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• Apra-VA February Program: Can ChatGPT Write My Profile?

  • When
    Thursday, February 26, 2026
  •  
    1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom
  • Registered
    18 registrants

  Register

  

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  Geoff has been a leader in Vanderbilt's development research team for most of his 20+ year history with the institution. Among his roles, he's regularly participated in-house with research document strategy and philosophy, of course including the esteemed "research profile." Having written seemingly thousands of these, he's observed thought loops such as: Why am I doing this? Why am I angry? I just found a total 'pearl'! I am such an asset to Vanderbilt. 

  About two years ago when ChatGPT became mainstream, Geoff began to experiment with how strong the query-resulting information was for prospect research, and how this tool — and similar AI tools — could affect profile-writing. He found the technology compelling and time-saving.
  
  At APRA International's conference last August, he presented the talk, Can ChatGPT Write My Profile? Admittedly, it's not quite that simple (so, "no, not quite"). But he is quick to point out promising steps towards faster and better research findings via ever-evolving AI tool(s). What are we talking about when we talk about using ChatGPT (or Perplexity, or Claude, or Co-Pilot, etc.) in our research? Where do I start? Who is doing the work? Am I going to get in trouble?
  
  Geoff will present at the beginner level with this webinar. He'll share a profile-writing approach and prompting tool he made and regularly uses, and, importantly, open up the virtual "floor" for question and responses from attendees.

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  For current Apra-VA members, if you have not received the code to register, please reach out to webmaster@vaapra.org.

  
  

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• MARC Conference 2026

  • Start
    Thursday, April 16, 2026
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • End
    Friday, April 17, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • Location
    VCU University Commons, 907 Floyd Avenue, Richmond, VA 23284

  MARC Conference 2026 The Mid-Atlantic Regional Chapters Conference is back in person this April, and we’re excited to welcome prospect development professionals from across the region to Richmond.  Over two days, MARC 2026 will bring together researchers, analysts, and advancement professionals to share ideas, learn from one another, and dig into what’s working right now in prospect development. Sessions will highlight practical tools, emerging technology, and real-world approaches you can take back to your organization immediately.  Whether you’re early in your career or a seasoned professional, MARC offers space to learn, connect, and think more strategically about the role prospect development plays in fundraising success.  Keynote Speaker: Jim Langley, Founder, Langley Innovations  James M. Langley, President of Langley Innovations, has pioneered a number of practices that have been emulated by hundreds of institutions of higher learning. The knowledge he acquired from conceiving and conducting three path-breaking campaigns at three major institutions and the insight he gleaned from decades of research on donor behavior has been shared in five books, dozens of articles, hundreds of blog posts and scores of seminars, workshops and speeches.  As a result, his expertise and insight, particularly on how institutions can adapt best to changing and unchanging philanthropic realities, is highly sought after by Canadian and U.S. institutions and professional advancement organizations.   Registration Rates: Register early and save! Early bird rates are available until March 16. Apra VA members receive the MARC discount (members will be emailed the code; you can also reach out to webmaster@vaapra.org).  For full registration information, hotel details and additional logistics, please visit the conference registration page on the Apra Pennsylvania website (much thanks to Apra PA for hosting registration!).  Session Descriptions, Speaker Information, and Full Conference Schedule: coming soon! Learn more and register here!  See you in Richmond!  Thank you to our generous MARC Conference 2026 Sponsors! GOLD SILVER

  
  

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