I am extremely grateful to the AFP-GHC Chapter for providing the Texas A&M Collegiate Chapter with scholarships to attend AFP ICON. Thank you for being so generous in providing collegiate members an opportunity to develop knowledge about ethical and current trends to become better fundraisers. I really appreciated the opportunity to open my mind to other perspectives, approaches, and thoughts during the conference.

This past school year, I had the honor of being the Treasurer for the Texas A&M Chapter where our team hosted monthly panels. Some of the panels were about AFP’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) initiative; Client Relationship Management Systems; and Stewardship. (As an aside, a big Texas-sized heart-felt, thank you for working with us to invite Houston fundraisers on our panels. We appreciate each person for taking the time to talk with our chapter!) When I discovered that ICON had educational sessions related to our collegiate panels and so much more, I was thrilled to say the least.

My current development graduate assistantship helps to support Major Gift Officers and Development Operations. ICON helped improve my understanding of major gifts and helped make me a better team player. Plus, I learned about my own personal development plan and some of the next thoughtful and strategic steps I need to make to be a more successful.

Other than the fantastic educational sessions (that I’m still watching!), Kishshana Palmer’s emceeing was so delightful, joyous, and inspiring. I was dancing at my desk when she played music! Additionally, Heather McGhee’s keynote was powerful. I’m on a waitlist to get her book The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together.

Before I began my graduate studies at the Bush School of Government & Public Service, I was in the volunteer management world. I was concerned about how to transition into the development space after graduating. However, with the help of the AFP-GHC and Texas A&M Collegiate Chapters, I’m much more prepared to serve as a fundraiser. The chapter’s generosity has propelled me into the career I want and has taught me the power of paying it forward to the next generation.

Thank you & Gig ‘Em,

Megan Yeager
Master’s in Public Service & Administration, Class of 2021