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"The Essential Partnership: Building a Successful Relationship Between Organization President and Development Staff"

January 24, 2011 – Program Summary

On January 24, Tony Woodcock, the President of New England Conservatory and Don Jones, the Vice President of Institutional Advancement at New England Conservatory, gave program attendees a candid look at how their institution successfully manages the ever-challenging relationship between the development office and the president's office. As we learned, this relationship is crucial to cultivating and soliciting donors.

Tony specifically mentioned the importance of good communication and how weekly meetings help to align their priorities. A key aspect, according to Don, is understanding and anticipating the president's needs and adequately preparing him, whether it be for special events such as the annual gala, donor meetings, or preparing well-thought-out agendas for weekly meetings.

While both the president’s office and the development office are interested in alumni relations, another area of common interest is students. Both Tony and Don gave examples of how they have reached out to students and involved them with New England Conservatory in such a way that by the time they graduate, they will feel so much a part of the institution that their involvement — and thus, hopefully, their giving — will continue and grow in the years to come. Overall, it was valuable to hear from Tony and Don about a relationship that is vital to every development effort.