{"id":1536,"date":"2024-11-13T10:26:38","date_gmt":"2024-11-12T23:26:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nz\/?post_type=article&p=1536"},"modified":"2024-11-14T09:55:19","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T22:55:19","slug":"a-first-timers-journey-to-the-educate-plus-international-conference","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nz\/article\/a-first-timers-journey-to-the-educate-plus-international-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"A \u201cFirst Timer\u2019s\u201d Journey to the Educate Plus International Conference\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

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This article was submitted by Nicola Parsons | Director of Marketing & Advancement, Lindisfarne College, NZ<\/strong><\/h5>\n

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As the Director of Marketing & Advancement at Lindisfarne College in New Zealand, my professional journey has led me to many New Zealand Chapter Conferences and Summits over the years. However, attending the recent Educate Plus International Conference in Perth was my first time at an international event of this scale – a true ‘virgin’ experience for me!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For those who don\u2019t know me, I spent over 15 years in the marketing and project management industry, predominantly within agriculture, before stepping into my current role in 2018. Since then, I\u2019ve been an active Educate Plus member, joining the NZ Chapter Committee three years ago and serving as the Chapter Secretary for the past year. I joined the Committee because of how much I gained from being a member, this network and its resources have been instrumental in my transition from a competitive industry to one rooted in support and shared learning. The openness and willingness of Educate Plus members to share their knowledge was not just refreshing, it was astonishing!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For someone from a small, regional school, getting to an international conference was a significant commitment of budget resources, and I was fortunate to receive a scholarship from the NZ Chapter. This support helped me convey the benefits of attending to my school, making the financial side of things a lot more manageable. I can\u2019t thank the chapter enough; it truly opened the door to a transformative experience.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Arriving in Perth, I felt both excited and grateful. This was not only my first time in the city but also a unique opportunity to connect with nearly 700 advancement professionals from around the world. The camaraderie among my fellow NZ Chapter members was heartwarming; they welcomed me as part of their team, making me feel right at home. In advancement roles, we often work as \u2018one-man bands,\u2019 so being able to come together with a community of like-minded professionals was a powerful reminder that we are not alone in our challenges.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As I reflect on the key takeaways from the sessions, here are a few that particularly resonated with me:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1.Beyond the Parent Survey:<\/span><\/b> This session prompted me to consider the full spectrum of what our \u2018customers\u2019 (our students and families) experience. It\u2019s more than just feedback on academics\u2014it\u2019s about tapping into feelings of <\/span>happiness, connection, belonging, gratitude, confidence,<\/span><\/i> and <\/span>understanding<\/span><\/i>. Listening and responding to these \u201cfelt\u201d experiences helps our school to lead by empathy.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Sponsorships Matter:<\/span><\/b> John Phillips from Brighton Grammar School in Melbourne gave an insightful talk on sponsorships. His advice to start small, avoid over-promising, and focus on building sustainable relationships made a strong impact. I appreciated their philosophy of treating all sponsors equally, creating a sense of unity and respect among them.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Writing for a Distracted Audience:<\/span><\/b> With so much of my work focused on digital communication, this session was a goldmine. My top takeaways included:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n