Traits of a Successful Development Officer

By Mickey Bowdon, VP for Christian School Education, Columbia International University

During my 40 plus years in Christian school administration, I have at various times and places been involved in hiring, evaluating or consulting with directors of development in Christian school settings.  The basic question that is always asked is, "What is the most important factor contributing to the success of development officers?"

Certainly personality is a significant factor.  A development officer must love people and have the ability to build trusting relationships with others; they must truly enjoy making contacts and spending time with a diversity of people.  A development officer must have the ability to remain encouraged, focused and patient in pursuit of institutional support, cannot become easily discouraged, and must rise above setbacks and disappointments. 

Those to whom God has given the personality gifts essential to success must then master the fundamentals and techniques that have proven over time to produce success.  JFSG offers excellent training in these fundamentals and techniques and can provide a wide range of resources to assist a development officer as he or she "learns the trade." 

Development work is both an art and a science. When the personality of an individual and the science of development come together, the result is a beautiful one. The personality of the development officer intersects with the learned fundamentals and techniques.  I believe almost anyone can learn the fundamentals, but the application requires a development artist.

Now, to answer the question regarding what is most important, I am firmly convinced that neither personality or know how is as important as passion for the cause.  Nothing can substitute for the sense of call to a purpose or mission.  Those who serve as development officers because they are driven by the cause of the institution have their heart in the task.  Passion for the cause motivates individuals to press on with fresh enthusiasm and commitment.  Over the years I have encountered development officers who had the natural gifts, talents and knowledge but not passion for the cause, resulting in poor results.   For that reason, the most important factor I look for in a development officer is passion for the cause!