For me, the NYSAIS Advancement Conference extends far beyond the sessions to the impromptu lunches, dinners, nature walks and late night conversations that always seem to get at the heart of our shared challenges, with solutions, understanding and humor... It's the all-too-infrequent opportunity to connect in person with colleagues from across the city and state, who become our friends.
~Elisabeth King, Director of Communications, Lycée Français de New York I attend the NYSAIS Advancement conference at Mohonk because it provides the unique opportunity to meet, network, brainstorm, and learn from peer colleagues. Mohonk is the only conference that is specific to development/advancement professionals that work in New York State independent schools. This is my second year as a Co-Chair and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with an outstanding planning committee comprised of my fellow colleagues. If you not yet attended the conference at Mohonk, I highly recommend coming this year!
~Deirdre O'Brien, Director of Development, De La Salle Academy The conference is always time very well spent for me. Especially when I was new to advancement, it was helpful to learn from veterans and meet colleagues at other schools. I returned to my school full of good ideas and productive questions.
~James L. Kennedy ‘02, Director of Development, Regis I attend Mohonk for the team, peer, and inter-school bonding, brainstorming and networking.
I attend Mohonk because I value time and space outside the city to focus on key priorities and goals of my school, my team and myself. I attend Mohonk to understand how the Advancement work we do is changing, not changing and evolving in our schools, in our city, and country. …I also attend for: congeniality, endless food, spa and the amazing “get-away” atmosphere! ~Francie Shafer, Annual Fund Manager, Trinity School I attend Mohonk because I love my school and my work. And distance makes the heart grow EVEN fonder. ;) But also distance (and time, and new ideas) makes your mind clearer, and your work stronger. We all know the school year is seriously taxing, and it's important to respect the value of taking a couple of days to rejuvenate, reinvigorate, and to be thoughtful in ways that just aren't possible in regular daily life. Also I like the opportunity you have at a regional conference to have real conversations with smart people (rather than just gaze at them across a huge ballroom). The presenters are all industry experts or peers from fantastic schools who all bring real-world info into an intimate, conversational space.
~Jodie Wilkerson, Director of Communications, The Town School I attend the NYSAIS Institutional Advancement conference because it's a fantastic way to connect with colleagues! I particularly enjoy connecting with those outside of the NYC metropolitan area. I love hearing what everyone else is doing and always come back with ideas to implement right away!
~Emily Abbott, Manager, Advancement Services & Constituent Relations, The Town School The NYSAIS Conference for Development and Alumni Relations is a great place to build your network. At Mohonk, I have made strong relationships and now have a group of people to bounce ideas off of when needed, we talk, we share... it's great! And... the Mohonk Mountain House has really good food!
~Hannah Swacker Kurnit, Director of Alumni Relations, Saint Ann's School, Brooklyn, NY I attend the NYSAIS Advancement Conference, because it is important to learn about industry trends, new innovations in keeping my school’s development and alumni programs fresh and interesting, as well as, networking with professionals at all levels in some of the “best in class” schools. It is so important to find opportunities to move beyond your “bubble” to explore new ideas and connect with Advancement professionals, and the NYSAIS conference is the best way to do it. With over 20 years of experience in the field, I always walk away with a new perspective or insight into my work and new professional contacts.
~Marjorie Jean-Paul, Director of Development and Alumni, Buckley Country Day I attend NYSAIS at Mohonk because...where else can you network with some of the top independent school development leaders in the country while eating decadent food that you then burn off by XC skiing up breathtakingly beautiful Mohonk Mountain?
~Whitney Brice, Director of Development, The Harley School |