ROUNDTABLES - June 26
Special Metro Area Wide Program
“Solicitation Pitch Practice – Putting Your Best Phrase Forward”

Don't let the Nationals and Orioles starters have all the fun! Come and practice your best pitching skills at this summer's special Roundtable! This program will offer a very special opportunity for AFP /DC members and their guests to hone their solicitation skills by discussing and practicing the most effective ways to make that all-important ask. Participants will be able to learn from experts who have been successfully asking for major gifts throughout their careers.

To make it even more convenient for members and prospective members to attend this informative, interactive session, this program will be offered in DC, Maryland and Virginia . So take advantage of this chance to invite a colleague to a program that's normally only open to AFP /DC members.

• Washington, DC
  National Breast Cancer Coalition/Fund
  1101 17th Street, NW, Suite 1300 (Farragut West and North Metro)
  5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
  Session leader: Gail Nordheimer, CFRE
• Arlington, VA
  AFP International Headquarters
  4300 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300 (Ballston Metro)
  8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
  Session leader: Beth Brummel
• Silver Spring, MD
  Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations
  8720 Georgia Avenue, Suite 303
  8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
  Session Leader: To be announced

COST: Free – Open to AFP /DC members and one guest; please identify your guest and the site you plan on attending when you register. Registration is limited.
RSVP: to info@afpdc.org with the subject line of "RSVP for Roundtable in XX" where "XX" means "DC", "VA", or "MD". Please include your full contact information so we can send you updates.

ATTEND THE ENTIRE BRIDGE CONFERENCE FOR THE ONE DAY RATE:
If you would like to attend the Bridge Conference from the opening reception on Sunday evening, July 8, through the last educational session on Tuesday afternoon, July 10, but can only afford the one day rate, we have an offer for you! Volunteers who serve as room monitors for one day of the conference may attend the rest of the conference at a significantly reduced rate. Room monitors stay in one “track” of three breakout sessions for one day helping with simple tasks like passing out evaluation forms. They can attend the rest of the conference – plenary sessions, networking receptions, and breakout sessions on the second day – at their leisure. If you are interested, please contact Lisa Boccia at lboccia@habitatnova.org.

IRA ROLLOVER CALL-IN DAY – Take action on June 26
AFP urgently needs your assistance. The association is asking all U.S. members to participate in IRA Rollover Call-in Day on June 26, 2007, a grassroots campaign to make the IRA Rollover permanent and more effective.

We urge you to participate by making three phone calls and sending three letters. The amount of time and work we are asking from each member is small – 15 minutes on June 26 - but will be very effective. For one thing, success is within reach! A key Senator, Senator Grassley (R-IA), the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, confided in Michael Rosen, Chair of the AFP Political Action Committee, that he is optimistic that Congress will make the IRA Rollover provision permanent. That sentiment is great to hear, but grassroots efforts/calls from constituents are vital to ensure that will happen!

Go to our "IRA Rollover" page to find all the materials you will need to participate effectively in IRA Rollover Call-In Day:

• Background on IRA Rollover and its importance
• Link to list of U.S. Senators.
• Link to list of U.S. Representatives
• Congressional switchboard phone number
• Congressional mailing addresses
• Script for phone calls
• Text to cut and paste for letters

Please send me a brief email when you have made phone calls or sent letters on June 26 since we are hoping to track the number of participants. I urge you to bring this to the attention of your organization's executive office and board. Loss of the IRA Rollover would mean the loss of a valuable tool for fundraising.

Please let me know if you have questions or if I can be of assistance in any way. Thanks so much for your help with this.

Betsy Blume, CFRE
AFP/DC Vice President of Governance
202-783-7200, ext. 116
bblume@astc.org