Announcing…..North Carolina Center for Nonprofits/GiftWorks Referral Partnership September 29, 2008 By Pat Weaver

We are very happy to announce N.C. Center for Nonprofits has formed a referral partnership with Mission Research, makers of GiftWorks, to offer GiftWorks fundraising software as a member benefit to N.C. Center for Nonprofits members.

With over 1,600 members, N.C. Center for Nonprofits is a highly regarded State Nonprofit Association who works tirelessly to further the mission of all nonprofits on a State and National level.

Trisha Lester, Vice President of the N.C. Center for Nonprofits, says, “It’s a pleasure to offer GiftWorks services to our members throughout North Carolina. It’s a great solution for all nonprofits-regardless of size or budget. The best thing is it’s so affordable!” We couldn’t agree more!

GiftWorks will be introduced as a new partner at the N.C. Center for Nonprofits Annual Conference on October 15-17 held at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, N.C. The theme of the Conference is “Keeping Ourselves and Our Sector Fit”. For additional information on the Conference, please visit http://www.ncnonprofits.org/conference.asp.

If you plan to attend, please stop by our exhibitor booth and say hello. We’d love to meet you!

Pat Weaver

Utah Nonprofits Association Conference September 23, 2008 By Pat Weaver

Now that I’ve had the weekend to recover from the flight, I want to share some thoughts about the Utah Nonprofits Association Annual Conference. The theme was “Collaboration” and the entire event was a fitting tribute in keeping with the theme. UNA’s dedicated staff, Don Gomes-Executive Director, Jennifer Atwood, Member Services Director and Robin Pratt, Office Manager, along with UNA’s Board of Trustee’s and Conference Committee, worked together like a well oiled machine. Their obvious respect for one another was a testament and example for all those attending. They did a great job and hosted a wonderful event.

Along with many insightful sessions, a highlight of the Conference was the keynote speech by Darian Rodriguez Heyman, the Executive Director of the Craigslist Foundation and a good friend. In spite of having airline challenges, a cancelled flight or three (he should have flown Southwest!), he made it just in time to deliver a passionate and inspiring message.

Darian’s message…. it’s important to keep our mission at the forefront of our work, but it’s not enough to dream about changing the world. He challenged us to be responsible for putting those dreams into action by learning, listening and collaborating with those who came before us. His passion for the nonprofit sector is contagious and was felt throughout the Conference.

I always feel very privileged to represent GiftWorks at Conferences and events. Just as I did in Utah last week, I had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people and hear first hand, all about the good work people are doing to truly change the world.

I also get to work with really amazing people, who collaborate and work hard every day to make GiftWorks a great tool to help nonprofits accomplish their goals. We’re very passionate about helping nonprofits and it’s my mission to convey that to the world.

It’s a daunting responsibility that I don’t take lightly, even while singing at 42,000 feet. Whether on the ground or in the air, I’ll do my best to share our passion, our GiftWorks message, and hope that it’s contagious. Just please, don’t judge us by my singing!

-Pat Weaver

Where’s Weaver- Salt Lake City, Utah September 22, 2008 By Pat Weaver

It’s Friday, September 19 and I’m writing from the Salt Lake City airport, about to head home on a nonstop Southwest flight after representing GiftWorks at the Utah Nonprofits Association (UNA)Conference. I’m pleasantly surprised…there are very few people waiting to board, meaning I might actually get to spread out, get some work done, spend time reflecting on events from the past few days and if I’m really lucky, get a few extra packs of peanuts! The plane is already here and we’re about to board, early no less. It’s going to be a good day!

Reality check 101…I’m smiling as I walk down the jet way, say hello to the flight attendant, turn the corner and I’m shocked to find the flight is almost completely full. WHAT?! Alright, so nonstop doesn’t mean the flight didn’t start some place else…it just means when it picks you up, it’s not stopping anywhere else. So much for the extra pack of peanuts!

Where did all these people come from? My question is short lived, as I discover from the only seat left on the plane, that 80% on board are from a Senior Citizen group from Maryland that just spent the whole week in Reno, gambling. Forget everything you ever thought about Seniors…..trust me, this group is still in full Par-TY mode! Remember how excited you were on your sixth grade class trip to the Planetarium? This was it…..x100!

We’re now 42,000 feet over the world and I realize, while my seatmates are two very lovely ladies, there will be very little reflecting on this flight. I’m about to forget all my pre-conceived notions and live in the moment. I mean, really, when am I ever going to have another chance to join in a rousing round of  “Row, Row, Row your Plane”? Not that I’m too competitive or anything but we sang with gusto and our side won…by a landslide. The prize….extra packs of peanuts! YES…it IS going to be a great day!! Up next…Air Aerobics! I love Southwest!

Where's Weaver? Ramblings from the Road September 17, 2008 By Mary Pat Donnellon

I’m writing from 38,000 ft., somewhere over Lake Michigan. Chicago is supposed to be on my left, but whenever there’s a landmark, somehow all I see are clouds or the head of the person sitting beside me. Today is no different. I’m sure Chicago looks lovely from 38,000.

I just got a new laptop and I’m loving it….all spit-shined and ready for my ramblings. The guy next to me woke up long enough to ask, “Are you just going to look longingly at it, or are you going to use it?” He’s just jealous! If I’m really lucky, he’ll go back to sleep.

My new shiny computer and I are heading to Salt Lake City for the Utah Nonprofit Association State Conference. UNA has been working hard to bring GiftWorks to their members and we’re looking forward to being part of it.

I’m always excited to travel. It’s in my blood. You meet the most interesting people along the way. Already this morning, I met a couple from Virginia Beach, who came from visiting family in Cape Cod and are now going to their ski house in Park City. I asked if they wanted to adopt me. They just smiled…I took that as a yes!

The best part of traveling, besides meeting nice people and the 100 calorie pack of Oreo’s, is it allows me to share GiftWorks with the world. (NO, I’m not just saying that to justify my new computer!) From 40,000 ft (fyi...turbulence makes babies cry), I did a demo for my seat mate. Hey, he asked what I did!  I figured I could show him. 

He was very impressed, as well he should be. I should mention that his company makes highly specialized software for blood banks and impressing a software engineer is not easy. I gave him a few disks and asked him to share GiftWorks with any nonprofit he knows. I may just start a new class, “GiftWorks Fundraising Software 101 at 40,000 ft.” I think it’ll work! The moral of this little tale is every second is an opportunity to share something good…a smile, a kind word, a GiftWorks Demo! You just never know what might happen because of it. How about an extra pack of Oreo’s? Now, you’re talking!

-Pat Weaver, GiftWorks Business Development