This was my first week of doing a hybrid schedule at CHA. For Monday and Friday of this week, I am able to work from home and then was in person Tues-Thurs. This week has been a continuation from last week. I am still chipping away at donations for our live and silent auction for the Taste to Remember event at the end of August. Anne Marie has been keeping me in the loop for any updates regarding logistics for the event, including invitations, timeline, volunteers, etc. I began picking up items on Wednesday at businesses, and even went into a business to give them an in person pitch. 

I also am continuously working on our venue rolodex, researching the most affordable yet professional presenting event venues. I have been able to make phone calls and communicate with event coordinators via email regarding their venue size, price, and deciphering what kind of event we could hold there. I am then rating the venues on a 1-5 scale based on location, ambiance, flexibility, price/value, and responsiveness. Each venue will receive a score out of 5. 

As I mentioned at the Foundation session this week, I am grateful for all the ways CHA has helped me on my professional development journey. Sitting down with Julie Homon, Director of Grants and Foundation Relations for CHA, helped me by seeing her process and how she stays organized. I was also able to join the Giving USA on Wednesday where I was able to learn more about the fundraising process and how to position the donor as the “hero.” An ongoing conversation at CHA is donor diversification, and how to leverage individual donations, as data shows that they are the biggest share of donations for non-profits. 

Finally, as promised, here is a photo of Anne Marie and I at the DLZ Car Show Fundraiser, my first official development event at CHA. We passed out fun fidgets – I will be sure to bring some to our next convening! I have attached a photo at the bottom of this post as well.