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BY BRIAN PICKERING
Over 600 delegates, including nearly 140 from the Western Territory, recently attended the first ever National Salvation Army Community Relations and Development Conference in St. Louis, MO.
Titled ‘Gateway to Excellence,’ a variety of workshops to help teach and strengthen Salvation Army personnel and officers were addressed in: major gifts, community & media relations, direct mail, advisory organizations, service extension, creative fund-raising, grants, planned giving, capital campaigns, administration, and corps administration and management.
The three-day conference was well-received by those in attendance, including Adrienne Finley, development director for the Sierra Del Mar Division. “I appreciate national headquarters’ acknowledgment of the need for us to get together. It was the perfect forum to unite under one banner, share successes and challenges, and plan for the future,” she said.
National Commander Commissioner John Busby gave an inspiring keynote address, speaking about The Salvation Army’s commitment to President George Bush’s faith-based program and how it can help advance the Army’s outreach in today’s society.
Four individuals (one from each territory) received the ‘Award of Excellence’ for displaying exceptional creativity in program development in the year 2000. Each recipient was chosen by his/her respective territory.
Receiving the honor from the West was Sandi Gabel, divisional development director for the Southwest Division.
Her award was based on numerous accomplishments during her four years of service to the Army, including:
National Salvation Army Week: (or month, as the Southwest Division celebrated last year) – this special week has grown from an $8,000 fundraiser to a multi-event, $100,000 generating production.
Corporate Volunteer Projects: corporations are invited to participate in team-building volunteer activities at sites throughout the metro Phoenix, Ariz., area. This also allows The Salvation Army to decrease maintenance costs. Last year, some of the volunteer groups included: American Express, Honeywell, Prudential, and the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association.
Collaborative Efforts : lucrative partnerships with other non-profits, corporations, and universities to benefit those in need through a variety of programs.
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