# Record attendance at CIoF Scottish Conference - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/06/13/record-attendance-at-ciof-scottish-conference/ - Published: 2022-06-13T16:48:38+01:00 - Author: Howard Lake **The Scottish Fundraising Conference returned last week to Glasgow for a two-day in-person event, for the first time since 2019 due to the pandemic.** The event attracted its highest ever attendance, beating that of 2019, with over 440 delegates attending on the first day. It promised “an opportunity to immerse yourself in the latest best practice, insights and successes of your fellow fundraisers”. The event is, as always, produced by a large team of volunteers, who created, curated and marketed the conference. ## Advertisement ## Support of 13 sponsors It was supported once again by its long-term lead sponsor, Johnston Mailing, and by 11 other sponsors and exhibitors, both existing and new. The support of JustRunning.com for example provided bursaries for 15 fundraisers who were otherwise unable to attend. The event was also supported by a team of volunteers to help ensure everything went well: > Wow! So much going on [@CIOFScotland](https://twitter.com/CIOFScotland?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#ScotConf](https://twitter.com/hashtag/ScotConf?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > that I’ve not had time to tweet. But I’m finding time to do a huge shout out to > our brilliant volunteers who helped so much to make it run smoothly 👏👏👏 [pic.twitter.com/hds0RcoZsv](https://t.co/hds0RcoZsv) > — Isla Campbell Lupton (@islacl) [June 10, 2022](https://twitter.com/islacl/status/1535258175158554626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) In return for supporting the event, volunteers received free entry to both days of the Conference, one night’s accommodation, networking opportunities and a free ticket to the Gala Awards dinner. ## In-person conference Not surprisingly the in-person nature of the event was the topic of many conversations. For some fundraisers, it was their first in-person conference or work event in more than two years. Michelle Chambers of THINK Consulting mentioned this in her one-minute interview at the conference: > [#OneMinuteOfYourTime](https://twitter.com/hashtag/OneMinuteOfYourTime?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > with Michelle Chambers, from [@ThinkCS](https://twitter.com/ThinkCS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#ScotConf](https://twitter.com/hashtag/ScotConf?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [pic.twitter.com/3r4milVRzj](https://t.co/3r4milVRzj) > — Chartered Institute of Fundraising Scotland (@CIOFScotland) [June 10, 2022](https://twitter.com/CIOFScotland/status/1535247978738458627?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) The impact of the pandemic could also be seen in the ticket sales pattern. The tendency to leave it to the last minute to book for online training and conference events seems to have been maintained for this in-person event. Around half of the tickets were booked in the final two weeks before the conference. Equally the past two or more years have seen new expectations of events and conferences, how they are delivered, who delivers them, on what terms, and who can genuinely access them. ## Six topic streams The Conference’s content was presented in six streams: * management and strategy * individual giving and legacies * community and events * trusts * marketing, communications and digital * personal development > Watch this morning's plenary from the Scottish Fundraising Conference: [@ClaraB27](https://twitter.com/ClaraB27?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), > MD of Edinburgh-based [@PostcodeLottery](https://twitter.com/PostcodeLottery?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), > shares the insights and approaches that influence one of the UK’s largest fundraisers > [#ScotConf](https://twitter.com/hashtag/ScotConf?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [https://t.co/DCc66mTxUf](https://t.co/DCc66mTxUf) > — Chartered Institute of Fundraising Scotland (@CIOFScotland) [June 9, 2022](https://twitter.com/CIOFScotland/status/1534881239978631168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > It’s the big finale at [@CIOFScotland](https://twitter.com/CIOFScotland?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)’ > s [#scotconf](https://twitter.com/hashtag/scotconf?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > as [@InnovationMatt](https://twitter.com/InnovationMatt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) hosts > a session on streaming with an all star cast joining him, including [@EmilyCasson](https://twitter.com/EmilyCasson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), > [@Georgia_Paton](https://twitter.com/Georgia_Paton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), [@rousseaujnjul](https://twitter.com/rousseaujnjul?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [@AJTHOM22](https://twitter.com/AJTHOM22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > Cheers Glasgow! > 🍺🍷🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴 [pic.twitter.com/7acmqBZQlz](https://t.co/7acmqBZQlz) > — THINK (@ThinkCS) [June 10, 2022](https://twitter.com/ThinkCS/status/1535275443263115264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) There were also Ask the Experts sessions. > In the second of our [#ScotConf](https://twitter.com/hashtag/ScotConf?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > Ask the Experts panel, we spoke to Lesley Pinder and Flo Bill on building relationships > with supporters [https://t.co/AhqnowhGfJ](https://t.co/AhqnowhGfJ) > — Chartered Institute of Fundraising Scotland (@CIOFScotland) [June 10, 2022](https://twitter.com/CIOFScotland/status/1535286065816391680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) ## Delegate safety Given the [failures to protect all delegates](https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/08/26/ciof-expels-member-over-sexual-harassment-complaint-announces-new-independent-review/) at past CIoF events, and the Chartered Institute’s slow response to address and [redress these and other failings](https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/06/15/ciof-completely-unreservedly-apologises-for-failure-to-contact-women-involved-in-recent-investigation/), this year’s Scottish Fundraising Conference operated under the Institute’s revised [safety policy](https://www.scottishfundraisingconference.org.uk/your-safety). It sets out the safeguarding measures in place, its “zero tolerance policy to abusive or inappropriate behaviour” (including what constitutes such behaviour), and explains that all delegates, exhibitors and speakers are required to make a declaration that they will abide by the [Code of Behaviour for Training and Events](https://ciof.org.uk/about-us/code-of-behaviour-for-training-and-events). Nevertheless, the event took place shortly after the [resignation of two of its Fellows](https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/06/06/refuge-announces-resignations-from-chartered-institute-of-fundraising/) and one member charity over these failings. ## Fundraising Awards As in previous years, the first night of the Scottish Conference saw the Scottish Fundraising Awards Gala Dinner. > The team from [@EdinDogCatHome](https://twitter.com/EdinDogCatHome?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > getting their Scottish Fundraising Award last night [#ScotConf](https://twitter.com/hashtag/ScotConf?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [https://t.co/mvZI95ZaWw](https://t.co/mvZI95ZaWw) [pic.twitter.com/f9chcjpRqO](https://t.co/f9chcjpRqO) > — Chartered Institute of Fundraising Scotland (@CIOFScotland) [June 10, 2022](https://twitter.com/CIOFScotland/status/1535256038986993667?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > The team from [@nhslothcharity](https://twitter.com/nhslothcharity?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > and [@HibernianFC](https://twitter.com/HibernianFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) getting > their Scottish Fundraising Award last night [#ScotConf](https://twitter.com/hashtag/ScotConf?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [https://t.co/IWsIngo5Zi](https://t.co/IWsIngo5Zi) [pic.twitter.com/ro9kblaLoG](https://t.co/ro9kblaLoG) > — Chartered Institute of Fundraising Scotland (@CIOFScotland) [June 10, 2022](https://twitter.com/CIOFScotland/status/1535256008318418944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Attendance at the Scottish Fundraising Conference has demonstrated that in-person conferences, curated and supported by fundraisers as volunteers, have returned to the profession and been welcomed. The debate about hybrid formats for these and other events continues. Katie Docherty, CEO of the CIoF, published an open letter on the first day of the Scottish Conference. She responded to the resignations and the organisation’s choice to offer members an in-person and then an online event, a Fundraising Festival, by outlining its progress on safeguarding, and providing an update on developments with the [independent review](https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/08/26/ciof-expels-member-over-sexual-harassment-complaint-announces-new-independent-review/)– which she reiterated was her “top priority”. ## Future events In addition to an [in-person forum by the Institute of Fundraising Northern Ireland](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fundraising-forum-northern-ireland-2022-tickets-342449645107?aff=) this week on 16 June, the next major event from the Chartered Institute of Fundraising is its [Fundraising Convention 2022](https://ciof.org.uk/convention/home) at The Barbican in London, from 4-6 July. * **[Scottish Fundraising Awards open for entries](https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/03/28/scottish-fundraising-awards-open-for-entries/)**( 28 March 2023) * **[Overhauling funding systems in Scotland & Northern Ireland could provide extra millions for charities, Commission finds](https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/04/27/overhauling-funding-systems-in-scotland-northern-ireland-could-provide-extra-millions-for-charities-commission-finds/)**( 27 April 2023) * **[Scottish walking charity pledges £7mn to encourage more ‘active travel’](https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/06/08/scottish-walking-charity-pledges-7mn-to-encourage-more-active-travel/)**( 8 June 2023) ## Comments ### By: HowardLake - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/06/13/record-attendance-at-ciof-scottish-conference/#comment-4228 - Published: 2022-06-14T05:44:48+01:00 [https://twitter.com/SusanWSolutions/status/1536390266252365824](https://twitter.com/SusanWSolutions/status/1536390266252365824) ### By: HowardLake - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/06/13/record-attendance-at-ciof-scottish-conference/#comment-4229 - Published: 2022-06-14T05:45:22+01:00 [https://twitter.com/garyker/status/1536392655747403776](https://twitter.com/garyker/status/1536392655747403776) ### By: HowardLake - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/06/13/record-attendance-at-ciof-scottish-conference/#comment-4230 - Published: 2022-06-14T05:45:41+01:00 [https://twitter.com/islacl/status/1536445919440289792](https://twitter.com/islacl/status/1536445919440289792)