Tom Ahern comes to Salem to bust donor communications myths

If your donations are flagging, maybe your approach needs tuning. Learn how to bump up your communications a notch – Tom Ahern is coming to Salem to break the mold of “That’s the way we’ve always done it.”
Tom Ahern, renowned communications specialist, will present “The Amazing Do-it-yourself Donor Communications Audit” on May 17 at the North Shore Medical Center. People engaged with nonprofit projects, educators and nonprofit agency personnel need
apply.
“Tom Ahern understands the work we all do, from branding to philanthropy,” said Ellen Kallman, director of philanthropy at Lowell General Hospital. “Tom takes a subject and turns it on its head to make you look at what you do through a different
lens. He inspires people to embark on a new path, a different path than they thought they’d be on.”
Ahern also writes fundraising materials and is in demand as a consultant to speak on getting better results from nonprofit donor communications. One hospital that took his advice saw gift income to its donor newsletter soar 1,000 percent to $50,000
per issue. An annual appeal package for a Florida hospice last year improved giving more than 300 percent, in the depths of the economic crisis.
“Tom talks across the spectrum – he knows healthcare, education, welfare organizations,” Kallman said. “He’s a very dynamic speaker with a new perspective; he issues challenges to look at communications in a different way. The last time I heard him
speak, he started talking and no one wanted him to stop.”
Join us May 17 at 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the North Shore Medical Center. Hosted by Essex County Development Group, a membership of fundraising professionals on the North Shore and Merrimack Valley. ECDG members, free; nonmembers, $25. Davenport 102A Conference Room, North Shore Medical Center, 81 Highland Ave., Salem. Serving light refreshments. Space is limited. RSVP Ellen Kallman at EKallman@LowellGeneral.org or 978-937-6430 to reserve a seat.
ABOUT TOM AHERN
Tom Ahern, considered one of North America’s leading authorities on donor communications, has authored four how-to books on donor communications and is working on a fifth. Each year, he delivers dozens of workshops internationally on the techniques
of and psychology behind successful fundraising communications. In 2011, in addition to his North American appearances, he spoke in Belgium, Norway, the Netherlands and Italy.
His clients include Save the Children, Houston Grand Opera, Sharp HealthCare system in San Diego, Providence Hospice of Seattle, the St. Louis Children's Hospital and Southcoast.

DIRECTIONS to NSMC Conference Room:
From Highland Avenue, turn at the set of lights for the Upper/Visitor Entrance and follow signs to Visitor/Patient Parking. If entering at the Lower Entrance near Emergency, the parking lot is on right.
From the Davenport 4 Visitor Entrance, take a left to the Davenport elevator and go to the first floor. Davenport 102 Conference Room is on the left.


FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ellen Kallman, director of philanthropy, Lowell General Hospital
978-937-6430