Individual members may generate any topic they wish for discussion in the Forum, simply by posting a question or statement. The agenda for the annual retreat will be set similarly, by having members raise issues beforehand.

In addition to the members' contributions, the chair regularly presents practical concepts and tools, and alerts members to relevant books and articles.

Topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Trends and Current Issues

New developments, such as Venture Philanthropy.
The relationship between fund development, strategic planning, and building organizational capacity.
Finding, hiring, and keeping the best fund raising staff.
Using a balanced scorecard to measure results.

Your Relationship with your CEO

• How you and the CEO divide fundraising responsibilities.
• Defining authority, responsibility, and accountability.
• How well your style and talents balance the CEO's.
• How you communicate with one another, keep each other informed, earn trust, and address difficult issues between you.

Your Relationship with the Board

• Trustee expectations of you, and your expectations of trustees.
• How to strengthen relationships.
• Ethical issues.

Your Relationship with the staff

• Your role on the senior management team.
• Techniques for managing people and getting results.
• Running effective meetings.
• Decision making and problem solving techniques.

Your Personal Growth and Career

• Why is this job good for you?
• Relieving stress.
• Personal goals and career goals.