by Angela White

On Thursday, August 13, JGA had a new computer server installed by Port-to-Port Consulting. As you can imagine, this meant that we would have a disruption in our email service (as well as all other network services) for an estimated 24 hour period.

Even though we had ample advanced notice, there were some frightening moments leading up to our forced email sabbatical. How would we communicate with clients? What if we couldn’t view our electronic calendars? You get the idea. Well, I assumed that I would be one of the most nervous about this situation (you’ll recall my prior blog about my email addiction). Just the opposite occurred – I was actually excited about a day free of the constant checking of email and glancing at my iPhone at stoplights!

I wasn’t excited because of lessened client contact (all I had to do was pick up the phone and call my clients), but rather I was excited to have permission not to be tied to my email. Much to my dismay, our email was back up on working by 1:30 p.m., thanks to the good work of our tech providers at Port-to-Port. However, this email-free day did cause one of my colleagues to wonder if we should have a self-imposed monthly email-free day. Not a bad idea – a day free of checking email and more attention to the face-to-face contact and telephone discussions.

Have any of you tried this? Do you think it’s worth trying? Send me an email and let me know!

JGA introduces new Web site

On January 7, 2009, JGA launched a new Web site. The updated site features a fresh look and improved user navigation. It was designed to provide visitors with easy access to information about the firm, staff, service offerings, and the latest firm news. A highlight of the new site is the inclusion of case studies, which offer real examples of the impact JGA and its clients have made. This portion of the site will be dynamic, with new case studies added monthly. In 2009, the site will also include an extensive resources section aimed at linking nonprofits with helpful tips, tools, and information from a variety of sources.

Notes for the Reflective Practitioner

JGA is proud to continue publication of Paul Pribbenow’s, “Notes for the Reflective Practitioner” article series throughout 2009.  His articles will be published bi-monthly to the Resources section of the JGA Web site. Paul is President of Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Due to technical complications, a number of Paul’s 2008 articles were not previously published on the JGA Web site. However, all of the 2008 “Notes for the Reflective Practitioner” are now available for viewing. We encourage our visitors to visit the Resources pages to read these enlightening articles.

JGA wishes to extend its thanks to Paul for providing us and our site’s visitors with these valuable resources.

JGA Sponsors CIC Presidents Institute

As the firm has for the past three years, JGA sponsored the awards reception of the Council of Independent Colleges Presidents Institute, January 4-7, 2009. This year’s conference was held in Bonita Springs, Florida.

JGA is a presenting sponsor of the Indiana Achievement Awards

The Indiana Achievement Awards are given annually to six area nonprofits that have experienced significant success during the year. The Ninth Annual Indiana Nonprofit Awards were presented Tuesday, November 18, 2008, at the Indianapolis Marriott North. Angela White was a facilitator of the judging process this year. To find out more about the Indiana Achievement Awards, click on the IAA logo.

Meg Gammage-Tucker teaches at Indiana University

Meg Gammage-Tucker has been asked to present at the Indiana University (Bloomington) School of Public and Environmental Affairs. She will speak about Capital Campaigns with a combined graduate and undergraduate class on Fund Development on Wednesday, October 22, 2008. Meg is an adjunct faculty member at IU.

New senior consultant joins JGA

JGA is pleased to announce that Dan Schipp joined the firm as a senior consultant on August 1, 2008. Dan brings more than 25 years of advancement experience to the JGA team. Most recently, he served as vice president of institutional advancement at Saint Meinrad Archabbey and School of Theology in Saint Meinrad, Indiana.

JGA expands its offices

To accommodate its growing staff, JGA expanded its office space in late July 2008. This time, JGA expanded its office space with the addition of new offices, storage and workspace, and a new conference room.

Kris Kindelsperger presents at ICAA Summer Conference

On July 31, Kris Kindelsperger co-presented, “Using a Development Audit to Your Greatest Advantage” with Tanya Shelton, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, West Virginia Wesleyan College. The presentation was part of the Independent College Advancement Associates (ICAA) summer conference at Maumee Bay Resort in Ohio.

JGA sponsors presidential address at ICAA Summer Conference

JGA proudly sponsored West Virginia Wesleyan College President Dr. Pamela Balch’s Presidential Address to attendees at the ICAA Summer Conference on August 1. Dr. Balch addressed the future of fundraising.

JGA intern returns to Wabash College

The JGA team would like to thank Michael Wartman for his work this summer as an intern in Marketing/Communications. Michael is heading back to Wabash College for his senior year.

Angela White speaks at AFP Luncheon Series

The Lafayette Region of the Indiana Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals welcomed Angela White to their April 3 luncheon. Angela spoke to the group about sustaining annual giving for today and tomorrow.

Kris Kindelsperger presents to the Indiana Grantmakers Alliance

Kris Kindelsperger presented “Strategies for Operational Sustainability” to the Indiana Grantmakers Alliance on April 10 in Indianapolis.

Ted Grossnickle and Kris Kindelsperger participate in the Cincinnati Fundraising Conference

Ted Grossnickle and Kris Kindelsperger participated in a panel discussion on the basics of capital campaigns at the Cincinnati Fundraising Conference on April 29.

JGA helps sponsor CIC Institute again in 2008

As the firm has for the past two years, JGA once again sponsored the awards reception of the Council of Independent Colleges Presidents Institute. The conference was held January 4-7, 2008, in Marco Island, Florida.

Angela White guest lectures at Butler University

Angela White served as guest lecturer for an arts administration class at Butler University on February 26, 2007. She spoke on the topic of campaign planning for arts organizations.

Kris Kindelsperger addresses class at Hanover College

On February 22, 2007, Kris Kindelsperger spoke on the topic of fund development for nonprofits to a nonprofit management class at Hanover College.

Ted Grossnickle speaks at Wabash College; quoted in University Business article

Ted Grossnickle presented a keynote address to a student leaders workshop at Wabash College on January 9, 2007. The topic of his speech was “An Owner’s Manual.” Also in January, Ted was quoted in University Business Magazine in “Excuse Me, Can You Spare a Million?,” an article on corporate philanthropy. The article describes how corporate philanthropy has changed over the last decade and how a different approach to corporate donors may help to secure the funds needed for your institution. The article can be viewed online at www.universitybusiness.com.

JGA sponsors university presidents’ conference

For the second year, JGA sponsored the Council for Independent Colleges annual conference for university presidents’ “Presidents Institute 2007: The Anticipatory Presidency and the 21st Century Campus.” The conference was held from January 4-7, 2007, at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to sponsorship, Ted Grossnickle presented along with others in a Workshop on Comprehensive Campaigns on January 7. To find out more about the conference, access: http://www.cic.edu

New clients

JGA is pleased to announce that we are working with new client Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Indiana Achievement Awards
Sycamore Foundation

The Indiana Achievement Awards are given annually to six area nonprofits that have experienced significant success during the year. This year, the awards were given at the Indiana Grantmakers Alliance Fall Conference on Friday, November 9, at the Indianapolis Marriott North. Angela White was a facilitator of the judging process this year. To find out more about the Indiana Achievement Awards, click on the IAA logo above.

Ted Grossnickle chairs IUCOP special task force, speaks at various meetings

Ted Grossnickle, Chairman and CEO of JGA, chaired a task force for the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy.. The task force, which focused on campaign readiness, met several times through the summer and early fall of 2007.
On September 14,Ted Grossnickle spoke at a two-day retreat for the Indiana University Foundation. Attendees included chancellors, vice chancellors, and top volunteers from IU’s regional campuses. He focused on fundraising concepts within the context of a regional campus.

In addition, Ted facilitated a board of directors’ retreat discussion on October 23 at Jameson Camp.

Meg Gammage-Tucker speaks to association, SPEA class

On September 11, 2007, Meg Gammage-Tucker co-presented to the Kentucky Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, Inc. with J. Scott Judy of Masonic Homes of Kentucky, a JGA client. The two spoke on the topic of starting a capital campaign.

Meg Gammage-Tucker was the guest speaker at a Fund Development class at Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs on October 8, 2007. She focused on the topic of capital campaigns.

In addition, on August 30, Meg taught a class through the Association for Fundraising Professionals for those seeking CFRE certification, and she will also be serving as an AFP mentor to a young development professional throughout the coming year.

Ted Grossnickle speaks at AFP luncheon

The Northeast Indiana Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals welcomed Ted Grossnickle at their luncheon on August 16. Ted spoke on developing a case for support for use in a campaign.

Ernie Vargo presents at foundations seminar

On August 24, Ernie Vargo spoke at the Interfraternity Foundations Seminar in Indianapolis. He spoke on how to identify prospects.

Ted Grossnickle to chair Campaign Evaluation Committee Lambda Chi Alpha International Fraternity

With the successful conclusion of a campaign this spring, the Campaign Evaluation Committee for Lambda Chi Alpha will meet in the summer of 2007 to discuss lessons learned and how to approach future campaign efforts. Grossnickle, who served on the national board of the fraternity from 1996-2006 and was chairman from 2002-2006, will lead the meeting as chair.

Ernie Vargo speaks at SAWA conference

The Society of Animal Welfare Administrators (SAWA) held their national conference on June 10-12 in Indianapolis. Ernie Vargo addressed a session focused on donor cultivation and how to identify prospects.

JGA intern returns to Wabash

The JGA team would like to thank Rob Tyree for his work this summer as an intern in Marketing/Communications. Rob is heading back to Wabash College for his senior year.

JGA Consultants Plan I-CASE conference

Ted Grossnickle and Angela White planned the Development Track for the I-CASE Conference held on April 13 at Ball State University. Topics covered included: What Went Wrong, What Went Right? [with your campaign]; $0 to $250,000: How to Accelerate Your Major Gift Program; and Developing Connections with Generation Y and Millennials.

Ernie Vargo and Angela White present at AFP Meeting in Indianapolis

Ernie Vargo and Angela White presented at an Indiana AFP breakfast meeting on June 20, 2007, regarding incorporating annual fund and planned giving in a campaign.

New Clients

JGA is pleased to announce that we are working with new clients REALTOR© Foundation, Legacy Fund, and Lenior-Rhyne College in North Carolina.