]<\/em><\/p>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0![\"\"](\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2024\/11\/The-4-Pillars-of-Donor-Relations.jpg\")
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Donor Relations Pillar 1 \u2013 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Communicate the same way they donated e.g. online donation, acknowledge by email; in-person donation, acknowledge with phone call<\/li>\n
- Ideal thank you is 2-3 sentences (says who they are and their behavior)<\/li>\n
- The amount of the donor\u2019s contribution is the least <\/em>you know about them<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Donor Relations Pillar 2 \u2013 STEWARDSHIP & REPORTING<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Use the word \u201cgenerosity\u201d as it is more inclusive than \u201cphilanthropy\u201d<\/li>\n
- Tell the donor WHAT you do with their money\n
\n- 85% of donors don\u2019t know what their money did<\/li>\n
- 84% of donors give more money to those who show results<\/li>\n
- 77% of millennial donors stop if they do not see an impact<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Stewardship \u2013 <\/strong>spend your time doing<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2024\/11\/Stewardship-Spend-your-time-doing.jpg\")
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Donor Relations Pillar 3 \u2013 RECOGNITION <\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Has changed a lot in the last 15-20 years<\/li>\n
- Ask donors what is your \u201cwhy?\u201d i.e. Why did you donate first? \u201cWhat do you want your legacy to be?\u201d<\/li>\n
- Donors don\u2019t want to be recognised on how much<\/em> they give<\/li>\n
- Successful recognition is behaviour-based, inclusive and individual recognition<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2024\/11\/Behaviour-Based-Donors.jpg\")
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2024\/11\/Donor-Chart.jpg\")
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Donor Relations Pillar 4 – ENGAGEMENT\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Create a memory<\/li>\n
- What we do with<\/strong> donors, not to them<\/li>\n
- Planned<\/strong> interactions + surprise <\/strong>and delight <\/strong><\/li>\n
- Promote loyalty <\/strong><\/li>\n
- Small, unexpected<\/strong> touches<\/li>\n
- Deliver consistency <\/strong><\/li>\n
- It\u2019s about them<\/strong>, not us!<\/li>\n
- Stop being institutions, be a cause<\/li>\n
- Your Board makes the environment good to donate \u2013 have the Board write 5 thank you letters to donors a year<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/d1dfwahqlx324v.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2024\/11\/Final-Thought.jpg\")
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\n <\/p>\n
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS PILLAR<\/strong><\/h5>\nPresented by Nicola Parsons, <\/strong>Director of Development and Community Relations, Lindisfarne College, Hastings<\/p>\nNicola\u2019s Top Takeaways:<\/strong><\/p>\n1.Beyond the Parent Survey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- consider the full spectrum of what our \u2018customers\u2019 (our students and families) experience<\/li>\n
- It\u2019s more than just feedback on academics\u2014it\u2019s about tapping into feelings of happiness, connection, belonging, gratitude, confidence,<\/em> and understanding<\/em><\/li>\n
- Listening and responding to these \u201cfelt\u201d experiences helps our school to lead by empathy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
2.Sponsorships Matter: <\/strong>(Presenter: John Phillips,<\/strong> Brighton Grammar School, Melbourne)<\/p>\n\n- \n
\n- Start small<\/li>\n
- Avoid over-promising<\/li>\n
- Focus on building sustainable relationships<\/li>\n
- Treat all sponsors equally and create a \u201csponsor family\u201d sense of unity and respect amongst them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
3.Writing for a Distracted Audience: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n- \n
\n- Write for skimmers:<\/em> <\/strong>Craft content that catches the eye of those who quickly scan.<\/li>\n
- Know your audience\u2019s journey:<\/em> <\/strong>Inform, connect, and meet them where they are.<\/li>\n
- Keep it clear and concise:<\/em> <\/strong>Short sentences and clear structure make all the difference.<\/li>\n
- Prioritise layout and design:<\/em> <\/strong>From top to bottom, organise messages from \u201cmust know\u201d to \u201cnice to know.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
4.From Burnout to Brilliance: (Keynote speaker: Trudy McDonald)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- \n
\n- Adopt daily \u201cmicro-updates\u201d<\/em><\/strong> – a quick, informal five-minute check-in to share current tasks and brainstorm ways to support each other. This simple change could help our team stay focused and collaborative.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
For Nicola\u2019s full report as a recipient of an Educate Plus NZ Travel Grant, see her separate article \u201cA \u201cFirst Timer\u2019s\u201d Journey to the Educate Plus International Conference\u201d<\/strong> in this e-news<\/em><\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\n
ALUMNI & COMMUNITY RELATIONS PILLAR<\/strong><\/h5>\nPresented by Emma Zigan, <\/strong>Director of Development, Dilworth School, Auckland<\/p>\nFrom Conference Session 7A \u2013 <\/strong>Lifelong Bonds: Designing an Alumni Program for enduring connections.\u00a0 Presenter: <\/strong>Simon Jones, The Manchester Grammar School, UK<\/p>\nEmma\u2019s Top Takeaways:<\/strong><\/p>\nBuild your school’s brand to inspire “Love Beyond All Reason”<\/strong>\u00a0 e.g. Apple, All Blacks, Coke.<\/p>\n\n- Alumni should feel deeply connected and proud of their school.<\/li>\n
- Alumni want to see the value of their institution grow and control their alumni journey.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What Alumni Want:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Easy access to:\n
\n- References and academic verification<\/li>\n
- Mentors, career advice, key people<\/li>\n
- Financial and emotional support<\/li>\n
- Global networks<\/li>\n
- Events (even if they can\u2019t attend)<\/li>\n
- News stories celebrating alumni success<\/li>\n
- Lifelong learning and academic staff<\/li>\n
- Admissions insider track<\/li>\n
- Direct communication with school leaders (Headmaster, Advancement team)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How to Achieve This:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Provide:\n
\n- Institutional history (archives, lessons on school history)<\/li>\n
- Philanthropy as part of the communication strategy<\/li>\n
- Digital archives accessible to all<\/li>\n
- Promoted campus visits, nostalgia, and storytelling<\/li>\n
- Endowment education with current students (understanding school costs and the importance of giving back)<\/li>\n
- Careers team integrated with Advancement (linking younger and older alumni to mentorship and internships)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- At graduation, transition students to alumni by formally introducing them to the Director of Advancement and the Alumni Association. This marks their new status as alumni.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n <\/p>\n
LEADERSHIP PILLAR<\/strong><\/h5>\nPresented by: Angela Coe<\/strong>, Director of Development, Diocesan School for Girls, Auckland<\/p>\nFrom Conference Workshop: <\/strong>Strategic Planning for Senior Leadership \u00a0Presenter<\/strong>: Robyn Edwards & Conference Session<\/p>\nAngela\u2019s Top Takeaways:<\/strong><\/p>\nChanging Demands of Leadership today<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Need to effectively balance empathy with accountability<\/li>\n
- A more human-centric approach is required<\/li>\n
- Think \u201cone team\u201d \u2013 where transparency, psychological safety and empowerment are evident<\/li>\n
- Balance being direct and specific with a high level of care<\/li>\n
- Know your team<\/li>\n
- 5-10 minutes \u2018stand up\u2019 meeting at the start of the day<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a0Why a strategy?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- A guide\/pathway for the organisation\u2019s future<\/li>\n
- Sets the organisation\u2019s defensible direction<\/li>\n
- Thought to ponder: If Dio\/your organisation walked in the door today what would he\/she look like? Who would they be? <\/strong>i.e. what are their values, character strengths and resulting behaviours?<\/em><\/li>\n
- Lead courageously<\/strong> \u2013 this will instil an inspiring environment of innovation and progress where making mistakes is \u201csafe\u201d as an essential avenue of improvement<\/li>\n
- Collaborate with\u00a0unified direction<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Articulate the heart<\/strong>\u00a0of your organisation<\/li>\n
- Have\u00a0the courage not to be generic<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n <\/p>\n
ADMISSIONS PILLAR<\/strong><\/h5>\nPresented by: Shelley Keach<\/strong>, Senior Development Manager, Christ\u2019s College, Christchurch (for Sarah Fechney<\/strong>, Admissions Registrar, Christ\u2019s College)<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/strong>Sarah\u2019s Top Takeaways:<\/strong><\/p>\n\u00a01.<\/strong>Parent expectations are increasingly demanding<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Demand on emails in increasing<\/li>\n
- Clear email 3 x per day, provide Out Of Office message at other times<\/li>\n
- We are all in relational, responsive roles so timely responses are very important<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
2.Improve communication with international families<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Consider making available a welcome communication and School Guide in several different languages<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
3.Data storage processes need constant review in keeping with Privacy Act legislation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Records must be reviewed six-monthly e.g. birth certificates, passport, current photos. What remains? What needs updating?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
4.Positive transitions cultivate identity and belonging<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Increase personal tours and weekend tours as opportunities for one-on-one contact with families<\/li>\n
- Even if waitlists prevail, retain Open Day events as an awareness building and\/or an engagement opportunity with prospective families<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
Several presenters expressed their gratitude for the Educate Plus NZ Professional Development grants<\/strong> that enabled them to travel to the International Conference. The purpose of these grants is to enable as many members as possible to benefit from the experience of an Educate Plus professional development opportunity. All members are encouraged to apply for these grants which will be offered again leading into the NZ Chapter Summit in Wellington on 19-20 August 2025<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With the intention of providing all New Zealand members with some topline takeaways from the 2024 Educate Plus Empowering Success International Conference in Perth, several attendees gathered online prior to this year\u2019s NZ Chapter AGM and shared their insights from various conference sessions. The video of the session can be viewed in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1579,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","class_list":["post-1575","article","type-article","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/1575","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/article"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1575"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1579"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/educateplus-nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1575"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}