Board Retreats in Action
“Thank you for the extraordinary training session you conducted for the Museum this past Saturday. It was informative, thought-provoking and fun. In these challenging times, where resources are scarce, an organization would be wise to use some of those resources engaging your firm.” ~ David H Pottenger III, Board Chairman, NC Museum of Life and Science
“Gail, you have a presentation style that puts your audience at ease and draws them in as you make your points. The real life stories you use to illustrate your points are both entertaining and educational.” ~ Jeff Weller, Board Chair, Ronald McDonald House of the Rio Grande Valley
“I have never seen this group be more engaged and excited about fund raising- and believing we will be successful! We sure are on FIRE here!” ~ Deborah M. Johnson, CFRE, Director of Development, The Pine School, Hobe Sound, FL
“You sure fired our board members up with ideas and a sense of confidence that they can be great “friendraisers” for our organization. Your energy and enthusiasm for fundraising was infectious.”
~Peggy A. Grimes Executive Director Montana Food Bank Network
“Gail Perry is in-fact a nonprofit missionary with a message that can save great organizations by helping them bring committed and passionate donors to their cause.” ~ Kim Lopez, Board Member Insight Meditation Center, Washington DC
“Gail’s practical advice from years of successful fundraising was priceless. Hers is that rare training after which you walk out and immediately start implementing her ideas. All I can say is thank you!” ~Kim Lopez, Board Member Insight Meditation Center, Washington DC
“We were all impressed with your “soft sell with great impact” presentation yesterday. Clearly we learned some new tools for fund-raising but more importantly shifted the attitude!” ~Marion G. Thompson, Board Member Greater Baltimore Medical Center Foundation
“Thanks so much for a great retreat and leaving us with so much new momentum to go out and raise funds for GBMC. You did an outstanding job.” ~Doug Smith Greater Baltimore Medical Center Foundation
“Over the past week I’ve had the privilege, and I use that word deliberately, to attend three great meetings, all of which serve to inspire me. All presenters were on their game, which gives me great hope for our future. Thank you for being one of these three. ~ David H Pottenger III, Board Chairman, NC Museum of Life & Science
“Your passion is contagious and your visit was so helpful.”
~ Gwendolyn, Board Member of America’s Second Harvest San Deigo CA
“I was surprised at how quickly our session went, felt far more knowledgeable about the friend-raising process and am convinced our organization is better off for having been through this. Additionally, I feel that my personal knowledge base was greatly expanded.”
~ David H Pottenger III, Board Chairman, NC Museum of Life and Science
“I love your cultivation strategy of “advice visits.” I’ve been having a great time contacting various business leaders asking for their coaching/opinion on making the Grand Canyon Chapter of the Red Cross a success. My approach is to briefly outline what the Red Cross does in our community , and ask what successful practices they have seen on the charitable boards they serve on. The response has been great. They are interested and want to have on-going dialogue. Thanks again, Gail.”
~Karen Mildenhall Managing Director Marsh, Inc. President Elect, Grand Canyon Chapter of the American Red Cross
“Thank you so much for the fantastic retreat this morning!!! Our board members (and staff) are energized and ready to begin the work ahead.”
~ Carolyn Insley GBMC Foundation
“It was such a thrill to see the body language and faces of our board members change from reservation, reluctance and uncertainty to smiles, laughs and excitement. You rallied the troupes in a way that got them out of their comfort zone, made them tackle those underlying fears, and empowered them to motivate. It was brilliant!” ~Abby Johnston, Director of Development Saint Mary’s School Raleigh, NC
“What a change! Now when we discuss fundraising no one begins to make excuses or shys away. Our board members are stepping up to foster the relationships with donors, love to tell our story to anyone who will listen and certainly aren’t shy or “ashamed” to ask.”
~ Jeff Weller, Board Chair, Ronald McDonald House of the Rio Grande Valley
“Thank you forhelping us move closer to realizing the vision we have for our Museum You were extremely well prepared for our particular needs. You kept the meeting “light” and fun, and yet were able to convey an important message.”
~David H Pottenger III, Board Chairman, NC Museum of Life and Science
“I really like the way you involve your audience in the discussion with numerous exercises and activities. That really helps people immerse themselves in the topics and creates important buy-in to the subjects discussed.”
~ Jeff Weller, Board Chair, Ronald McDonald House of the Rio Grande Valley
“You make fundraising comfortable and fun for our board members. And you energized us all to move in a positive direction. Thank you so much!”
~ Michael Lowery, Development Director, Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill
“Thank you for good usable information and for helping us stretch to find our own way.” ~ Zanne Baker, Board Member Penland School
“After our retreat, the board member are showing confidence that we are a cause that offers something so critical and worthwhile. They KNOW people will want to support us. They truly have been “transformed”… thank you!”
~ Jeff Weller, Board Chair, Ronald McDonald House of the Rio Grande Valley
“Gail was a very skilled, passionate facilitator at the NCAEYC Board Retreat. She helped me to view fundraising from a totally new and different perspective.” ~ NCAEYC Board Member
“Loved your workshop, your enthusiasm and brilliance for the work and the material you presented. It was right on and perfectly aligned for me and the needs of my organization. Appreciated very much a window into your mastery.” ~ Stanford Siver, Alliance for PeaceBuilding, Washington DC
“I wanted to personally say thank you for a tremendous evening of inspiration. I know you changed mind sets and attitudes about how we approach fund raising and more importantly how we can effect positive outcome.” ~ Deborah M. Johnson, CFRE, Director of Development, The Pine School,Hobe Sound, FL
“Great investment of time and money.” ~ Board Member, the Pine School, Hobe Sound, FL
“Gail’s energy and ideas will be useful in many aspects of our lives – above and beyond just fundraising. Fundraising is an area that I am not excited about – but now I really feel like I have a new perspective.”
~ Board Member, the Pine School, Hobe Sound, FL
“Thanks again for a very informative seminar!”
~ Board Member, the Pine School, Hobe Sound, FL
“I absolutely loved the workshop. I also thought that the honesty of the Board was excellent.”
~ Board Member, the Pine School, Hobe Sound, FL
“Gail was wonderful. Even this old dog learned a few new tricks.”
~Board Member, the Pine School, Hobe Sound, FL
“I can’t thank you enough for your wonderful presentation to the SECC Kick-Off Luncheon group !!! You not only gave everyone good techniques and tools, but put a very human face on the process of fundraising.”
~Dr. Haig Khachatoorian, NC State University
“Gail, you’re just terrific in terms of your warmth, empathy, energy and group dynamics. I can see why you are so effective with nervous board members and volunteers.”
~ Dr. Haig Khachatoorian, NC State University
“Thank you very much for the great retreat. It was very productive and extremely uplifting to me and the members of the board. I really appreciated your focus on being positive and emphasizing our successes!”
~ Fouad Fakhouri, Artistic Director Fayetteville Symphony
“I just want to thank you! It made a huge difference in the level of professionalism and expertise just to have you on the agenda, and I think everyone left feeling a lot smarter about fundraising and grant seeking thanks to you!”
~ Kathryn Williams YMCA, Raleigh, NC.
“It was great to be in your fine workshop in Jackson last week. You REALLY know how to move a board of directors forward Best regards!”
~ Jo G Prichard, Development Digital Opportunity Trust/USA Jackson, MS
“Gail, your excellent presentation was exactly what my board needed. They seemed very satisfied with what they learned and the way it was presented. I think it also has made them more comfortable with asking for a donation.”
~ Laura Walters, Executive Director Literacy Council of Wake County
“Gail, thank you for the obvious preparation and effort in preparing for our fundraising session at the PADF annual Board meeting. The guidance and information you provided are real motivators. Please accept my heart felt thanks.”
~ Ruth Espey-Romero, Board President, Pan American Development Foundation
“I can’t recommend Gail highly enough — she was a terrific presenter and she really lit our board on fire! Her style is very down to earth and she mixes practical information with anecdotal examples of what she is saying.”
~ Dawn Price, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
“The secret to Gail’s success — and what sets her apart from other consultants — is her ability to help each individual participant identify and use their own unique spark of commitment and passion for the organization’s mission.” ~Dawn Price, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
“Gail’s encouraging style and infectious enthusiasm help even the most timid volunteer find a voice for fundraising.” ~Dawn Price, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
“Because the approach is geared to each individual’s point of view, Gail’s presentations and advice relate equally well to new fundraisers and seasoned veterans. I’ve been a fundraiser for more than 20 years and I found myself as energized and renewed as my first-time board members.”
~Dawn Price, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
“The most valuable thing for me was reinforcing the fact that I don’t have to go out tomorrow and beg people for money; that it’s a process and it’s all about building relationships. And, that it can be fun!”
~Mindy, Board Member Pathways Hospice Foundation CA
“Gail Perry’s approach to facilitation continued long after our retreat was finalized. Before the retreat, our Board was sharply divided about our future. At the retreat, we were able to come to an agreement with a vision and marching orders. We have achieved solid success thanks to Gail Perry.”
~ Ruth T. Summers, Executive Director, Grove Arcade, Asheville, NC
“Gail was a very skilled, passionate facilitator at the NCAEYC Board Retreat. She helped me to view fundraising from a different perspective.”
~NCAEYC Board Member
“With Gail’s help, our Board and Development volunteers finally engaged. She took their existing enthusiasm for our mission and gave them realistic steps and goals to make a critical impact on our ability to raise funds. I would highly recommend Gail for any nonprofit board.”
~ Jennifer W. Nicely, CFRE, Siskin Children’s Institute, Chattanooga, TN
“Your presentation was wonderful. Your enthusiasm is certainly an asset It was helpful to recognize that Cornerstones of Care’ good work is something that others want to hear.”
~ Board Member, Cornerstones of Care
“Very worthwhile use of 2 hours on a Monday night. Enjoyable, entertaining, and educational, all wrapped up with southern charm!”
~ Jim Bernard, Jr. Board Member Cornerstones of Care
“Gail’s message helped to empower our board so they could take action to support our mission.”
~ Carol S. Lillibridge, Director of Gift Planning, El Camino Hospital Foundation
Thanks so much. Just want to let you know that you were amazing.
~ Larry Chu Jr., El Camino Hospital Foundation Board Member
“You made the session not only very informative but also lively! I enjoyed it and am now more comfortable to ask people “to consider a gift” and NOT ” give me money.”
~ Dr. Joan Wang, Greater Baltimore Medical Center Board Member
“Gail is that special person who can motivate boards to fundraise by removing their fears and instilling within them with a renewed sense of purpose.”
~ Gary McDonald, America’s Second Harvest Food Bank, San Deigo CA
“You also made me realize how important my job as a board member and I am going to learn more from you by reading the whole book.”
~ Dr. Joan Wang, Greater Baltimore Medical Center Board Member
“The retreat was just so empowering!”
~ Linda Frenette, Executive Director, Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra
