UI Foundation/UI Advancement Weekly Update 04.30.21

Dear Team:

What a week!  I started and ended my week in Champaign, but in between I had an introductory meeting with a potential strategy partner in San Francisco, zipped off to D.C. for a CASE Board session, which included consultants in France and Ireland, then back to Champaign to see the UIUC Senior Leadership Conversation, and to convene a meeting of our UIF Stewardship Committee. After lunch, I made a quick jaunt to Massachusetts to speak with a colleague at UMass, and then joined President Killeen in Chicago for a happy hour with some amazing UIUC and UIC alumni. That was Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday was a bit lighter, with a few meetings in Champaign in the morning, followed by a whirlwind trip to San Diego, the state of Washington, and Orlando before returning to Illinois to check in with Becky in Tolono. 

Yesterday, I met with our UI Foundation team in Champaign, followed by a chat with the Grainger College leadership team. Then, it was wheels up and off to London for an event sponsored by UIUC with Illini from 14 European countries.  Passing on the tea and biscuits, I jumped back across the pond to meet with a couple of UIF Board members (one in Madison, Wisc., and the other in South Carolina). The evening wrapped up at 10 p.m. CT, signing off with a “ga-day” after a meeting of the CASE Asia Pacific Regional Council in Perth, Australia.

While my journey was obviously via ZOOM Air, it was interesting reflecting on the many touch points and connections I made around the world this week without the expense, time, and of course jet lag. Over the last year we have all filled up our travel passports with a variety of work (and family) trips on ZOOM Air. In each case, these interactions provided opportunities to engage with family, alumni, donors, colleagues, and academic leaders, whom we may not have seen in person since the pandemic began. Like most of us, I prefer in-person interactions, but it is still rewarding connecting with individuals who are important to the University of Illinois and our advancement work, even if it is on a screen.

When you think about the tools of our trade, human interaction—connecting, listening, talking—may be our most powerful and important asset. Getting to know those who have a deep connection with the University of Illinois is critically important if we are ever going to fully engage them. Interpersonal relationships must be at the center of all we do.

Without the ability of in-person gatherings, it may seem difficult to maintain relationships. Since Zoom (or the like) is an easy and accessible way to meet face-to-face, embrace the medium and be truly present in your digital space.  We can still have a gratifying experience and build relationships with our donors, and each other, using our interpersonal tools and a bit of technology. And for even more perspective, imagine what it would be like surviving a pandemic without ZOOM Air.

Now that we have reached the end of the work week, I hope you don’t have too many Zoom trips on your schedule the rest of today. When you make that last landing, I hope you will unpack your bags, throw away any unused boarding passes, and unplug ZOOM Air for a couple of days. Have a great weekend and safe travels next week.

Cheers,


Jim