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By Michele Swann
Jill Dotts, CFRE, is the type of executive we want
heading our Foundation. She brings ideas. She brings energy and enthusiasm for
her profession. In early November, Jill became the new Foundation and Fund
Development director for the IAAM Foundation.
“Jill comes to us with solid credentials, having recently been responsible for a
number of successful campaigns that raised dollars similar to what we’re
planning to raise in the next several years,” said Joan LeMahieu, the Foundation
Board of Trustees chair for 2006-2007. “We are delighted to have Jill join our
team.
” We caught up with Jill recently and had the opportunity to gain some insight
into her philosophical approach to fundraising and what goals she has set for
herself over the next several months.
How long have you been in fundraising? I
have been in fundraising for about 14 years.
What inspired you to become a fundraiser? In
my case, I always think about my Dad. He didn’t make a lot of money, but he was
always volunteering for something in the community, always giving money to help
people and to further causes he believed in. I guess I saw that firsthand
growing up and it just stuck with me. Through his actions, he taught me that
doing good is about investing in things with both your time and money. It really
is that simple.
If you want things to be better, to improve, you must invest in them in some
way. Early in my career, I realized that I was drawn to helping others, that it
was really important to me. Helping organizations generate resources to
accomplish their goals has become my own personal mission.
 So
how does that tie in to the IAAM Foundation? What I’m learning about
the IAAM Foundation is that it has been the genesis for a number of very
important initiatives within IAAM and the advancement of the industry.
For example, the school at Oglebay would not have become what it is today
without the financial support of the Foundation. The college textbook, which is
helping to develop a whole new generation of leaders, is another, and the list
goes on.
My role is to try to bring in as many resources as I can to support the
advancement of the industry. Of course, money isn’t the whole picture. Like I
said, the investment — and really, you can look at any of the really great
projects that the Foundation has been involved in, it’s not just about the
money, it’s about the people.
So the donors to the Foundation, you mean?
Yes, the donors. Without members and other industry stakeholders stepping up
financially, none of these really legacy-building projects of the past would’ve
been possible. But, the other people I’m talking about are also the volunteers —
the people who have the expertise and the desire to share what they know with
others. Sometimes people do both.
 This
is the beauty of the non-profit. People give of their time, their expertise and
their financial means, because they know that this synergy creates major impact.
What is CFRE? CFRE is a professional
credential that stands for Certified Fund Raising Executive. I was awarded my
CFRE back in 2001 and recertified last year. I am proud of my CFRE designation.
I have achieved documented success in the field, and it has been validated by
the CFRE process.
This gives me a higher level of credibility among my peers and also enables the
organization I work for to know that I have a high level of experience and
proven performance, and that I adhere to standards of ethics in support of the
best interests not just of the organization, but of the donors as well. I’m sure
this is similar to the CFE designation. Certification is valuable. It raises the
bar for everyone, and the end result is worth the work that goes into it.
This industry is new for you. Tell me what you think
about it. All I can say is “wow!” Just in a short time, I’ve had the
privilege of seeing firsthand the impact that these facilities can have on
people.
I’ve spent time in my career looking at how social capital develops, which in
essence is the strength of the fabric of a local community that then extends to
society as a whole. One of the main pieces of building social capital is having
a place where all members of the community can gather for a common cause, where
they participate in something together. That builds a bond of community that
continues once the attendees leave the facility. Over time, a stronger community
is the result.
 From
a practical side, the managers of public assembly facilities have huge
responsibilities. Multimillion dollar budgets, the safety of the participants,
the need to safeguard capital assets, ensuring the livelihoods of their staff
and contractors; really a piece of the community’s economy rests on the
shoulders of the facility manager.
I’m very impressed with IAAM, as it looks to the future, anticipating new skills
needed and developing programs, conducting research, and continually working to
advance the industry in support of critical areas. I think that, bottom line,
the world we live in keeps changing, and some of these changes are scary. IAAM
changes to help the manager stay ahead of new demands, and the IAAM Foundation
is here to provide the resources needed for new opportunities and unknown roads
ahead.
What is your primary focus at this time? I’m
working to learn the industry and get a feel for the needs that are out there;
to learn the rich history of the IAAM Foundation and IAAM; and to start to get
to know the members and begin to hear what is important to them. I’m also
conducting an internal study to discover areas where we can improve in our
response to donors and how we can better tell our story and generate the support
of future donors. This has been a very positive process.
The Foundation has exceptional volunteer leadership, strong staff support, a
solid infrastructure, and a growing base of support. These will all be critical
as we focus on advancing the Foundation to the next level.
Of course, we’re in the midst of the Annual Giving Campaign. This is a very
important campaign that determines how much grant funding we’re able to provide
each year. Donors to the Annual Giving Campaign are the energy behind the
positive change that results from funded programs. I’m very thankful for each
donor, and encourage each member to participate in this campaign.
We’re also looking forward to Salt Lake City in July. This is actually going to
be the 18th Annual Foundation Friday Charity Golf Tournament. My only question
is, anyone out there interested in covering my short game?
Let’s just say I can really rack up the points, and in golf that’s not such a
good thing. We’re seeking sponsors for the golf tournament as well as donors of
silent auction items. It’s never too early to sign up!
What changes do you foresee for the Foundation?
Yes, I believe that’s why I was hired — to create positive change and to grow
the endowment fund. It’s too early to know all the changes that will take place,
but what I do know is that the impact of the Foundation on the industry and on
IAAM can really be as big or as small as we decide. This is a conscious
decision. We want to impact the future. That is a big change.
Any final comments? The Foundation can
provide leadership by funding critical areas and build legacies for the entire
industry. Ultimately, this will result in stronger, more vibrant communities and
economies — proof that each person truly does have the opportunity to make a
major impact and create an unbelievable return on their investment.
I’m happy to be here and ready to get us moving closer to this goal. |
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