margaret may | e-news

See you in Chicago!

My co-author, Niki Nicastro McCuistion, and I just spoke about "Women, Wealth and Giving" at the 2011 Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) International Conference, March 20-22 in Chicago. We joke that we were the opening act for Bill Clinton, who spoke at the general closing session right after our break out session.

The conference is the AFP's flagship event and the premiere conference in the fundraising community. It attracted more than 4,000 non-profit professionals and industry partners creating amazing networking opportunities, educational sessions and the profession's largest showcase of producers and services with nearly 200 exhibitors.

> Visit the AFP website

I'll be heading back to the windy city next month for the International Association of Advisors in Philanthropy (AiP) conference. Their committee selected my paper, "Women as Philanthropists: Self Interest Rightly Understood," to be presented at the 2011 Conference on Philanthropy, April 27-29 in Chicago. The event is open to a diverse audience of financial planners, attorneys, insurance representatives, accountants and non-profit executives from around the globe. The conference experience features an outstanding series of educational sessions and a focused opportunity to network with hundreds of like-minded leaders in the field of philanthropic planning.

> Visit the AiP website for more information

Connect with Margaret on Linked In!

Stay connected with links to Margaret's weekly blog updates and philanthropic musings via Linked In.

> Follow this link to add Margaret to your network.

Ask Margaret

Q: I have a strong allegiance to a number of causes and charities. I enjoy volunteering and give what I can. What is the best strategy to make the most of my limited time/budget? -- Kaitlyn, Stuart, FL

A: Take a personal assessment of your values. Where does your passion direct you? What brings you joy in choosing how to spend your time? One of the most significant ways to empower your giving is to connect your values to your action and commitment of time, talent and treasure.

Your giving needs to be strategic to the point that you know when to say "No" (one of the hardest words in the English language). When you know how to say "No" you are a voluntary philanthropist because you have made a choice to listen to your heart, which drives your decisions about the use of your precious time, talent and treasure. That in turn changes you from a transaction giver (reactive) to a transformational giver (proactive).

Also, consider writing your mission statement: Write your complete mission statement by hand on a postcard or in a letter; do not type it. Address the card/envelope to yourself and send it by post-mail, not e-mail, the same day you write it. When you receive and open it, read it out loud to another person or family member. Then place it where you can read it daily and reflect on how your empowerment makes a difference that day.

> E-mail a question to Margaret

Bookmarks

Each month, Margaret features a person, place or favorite thing that inspires her, with the hope that it will inspire you, too.

L3.org is currently featuring "Women, Wealth and Giving" as their March book of the month! This stellar website focuses on "leadership, legacy and life" and is the premier site for "leaders who want more."

"L3 has emerged from the experience of successful leaders who have achieved their business goals, and want to connect with others like themselves, not for personal benefit in the ordinary sense, but to journey together on a path to enrichment. L3 allows us to pool our experiences, our energies and our passion to build a better world and so to enrich our lives and those of the people we care about."

> Be sure to visit the L3 website and bookmark it!