Introvert’s Day Out: Why Researchers Should Go to Donor Events (Even if it’s Not Your Thing) “They must be just like characters for you, not real people.” It was 2011. We were in the quiet phase of our $500 million campaign, and my campaign director and I were reviewing a list of top prospects. “Yep,” I answered, only half-kidding, “They’re much less scary that way.” I’ve been in not-for-profit twenty-two years, and finally found my home in prospect research in 2008. Until then, it was an on-going struggle between my passion for philanthropy and my natural introversion: I loved making a difference in the world, but it took an immense amount of energy to cold-call potential sponsors; to schmooze in the lobby on opening night; to work the black-tie gala. Prospect research is the best of both worlds: I’m still a fundraiser, but I rarely if ever have to leave my nice, safe, quiet office. It’s perfect. But on May 12, something extraordinary happened around here; something that changed my perspective on my whole “little man behind the curtain” approach. As you may have heard, Dr. Ernest Rady had made the biggest gift in our 139-year history, and we were throwing him a surprise party. The gift would be announced at the morning convocation. While Dr. Rady was attending the lunch celebrating the honorary doctorate and award recipients, the atrium would be filled with banners, balloons, confetti, pastries, music, and as many people as we could find, all holding signs saying “THANK YOU”. It was to be a once-in-a-career experience, and there was no way I was missing it: I was just going to have to brave a crowd once more. My team and I watched the live feed of the announcement from our office, then headed to our downtown campus to join the hundreds of students, faculty, staff, community members, and media there to capture the moment. We handed out signs and practiced yelling “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” in unison. As I found a place on the edge of the crowd, I overheard a conversation between students: “Who is Ernest Rady again?” “He’s the guy who gave us all the money!!” Not “gave the university”, mind. “Gave us.” I smiled at them. We waited. We got the signal – “Here they come!” - and the music started to play. Dr. Rady appeared, confetti rained down, we bellowed our “thank yous”. The cheers were deafening, and Dr. Rady – despite good-natured finger-wagging at our Vice-President External - was clearly overwhelmed. Dr. Rady then stepped to the podium and told us the story of his parents, for whom our Faculty of Health Sciences & College of Medicine would now be named. He told us about his father Max, who emigrated from Russia in 1893. He worked at the Talmud Torah School to put himself through medical school against unfathomable odds, and went on to become a well-loved and highly-respected physician. His mother Rose was devoted to community as well as her family, and was a tireless volunteer for countless charities. Dr. Rady talked about his parents’ values of working hard and giving back, and about how deeply proud he was to honour their memory with his gift. That much was clear: though he had been talking about them all morning, his voice broke every time he said their names. Don’t get me wrong: I’m not crossing the floor. Prospect research is such rewarding work. It suits my talents and personality, and I am proud of the impact that the work of my team has on the University of Manitoba. I love working with fundraisers, I know I’m making a difference, and – as always - I am more than happy behind the scenes: there is important work to be done back here. But from now on, I’m going to take advantage of every opportunity I can to hear one of our donors speak, and I encourage you to do the same. To miss it is to deprive ourselves of the very best part of this business: getting to see true philanthropy up close and personal. Not affinity and capacity ratings, not real estate and stock holdings, not giving history and philanthropic interests. Donors. Human beings. Complex, nuanced, thoughtful, and generous. Not characters. Real people. At their very, very best. Jennifer M. WaltonManager, Advancement ResearchUniversity of Manitoba To see a video of the surprise party, go to http://news.umanitoba.ca/30m-for-rady-faculty-of-health-sciences/