Today was more promising....

Today was more promising at the German Fundraising Conference. The first session was on Telephone Marketing. It was in German and the presenters seemed to be convincing of how it can be effective. The second was by an Englishman who spoke on ways to cultivate major gift donors. England has a long tradition of fundraising like in the US. And there are many jobs there for those of you who would like to emigrate to an English speaking country. His talk was good, clear, and informative. The next was by an American who spoke on Major Gift fundraising programs. His was also an informative session although he used many colloquilisms which I believe might have been lost on the audience. The last session was done by a fundraising/marketing company, seeking to drum up business. They were rather idiotic. Right at the beginning they said no one in the company was a Bhuddist, but then used a Bhuddist prayer chain as their presentation tool. Seemed quite ill-thought out.

Now, the presentations are over and tonight is the grand gala. It begins with champagne and appetizers, the giving out of the German fundraising prize, followed by a performance by Gayle Tufts (an ex-pat American who specializes in comedy about Americans in Europe), the big supper buffet and yes, a fundraising discotheque. I can hardly believe that the word discotheque is being used, but it is. Could be fund though.