PD Guide Resources

Thank you for volunteering to serve as a guide for a first-time Apra PD conference attendee! This webpage provides information related to your role as a guide, as well as links to resources for more information. Have questions, please reach out to Apra Headquarters at info@aprahome.org.

Ideally, you will meet with your guidee(s) at least 3 times:

Before PD: The first meeting should focus on helping the guidee plan how to optimize their PD experience based on their key objectives. This meeting could take place virtually or over the phone. Please use the first-time attendee checklist to guide this conversation.
During PD: The second meeting should be at the event to meet each other and chat about how best to connect during the conference. Apra will also be coordinating a PD Guide meet-up at the conference as well – stay tuned for more specifics on this to be shared before the conference!
After PD: The third meeting should concentrate on debriefing and creating an action plan to prioritize, share and enact takeaways from the conference.

Common Questions Guides May be Asked

Q. I’m new to the field of prospect development – how can I get to know the industry lingo and terminology?
A. The Body of Knowledge Glossary is a great place to start!

Q. What is the Body of Knowledge?
A. Developed by Apra volunteers, the Body of Knowledge (BOK) is a comprehensive tool that helps individuals and their managers identify growth opportunities and ensures that they have the knowledge and resources needed to excel in their current positions or assume new responsibilities. This tool also helps prospect development professionals demonstrate the breadth of their knowledge to those who are less familiar with their role. The four domains covered in the BOK are Prospect Research, Data Science, Relationship Management and Campaigns. BOK FAQs are here!

Q. Wow, volunteers developed the BOK! What else do volunteers do?
A. So many things! The Apra Board of Directors are all volunteers. Apra also has a number of committees, which are working groups of dedicated volunteers who contribute time and effort to achieving annual goals within their subject areas. Volunteers also contribute loads of content, like writing articles for the Connections, recording Apra Bytes and the Apra Podcast, and presenting webinars (many of which can be found within Apra University as recordings). If you’re interested in getting involved, you should definitely complete the volunteer survey! Professionals at all levels of experience are welcomed and encouraged to volunteer – you don’t have to be an “expert” to serve.

Q. What can I learn at Apra University, and what are some educational resources I should explore?
A. The Apra University offerings are aligned with the Body of Knowledge domains, and also include professional development resources like the triennial Salary Survey results. Other resources include:

aasp Best Practices Library: collection of whitepapers on industry best practices, written by prospect development professionals and free to Apra members.
Connections: online publication with cutting-edge content that will keep you on top of your profession.
Ethics and Professional Standards: provides official Apra-approved statements and guidelines for meeting the highest standards of performance and ethical behavior by those engaged in the profession.
PRSPCT-L: free discussion group of subscribers engaged in all areas of the prospect development industry. This robust consortium of diverse perspectives provides opportunities for soliciting and sharing opinions, views, and expert advice.

Q. Where can I find other resources to further my career?
A. A multitude of places:

Advocacy: outlines resources to assist as your advocate for the profession. Includes the Advocacy Toolkit, designed to help empower all Apra members to advocate for themselves, make their jobs more fulfilling, make their respective nonprofits more successful, and raise the reputation of the profession. Additionally, the Hey Advocacy! podcast was created by the Apra Advocacy Committee to provide Apra members with various practical answers to questions that pertain to advocating for themselves, their teams and the profession.
Career Center: online job board with hundreds of open prospect development and fundraising positions.
Chapters: Apra has 29 chapters across the United States, Canada and Australia that serve as invaluable local resources for prospect development professionals within their home/work geographic areas.
Speaker Coaching: tips, videos, and links to improve your confidence and get your message across as a public speaker or presenter.

Q. Let’s get back to PD. Where can I find session information?
A. You can find all the session on the PD website starting in April. A downloadable grid will also be available at that time and provide in-depth session information.

Q. How do I know which sessions to pick? What if I’m interested in two or more sessions in the same timeslot?
A. In the First Time Attendee Checklist, write out your key objectives. Ask yourself what you are hoping to learn. Do you want to deepen your subject matter expertise in a certain area? Are you interested in learning something totally new? Is there a particular presenter you want to hear from? If others from your organization are also attending, be sure to coordinate your picks – this really helps when you’re torn between two or more sessions running concurrently. If you’re attending solo, refer back to your key objectives to help you choose, or pick the session you know the least about. Chances are other resources already exist or will soon come up again for more basic topics, so you may be better off expanding your horizons with a unique session that is unlikely to be replicated elsewhere. You should also choose backup sessions for each timeslot, in case you change your mind later. Keep in mind that most sessions will be recorded and available for viewing later if you miss it live!

Q. Besides the breakout sessions, what else is going on at PD?
A. Lots of exciting programming!

Data Science Now (pre-conference workshop, August 28): Data Science Now is a one-day program covering various applications of analytics, fundraising and best practices for integrating data science into the development office. The event draws leaders in the field of fundraising analytics to discuss theory, method and applications of data analysis in non-profit fundraising.
Keynote Presentation: More details coming soon!
Apra Talks: Apra Talks has been one of the most versatile sessions at the conference. Over the years it has been delivered as TED-style talks, friendly debates, and short presentations on important and timely topics. 2023 details coming soon!
Exhibit Hall: Connect with vendors and learn about the tools and products that can help make your work life easier and more successful.

Meet-Up Conversation Starters

Topic: Hello!

Name, title/job function, employer, location
Favorite flavor of ice cream or sorbet
Call on the next person to introduce themselves

Topic: Conference

What have you liked best so far?
What are you looking forward to most for tomorrow/Friday?
What concept are you excited to explore further or implement after the conference?

Topic: Work

What has been your biggest work-related accomplishment this past year (or so)?
What is the biggest challenge you are facing at work right now?
If you were to transition elsewhere within fundraising, what area would you choose and why? (E.g., frontline fundraising, donor relations, marketing/communications, etc.)

Topic: Potpourri

What was your first job? What was your WORST job?
If you had a time machine, would you go back in time to meet your ancestors, or forward in time to meet your descendents?
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?