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In this issue. . .
 Message from the President
Dear Members:
As we wind up the Winter months, I invite you take a few moments to learn more about the APRA-Southwest Chapter and our upcoming activities.
Plan to join us at our Chapter Conference that will be held May 7-8 at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. The 1-1/2 day conference, entitled "Fundraising in Tough Economic Times," will include ten breakout sessions in two tracks, a keynote presentation by Lori and David Lawson of WorkingPhilanthropy.com, valuable giveways and more. Additional information is included in this newsletter.
I would like to congratulate our newly appointed Vice President/ President-Elect Jennifer Shimp-Bowerman of Southern Methodist University. Jenn will serve as vice president for 2009 and become president for 2010-2011. More information on new and returning Board officers and directors is below.
We're continuing to move forward with our strategic plans, and this year will hold many benefits for our members and other colleagues. Thank you for joining us on the journey.
Will Elliott
APRA-SW President
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
P.S. Feel free to contact me or any of the APRA-SW Board members if you have questions or suggestions for how the group can better serve your needs.
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New Website Launched
 We started a new year with a new Website. Check it out at http://www.aprasw.org. It has a new look, new features and much more functionality. As a member of APRA-Southwest, you have access to an online member directory (where you can edit your own information) and additional resources - available only to members.
Online membership processing (including renewals) and event registrations are also part of the new site. Login today and check out all the offerings. More member benefits will be added in the future, so stay tuned!
Chapter Conference
 Fundraising in Tough Economic Times
May 7-8, 2009
Mark your calendar now for Thursday afternoon, May 7, and all day Friday, May 8 at Children's Medical Center, Dallas.
Conference highlights include:
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Keynote Presentation (see below)
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Ten breakout sessions in two tracks
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Ethics roundtable discussion
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CFRE credits
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Valuable giveaways and door prizes
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The chance to congratulate this year's Jonathan Lindsey Award recipient.
Keynote Presentation:
Prospecting for Pockets of Prosperity -- by Lori Hood Lawson and David Lawson
Despite all of the bad news there are prospects that are doing well in spite of, and in some cases because of, the economy. These are the people who are hidden in pockets of prosperity all across the country. Join us as we explore who these people are, strategies for finding them, and how this dispersion of wealth is affecting prospect screening and rating.
This year's tracks:
Research 101 – ideal for new researchers or development professionals who want to learn how to better identify and qualify potential donors. Topic highlights include: Building a Shop from the Ground Up, The Role of Research and Relationship Management in Fundraising, Private Company Research, and Wall Street 101.
Special Topics – ideal for advanced researchers, managers, and development officers. Topic highlights include: Tracking Using Access, Development Officer 101, Staff Efficiency, and 2009 Giving Trends: Passionate About the Mission.
 Hotel:
Embassy Suites Dallas - Market Center
2727 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas, United States 75207
Tel: 1-214-630-5332 Fax: 1-214-631-3025
Rate: $92.00/night (refer to APRA-SW block) - almost half off the regular rate!
Registration:
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Full 1-1/2 day Conference - Members: $75.00; Non-members: $125.00
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Thursday Afternoon Only - Members: $35.00; Non-members: $70.00
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Friday Only - Members: $50.00; Non-members: $100.00
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Special Offer - Join APRA-Southwest or renew your membership when you register for only $25.00 (a discount from the usual $30 dues), and attend at the member rate! (Ex: Full Conference = $100.00 to attend)
Join the leaders in Advancement Research in the southwest to get tips and strategies you can use today -- valuable information for this challenging economic climate.
Come for the great topics, great location and great networking - all at a great price!
Register with a credit card online or download a registration form and mail in your check today!
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Board Updates
Congratulations to our new Board members for 2009-2010, and many thanks to all those who have agreed to serve in their positions for another year!
Jennifer Shimp-Bowerman of Southern Methodist University has been appointed Vice President/President-Elect for 2009, and will serve as president for 2010-2011. She has agreed to take over for Bruce Willson, who has stepped down in order to focus on his new duties as the Executive Director of the United Way of Northwest Louisiana.
Beverly Lyles (Southern Nazarene University) will serve as Secretary for 2009-2010. She and Paulette Butterworth (Southwestern University) will split the previously combined position of Secretary/Treasurer.
Cynthia Conrad-Miller, with INTEGRIS Health Foundations, has agreed to be the new Oklahoma Regional Director, filling the vacancy left by Beverly Lyles move to Secretary.
Sarah Daly of Southern Methodist University has taken on the challenging role of Programming Conference Chair for our annual chapter conference this year.
See below for the full list of the APRA-Southwest Board of Directors.
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 Helpful Resource - Zamzar
Have you ever wanted to convert files without the need to download software? Do you have a lower version of a Microsoft application that makes it difficult to open files sent to you by your colleagues (can anyone say "docx")?
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Zamzar is dedicated to helping you transform your songs, videos, images and documents into different formats. They have split their file formats into these categories:
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Document formats
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Image formats
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Music formats
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Video formats
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Compressed formats
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CAD formats
"Anonymous" access gets your files sent to you by e-mail without having to register on the site. You can also sign up for additional online management options through Free, Basic, Pro, and Business subscriptions.
See if it doesn't convert the way you do business. www.zamzar.com
Send us any "Helpful Resource" you'd like to share in future issues.
Strategic Planning Update
The APRA-SW Board of Directors continues to work through its strategic planning initiatives for this year, and is making progress in several areas.
Some of the projects currently in the works:
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A new membership brochure is being designed to help recruit new members.
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A new Mentorship Program is well underway.
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A one-and-one-half-day Conference will be held May 7-8, 2009 at the Children's Medical Center in Dallas.
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A marketing/sponsorship plan for conferences and other services is in process.
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A new chapter Website was launched in January. It has a fully-functional member directory and other online processing features.
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Broadcast e-mails have been sent more frequently to increase communication to members.
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This is the fourth quarterly electronic chapter newsletter, with plans to continue throughout the coming year.
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The chapter renewed most Board members and appointed new officers to fill vacated positions.
We will continue to update you throughout the year on our progress towards these new goals. Please contact any of the APRA-SW Board members if you have any feedback or questions on our strategic plan.
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Job Announcements
If you have any job announcements, please send them to the APRA-SW Director of Communications.
People Updates
The Texans are going to Charleston!!!
 APRA-Southwest board member Ali McLane (Dini Partners) will join Charles Headley (Southern Methodist University) as faculty for the CASE "Campaign Fundamentals" Conference to be held in Charleston, South Carolina, on May 11-12, 2009. http://www.case.org/conferences/camfund/faculty.cfm
If you have anything you want to share with your fellow members - new jobs, new hires, or just news - send it to the APRA-SW Communications Chair.
Save the Dates
 APRA Virtual Seminar replays, available April 3 through April 30:
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"The Frugal Researcher: How to Do Successful Research on Little to No Budget"
Presenter: Heather Reisz
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"Essential Components of Relationship Tracking Systems"
Presenters: Cara Anderson Rosas and Audrey Geoffroy APRA Live! Virtual Seminar
[http://www.aprahome.org/Education/VirtualSeminars/tabid/83/Default.aspx#2009]
APRA-Southwest Annual Conference: Fundraising in Tough Economic Times - May 7-8, 2009
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APRA-SW Board of Directors
Officers:
President: Will Elliott, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Vice President/President-Elect: Jennifer Shimp-Bowerman, Southern Methodist University
Secretary: Beverly Lyles, Southern Nazarene University
Treasurer: Paulette Butterworth, Southwestern University
Directors:
Mentoring: Andrea Heitz, Texas Christian University
Communications: Michel Hudson, CFRE, 501(c)onsulting
Sponsorships/Marketing: Jennifer Shimp-Bowerman, Southern Methodist University
Conference Co-Chair: Alexandra Sizemore, Children's Medical Center Dallas
Conference Co-Chair: Sarah Daly, Southern Methodist University
Austin/San Antonio: Jada Garrison, University of Texas at Austin
Houston: Ali McLane, Dini Partners
Dallas/Ft. Worth: Colleen St. Clair, All Saints Health Foundation
Louisiana: Pinki Diwan, LSU Foundation
New Mexico/West TX: James Bixler, St. Johns College
Oklahoma: Cynthia Conrad-Miller, INTEGRIS Health Foundations
Past Presidents: (Non-voting)
Sheri Lazare, ECGC Women’s Business Center
David VanLone, American Heart Association
Left to right: Ali McLane, David VanLone, Alexandra Sizemore, Paulette Butterworth, Beverly Lyles, Will Elliott,
Jennifer Shimp-Bowerman, Andrea Heitz, Colleen St. Clair, Michel Hudson, and Jada Garrison.
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