Association Of Fundraising Professionals (AFP): Goals And Ethics

"The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) represents more than 27,000 members in 180 chapters in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education, and certification programs."

The organization was originally titled the National Society of Fundraisers, or NSFR, and got its start in 1960 when it was "officially chartered by the state of New York on June 21, 1960."

The first meeting was in February of 1961, which started off what would become annual meetings. During this meeting a twelve person board of directors was established and Dr. Abel Hanson was elected as the first president. By Spring of 1962 the NSFR held 197 members and by the end of 1965 held around 500 members from 26 different states. Much changed continued throughout the decades with different states and areas joining in and different elected presidents reigning. The name changed to the Association of Fundraising Professionals in January of 2001.

Goals

• Create and maintain a code of ethics that members can routinely rely on to help them advocate for current issues.

• Supply the Association of Fundraising Professionals with a chance to train on current topics and ideas.

• Compile and distribute positive information about the field to members and non-members to help promote growth.

• Aim for general and public understanding of goals, purposes, current issues and ethics of the organization.

• Push for favorable legislation, such as the Donor Bill of Rights, which insures trust in organizations from donors that there contributions will be put to the right and just cause.

Ethics

• Rely on a moral code, such as, honesty, virtue, and goodness, when acting for a certain organization and value organizational gain over personal.

• Continually increase knowledge so that current ideas and trends may have continually stronger achievements.

• Remember that not everyone will not agree with you and that they have the right to freedom of speech and thought.

• All persons should be treated equally.

• Foster other's to use the code of ethics too.

Out of the 180 current chapters, some are New Mexico, Greater Toronto, Washington, Orange County, Memphis and Silicon Valley. The Orange County chapter uses "monthly lunch meetings and annual conferences " to supply members with growth opportunities. Each has its own personal beliefs and goals, but all must adhere to the same strict code of ethics.

AFP. 2006. 10 October 2006. www.afpoc.org/index.htm

AFP. 2006. 10 October 2006. www.afpnet.org/ka/ka-3.cfm?content_item_id=1152&am p;folder_id=885

AFP. 2006. 18 October 2006. www.afpnet.org/ka/ka-3.cfm?content_item_id=1155&am p;folder_id=885.