CASE (the Council for Advancement and Support of Education) is gearing up for its annual Summit for Advancement Leaders.
Until a couple of years ago, the big July meeting was called CASE International Assembly and was really a giant version of CASE's various district conferences, with disparate talks on specific activities and programs. I believe that many experienced senior professionals felt that most sessions were too "nuts and bolts" oriented, and registration declined (or was flat). CASE redesigned the meeting and relaunched it as the Advancement Summit. The conference description now refers to
senior-level advancement professionals, distinguished thinkers, and global leaders in thoughtful discourse about...advancing higher education.
This move elevates the dialog at the conference from "how to do a reunion mailing" to "how to define our professions' roles in making higher education successful." CASE's strategy and marketing for the Summit aims it at more senior professionals. I think mid-career, mid-level staff should be brought into the dialog as well.
Last year's Summit in New York proved that there's value in elevated discussion about advancement, as higher ed goes through major transitions (economic, demographic, political, technological). If you're at the Director level or above, consider bringing your up-and-coming Associate Directors to CASE Summit so they will see that there's more to advancement than doing a job - there's an entire profession that needs their commitment and attention. CASE Summit is becoming a great place to get the big picture.
If that doesn't convince you to attend, then this certainly will: I'll be among the presenters - more about that in the next couple of weeks.
This year's Summit for Advancement Leaders is July 8 to 10 in Chicago, Illinois. Click here to view the program. There's $100 off the registration fee if you sign on by May 30. You can register online or you can call CASE and register by phone: 202/324-1769.
A final thought - CASE has numerous volunteer opportunities for advancement staff at colleges, universities and schools. If you are interested in being a conference presenter, an awards judge, an author, or a district volunteer, contact Brett Chambers, CASE's executive director of volunteer relations: chambers@case.org.