FundSvcs Community

 View Only

  • 1.  Gendered Titles

    Posted 09-11-2024 09:49 AM

    Our philanthropy department (in a healthcare organization) is in the process of adopting new Add/Sal standards that forgo gendered titles. (Exceptions will be always be made if/when we know the constituent prefers to be more formally addressed).  Are there other health care organizations who have, or are considering, a move in this direction? I'm looking for examples to include with our recommendations to strengthen the argument. I'm also looking for feedback on your processes.



    ------------------------------
    Keturah Sawyer
    Beth Israel Lahey Health
    keturah.sawyer@lahey.org
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Gendered Titles

    Posted 09-11-2024 09:59 AM

    At UNC Chapel Hill, we are a higher ed with a medical center, and we made this update in 2018. We no longer require an individual record to have a title, and we no longer assume gender, based on first name or gendered relationships on the record. We added Mx. as a title option, but it is only used if specifically requested by the constituent.

     

    The biggest argument is that we are doing this to make our constituents happy by addressing them as they would like to be addressed and not making assumptions.

     

    Our database has a variety of name formats. If a constituent has no title, we would use their first name or their full name in an address or salutation, depending on the context.

     

    I believe there are standards listed somewhere in the aasp files, as one of my former colleagues helped design that document and used some of the information from UNC's standards to do so.

     




    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Gendered Titles

    Posted 09-11-2024 10:06 AM

    What do you do about doctors? 

     

    Doctors are notorious for making sure the world knows they are a doctor and have even called us to make sure we use their title and credentials.

     




    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Gendered Titles

    Posted 09-11-2024 10:37 AM

    We always address people as the wish to be addressed. If we know they are addressed as Dr., we set up their record appropriately and use the title or professional suffix where needed. However, we don't add that title unless they tell us that is their title or they have graduated from specific programs at UNC.

     

    It certainly gets a little tricky with spouses where one is a doctor and the other has no title at all. These folks might get a formal salutation of "Dear Dr. Smith and Ryan Smith."

     




    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Gendered Titles

    Posted 09-11-2024 10:04 AM

    We dropped titles in 2019 and moved to the friendly addressee, first Name/s Last name/s and salutation first name/s. Of course, there are always exceptions if the donor prefers the formal format.

     

    Karry Morton | Director, Gift Services
    Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation
    13123 East 16th Avenue, Box 045 | Aurora, CO 80045
    Phone: 720-777-1742 | Cell: 720-323-3305


    SupportChildrensColorado.org | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

     

     

    For every child who needs us. From fixing broken bones to treating pediatric cancer, your generosity helps us serve Children's Hospital Colorado patients and families who depend on us every day. Donate today.

     

    If you would like to opt-out of communications from Children's Colorado Foundation, please email info@childrenscoloradofoundation.org or call 720-777-1700.

     

    CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The information contained in this message is legally privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. Any release, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the author immediately by replying to this message and delete the original message. Thank you.

     




    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Gendered Titles

    Posted 09-11-2024 11:06 AM
    Please see the AASP Connect Best Practices Library on "Maintaining Thorough and Consistent Gender Information" from 2021:


    ------------------------------
    Matthew Bain
    Zuri Group
    matt.bain@zurigroup.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Gendered Titles

    Posted 09-11-2024 11:22 AM
    I encourage you to review the "Maintaining Gender Information" paper found in the aasp Knowledge Base - it's in the Records Management category:


    aasp membership credentials are needed to download the document.

    John

    John H. Taylor, Principal
    John H. Taylor Consulting, LLC
    2604 Sevier Street
    Durham, NC     27705

    919.816.5903 (cell/text)

    Serving the Advancement Community Since 1987




    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Gendered Titles

    Posted 09-12-2024 12:04 PM
    Edited by Bill Connors 09-12-2024 12:13 PM

    I spoke on the larger topic that includes the discussion of Gendered Titles at the aasp Summit last year.  If you want the start of an add/sal policy and procedure document, I have created one for RE users.  Since you might be an RE org given that you've used the term "Add/Sal," there is also an RE-specific version of the presentation that I gave at bbcon last year -- there are slides and a recording of the presentation on YouTube.  All these things can be found near the top of the page of my website here: https://billconnors.com/resources/

    I've been asked to repeat this session at this year's Summit, so if you're at the conference I invite you to come and participate!  Thanks.  Bill



    ------------------------------
    Bill Connors, CFRE
    Independent Consultant on Raiser's Edge (NXT and v7)
    bill@billconnors.com
    billconnors.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


Related Content