Peter Davidson – power of the personal connection C ollege’s retiring Bequest and Relationship Manager,
College story”. “I would talk about why College has been successful, in its almost 175 years of history. Its high degree of excellence, why boys are still coming, why it’s still relevant and see if it resonates. “And then we could talk about the needs of College today, how we could take it creatively into the future, and finally how they might be able to help. I never asked for money, rather it was about planting the seed. “You don’t know a person’s personal situation, and so it was about trying to find out what resonates with them and College, and what they like doing. There’s a lot of listening required. It helps to know what’s important to them, and how Christ’s College fits into that. And there’s the need to recognise priorities and accept that family is always first.” In the process, Peter has made many friendships and connections throughout New Zealand. With 8500 Old Boys throughout the world, he believes it is critical that the school connects with as many as possible. “College needs its Old Boys and the Old Boys need College – it’s very important that we continue to develop strong relationships.” Among Peter’s personal highlights in his roles at College are recognising the excellence that Christ’s College delivers,
Peter Davidson, is a master of diplomacy, tact, intuition, manners, humour, and charm. He has needed all of them in his roles over the past seven years, first as a fundraiser, and latterly as the initiator of College’s formalised bequest programme. It is that personal engagement with Old Boys nationwide, and the wider community, that has enabled him to encourage ongoing interest in the school and its future. Not just in Canterbury, but turning up in Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, dropping into Wellington, driving down to Wanaka and Queenstown, and meeting with those from further afield at school reunions. All have enabled him to meet the voices behind phone calls and conversations. And it has been rewardingly successful. “First, you need to build the relationship, and that can take some considerable time. It’s often a marathon, not a sprint. It’s about planting the seed, and being patient while the idea matures. Fundraising and bequesting has a language all its own. It’s about finding out what we need to do to make things work for the donor – and with good support from the fundraising sector, I learnt an awful lot about that.” Peter says he has “told the
meeting so many positive and generous Old Boys, and finding a funding stream for the Health and Wellbeing programme with the H.B. Williams Trust in Gisborne. Always generous supporters, the trust’s grants have enabled College’s Health and Wellbeing programme to thrive, and this year it’s hoped that the Gisborne area can also take part in sharing College’s programmes. Peter says he has loved his time at College and acknowledges the support of Executive Principal Garth Wynne and the Board. “I am immensely grateful for the
opportunity,” Peter says. Retirement will offer new
challenges, more time for travel and family, the chance to hone his poetry skills, and the joy of waking up each morning with the freedom of deciding what to do with the day.
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