President's Message
Welcome!
When I was young and first entered the fundraising profession in 1988, I thought to myself, “This is a really cool job! I will meet so many wonderful and caring people and the charities they support.” Now, 22 years later, my sentiments remain the same. What a truly remarkable profession it is!
During my first year as a fundraiser, I discovered another group of dedicated individuals – my fundraising colleagues. They met monthly to share new ideas and techniques and to lunch together through a professional association known at that time as the National Society of Fundraising Executives New Jersey Chapter (NSFRE-NJ), now the Association of Fundraising Professionals New Jersey Chapter (AFP-NJ). I began to participate in the many luncheons, workshops, seminars, panel discussions, and annual conferences that AFP-NJ conducted. The chapter proved to be invaluable to me in advancing my fundraising skills and my career.
Today, I am glad to be able to “give back” to our chapter and I am proud to serve as the new President of AFP-NJ for 2010 and 2011. “On board” is a great group of Directors who are dedicated individuals committed to providing high quality programs and services that help us learn and share best practices and inspire excellence.
The greatest strength of the AFP-NJ chapter is that it binds us together. It fosters professional development and promotes ethical standards in the fundraising profession. It enables us to meet regularly and share new ideas and proven fundraising methods with one another. Whether you are a seasoned fundraising professional or a beginner, AFP-NJ has a lot to offer. Our chapter serves nearly 500 members statewide and it is a part of the international Association of Fundraising Professionals which represents more than 30,000 members in 200 chapters throughout the world.
As I embark on my presidential journey, I welcome your feedback, your thoughts, ideas, comments and any suggestions you may have about our chapter and its programs and services. Thank you so very much and my best wishes for a happy and productive New Year. Hope to see you at our next luncheon meeting!
Sincerely,
John Carno, CFRE
President
AFP-NJ Chapter
