AFP eWire – November 13, 2006

PRESS RELEASE: For Immediate Release

Chapter Honors, Service Award Presented at Delegate Assembly

L - R: Alphonce J. Brown, Jr., ACFRE; AFP Chairman; John Kelleher, CFRE, and Paulette Maehara, CFRE, CAE; AFP President and CEO. Alphonce and Paulette presents the 2006 Barbara Marion Award for Outstanding Service to AFP at the recent AFP Delegate Assembly held in Los Angeles, California.

(Nov. 13, 2006) At the recent Delegate Assembly meetings in Los Angeles, the association recognized and honored John Kelleher, CFRE, with the Barbara Marion Award for Outstanding Service to AFP

Kelleher is President and CEO of KELLEHER & ASSOCIATES in Canyon County, Calif., and is a member of both the Greater Los Angeles Chapter and the Greater San Fernando Valley Chapter. He joined AFP in 1981 when he took the position of Los Angeles Area Director for ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn.

“At the time, members of the NSFRE [National Society of Fund Raising Executives, as AFP was then known] National Office suggested that I join the organization as it might be helpful to me,” said Kelleher. “I hadn’t heard much about the organization before then, but it’s one of the best professional decisions I’ve ever made.”

Barbara Marion, ACFRE, was the first woman to chair both the AFP and the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy boards of directors and provided leadership to the association in countless areas. The Barbara Marion Award for Outstanding Service to AFP recognizes a member who demonstrates outstanding leadership to the association and/or its related entities, such as the foundation and the AFP Political Action Committee.

A Presence for Government Relations

Kelleher has been one of the most consistent and forceful voices for AFP’s government relations over the past two decades, even when the association did not have any public policy staff. He has served for many years on the U.S. Government Relations Committee and has been actively involved in many of its initiative. He is a much requested speaker and teacher for both his chapters and local organizations and has given numerous presentations on lobbying, advocacy and the relationship between nonprofits and the government.

On the local and regional level, Kelleher has served in just about every conceivable position in both the Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley Chapters. He has been named Outstanding Fundraising Professional by both chapters, and the San Fernando Valley chapter named him Fundraising Professional of the Decade in 2003.

Kelleher is also a strong supporter of the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy. For the last seven years, he has matched chapter members’ contributions to the Every Member Campaign up to $1,200 annually.

“One of the best aspects of AFP is being a part of an international organization that grants all development officers the opportunity to learn from one another and develop fellowship with your fellow members,” Kelleher said. “I have attended more than 20 International Conferences as an attendee, presenter, volunteer and committee member of the hosting chapter. The knowledge and the learning opportunities are unlimited. Fellowship is one of the greatest rewards in being a member of AFP!”

Getting Involved with AFP

When asked about his AFP favorite programs and initiatives, Kelleher doesn’t hesitate to single out two: National Philanthropy Day® and mentoring.

“NPD has to be at the top,” he said. “It is the greatest opportunity for our profession and our members to acknowledge and thank our volunteers, donors, staff, board members—everyone for participating in giving back to one’s community.  It really brings out the ‘Love of humankind’ in all of us.” Mentoring is also important to Kelleher, who calls it a “great joy” to sit down and talk to new development officers and give some advice.

One thing he would not hesitate to tell them is to get involved, and be proactive about doing so! Kelleher acknowledges that it can be difficult for new members, but he encourages them not to wait until someone asks them, but to seek out officers and directors of their chapters.

“Find out what type of programs are being conducted or planned, pick one that you have a personal interest in and get involved,” he said. “AFP has much to offer, but you will only get out of AFP as much as what you are willing to put in. We all continue to learn and develop our skills and talents. I have been in the profession for more than thirty years and I am still learning everyday. So take an active part and get involved.”

Paulette V. Maehara, CFRE, CAE, president and CEO of AFP, praised Kelleher for his dedication and enthusiasm. "John has contributed in so many outstanding ways to AFP and the fundraising community, and I know our California chapters will attest to that," she said. "He has strengthened our programming, especially in the area of government relations, and is already ready to help out in any way he can. We are honored to recognize him with the Barbara Marion Award for Outstanding Service to AFP. He certainly deserves it!"