional Development programme got underway with a late afternoon guest speaker and networking event hosted at the University of Canterbury on Wednesday 26th February. The inspiring guest speaker was ex-pat Kiwi Simone Dumergue, Marketing and Communications Manager (Faculty of Science), University of Bath. Local members enjoyed an enlightening practical presentation on the successful S2S (Student-to-Student) marketing approaches adopted by University of Bath.

Educate Plus NZ Chapter members in Canterbury enjoyed the opportunity to gain marketing insights from ex-pat Kiwi and former CPIT Head of Marketing Simone Dumergue currently Marketing and Communications Manager at the University of Bath.

Thanks to the University of Canterbury and Chapter President Naomi Wilde (on right) for hosting the after-work network and PD session with Simone Dumergue, Marketing and Communications Manager at the University of Bath.

The two key Professional Development events on offer to all members in the year include a national road show (Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch) in the week of 8th June featuring Australasian advancement experts Dr Alan Watkinson and Ann Badger who will co-present a workshop focussing on Best Practice for Small Office operations and Successful Bequest Programmes.

And of course, in September, advancement practitioners throughout Australasia will be gathering in Adelaide for the 2020 Educate Plus International Conference from Tuesday 8th (Pre-Conference Masterclasses and Workshops) until Friday 11th September. For details including conference programme and registration costs head to https://www.epadelaide2020.edu.au/

Thank you again to those members who took the time to respond to our Professional Development survey – it’s very reassuring to know that the programme being delivered over the next two years is what you want and need!