INDC Membership Meeting:

Philanthropy along with Leadership,

and Ethics in Today’s World

...according to Gonzaga University President,

Father Robert Spitzer

March 23, 2005

Noon- 2:00PM

Gonzaga University Campus

Cataldo Building (Globe Room) 

29 E Boone Ave, 99202-1704  (across from St. Al’s)

Many people have heard Father Robert Spitzer, the colorful and visionary President of Gonzaga University speak on topics ranging from leadership to ethics.  Come listen to Father Spitzer talk about philanthropy, (Gonzaga raised a record $17.1 million in 2004), along with the importance or leadership and ethics in today’s changing world.

Father Robert Spitzer has been President of Gonzaga University since 1998, and is a writer, professor, and speaker involved with community boards and projects.

Father Spitzer, S.J., Ph.D., wears many hats. He is a Jesuit priest, the president of Gonzaga University, an author, speaker, teacher, and a participant in community affairs. His fresh and innovative approach stems from his diverse areas of interest: public accounting, finance, theology, physics, metaphysics, ethics, and, of course, Gonzaga!

With his previous experience as Professor of Business Ethics and Director of the Institute of Professional Ethics at Seattle University, he has worked in an advisory role with over 300 companies such as Boeing, Toyota, Costco, and Caterpillar.

Father  Spitzer averages 130 major business and public presentations per year, including: Tony Blair's Cabinet in London, officials of the Russian Orthodox Church, leaders of both sides of the Northern Ireland conflict, and to members of the current leadership in Costa Rica.

For more information on Father Robert Spitzer visit www.robertspitzer.com

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Awe Spring…a time when the weather gets better, crocuses bloom and you’re finally able to enjoy all the back-breaking labor spent in season’s past to create your landscape.

A comprehensive development program is much like a garden. It requires a plan, a good foundation, cultivation, planting of seeds, and time. The reward is a bountiful harvest. In that same vein we work day in and day out at our various nonprofit organizations to cultivate donors to become giving legacies to our mission. To get that perfect flower/donor we analyze what type of soil we have, amend it, check the sun/shade exposure, determine water and fertilization needs and select the perfect donor for our organizational landscape. What we present in our annual reports, newsletters, events and appeals are the fruits of endless hours spent “amending our soil” by writing proposals, going to board meetings, donor cultivation calls and planning events.

The fundraising gardener must be optimistic the weather patterns will hold and what was planted will survive the winter and become a well-established feature you can look forward to see blooming every year. You must also have a plan in case some things don’t survive the winter or in the event you found a need to redesign your landscape to fit the environment better.

In this time of rebirth and renewal, it is important to get back to basics. Take a step back and decide what truly drives you personally and professionally to be part of your nonprofit organization. Are you cultivating a growing garden or one that is full of rocks, clay and weeds? In either case, would you be willing to go out in 45 degree weather and pull weeds when it’s raining or are you a fair-weather fundraiser? As we crawl out of economic recession in an era of cautionary spending, can you make a case for why your organization needs support from our community?

These are important questions we all ask ourselves as we mull over our case statements. It’s time to get back to basics and ask, “Why are we here?” Come to our next meeting on March 23, 2005 and listen to an area expert on philanthropy and philosophy as Father Spitzer speaks about Ethics in Philanthropy.

Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

JoAnne Watts

President

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The Board of Directors of Foundation Northwest has named Mark Hurtubise, formerly president of Argosy University in Seattle to become the Foundation's third president & CEO, effective May 1, 2005. Mark will succeed Peter Jackson and his predecessor, Jeanne Ager, each of whom lead the Foundation for 14 years.

Mark has been president of Argosy University in Seattle since 2001. Previously, he served as president and professor at Mount Mary College in South Dakota for five years and Sierra-Nevada College for nine years. He holds an Ed.D in organizational leadership from the University of San Francisco, as well as a J.D. from Lincoln University Law School. He also earned a M.A. in U.S. history from Santa Clara University and a B.A. on psychology from St. Joseph's College, Indiana.

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Are you interested in creating lasting networks, understanding regional issues and the “why” behind them, refining your leadership skills, and meeting and working with decision makers, industry professionals, and civic leaders? If so, you’re invited to apply for a place in the Leadership Spokane Class of 2006.

Leadership Spokane’s goal is to ensure that the community’s pool of talented leaders is continually renewed.  Annually, 45 to 50 individuals are accepted into the program and emerge as vigorous, well-informed and responsible leaders. The course begins with Orientation in August, a two-day overnight retreat in September and then meets the first Friday of the month through June. Students explore issues, culture, economy, history and infrastructure of our community.  Professionals directly working in the day’s topic present information and assist the students in exploration and study.  

In addition, participants refine their leadership skills in consensus building, team building, systems thinking, facilitation, conflict resolution, visioning and personal leadership.  Today, Leadership Spokane graduates are effective leaders in business, the neighborhoods, the arts, politics, education and human services.

Tuition for this 10-month program is $2,500.  A limited number of scholarships is available. To request an application or more information, call 459-4110 or visit the website at www.leadershipspokane.org.  To learn more, attend an optional informational briefing at the Spokane Regional Business Center at 801 W Riverside.  Dates and times are:  March 11 at 12 Noon; and March 30  at 5:15 PM.  Applications are due April 11, 2005.  All applicants will be interviewed during the week of 25 April and notified of their acceptance into the class shortly thereafter. 

Leadership Spokane is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preparing and encouraging a diverse group of community members to assume trustee leader roles for the purpose of building effective communities throughout the greater Spokane area. 

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Our non-profit world in Spokane isn't as big as one might think. To know who's where now, we've listed some of the new postions and moves in our newsletter.

Kirsten Carlile started a new position in September as the Director of Children's Miracle Network (CMN). She was previously the donor relations coordinator. They also have a new staff member at CMN, Angie Kelleher, Annual Fund Coordinator who was previously with the Spokane Symphony.
 

Please let us know when you have a new hire, or have changed postions by contacting Kerry Witlzius, VP of Communications, or through the INDC contact.

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Did you know that the following positions are listed on the INDC Web site?

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The Importance of Respecting Donor Wishes: GuideStar February Question of the Month Results

Article provided by GuideStar -  www.guidestar.org/npoI

In the days immediately after the December 26 tsunamis, journalists frequently asked GuideStar, "How can donors be sure their money really is going to be used for tsunami relief?" (Short version of our answer: "Ask the charity before giving.")

A consumer affairs reporter was surprised when a charity's television ad included a disclaimer that some tsunami donations might be used to assist victims of other disasters. Several journalists asked for our reaction when Doctors without Borders and the Red Cross announced they were no longer accepting donations for tsunami relief, although contributions for other purposes were still welcome. (Short version of our answer: "It's an incredibly responsible thing for them to do.")

These conversations led to February's Question of the Month, "Should charities be able to use earmarked donations (those given for a specific purpose or program) for other things?" The answer was a resounding "No":

Although we purposely kept the question broad to invite a range of responses, several themes appeared in the comments.

No—"It Is a Matter of Trust"

Most frequently, participants from the "No" camp emphasized that donors must be able to trust the nonprofits they support. "It is a matter of trust," stated Shirley Raymond of Harrison County Community Services, Inc. Linda J. Brown of the National Storytelling Network agreed: "It's a violation of trust, if funds are used for purposes not authorized by the donor."

A substantial number of people described redirecting designated gifts as "unethical." The phrase "bait and switch" appeared several times.

Participants placed the onus squarely on the nonprofits. Daniel Norensberg of the Norensberg Foundation, Inc. expressed the thoughts of many when he stated, "Charities MUST respect the wishes of the contributor. If the charity does not like the idea then it should not take the donation."

On a similar note, Mary Ferrell of the Fairmount Park Conservancy also spoke for many in the "No" camp when she asserted, "Ack! This is fundamental to the trust people have in our sector! We do what the donor tells us with their money, or we send it back to them. Period."

An anonymous participant noted that charities should educate and inform donors: "Donors need to be able to trust that their money will be used as designated. Meanwhile nonprofits should focus on finding ways to share with donors the areas of greatest need."

Several people said that a donor's contribution can be diverted to another use IF the donor gives permission ahead of time. As Peter Ulrich of the Lark Ellen Lions Charities and Opera Buffs wrote, "The donor's request should always be honored unless permission is obtained to use the funds for another purpose."

Bonnie C. Sovinee of the Arc of Somerset County suggested that such cases can present an opportunity for the nonprofit. "If the need changed, the donor should be made aware, and offered the opportunity to learn about the shift. It could be a way for the donor to give additionally."

Sally Luallen, of the Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita, Kansas, concurred. "The donor should know, at least. In some cases donors put so many restrictions on use that it is impossible to use. I have found that if you talk with the donor, many times they will agree."

Finally, Catherine Clark of Sherwood Forest Incorporated recommended looking at the bigger picture: "Donor wishes are paramount. However, if general funding has gone to that budget line, it can always be shifted out to make way for the restricted funds. Money is fungible!"

Maybe—"When the Specific Purpose ... Is No Long Applicable"

The "Maybe" responses also fell into clear categories. Like many of the "No" participants, several "Maybe" respondents stressed the need to get donors' permission to redirect earmarked gifts. Lois Arkin of CRSP noted that donor approval could come "either at the front end of the donation" or "when the npo requests a 'change in use' from the donor later on." In the case of bequests, an anonymous participant advocated "applying to [the] probate court."

Another anonymous participant described a second circumstance when redistribution is appropriate: "When the specific purpose identified by the donor is no longer applicable at the charity. For example, an endowment created 75 years ago for a program that no longer exists today." Don Windham of International Children's Network offered a popular variation on this theme, "If the intended purpose for the donation has already obtained its financial goal." Linda D. Sayers of Auburn University spoke for many "Maybe" respondents when she specified, "The alternate use [should be] as close as possible to the donor's original intent."

Yes—"Times Change"

The handful of "Yes" participants echoed points offered by both the "No" and "Maybe" camps. Diana Sieberns of the Wildlife Center stipulated that contributions be redirected "only if [the nonprofits] have donor permission." Several people mentioned that a program might become fully funded.

One anonymous respondent sounded a theme that appeared often in the "Yes" comments: "Times change. What might be an important need one year may not be an issue in later years." This individual suggested, "Donor restrictions should be honored for a period of time but when that need disappears, the restriction should be removed."

Another anonymous participant emphasized that redirecting contributions "should be reserved for certain exceptional situations."

Conclusion

Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of the Question of the Month participants identified themselves as nonprofit board members, employees, or volunteers. Their comments demonstrate the keen sense of responsibility people in the sector feel toward their organizations' supporters. That's good news for everyone who is working to increase confidence in the nation's nonprofits.

Suzanne E. Coffman, March 2005
© 2005, Philanthropic Research, Inc. (GuideStar)

Suzanne Coffman is GuideStar's director of communications and editor of the Newsletter.

Posted courtesy of GuideStar. GuideStar invites all 501(c) organizations eligible to accept tax-deductible contributions to update their GuideStar Reports.

For more information regarding this article and/or GuideStar, go to www.guidestar.org/npo.”

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Student volunteers at East Valley High are always looking for opportunities for community service. These East Valley students receive credit for completing 80 or 160 hours of community service. Additionally, beginning with this year's Freshman class students are now required to complete 40 hours of community service for graduation. For more information Contact Lynn Lauer, Work Base Learning Coordinator and Student Community Service Coordinator, East Valley High School, at (509) 927-3200 or LauerL@evsd.org.

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