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Giving It 100%

By Kim Bedier, CFE

You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left."
-- Yogi Berra

The IAAM Foundation has been the beneficiary of your generosity, from both individual IAAM members and corporate commitment. THANK YOU to everyone who has made a contribution. You have enabled the Foundation to provide funding for the future of the venue management industry.

The IAAM Foundation has set a goal this year of 100%:100% membership participation in the annual fund-raising campaign. President Jimmy Earl, CFE, kicked things off in Reno at the Annual Conference & Trade Show, asking each and every one of us to contribute to the IAAM Foundation this year. The 2004-2005 Board of Directors, along with many of the IAAM committees, quickly anted up (this was, of course, before they hit the casino). Now, on behalf of Jimmy, we are reminding the entire general membership of IAAM to participate in Funding the Future.

But don’t just do it for Jimmy – do it for you. When it comes to giving, whether it is of yourself, your time or your money, it is important to give well. You should always make sure that you receive solid return on your investment. The IAAM Foundation is a good investment.

Marguerite Griffin, a Northern Trust financial planning specialist, has some interesting perspective on making sure your charitable donation pays off:

Focus Your Giving
Ms. Griffin says," Don't just write a check every time one of your colleagues participates in a charity run. There should be a link between your values and your gifts." You value the venue management industry, and you understand that continuing education and professional development are keys to your success – that is why you belong to IAAM. The IAAM Foundation provides that link between your values and your gifts. Your donation to the Foundation results in a direct return to you and your profession.

Find Out How Your Money Will Be Used
Ms. Griffin encourages her clients to look for organizations that actually spend money on program activities, not just overhead or fund raising. Here is a sample of IAAM Foundation program activities in this past year:

• Academy for Venue Safety and Security
• Textbook: Public Assembly Facility Management: Principles and Practices (now available from IAAM HQ)
• Online vulnerability assessment project
• Smaller Markets & Venues Internet Series
• Conference scholarship program for students and interns

Make Your Dollars Count
Ms. Griffin suggests that you should consider smaller projects that directly benefit your community. IAAM Foundation projects like those listed above directly benefit your professional community.“ Remember, the rewards of giving extend beyond knowing that your dollars are being spent wisely,”she says." It's a real pleasure to see the results of your generosity." The IAAM Foundation specializes in results: the facility management textbook, newly published, is already in use by over 15 educational institutions. The first ever Academy for Venue Safety and Security was oversubscribed and attendees were thrilled with their experience.

Watch Your Gift in Action
Ms. Griffin says it is important to get involved with the charities you support. It is easy for you and beneficial to you to get involved with IAAM activities and Foundation funded programs – and you learn and grow professionally at the same time.

Andrew Carnegie, one of the richest men of the 20th century, gave away 90% of his wealth. He said,“It’s more difficult to give money away intelligently than it is to earn it in the first place.” If you are looking for an intelligent place to give your money, please participate in the IAAM Foundation 100% Program today. It is not at all difficult to give your money to the Foundation. You can easily click on www.iaam.org/Foundation/annual_gifts.htm to make your donation today.

Yogi Berra also said," The future ain’t what it used to be”– but you can make the future of the venue industry better than it used to be. THANK YOU for contributing to the IAAM Foundation’s Funding the Future 100% Program.

Kim Bedier, CFE, is on the Board of Trustees of the IAAM Foundation and serves
as general manager for the Global Spectrum-managed Everett Events Center in
Everett, WA. She may be contacted at kbedier@everetteventscenter.com.

© 2004 International Association of Assembly Managers
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