Anna Gabriella Colon
Obtaining & Updating Attorney Opinion Letters
This session will cover some of the best practices for obtaining and updating attorney opinion letters.
Presentation Materials
Anne Melvin
It’s About Time: Managing Your Most Precious Resource
Did you ever wish the day had 28 hours because you can’t get everything done in 24? The endless development treadmill of doing, doing, doing can drive you crazy, and often leaves you feeling like you’re doing more ‘churn’ with less ‘return’. Get off the hamster wheel and explore proven ways to cut down on wasteful activities, increase your productivity, and get more of the important work done. You’ll learn how you are using your time, what’s wasteful and what’s productive, and you’ll understand how to structure you day, week and month for efficiency. Learn to move the dial on your most precious resource. Isn’t it time?
Learning Objectives:
Understand how to work more efficiently, not harder
Learn how to use long-term planning to make more short-term time
Distinguish between ‘critical’ and ‘pressing’ and making the trade-off between the two
Presentation Materials
PPP_Time Management 7th Day Adventists 6_28_23 (2.3k KB)
Bo Just
Basic Accounting for Estates and Trusts
This introductory session on accounting will lead the attendees through the basic steps of how to account for estates and trusts. Suggestions will be presented on how to use AASI to provide accounting records. Attendees will also obtain an understanding of the responsibilities of the executor/personal representative/trustee and what additional documentation is necessary to fulfill those responsibilities.
Presentation Materials
PGTS Estate Trust Accounting (3 MB)
Carlton Byrd
Creating a Culture of Giving
Many individuals (particularly young adults) struggle with the current church culture and systems. Budgets should be set and established that are not bureaucratic in nature and/or just perpetuating practices that are irrelevant and antiquated.
Transparency is critical to donors giving and supporting ministry. Investment comes with trust. Be transparent on where the money given to the church and conference goes and how it helps fund certain activities (including evangelism and outreach), mission programs, and discipleship opportunities. By doing so, donors will be more apt to give.
Church leaders must model sacrificial giving. “You don’t lead people by what you say to them; you lead them by what they see you do” (Israelmore Ayivor).
Presentation Materials
NAD PGTS Creating a Culture of Giving (1 MB)
Daniel Bruneau
Utilizing the NAD PGTS Marketing Campaign
Did you know that the current 2023 NAD PGTS marketing and donor engagement strategy has been crafted and created using actual end-user behavioral research and insights? In this session, you’ll learn how to easily capture behavioral insights in order to understand how your donors think and make decisions so that you can create engagement and marketing initiatives that resonate strongly with your donors. You’ll also get to a practical hands-on demonstration of the current donor marketing engagement assets that have been designed to be used in either a plug-and-play format or customizable for your specific organization’s needs.
David King
Making Sense of “Faith” in Faith-based Fundraising
With the latest data on how religiosity shapes giving, you’ll gain insight in understanding the multiple ways that faith influences giving. You’ll also be equipped with new questions to consider as trends are changing. Finally, leave with refined skills and practical tips to engage donors on issues of faith in your fundraising.
Presentation Materials
Faith-based fundarising_adventists_9-8 (95 MB)
David Long
The Greater Gift – Stewardship and Asking
One of the most challenging aspects for planned giving professionals, or those who promote giving on behalf of their organization, can be asking for “the gift.” How can the fear be mitigated? What can encourage us to ask donors for “the gift”? Though the fear of asking is real, is there something greater to minimize this fear and possibly make it a non-factor?
The writings of Paul give us some factors that may not only lessen the fear but hopefully so enlarge our perspective so that it becomes minimal at the least. The Greater Gift will examine a divinely inspired viewpoint to assist in alleviating the dread of asking for “the gift.”
Presentation Materials
The Greater Gift (129 KB)
Dennis Carlson
State of the Division Address
Dennis and Scot give an overview of some of the latest developments in PGTS and what are some of the projects they are working on for the future.
Presentation Materials
NAD PGTS SOD Report 2023
Erik Daubert
Making YOUR Organization More Donor Focused!
In this dynamic session, we will discuss and experience the importance of creating an organization that celebrates, inspires, and communicates with donors!
Topics will include:
Casting YOUR organizational vision
Creating a compelling case for support
Believing you are WORTHY of charitable support
Reporting back to donors on the IMPACT of their gifts
AND MORE!
Presentation Materials
Fred Weber
Serving as the Fiduciary Responsible for Post-Death Administration
Post-death administration of estates and trusts can be a complicated, challenging, overwhelming, time consuming, and emotional process for everyone involved. For the fiduciary, the challenges of post-death administration are compounded by the sheer volume of the work involved, the legal and tax issues that must be resolved, and the risk of personal liability associated with serving as a fiduciary for someone who has died. The goal of this presentation is to provide a broad overview of the post-death administration process from the date of death until the date upon which all the assets have been distributed. Among other things, we will touch on topics such as probate; asset collection, consolidation, and valuation; tax compliance; payment of debts, taxes, and expenses; communication and notice requirements; timing of distributions; and the duty to account. We will also share some best practices for establishing and adhering to a post-death administration timeline that is designed to help manage the expectations of all the stakeholders in the estate or trust.
Presentation Materials
Serving as the Fiduciary Responsible for Post-Death Administration
Fred Weber
Navigating Estate and Trust Liquidity Issues Post-Death
This presentation focuses on dealing with estate and trust assets following a death. Specifically, we will discuss ideas and best practices for executors and trustees as they navigate the task of liquidating various types of assets that were owned or controlled by the decedent at death. We will explore liquidity challenges that are specific to certain assets or asset classes as well as liquidity challenges that may be imposed on fiduciaries by the terms of the estate plan and by how the assets were titled at death. We will also talk about the costs and complexities associated with the valuation, sale, and/or distribution of certain illiquid assets for which there may not be a readily accessible market. We will also provide some insight into the legal, financial, and logistical considerations that factor into estate and trust liquidation, as well as the fiduciary risks associated with the liquidation of estate and trust assets. The presentation will also include a basic examination of the fiduciary income tax and estate tax implications associated with the sale and distribution of estate and trust assets.
Presentation Materials
Navigating Estate and Trust Liquidity Issues Post-death
Jennifer Woods
Creating a PGTS Digital Storage Policy
This session will discuss what is needed to meet the new digital storage requirements of PGTS Standard #23b and give some insight into how you can develop a policy that will work for your own organization. Jennifer will talk about Lake Union Conference’s journey in creating a policy, including lessons learned and things considered along the way.
Presentation Materials
Creating a PGTS Electronic File Storage Policy
Draft LUC PGTS Electronic File Backup and Security Policy
Kristin Priest
The Art of Fundraising: What it means to be a ‘donor-centric’ organization
Faith-based organizations have a unique opportunity (and perhaps even responsibility?) to come alongside donors as they seek to answer God’s call to be generous. We’ll explore how you, as a trust services representative, can develop deeper relationships with donors, identify their unique case for support, and ultimately help them experience the joy of giving.
Presentation Materials
The Art of Fundraising: What it means to be a ‘donor-centric’ organization
Kristin Priest
The Science of Fundraising: How to apply best and ‘better’ stewardship practices to donor relation
This session will explore trends in faith-based giving and ways to effectively navigate emerging challenges and opportunities. Hear specific examples of how ministries are delivering meaningful donor journeys, stewarding donors as they explore deepening their giving experience and inviting them to a meaningful major gift experience.
Presentation Materials
The Science of Fundraising
Kurt Allen
Getting On the Same Page: Managing the Trust Advisory Committee
Clear communication between team members is vital for any organization to carry out its mission. Everyone thinks that they are communicating clearly to everyone else, yet important items keep falling through the cracks! What can the PGTS team and the conference treasury team do to get everyone on the same page? Kurt Allen will present the concept of an Association Management team that meets on a regular basis to improve the communication around the Planned Giving and the Association property management process. It gets the right people to the table so things no longer fall through the cracks!
Presentation Materials
Getting On the Same Page:
Ray Hartwell
Conversations that Matter: The Initial Visit and Interview
This session will cover the best practices for the first visit with a donor. How to listen to potential donors, how to represent the mission of your organization, and how to treat both with accuracy, respect, and a heart for ministry. Specific focus will be on the initial visit you, as the representative, may have with a potential donor, recognizing the roles of an institutional development officer, a media ministry representative, and the majority of our focus on a Conference trust officer.
Presentation Materials
Conversations that Matter (35MB)
Richard Harrison
Silicon Valley Bank: Lessons for Trust and Annuity Investments
A review of the challenges that led to the failure of prominent banks, and how the same challenges apply to trusts and annuities.
Presentation Materials
Richard Harrison
Reviewing Legal Documents
This session will focus on how to read and understand various types of legal documents. It will give you tips and strategies to help you cut through the legal jargon and get the information you need.
Presentation Materials
Robert Wahlers
Be on the Lookout for Non-cash Gift Opportunities
Appreciated non-cash assets—such as publicly traded securities, real estate, or private business interests—held more than one year provide a unique opportunity to leverage your donor’s most valuable investments to potentially achieve maximum impact with their charitable giving. We will discuss the various assets that can provide the resources for a person with charitable intent to become a donor to your organization. Bring a case that you may be dealing with to discuss.
Presentation Materials
Be on the Lookout for Non-cash Gift Opportunities
Robert Wahlers
Taking Advantage of the Tax Code: SECURE Act 2.0 & IRA QCDs
2023 is almost over, which means that we’re reaching a point in the year where many taxpayers are evaluating their required minimum distribution obligations. Taxpayers who have yet to take their 2023 RMD may wish to explore the qualified charitable distribution option as a way to minimize tax liability. While QCDs have been around for years, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act 2.0 made significant changes that could make the QCD option much more attractive to some donors. Under Secure 2.0, taxpayers can actually use the QCD to satisfy their annual RMD obligation from their IRA while simultaneously creating a stream of income for retirement for years to come.
Presentation Materials
Taking Advantage of the Tax Code
Tari Popp
Organizing a Trust Department: The 4 Critical Pillars
The strength of a tree lies under the ground. Join this session as we talk about the four unseen areas you need to nourish to create strong support for your trust program. For those who struggle with order and processes, come take away a practical tip or two to implement as soon as you get home.
Presentation Materials
Organizing a Trust Department
Tari Popp
Checklists: Humble but Potent
Sometimes the best solutions in life are the simplest. Sit in on this session if you’d like to learn why the humble checklist falls in that category. Absorb practical suggestions for their use and leave motivated to harness their power.
Presentation Materials
Checklists: Humble but Potent
Tony Reyes
Unlocking Success: Best Practices in Planned Giving & Trust Services
PGTS personnel from throughout the division will share some of the best practices they use to operate a best-in-class Planned Giving department.
Presentation Materials