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February 2025 Back to Top
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Join us for an insightful session where we delve into the evolving landscape of AI compliance and ethical considerations. We'll explore the latest updates, including the results of the first Operation AI Comply sweep, which saw the FTC take action against five companies for deceptive and unfair practices in their use of AI. With the recent election potentially influencing future FTC enforcement, this session will provide valuable insights into what to expect in 2025.
We'll also discuss the different types of data and the challenges of leveraging AI tools while addressing PII and confidentiality issues. This session will serve as an advisor's guide and a non-profit professional's guide to AI, offering practical dos and don'ts and ethical considerations. Whether you are a seasoned professional or new to the field, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of AI in the coming year.
Cost: Members: $35 / Non-Members: $45
David J. Myers, Partner, BDB Law
Born near the end of Generation X, David came of age alongside the technology we now take for granted. He exchanged spiral-bound notebooks at St. Xavier High School for computer labs at the University of Cincinnati. As a student at Notre Dame Law School, he dutifully took notes using a folding keyboard connected to his PDA. He had a PC at his desk from day one as a young lawyer. Convinced that technology would disrupt the practice of law, in 2007 he joined SpliceNet, a technology consulting company. For 14 years, he consulted on line-of-business applications, built servers, migrated businesses to “the cloud,” earned coveted certifications from Sophos, LexisNexis, and Microsoft, and eventually focused on keeping computer systems secure in an increasingly-dangerous world.
Richard Fry, Taxation Practice Group Leader, Partner, BDB Law
Richard is a business tax attorney who provides clients with trusted advice on significant transactions, tax planning, and complex challenges encountered in their daily operations. His practice focuses on state and local tax compliance and controversies, including issues related to Ohio and multistate sales/use tax, commercial activity tax, personal income tax, and federal income tax matters with the Internal Revenue Service. Additionally, due to his extensive tax background, he often advises clients on the business and tax implications of commercial and real estate transactions. He takes pride in understanding clients’ business needs and objectives to help them achieve their goals.
March 2025 Back to Top
Cost: Members $35 / Non-Members: $45
Presenter: Joseph M. Mentrek,
With a background in both financial planning and the law, Joe works diligently with his clients and their advisers to develop creative legal strategies and tax-advantaged solutions to achieve their wealth transfer and business transition goals. Joe’s broad-based approach to estate planning incorporates progressive strategies with time-tested techniques to achieve clients’ desired results. His wide-ranging skills and practical experience allow him to integrate diverse disciplines including estate plan design and implementation, tax accounting and compliance, process-oriented succession planning, employee benefits and executive compensation, personal wealth management, family governance, business organization and governance, retirement planning, investment planning and risk management. Read Full Bio
April 2025 Back to Top
Cost: Members $35 / Non-Members: $45
Join the Northern Ohio Charitable Gift Planners for an engaging and insightful discussion on how allied professionals—financial advisors, estate planners, tax specialists—and fundraisers can work together to maximize benefits for donors. This session will explore best practices for fostering collaboration, aligning goals, and addressing the complexities of charitable giving.
Through real-world examples and interactive dialogue, attendees will learn strategies to:
- Build trust and maintain effective communication between fundraisers and allied professionals.
- Navigate ethical considerations and ensure donor-centric solutions.
- Leverage each professional’s expertise to craft impactful and personalized giving plans.
Whether you’re a fundraiser aiming to enhance your understanding of donor motivations or a professional advisor looking to integrate philanthropy into client planning, this event offers actionable insights to create meaningful donor experiences while advancing your mission.
Who Should Attend: Fundraising professionals, financial advisors, estate planners, tax professionals, and anyone involved in donor engagement or charitable planning.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, network, and strengthen your professional partnerships for the greater good
Speakers: Laura Lederer, Akron Community Foundation & Bradley Schlang, Eton Financial
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Laura Lederer is Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Akron Community Foundation. Laura joined the staff in October of 2011. Laura meets with current and potential fundholders to discover their philanthropic passions while providing comprehensive and personalized charitable planning solutions. In 2012, Laura helped to create the Professional Advisor Council, now comprised of over 30 wealth advisors, trust officers, attorneys, and accountants, which has become an integral part of Akron Community Foundation’s future planning and growth. Read full bio
Bradley J. Schlang is a Partner at Eton Financial Services, part of Arbor Group Advisors. In this role, Mr. Schlang provides clients with a wide array of wealth management, estate planning, charitable planning and advanced insurance strategies. Read full bio
May 2025 Back to Top
Are you ready to strengthen your expertise in planned giving and take your donor engagement strategies to the next level? Join us for the Northern Ohio Charitable Gift Planners’ annual Planned Giving 101-301—a comprehensive workshop tailored for professionals new to planned giving and those seeking to refine their intermediate-level skills.
This dynamic event will provide a foundational understanding of planned giving basics, actionable steps for creating successful programs, and strategies to go beyond the transaction by building lasting donor relationships.
What to Expect:
- Planned Giving Basics & Steps for Success: Gain a solid grounding in the fundamentals of planned giving, from key concepts and tools to essential steps for implementing and growing an effective program.
- Beyond Giving: Explore innovative techniques to deepen relationships with donors, transforming transactional interactions into enduring partnerships.
- Interactive Learning: Benefit from real-world case studies, peer discussions, and expert-led presentations designed to enhance your confidence and capabilities in planned giving.
Who Should Attend:
This workshop is ideal for nonprofit professionals, fundraisers, and development officers who are new to planned giving or looking to elevate their current efforts. Whether you’re just starting or ready to expand your program, this session will provide valuable insights to drive meaningful results for your organization.
Join us to build your knowledge, grow your skills, and create a lasting impact through planned giving!
Agenda:
8:00 - 8:45am: Registration, Networking, and Breakfast
8:45 am: Welcome & Introductions (Ella Fong); 2024 National Charitable Gift Planners Conference (Laura Lederer, Julie Weagraff)
9:05 am: Planned Giving Basics and Steps for Success – presented by Timothy Mann, Senior Advancement Officer, Friends of Breakthrough Schools
10:05 am: Break
10:20am: Beyond Giving: Strengthening Relationships through Planned Giving presented by Al Yambour, CFP, CEPA, Senior Director, Wealth Advisor at Sequoia
11:20am: Networking & Event Concludes at 12pm
Speakers: Timothy Mann, Senior Advancement Officer, Friends of Breakthrough Schools and Al Yambour, CFP, CEPA, Senior Director, Wealth Advisor at Sequoia