# What makes an exceptional fundraiser? Expect the unexpected!

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/06/17/makes-exceptional-fundraiser-expect-unexpected/
- Published: 2016-06-17T13:46:51+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**This year’s Fundraising Convention – starting on Monday 4 July – will open with
a special keynote talk, led by fundraising guru Ken Burnett, and featuring fundraisers
Esther Kwaku (Resource Alliance), Michelle Chambers (Think Consulting Solutions)
and Rory Green (Associate Director of Development, Simon Fraser University).**

 

Here, Ken Burnett gives a taste of what delegates can expect to hear…

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The thing about an opening plenary for a conference as big and important as the 
IoF’s Fundraising Convention is that you don’t want to give the whole game away 
in advance.

 

You want elements of surprise, to build a sense of excitement, a tidal wave of anticipation,
an atmosphere of mystery and expectation.

 

The [opening plenary on 4th July](http://www.fundraisingconvention.uk/session-programme/plenary- speakers?utm_source=UKFundraising&utm_medium=BlogJuneKB&utm_campaign=UKFundraising)
is no exception. In fact, Monday’s plenary presentation on the first day of the 
Convention is pretty much bound to be mostly unexpected, even for the presenters.

 

Some details are, of course, already announced. It will last inside an hour, and
with four presenters and five key themes we can predict each minute will be action
packed.

 

You know that there will be a panel of experts, only that’s not really quite right.
It’ll just be Esther, Michelle, Rory and myself, plus maybe a surprise or two, all
sharing their emotions, passions, enthusiasms and letting you in on some priceless
things we’ve picked up.

 

You know – because it’s on the Convention website – that the opening extravaganza
will reflect on the extraordinary legacy of fundraising legend [Tony Elischer](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/01/14/obituary-tony-elischer/),
who passed away earlier this year, far too early for all who knew him and denying
brilliance to those who didn’t. But the session, if we’re honest, isn’t really about
Tony. It is in a way, but it’s about something else, something bigger, wider and
deeper than any individual – something universal, that you’ll think really matters
to you, too.

 

You know – because you’ve been told as much in the Convention blurb – that this 
opening plenary session promises to be about what it takes to be an exceptional 
fundraiser. So that’s what we’ll deliver. Only, many times over. And not quite as
you’d expect.

 

You’ve also been promised inspiration. There’s that, aplenty. So please, [come and be inspired](http://www.fundraisingconvention.uk/session-programme/plenary- speakers?utm_source=UKFundraising&utm_medium=BlogJuneKB&utm_campaign=UKFundraising)…

 * **[Don’t forget to make people feel tingly](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/07/05/dont-forget-make-people-feel-tingly/)**(
   5 July 2016)
 * **[Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson: RAG fundraising at university helped me find my voice](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/07/05/dame-tanni-grey-thompson-rag-fundraising-university-helped-find-voice/)**(
   5 July 2016)
 * **[Five fundraising tweets for 11 July 2016](https://fundraising.co.uk/2016/07/11/five-fundraising-tweets/)**(
   11 July 2016)

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