Beth P. Mathews, vice president for College Advancement at Ogeechee Technical College, recently received the Certified Fundraising Executive designation from Certified Fundraising Executives International.
      Why do I find this interesting?
      Apparently, Mathews is the only professional fund raiser working in our community to have earned this certification, and the only person working in the state of Georgia technical college system to have it as well.
      "CFRE International has established, and administers, a voluntary certification process based on current and valid standards that measure competency in the practice of philanthropic fundraising," Mathews said. "This was a lengthy process to prepare for and pass eight hours of examinations attesting to the knowledge needed to function as a fundraising professional. The process took about a year and a half."
      Mathews is responsible for The Ogeechee Technical College Foundation, Inc., which oversees all fundraising activities for OTC.
      CFREI is the premier global provider of professional certification of proficiency and practice in fundraising, and provides the primary credential for career fundraisers for practitioners, employers, and the public, according to the organization's website.
      "I am very proud of Beth for voluntarily seeking and earning this certification. She has proven that she holds the standards of ethical and professional fundraising, and management of donated funds, in the highest esteem," said Dr. Dawn Cartee, president of OTC. "There aren't many people in Beth's position who have chosen to seek this challenging credential. The fact that she has done so should give all who donate funds to the Ogeechee Technical College Found-ation an extra level of assurance that their contributions are being managed ethically and professionally."
      I asked Mathews, besides raising money, what else does a professional fundraiser need to know?
      "It goes far beyond asking for money," she said. "You need to know how to administer and handle the funds that you collect. To do that properly, you also have to understand the IRS regulations that accompany that. There are very strict guidelines that must be adhered to, and doing that is as important as raising the money itself."
CFRE International touts several reasons to gain the CFRE certification, including, gaining credibility, improving knowledge and skills, preparedness for greater responsibility, and increasing achievement levels.
       "Beth was already very qualified for her position, with many years of experience, but this additional certification validates her level of knowledge," Cartee said.
       Mathews has been in her current position at Ogeechee Technical College for over four years.