February 2007 Featured Article

Resources for Professional Development:

Introduction to the American Association of Grant Professionals

Pat Bohse, President of Bohse & Associates, Inc.

This year we are taking a new approach to the Grant Resource Information Page.  We will be featuring you, the municipal grant writers and researchers, as well as several representatives from the state agencies that write, review and award grants.

For the last two years we have been talking about the “how to’s” of grant writing, researching and grant management.  Now we want you to share your stories with us.  We are looking for volunteers to write a short article which will be posted on the New Jersey State League of Municipalities’ Grant Resource Center during 2007.  This is a wonderful opportunity to highlight your municipality.  Please contact Pat Bohse at pbohse@bohse.com for more information.

Also this year, I will be sharing other resources with you for your own professional development.  This month I am highlighting the American Association of Grant Professionals (AAGP).

The AAGP is a nonprofit membership association consisting of international grant professionals committed to serving the greater public good by practicing the highest ethical and professional standards.  To achieve their mission, AAGP:

• serves as a leading authority and resource for the practice of grantsmanship in all sectors of the field;
• advances the field by promoting professional growth and development;
• enhances the public image and recognition of the profession within the greater philanthropic, public and private funding communities; and
• promotes positive relationships between grant professionals and their stakeholders.

AAGP’s national organization’s membership benefits include:

• attending their Annual Fall Conference at a discounted rate;
• participation in a Member Nationwide Discussion Forum;
• subscription to their quarterly E-newsletter;
• subscription to their Semi-Annual Journal;
• gaining access to the “Members Only” section on their website;
• participation in the organization’s credentialing initiative (note: AAGP has formed an affiliated organization, the Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI), and is in the beginning stages of test development);
• advertising your  services in the AAGP “Consultants Directory “;
• an opportunity to take advantage of consumer discounts and other special offers;
• the use of a conference calling service at a discounted rate; and
• receiving hotel discounts and privileges under the Starwood Preferred Guest Program.

National membership dues are $125.  The New Jersey Chapter’s dues are $25.  You must be a national member in good standing to be eligible for a chapter membership.  For more information visit www.grantprofessionals.org.

The New Jersey Chapter of the American Association of Grant Professionals (NJAAGP) was organized in June 2006, and presently they have 30 members.

The NJAAGP provides members of the national AAGP a local venue in which to network and to exchange ideas.  They have regular meetings approximately every other month.  The next scheduled meeting is March 15 at Ocean County College in Toms River (Ocean County).  As statewide organization, their meetings move around the state to make it fair for all.  For more information please contact Dena Hartigan at denahartigan@comcast.net, or if you would like to join their mailing, list contact Patricia Phillips at pathill@comcast.net.

NJAAGP’s first annual conference will include grant proposal writers, managers, administrators and consultants of all skill levels and in all areas of practice; from arts, to education, to homeland security.  The AAGP anticipates that the 2007 conference will attract more than 200 attendees from across New Jersey.

Save the date:

AAGP 2007 Conference

“Developing Connections”

May 7, 2007

Richard Stockton College of New Jersey

Carnegie Library Center

Atlantic City, NJ

National website: www.grantprofessionals.org

New Jersey Chapter website: www.grantadvocate.com/njaagp.htm

For more information on how to write grants or if you have grant questions, contact Pat Bohse at pbohse@bohse.com or (732) 291-8038.

Click here for a full version of February's article in PDF format