Brent Taylor ‘82
Occupation: Director of Planned Giving & Endowment Development, United Way of Greater Chattanooga
Next Baylor Volunteer Commitment
Co-Chair, 2004-05 Alumni Annual Fund Campaign
What was your role in the 2003-04 Annual Fund?
As Five Year Chair, my job was to find someone to head the effort for each of the classes from 1930-84. When a whole bunch of people each take on a small piece, it’s so easy and enjoyable. People will do it every year if they only have to make a few calls.
Why do you think people should give?
Baylor is a valuable experience at a very important developmental stage of life, providing opportunities you don’t even fully understood until later. I wouldn’t trade my six years at Baylor for anything and it just makes sense to give back some of what I got. I have been involved since graduation. Our 20th reunion—attended by over half the class—was held at my house.
What is your philosophy of asking for a gift?
It depends. If the person is already giving, I ask him to stretch. For those who aren’t committed, I ask if they can give enough to cover the costs of the mailings they receive through the year. It’s important to keep people in the fold, to keep them updated and to know where they are. Even if someone can’t give much now, you never know when things may change for them.
How did you achieve an impressive 30.4% of giving participation for your class?
We had great callers like Peter Garland ‘82 and Greg Atchley ’82, and we divided the list among a diverse group of callers. Our callers were asked to contact people they had spent time with at Baylor whether through football or theater or whatever. We also reached people who hadn’t been asked before who were happy to give. Sometimes it’s really just a matter of making the call and asking.
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