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An Interview with Jody Bacon '92
Leadership Akron was proud to see Board Chairman, Jody Bacon,
receive the inaugural Outstanding Professional Fundraiser Award from
the Association of Fundraising Professionals on National
Philanthropy Day. Having grown the assets of the Akron Community
Foundation (ACF) from $17 million in 1990 to over $130 million
today,
Jody’s achievements as a leader and a fundraiser are
self-evident. In a recent interview, she offered reflections on a
career in philanthropy:
Leaderline: What drew you to a career in philanthropy?
Actually it was a telephone call with an offer that I
couldn't refuse. I had continued my writing career for the
Jackson Citizen Patriot; along with raising two children and a
full volunteer schedule, that kept me busy. Meanwhile, the Jackson
Foundation and a private foundation, the Hurst Foundation were
looking for someone to manage the foundations. As it was told to me,
because of my community activity, my name kept coming up as they
were interviewing candidates. The son of the family of the private
foundation decided they should be calling me and the rest is
history.
What do you see as keys to success as a fundraiser?
The biggest key to success is being able to establish relationships
– and that includes being able to relate to a diverse population.
Everyone has the ability to be a donor and you just have to find the
right opening.
What
have been the most difficult aspects of fundraising?
Probably finding the right
approach – and if necessary finding the right door opener. You also
need to be alert to what is going on in the donors life ... don't
walk in when there are important things happening in one's
personal or business life.
Are there examples/mentors you've
relied on for your own growth as a fundraiser?
I grew up in a very philanthropic environment. My parents were
always in the front lines of raising funds and volunteering and
giving. They set the example for me and it was our way of life. And
as a result of their interests, I was surrounded by like minded
adults.
Have you ever had to take
a "pass" on an opportunity for a significant gift? If so, why did
you decide to decline it?
Sometimes you have to take time to peel
back the layers of the motive behind the offered gift – the intent
of the donor and look honestly at why and how and what the
repercussions might be. There are significant laws and IRS rules
that affect charitable giving and for everyone’s sake, you can’t
take risks that could have serious legal or personal repercussions.
The old saying about “if it sounds too good to be true it probably
is” rings true. Fortunately, I have had only one difficult
experience which would have caused me to breach my own ethics, and I
could never have lived with myself if I had accepted the offer.
How can fundraisers work effectively with board members to achieve
success? Not everyone is a fundraiser
or wants to be, but everyone can be a “door opener” and I think
that’s a significant responsibility of a board member of a nonprofit organization. And, you need to take time to educate the
Board on the issues, and help them catch the passion for the
organization’s mission. Fundraisers need to be enthusiastic about
their work and share that with the board members.
What are some of the main
thoughts that you keep in mind when you meet with a donor?
First I try to get to know the donor and don’t
rush in with an ask without being prepared. I learned that it may
take a long time before the donor is ready to make a gift – of any
size. I’ve been away from the Jackson Foundation for 16 years and I
still get calls about a donor that I had spent time with who left a
bequest or has just set up a fund at the foundation.
What has it been like to raise dollars for an organization that
itself makes donations to community organizations? Has this dynamic
impacted your experience as a fundraiser? Community Foundations are special
because they enable people of modest means to participate in
philanthropy – this is a way that people of all degrees of wealth
are important to the vitality of their community.
What are some of the
accomplishments you're proudest of?
I’m most proud of my children. I’m proud of my parents for the way
they raised me, and I have wonderful friends who have supported me
through thick and thin. Without the support and encouragement of my
family I would not have been able to have such a fulfilling career.
Just to know that what I do everyday helps thousands of people – the
donors and the many people that benefit from the grants from the
foundation– it is very gratifying and keeps me going.
What have been some of
the favorite moments you've had in fundraising? Some
of the proudest are also sad – it’s the donors I’ve worked with who
have left significant bequests to the foundation that I wasn’t aware
of and I was never able to thank them. Also, raising the money for
ACF’s building and then the addition –a major accomplishment because
it happened in addition to my general development work for the
foundation and its many funds.
You've been a mentor to
many leaders and fundraisers in our community. Are there some
words of advice on fundraising you'd like to share with the
leaders in our community? Take
pride in living in a community that is full of very generous people
and remember you never know when something you said or someone else
said about your organization will reap rewards. And, don’t take
yourself too seriously or try to be the center of attention. It’s
what you represent and your passion for it and your investment in it
that is center stage. And, you have to walk the talk – in other
words you have to set the example and be a donor too.
January
25, 2007
LAAA Lunch Club
Pride in Leadership Luncheon
Portage Country Club, 240 North Portage Path
12:00 noon
Details:
It's LAAA's first feel good,
friend-building event of the New Year! So gather your
classmates for a networking opportunity that will start your
year off right!
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Prizes will be awarded to the Class
with the most members in attendance. Don't let your classmates
down.
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Some of your fellow LAAA colleagues and
friends will share their thoughts about leadership to inspire us
all.
RSVP:
By January 23 to the
Leadership Akron hotline: 330.996.5088. Then bring or mail your
check for $15 to: Heidi Roane, LAAA, 1 Cascade Plaza, 17th Floor,
Akron OH 44308-1192.
Questions? Call Heidi Roane at
330.237.1239 or e-mail hroane@lakron.com.
SAVE THE DATE - April 13,
2007
LAAA Spring Retreat
Details:
Our regional foremost CEO's
will share their insights on
leadership. You
will also learn how they develop leaders through-
out their
organization's. This promises to be a can't-miss event,
so mark your
calendars!
By Marc Merklin '98, Distinguished
Leader Award committee chair
It is time to consider fellow LAAA members for the 2007
Distinguished Leader Award. Start thinking about a candidate who has
contributed in an extraordinary way to a specific project or
addressing a critical issue within the community. The winner
of the award will be recognized by the Community Leadership
Association at their Annual Leadership Conference in Grand Rapids,
Michigan - May 2-6, 2007. Nomination forms will be e-mailed to LAAA
members in early January. Deadline for nominations will be
January 25, 2007.
The theme for Education Day
was “Pathways to Success,” and Class 23 learned about what it takes
to prepare students for success in the global marketplace. Dr.
Elizabeth Stroble, Vice President & Provost at The University of
Akron, opened the day with reflections on how it “takes a child to
raise a village,” that children are what cause communities to focus
on the future. Dr. Stroble highlighted the University’s role not
just in waiting for young people to come to them, but helping our
community in preparing students for college.
Three school visits offered
distinct portraits of achievement. At Leggett Elementary, we learned how their
collaboration with partners enabled them to beat the odds and become
a high-achieving inner city school. At Our Lady of the Elms, we
learned how a single gender environment, an emphasis on leadership
and the Dominican tradition reinforce achievement. And at Miller
South, we saw the arts as a catalyst for kids’ enthusiasm for
learning.
All served as a backdrop for a “big hairy audacious goal” shared by
the Summit P-16 Council: Increasing to 80% the college-going rate of
Summit County high schoolers. With the current rate at 50%, this is
an ambitious goal. But as confirmed by a panel of students at the
day’s close, our youth are counting on us to open new pathways to
their success.
Chris Swing and Dr.
Jeff Hord are in a
studious mood on
Education Day.
By Paul Kunce '06
Everyone is talking about “it”, but what is “it”? The “it” is
regionalism and “it” is not going away anytime soon.
The November 10 forum, held at the The University of Akron’s Center
for Organizational Development housed in the Polsky Building,
attracted over 45 alumni.
Presenters included Dan Colantone '01, President & CEO,
Greater Akron Chamber; Shara Davis, Coordinator, Voices and Choices;
Steve Millard, Executive Director, COSE, and Tom Waltermire,
President, CEO, Team NEO.
Tim Dimoff ‘98 was the moderator and began by referencing a
statement made by City of Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson. In
speaking to Akron Roundtable a few months ago, he told the audience
that Clevelanders and Akronites “live and die together.”
Panel members shared what regionalism meant to them as it pertains
to their professions.
Mr. Millard prefers to call it “smart collaboration” and this
applies to businesses, government, nonprofits, and educational
institutions. He added he has spent more time in Akron this past
year than in all his professional work years combined.
Mr. Waltermire says his regional association focuses on attraction,
retention, and expansion of high growth businesses. One way they do
this is by bringing together area chambers of commerce.
Ms. Davis said folks have to stop talking and start doing. She’s
encouraged by the tens of thousands of Northeast Ohio residents that
have been engaged in the Fund for Economic Future’s Voices and
Choices initiative over the past 18 months.
Mr. Colantone discussed
the need to prioritize what’s good for the region. This can be done
by talking with organizations such as area United Ways or YMCA.
Mr. Waltermire and Mr. Millard agreed that individuals in the room
need to get involved in the public policy process by serving on
school boards, running for elected office or encouraging others that
share your beliefs to do so.
Mr. Dimoff closed with comments about challenging us to be
cheerleaders for the region and not leaving it up to somebody else
to do.
By Austin Hollopeter, Cuyahoga Valley
Christian Academy
During Business/Government day, our class received a
behind-the-scenes look at the government structure of Akron and
Summit County. Councilman-at-large Michael D. Williams '91 portrayed a
view of the past and ignited a vision for the future of our region.
He spoke passionately about the racial issues he dealt with as a
young man, and the struggles his family endured. He and Anne Hanson,
Professor of Political Science at Akron University, also emphasized
the power our generation could exert as responsible voters.
I personally enjoyed seeing the possibilities the entrepreneurial
program, Jumpstart, and the newly created Job Center have to offer
our region’s economy. After 9-11, my father changed several jobs before he could finally find a secure
position outside the state, demonstrating the need our region has for job
growth.
The highlight of the day was our team planning of a small community
near the Akron Zoo. This hands-on experience, combined with the
programs and people we met, all displayed Akron’s potential for a
bright future.
By Haley Treier, Firestone High School
On November 14, Junior Leadership Akron (JLA) Class XX
traveled to Akron Children’s Hospital to learn about health and
social services. This day was jam-packed with opportunities to meet a
host of people at the Hospital—from CEO Bill Considine, to the
Doggie Brigade, to doctors and patients. We also met with a number
of people from different social service organizations. It was very
enjoyable to speak with the doctors as well as the people who really
make a difference in lives throughout Akron. I would have never
expected the day to have been so busy or to have gone so fast, but
it was so well planned and just busy enough to make it fly by.
Our day began with a visit from the Doggie Brigade, an assortment of
dogs that are trained to visit patients at the hospital. Next, Bill
Considine, the CEO of the Hospital, told us the history of the
hospital and how the hospital is run. He has been the CEO since he
was 31, so he knows quite a bit about the hospital. We then split
into groups and toured the different units of the hospital—the PICU
(pedestrian intensive care unit), NICU (neo-natal intensive care
unit), burn, hem/onc, and the rehab units. Since each of us only
toured one unit, we met back in the Considine Building and shared
with the whole group what we learned on our tours. We heard from
some of the best doctors of adolescent health, pediatric psychiatry,
sports medicine, and surgery. And two patients gave us their
perspective on the hospital.
The day concluded with five different social service organizations.
We met with people from the Haven of Rest, United Way of Summit
County, InfoLine, the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, and Project
Learn. Hearing from all of them gave us a good perspective on what
is going on in all different parts of Akron. As you can tell, our
day was jam-packed and far from dull. I can only hope that our next
meeting is half as eventful as November’s.
Project GRAD
Project GRAD, a community-based effort to increase academic
achievement in Akron Public Schools’ Buchtel Cluster, is on the
lookout for women with a knack for Math and Science. The GRAD Girls
Rule in Math & Science! Project seeks to match female mentors with
high school girls. Interested ladies may contact Halle Jones Capters,
Director, Women in Engineering Program at The University of Akron:
halle@uakron.edu or
330-972-7701. For the men out there, your mentoring is needed also,
and if interested contact Crystal Jones:
cjones@akron.k12.oh.us
or 330-873-3329.
Pegasus Farm
Located just east of Hartville, Pegasus Farm serves a six county
region as a horse-based healing and learning center dedicated to
helping children, youth and adults with physical, mental, behavioral
and emotional disabilities achieve more enjoyable and productive
lives. About half of the 500 people they serve are from Summit
County, and they are looking for some Akron area leaders who might
have an interest in joining their board. If you would like to be
considered, contact Jim Strang, Executive Director: 330-935-2300 or
jimstrang@pegasusfarm.org.
Glendale Cemetery
Established in 1839, Glendale Cemetery is an intact example of a
19th century picturesque rural cemetery and is listed in the
National Register of Historic Places. Notable features include a
recently restored 1876 Gothic Chapel and Cypress Avenue, located on
the valley floor and lined with mausoleums showing Egyptian, Roman,
Greek, Art Moderne and Gothic architectural influences. Glendale
Cemetery is located in the Ohio and Erie Canal National Corridor at
150 Glendale Avenue. If you would be interested, in being considered
for a board or volunteer role, please contact John
V. Frank at 330.655.1633 or
jvf@bdmorganfdn.org.
Awards/Recognitions/Promotions
Congratulations to Jody Bacon ’92 upon receiving the
inaugural Professional Fundraiser Award from the Association of Fund
Raising Professionals at their annual luncheon on November 17.
Congratulations to Marty Hauser ’95
and other SummCare alumni for SummaCare’s ranking in the top ten
health plans in the nation and the best in Ohio by U.S. News and
World Report.
Congratulations to Riley Lochridge ’86
upon selection as Sales & Marketing Executives International –
Akron Executive of the Year award.
Jan Leach ’99 received her Master’s degree in Media Ethics
from Kent State University in August. She has joined the faculty of
the School Journalism and Mass Communications a fulltime assistant
professor.
Leaders in Service
to the Community
Anita Davis ’87 has been appointed to the Board of Directors
of the Women’s Endowment Fund.
Michael Burgess ’02 has recently been appointed Trustee to
the AAA Akron Auto Club Board.
Ray Dunkle ’02 has been named Chairman of the Business
Valuation Task Force for IGAF Worldwide, an alliance of accounting
firms with 140 member firms in 60 countries worldwide. He also was
quoted in the article “Litigation Support Engagements” which was
published in Practical Accountant Magazine, a national publication
servicing the accounting industry.
Carla Kachmar ’96 was recently appointed Vice Chair of the
Philanthropy Committee at Rockynol Retirement Community.
Jim Merklin ’03 has been appointed to the national Executive
Committee of the Employee Benefit Plans Audit Quality Center of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Also, on
November 21, he presented “What You Need to Know About the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act” to the Akron Chapter of the National Association
of Production Managers.
The Rev. Sandy Selby ’96 has been appointed Trustee of the
Akron Community Foundation.
Ilene Shapiro ’88 has been elected to Summit County Council
as an At-Large member. Her term of office begins on January 2, 2007.
Joe Siegferth Jr. ‘04 has been selected to serve on the Board
of Directors of Archbishop Hoban High School. Joe graduated from
Archbishop Hoban in 1970.
Leaders on the Move
After December 22, Bober, Markey, Fedorovich & Company will
be moving to 3421 Ridgewood Road, Suite 300,
Akron OH 44333-3119. All telephone numbers and e-mail addresses will
remain the same.
Bill Alford ’00 has a new home address. It is 7543 Tiber
Court, Macedonia, OH 44056. Telephone number is 330.908.3169.
Stephen Brand ’96, President & Chief Imagination Officer has
left his position with OneCommunity/OneCleveland. He is back as a
consultant with The New Enterprise Factory, Inc. and is working from
his home: 2199 Rickel Drive, Akron, OH 44333. Telephone number is
330.864.1518. E-mail address is
stephbrand@gmail.com.
Cary Dell ’01 is back working in the Cleveland area. He is
currently employed as Manager of Marketing and Employee
Communications at Alcoa Investment Cast and Forged Products, 6450
Rockside Blvd., South., Suite 350, Independence, OH 44131. Telephone
number is 216.621.6124. Cell phone number is 216.978.9830. E-mail
address is cary.dell@alcoa.com. Home address is 215 Casterton
Avenue, Akron OH 44303. Telephone number is 330.836.3065. E-mail
address is carydell@aol.com.
David Feltner ’00 will be retiring from FirstEnergy Corp. on
December 31.
Mark Krohn ’03 is no longer with White Hat Management. He is
working as an attorney out his home. Address is 407 South Rose
Blvd., Akron OH 44320. Telephone number is 330.869.5666.
Bambi Lynn Miller ’97 is back in Akron. She is working for
Customer Satisfaction by Design, LLC. Address is 2692 Ultra Circle,
Akron OH 44312. Telephone number is 330.245.0132. Cell phone number
is 330.858.1784. E-mail address is
customersatisfaction@neo.rr.com.
Jim Newbrough ’06 is no longer employed with Visiting Nurse
Service and Affiliates in Akron. He has taken a position as Vice
President of Operations with HomeReach (part of OhioHealth) in
Columbus, OH. He can be reached at his home address: 10222 Questa
Court, Wadsworth OH 44281. Telephone number is 330.334.4668. E-mail
address is jnewbroughjr@neo.rr.com.
Margaret Tramontine ’05 has relocated from Akron to New York.
New home address is 2 Thomas Lane, Scarsdale, NY 10583. Home
telephone is 914.723.6148. Cell phone is 330.533.7599. E-mail
address is mtramontine@sbcglobal.net
Michael Williams ’91 has joined the staff of Alpha Phi Alpha
Homes, Inc. as Deputy Executive Director. Address is
662 Wolf Ledges Parkway, Akron, OH
44311-1511. Phone number is 330.376.8787. Fax number is
330.376.6437. E-mail address is
mdwilliams@alphahomes.org.
Births/Special Announcements
Congratulations to Roberta Aber ’88 on the birth of her
granddaughter, Rory Elizabeth Boyce who was born on July 10.
Tracy Carter Johnson’s ’99 son, Jaylen was featured in the
Fall edition of ESPN magazine with other five to seven year old
children. The children were posing with Akron’s own LeBron James.
Obituaries
Our deepest sympathy to Brynette Birmingham ’95 on the death
of her father, Jerry W. “Jaybird” Drennan who passed away on
December 10.
Our condolences to the family of Leadership Akron graduate Becky
Gilliam ’93 who passed away on October 17.
Our deepest sympathy to Jess Hurst ’06 on the death of his
niece, Morgan Ottilia Myers who passed away on December 3.
Telephone/E-mail corrections
The correct telephone number for Debby Berkey ’02 at Visiting
Nurse Services is 330.668.4624.
Ellen Otto’s ’89 e-mail has changed. It is
e.otto@sbcglobal.net.
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Congratulations to Junior Leadership Akron student Bethany
Haver,
a junior from Firestone High School upon being featured
in
the Akron Beacon Journal on November 23 for her service on
the Advisory Committee of the Millennium Fund for Children.
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