Jan 15, 2023 | Best Practises
Whether you are attending a CCAE event, or networking with your colleagues being able to pass along your contact easily has become a necessity.
Check out the steps below, so you can become savvy in connecting with others via LinkedIn.
#1 Personalise your LinkedIn URL
- Logon to your LinkedIn account and navigate to the Edit Profile screen
- Your LinkedIn URL is shown under your image, click on the pen icon to the right of it. You may have to hover your mouse over the link for the pen to appear.
- On the top right-hand side, there is a box to Your Public Profile URL and in this includes your current URL. Click on Customize your Public Profile URL.
- In the message box that appears, enter a new URL for example your name. If that has already been taken, then choose an alternative. Note: You can change this URL, but if you do, LinkedIn won’t redirect users to the new one, so choose carefully and make it your permanent URL.
- Click on Set Custom URL to finish.
#2 Create a QR code using your LinkedIn URL
Next let’s create a QR code for your LinkedIn profile for easy sharing – you can even put this on your business cards.
QR or Quick Response codes are 2 dimensional barcodes that can be used by free apps on smartphones to direct a person to a range of different services such as phone numbers, email addresses and website addresses.
Creating your own code is very easy and FREE. There are a number of websites that provide them, these include:
Simply copy and paste your LinkedIn URL into the URL field and then download or save the image generated.
#3 Using your QR code
There are two places where can use QR codes:
- Save the QR code in your phone, and at an event let colleagues you want to connect with scan your code using their phone. This easily brings up your profile without having to type in a long url.
- Add it to your business card.
- Add it to your CV or resume.
Jun 28, 2022 | Best Practises
Written by CCAE. Posted in Blog
March 25, 2020
Featuring: Derek Cassoff, McGill University, Mike den Haan, Simon Fraser University, Brent Johnston, The Country Day School, John Kearsey, University of Manitoba, Gillian Morrison, University of Toronto, Nuvyn Peters, University of Calgary, Mark Savenkoff, Algonquin College, and Erin Sargeant Greenwood, Saint Mary’s University
Event cancellations at your institution – cancellation window and impact:
Event closure window is rapidly moving from end of April to end of June and even into July. Decisions pending at most schools on remote and / or postponed Convocation ceremonies.
Call Centre closures
Call centres have closed; current callers will be priority re-hires. When reopened, call centres will primarily be used for information and engagement purposes.
Progress of fundraising, solicitations, annual fund, campaign, etc.
Fundraising only for student emergency funds and COVID-19 research. Spending time on end of fiscal year and documentation.
“We have established the COVID-19 Action Fund: a $5 million rapid-disbursal fund for research directly related to the COVID-19 virus, and are seeking matching funds. So far there has been a positive and quick response despite hard financial impact on alumni and donors.” Gillian Morrison, University of Toronto
How are institutions and staff handling systems, processing and receipting from remote locations?
Those who already adopted cloud and / or remote work are ahead of this curve, but for all, adaptation is ongoing.
“Ontario’s definition of essential (or not) functions is driving our processes, and having a working relationship with IT staff is crucial.” Mark Savenkoff, Algonquin College
Sustaining productivity during remote work
Place trust in your staff and support them. Check in, collaborate, help ease anxiety, and allow for accommodations.
“Now is the time to trust your staff, and listen to their needs. Provide big goals but don’t pressure or micro-manage.” John Kearsey, University of Manitoba
Re-orientating communications
Authentic relationships and messages are now the necessity. Institutions should be sources of trusted, high-value information. Communications are also essential to donors and there is a need to completely changed the tone and content of communications, because past strategies and planning are no longer relevant.
“We aim to build goodwill so we will be seen as a place of information and value, after this is all through.” Derek Cassoff, McGill University
“Having Communications under the Advancement umbrella has streamlined our messaging, but not our sleep. We need to identify where we want to be when we resume “normal” operations, from messaging to the fundraising portfolio.” Erin Sargeant Greenwood, Saint Mary’s University
Emergency funds for students
The setup of student emergency relief funds is crucial at this time. For the short term, identify and source potential existing funds that can be redirected to student emergency relief funds. In the long-term institutions need to think about how to invite their community to support student emergency funds.
“We have online volunteer needs assessment ongoing now to determine campus community needs, such as tech support, mental health, shopping.” Nuvyn Peters, University of Calgary
Financial fallout
Endowment modeling and projections need to be reset. International-student recruitment and enrolment are in jeopardy, greatly affecting budgets.
“Our institutions are going to need Advancement more than ever. We have the expertise to generate support. Authentic, deep, genuine conversations will carry us through.” John Kearsey, University of Manitoba
“The endowment piece is a real concern, we need to look at our long-term modeling. International-student enrolment is crucial to our finances and could take a real hit.” Mike den Haan, Simon Fraser University
A look into the future . . .
The economic impact of COVID-19 is reminiscent of the 2008 recession but will likely be much worse depending on how long this goes. The emotional impact feels similar to 9 / 11. However, the work supported by philanthropy to our institutions is vital, it is time to stay positive and optimistic. Working together the impact of our institutions through collaboration and innovation will benefit all of Canada.
“Community, connections, relationships are central to everyone’s well-being and recovery. It’s time to focus on human part of the relationship and not the dollars.” Brent Johnston, The Country Day School
Related Resources:
March 25, 2020
Watch: Canadian Advancement Leaders share strategies & thoughts on COVID-19
Jun 28, 2022 | Best Practises
Marketing and Communications Summit
January 27 & 28, 2020
Mitch Joel’s thought-provoking and inspired presentation on disruption showed attendees how to look more closely at your users’ behaviours to meet them where they are at technologically.
Know the 3 Little Pigs of Disruption:
- To transform is an internal function (inside out), think of your constituents as customers and the importance technology will play in the choices they make. Tech has changed how the consumer buys , shift your world to engage them.
- To innovate (make products and experiences that connect people to your brand)
Are there tools that your constituents want that create a new path for you to communicate with them?
Provide people the entirety of all your offerings and communicate with them more frequently as understanding smaller consumer behavior habits have the most possibilities for growth in engagement.
- To transact (market and build equity)
What is the catalyst of your transactions, the steps of micro transactions to get to the action item? You need to effectively use the data you collect and employ it in your marketing strategies and think about what potential donors expect from their user journey to ensure it is as easy and enjoyable as possible.
Gain “buy in” from colleagues to reduce silos in your workplace.
When managing many layers of approvals, there arises a duplication of efforts if your structure is siloed. Many individuals find themselves in a culture where the rules of operation seem to instill complacency and mistrust.
Take steps to actively improve your workplace by thinking and acting collaboratively and involving units and various departments, not just your own, to be able to dismantle silos for innovation and progress.
- Communicate a unified vision to stakeholders, community and internally within your institution
- Keep students at the core, but allowing more connection and collaboration between departments
- Even logical decisions are fundamentally made through your emotions.
Collaboration and connections were made over the challenges we face.
Hearing stories from institutions of all sizes, working in the same types of environments and the different ways that they overcame different challenges in their environment, leads to new motivation for individual members.
- Perspective was gained by many on experiences common to all institutions, that included those that are unique to smaller organizations and to larger ones.
- Marketing and Communications must be a strategic partner not just a resource center
- Think less about what you can’t do due to budget and organizational or technological restrictions but how to think in terms of the end user and be more efficient the resources you have.
- Attitude and creativity make all the difference in overcoming the challenges
Many thanks to our speakers for presenting a high-quality program and to the 2020 Marketing and Communications Summit sponsor McGill University.
Related Resources:
Presentation files from the Marketing and Communications Summit are available upon request. If you wish to view the presentation files, please contact the CCAE office at admin@ccaecanada.org.

Photos: 2020 Marketing & Communications Summit: Keynote Mitch Joel, Six Pixels Media; Brian Kachur, Univeristy of Saskatchewan; Nancy Handrigan & Sherri Turner, Acadia University; Cristin Christopher, Nipissing University; Emma Nguyen, University of Toronto; Clayton Browne, Lakehead University; Derek Cassoff, Allison Flynn, Gabrielle Korn, Elana Trager, McGill University
Jun 28, 2022 | Best Practises
Written by CCAE. Posted in Blog
Advancement Services Summit
November 25-26, 2019
Support from Senior Leadership is paramount
It is of great importance to gain the support of Senior Leadership for any and all projects and initiatives to create success. It builds a culture of investment and trust, that allows for easier paths for your advancement services team.
Business glossaries make an impact
Putting more structure into processes, specifically within CRM’s is a highly useful tool and can be incorporated into any institution at any level.
Build a data culture
By using data in decision making, communicating data in meaningful relevant ways and integrating it into our way of life, you build a solid base for any initiative your institution takes – that can be repeatedly measured and improved upon.
Many thanks to our speakers for presenting a high-quality program and to 2019 Advancement Services Summit sponsor iModules.
Related Resources:
Presentation files from the Summit are available upon request. If you wish to view the presentation files, please contact the CCAE office at admin@ccaecanada.org.

Photos: 2020 Advancement Services Summit: Mirko Widenhorn, iModules; Mark Savenkoff, Algonquin College; Shelly Baker, Wilfrid Laurier University; Lori MacMullen, CUCCIO; Donabel Santos, University of British Columbia; Davida Stafford, McMaster University; Simon Labbett & Michael McMullen, Queen’s University.
Jun 28, 2022 | Best Practises
Annual Giving Summit
October 23-24, 2019
On Donors & Student Collaboration: Start with the basics when engaging both groups, and ensure it begins from a place of learning and respect. To acknowledge that fundraising & its terminology is not inherent to these groups is key to building a language of understanding and support.
On Data & Analysis: Don’t hypothesis the data, let the data show you, and keep in mind Annual Giving operates significantly differently than Major Gifts (automated vs manual) and requires evaluation that assesses the right context for your work.
On engaging Millennial Donors: Take a fresh approach to this group, millennial alumni are not the same as they were when they graduated.
Many thanks to our speakers for presenting a high-quality program and to 2019 Annual Giving Summit sponsors DonorPerfect and Manulife.
Related Resources:
Presentation files from the AGS are available upon request. If you wish to view the presentation files from the AGS, please contact the CCAE office at admin@ccaecanada.org.

Photos: 2019 Annual Giving Award recipients: Danielle Mulligan, University of Victoria (Travel Award); Brenda Oliver, University of Regina, (First Time Attendee Award); Dianna McGaughey, University of Waterloo (New Professional Award) with colleagues Jessica Wroblewski & Jennifer Murray.