Local banker set to enhance charitable fundraising efforts

CAROL A. CLARK Monitor County Editor

In working to raise funds for local nonprofit organizations, Jill Cook decided to investigate the art behind the effort.

Cook is the senior vice president and chief credit officer of Los Alamos National Bank.

"I became convinced there was a better way to maximize fundraising potential using silent and live auctions," Cook said during an interview at her LANB office on Friday. "Having such conviction, I enrolled in and graduated from the World Wide College of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa. I discovered there's a real art to the world of fundraising and there are a number of techniques that a nonprofit can use to maximize their fundraising effort."

The program, held last month, spanned nine days and included 92 hours of intensive training and instruction focused on charitable fundraising activities using the auction method of marketing, she said.

Cook also received instruction from several of the top auctioneers in the United States including Col. Paul C. Behr, a three-time world champion auctioneer who has conducted some 8,000 auctions.

In learning the profession of auctioneering, Cook has developed an auction chant and bid calling style, voice control and effectiveness, and the art of effective body language.

She also learned about the business management side of fundraising including professional auctioneering ethics, advertising and managing auctions, auction laws and licenses, how to appraise auction items, and proper bookkeeping procedures.

Cook is volunteering her services to local organizations through her company, Fund Raising Solutions LLC, and said that with LANB's blessing, she is excited about putting her new techniques to work.

"I have had LANB's full support all these years to allow me to help raise funds for nonprofits," Cook said. "This is just another way LANB is supporting the community."

Cook said she would prefer to be involved in the initial planning stage of events to ensure certain important fundraising elements are incorporated in the process.

"My services will be valuable to organizations holding both very small and very large events," Cook said. "I really think it should be fun for everyone; the planners and the volunteers as well as those attending. In my role, I think it's important to focus on the attendees and ensure that they have an enjoyable time and know that their contributions are going to a very worthy cause."

Cook started at LANB as a loan processor in 1987. During the last 20 years, she has held positions as a loan collector, credit analysis officer, loan review officer, assistant vice president of loan administration and vice president of human resources before assuming her current position in 2001.

Cook has assisted with fundraising activities for The Family YMCA, United Way of Northern New Mexico, Rotary Club of Los Alamos, Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation, Leadership New Mexico and Quality New Mexico.

Cook holds a master's degree in business administration and completed the Graduate School of Banking in Boulder, Colo.

To contact Cook for assistance with local charitable events, call 661-8202.

The World Wide College of Auctioneering was founded in 1933 by Col. Joe Reisch to educate, train, preserve and continue auctioneering traditions. More than 35,000 men and women from across the United States, every Canadian province, and from many foreign countries have attended the college, according to the college website at www.worldwidecollegeofauctioneering.com.

Press release by the Los Alamos Monitor, Sunday, July 15th edition.