As 2009 ends, many people contemplate resolutions for the New Year.  Often the list includes;  Exercise more, spend more time with family and friends, stop smoking, or lose that pesky 15 pounds.  Good intentions usher in the year.  But, sadly, much of the resolute is forgotten by the time the Super Bowl rolls around.  Part of the problem is that thinking about a change is one thing; creating a plan and allocating the time to execute the chanage is something entirely different.

At Jeffrey Byrne & Associates we firmly believe that development activities need to become integrated into the daily operations of an organization.  As nonprofits plan for the upcoming year—budget, staffing and facility needs—we urge them to also layout their yearly development calendar.  This plan needs to be a component of the organization’s overall strategy for success.

Development is about creating meaningful relationships.  It is about telling your story and demonstrating your organization’s deep commitment to its mission.  It is an opportunity to both brag about successes and communicate your vision for the future.

Start planning now. Take a calendar and mark off when your newsletters or email communications will go out to your key stakeholders—clients, friends, current contributors and potential donors.  Additionally, take note of all of your fundraising and/or donor cultivation events.  Now on a blank sheet of paper write down all of the other opportunities that might be helpful in developing new relationships.  Decide Who, What, Where, When, Why and How these opportunities will be actualized and schedule them Now.  The time is now. Before you know it will be the 4^th of July.