Community Partners are Key to Cause Conference Success

The AMA’s Cause Conference has grown to become the largest partnership conference on the west coast for nonprofits. But, as with any new event, it started small. So, how has this conference grown to be so popular? “Growth has been mostly organic by nonprofit and business support organizations and professional associations,” explains Parker Pike, founder of the Cause Conference. Each year, many San Diego organizations are approached that align with the conference’s target audience; executives in marketing, community relations, new business development, PR and advertising. The partnership, which requires no financial obligation, is an exchange of marketing resources to help both the conference and the Community Partner. “They help us spread the word to their members through their various marketing mediums.” In return, these organizations receive many great benefits surrounding the event, including media promotion, name inclusion on collateral pieces, and presence at the event. In addition, the San Diego AMA extends a discounted rate to the organization’s members to attend the conference.

But it’s not just the promotion that intrigues the partners. USD’s Institute for Nonprofit Education and Research has been a Community Partner for the past four years. “We believe in the conference’s goals to assist nonprofits with their marketing and to teach people new ways to reach audiences and to inspire them to support their organizations,” suggests Laura Stein, Assistant Director for the Institute for Nonprofit Education and Research. The 2010 Cause Conference will focus on the latest marketing and fundraising information to help nonprofits reach new heights despite the recession. It will include topics such as partnerships, social media, public speaking, return on investment, and marketing leadership. “This is a well-organized, engaging and stimulating event. I enjoy catching up with many of my nonprofit colleagues and meeting some new people, too. I believe this conference is time well-spent for any nonprofit professional.”

The 12^th Annual Cause Conference Community Partners:

• Academies for Social Entrepreneurship
• Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
• BIOCOM
• International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
• Net Impact
• SANDAN
• San Diego Direct Marketing Association (SDDMA)
• San Diego Grantmakers
• The San Diego Foundation
• San Diego Social Venture Partners
• Stay Classy
• TechAmerica
• United Way of San Diego
• UC San Diego Extension
• USD/SOLES Institute for Nonprofit Education and Research
• Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) San Diego

For more information about the AMA San Diego 12th Annual Cause Conference visit the conference website at www.sdama.org/conference.htm. You can also follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn (members only), and Twitter!

Corporate Partner Honored

Many congratulations to San Diego AMA Cause Conference partner, Mission Federal Credit Union and TRICIA LINK!!!

PR News All-Star Awards Honors Mission Federal Credit Union’s Tricia Link as a 2008-2009 National Community Relations Professional of the Year

San Diego – Mission Federal Credit Union is proud to announce that Tricia Link, Vice President of Community Relations and External Affairs, has been honored as a 2008-2009 National Community Relations Professional of the Year in the annual PR News PR People All-Star Awards. The winners were announced by PR News on December 1, 2009 at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. According to PR News, this was the most competitive field of entries to date, with more than 1,000 nominations representing the best-of-the-best from top global and national companies. Tricia and Mission Federal were the only winners from a non national or global, locally-based company, and the only credit union represented.

“We are proud to have Tricia as part of our team and are thrilled that she has been recognized with this prestigious honor by her peers for her outstanding community partnering achievements on behalf of Mission Federal Credit Union,” said Neville Billimoria of Mission Federal Credit Union. “The community giving, cause marketing, and nonprofit partnerships that Tricia has put in place for Mission Federal Credit Union continue to reinforce Mission Fed's proud position as a community partner of choice within the San Diego community, in which our employees and member-owners take great pride. The fact that several of our community nonprofit and media partners helped nominate Tricia for this honor makes it even that much more meaningful."

During her tenure in overseeing and revitalizing strategic community partnerships at Mission Federal Credit Union, Tricia has created and implemented key community outreach campaigns, including: the national and international award-winning “I'm Thankful for My Teacher” campaign, the Padres Community Home Run Challenge, Mission Possible Star 94.1 Community Outreach of Care radio and web campaign, Mission to Educate KPBS radio and TV campaign, San Diego Zoo social media click-through campaign, groundbreaking Mission 4 R Schools donation campaign, Mission 4 Monarch Holiday Gift Card Campaign, the Mission Federal Memory Walk held in Balboa Park every October to support Alzheimer's awareness, education and research, the Mission Federal ArtWalk and Mission 4 ArtReach companion initiative, held every April in San Diego’s Little Italy community, and the inaugural Mission 4 Monarch School holiday gift card donation drive occurring right now in Mission Federal's 20+ branch network.

During 2008-2009, Tricia spearheaded Mission Federal's million-dollar plus commitment to community and cause marketing partnerships benefitting the San Diego community, in addition to her role as executive director of the Mission Federal Community Foundation, which provides hundreds of thousand additional dollars in grant support for financial literacy and educational programs throughout San Diego. Ms. Link also serves as the public spokesperson for the brand, appearing regularly as a community affairs and philanthropic expert on local network affiliates such as NBC 7, Fox 5, CW 6 and KUSI 9 television morning news shows. Ms. Link is also a sought-after expert panelist and guest speaker for the American Marketing Association, Nonprofit Management Solutions, San Diego GrantMakers, and other organizations. Ms. Link serves on the Boards of the Great Friends Foundation, Kids Included Together, and on the Advisory Boards for BearArts Foundation, ForBenefit Enterprise, and San Diego Unified School District, and is an active community volunteer focused on serving at-risk underserved children and families as well as supporting the SPCA’s pet adoption efforts.

The PR News PR People All-Star Awards is an annual award open to all public relations, marketing, and communications professionals in the United States and globally to recognize significant achievements made by the outstanding nominees within their respective disciplines.

About Mission Federal Credit Union

Mission Federal Credit Union is a progressive member-owned organization providing high quality financial and related services to meet the needs of a growing and diverse membership base. With nearly $2 billion in assets, 22 branches, and 138,000 members, Mission Federal is the second largest credit union in San Diego County. Mission Federal enhances the lives of its members through education and lifelong financial services. In addition, Mission Federal contributes to hundreds of non-profit educational and community organizations. To learn more, visit www.missionfcu.org