# The IoF – Life Goes On

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2011/03/16/iof-life-goes/
- Published: 2011-03-16T17:32:41+00:00
- Author: Simon George

The shock resignation of Amanda McLean as CEO of the IoF has come at a difficult
time for the Institute, as it is also still seeking a permanent Chair of Trustees.

I was at an IoF event last Monday, at which Amanda was expected. Her apologies were
given, as she was said to have “women’s flu” (whatever that may be). But now we 
know – she has stepped down after just four months in the post. The IoF statement
cited work life balance (fair enough maybe) and “a need to feel a more direct connection
with a charitable cause” (though this should surely have been obvious to her when
she took the post?).

At first glance this looks bad for the Institute. After all, we need a strong voice
to represent fundraising, both to government and to the public. After 10 years of
stability under Lindsay Boswell, this was not what the Institute or fundraising 
needed and now it is looking to fill its two key posts.

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One consoling thought occurs to me. The IoF is far more than its CEO, Chair of Trustees
or even its London HQ. It consists of its 5,000 members and most of what happens
goes on in the regions and special interest groups. With or without a CEO, all this
work of training, networking and support for fundraisers will continue. Amanda’s
loss is clearly a blow, but today the Institute is a resilient body of people and
it will survive her departure.

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Simon George is a Director of Wootton George Consulting and a Fellow of the Institute
of Fundraising. He has worked in fundraising since 1987 and was the founder of the
IoF’s Trusts Special Interest Group. Today he chairs the IoF’s West Midlands region
and works with a wide range of charities in a consultancy capacity. www.wgconsulting.
co.uk si***@*************co.uk Tel 01785 663600.