March 2009 President's Message
John W. Hicks
Dear Colleagues,
General Dwight Eisenhower, in an interview shortly after D-Day, told a reporter: “Before a battle, planning is everything. And after the battle starts, you have to know when to strategically respond to what is happening around you.”
In January, our Chapter Board convened in a planning retreat and took the important step of responding to what is happening around us. We revisited our three year plan, newly adopted in the Spring of 2008 and, in a day of intensive and creative discussion, refocused our goals for 2009 emphasizing how to bring greater value to our members in uncertain and challenging times:
- More accessible programs for our members, provided by AFP Greater New York and in collaboration with area AFP Chapters, academic institutions and fellow professional organizations;
- Building stronger networks among our Chapter membership;
- Raising the visibility of our Association and our Code of Ethics among New York’s philanthropic and nonprofit sector.
We have wasted no time in getting started with the renewed work at hand. In March, AFP Greater New York will join forces with Women in Development, Planned Giving Group of Greater New York and the Foundation Center for the first of what we all hope will be several networking events. Our program calendar is filling with timely and relevant educational programs. And our Chapter Newsletter is featuring more articles with practical advice and best practices.
I’d like to think Ike would be proud of our quick, strategic turn. But more important, I hope you—my colleagues—will truly find value and benefit from our ideas and efforts.
Collegially yours,
John Hicks
President, Greater New York Chapter, AFP |
