October 2021 — In Service: The Column of the ADRP President

Angela Altamore
Associate Vice President, Stewardship and Donor Engagement
Kansas State University Foundation

Hi there!

Happy Hours. That is what came to mind when I started reflecting on the meaning of ADRP in my life.

Early in my career, I relied on ADRP as a resource to help me figure out how to tackle my first DR job: scholarship stewardship. I spent hours watching webinars, reading replies to the listserv, and attending conference sessions. When I was promoted to lead a full team of DR professionals, my ADRP focus shifted to seeking resources to help me strategize on how to build a team to suit the needs of my organization.

During this time, I also started to volunteer for ADRP frequently. The hours I spent on committee calls provided me with a sense of worth. I felt like I had something meaningful to contribute and I engaged with peers around the globe who helped me challenge my beliefs, grow professionally, and think about DR work in a deeper, more thoughtful way. When I moved to a new state to take on a new job, ADRP continued to play a key role in that transition. I still spent time attending and presenting conference sessions (both virtual and in person) and joined the ADRP board. I found myself reaching out to the peers I’d met over the course of my volunteering to pick their brains about big picture strategy and management challenges. I developed a core group of trusted DR colleagues who understood firsthand the challenges of my work because they were facing similar challenges.

Some of my ADRP relationships were formed in sessions, some in 1:1 coaching calls, and some around the hotel lobby bar at the end of a conference or a board meeting. These relationships allow me the space to dream big and to vent about stresses with others who get it, and they energize me about the work I do. When I have a bad day at work or need to pause to deal with life, my ADRP family grounds me and refills my bucket.

No matter the setting or where I find myself in my career, my ADRP hours are my happy hours.

Angela