ALDE > Education > Early Career

Early Career Program

Click here to download an Early Career Brochure

If you have been in the field of development or communications for less than four years and are committed to growing professionally,
ALDE’s Early Career Program is for you!

Learn basic competencies vital to success in your career
Develop mentoring relationships with experienced professionals
Take steps today toward professional certification or an advanced degree
Be recognized for your growth and achievements

What’s involved?

The Early Career Program is ALDE’s way of encouraging those new to the development profession to take advantage of a variety of continuing education programs, become regular readers of professional publications, and commit to the highest ethical principles of the profession. The Early Career Program will also pave the way for early career professionals to begin preparing for an appropriate professional certification or an advanced degree.

Basic Requirements

Attend a newcomer orientation session at ALDE’s Annual International Educational Conference.
Attend at least five core courses over two - four years of ALDE’s International Educational Conferences.
Attend an additional ALDE International Educational Conference or a national conference of an organization such as the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), National Committee on Planned Giving (NCPG), or Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Attendance at a conference more than one year prior to enrolling in ALDE’s Early Career Program is not eligible.
Attend three seminars or workshops offered by a regional chapter of ALDE or another appropriate organization over a period of two - four years.
Become a regular reader of ALDE’s professional publications and those of other related associations (at least twenty-four in a period of two -four years). Also, read at least three professional books on resource development or communications. Click here for some suggested readings. Maintain your membership in ALDE.
Submit your signature indicating that you accept and will abide by ALDE’s Code of Ethical Principles and Practices.

How do I enroll?

Simply contact the ALDE office letting us know that you wish to enroll in the Early Career Program.
You are encouraged to complete the requirements within two years of enrolling.
Download a report and application form to record your progress toward meeting the requirements. If you are unable to download, you may request that a form be sent to you.

Your reward

Of course, there will be a certificate and recognition in ALDE Insights, but the best reward of all is the feeling of accomplishment and the knowledge that you have taken a tremendous step toward becoming the best that you can be as a Lutheran fundraising or communications professional!

Click the underlined links below for additional information

Mentoring Program - Through ALDE’s Mentoring Program, you will be paired with an experienced professional in your chapter with the goal that you and your organization will reach a higher level of expertise in resource development (fundraising, communications, and planning). A mentor program application is available from your chapter’s Mentoring Coordinator or the ALDE office.

Certification preparation - In an era of growing scrutiny of fundraising, ALDE believes in upholding the highest standards of practice and professionalism. One benchmark indicating that a resource development professional has a thorough understanding of accepted practices is the CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive). ALDE is a supporting organization of the CFRE Certification Board. Once you have five years of experience in the field, resource development professionals are eligible to apply for certification. Other appropriate certifications and advanced degrees are also encouraged.

Professional Reading Material
ALDE Publications - ALDE publishes a newsletter three times a year and other resources for your professional growth.

Suggested readings- Professional books are available at a discount each year in ALDE’s Conference Bookstore. In addition to books written by conference presenters, there are fund raising and communication classics and other recently published books.

CDs - Conference presentations are taped and available for sale at ALDE conferences. CDs from previous conferences are available throughout the year.

Congratulations!
The following ALDE members have completed the
ALDE Early Career Program:

2005	2004	2003
Gary Nahrwold	Lori Newhouse	Nancy Ackerman

2000	2001	2002
Darlene D. Breon Rev. Laura A. Csellak Terri L. Dillon Clarence Elle Annette Frank	Nancy W. Amundson Gene Holiman Kenneth C. Sippola	Pamela Grigg Janet Hoener Jeri Ann Jende Keith Lund Sheryl Ray