The IoF - Life Goes On

The shock resignation of Amanda McLean as CEO of the IoF has come at a difficult time for the Institute, as it is also still seeking a permanent Chair of Trustees.

I was present at an IoF event last Monday, at which Amanda was expected. Her apologies were given, as she was said to have "women's flu" (whatever that may be). But now we know she has stepped down after just four months in the post. The IoF statement cited work life balance (fair enough maybe) and "a need to feel a more direct connection with a charitable cause" (though this should surely have been obvious to her when she took the post?).

At first glance this looks bad for the Institute. After all, we need a strong voice to represent fundraising, both to government and to the public. After 10 years of stability under Lindsay Boswell, this was not what the Institute or fundraising needed and now it is looking to fill its two key posts.

One consoling thought occurs to me. The IoF is far more than its CEO, Chair of Trustees or even its London HQ. It consists of its 5,000 members and most of what happens goes on in the regions and special interest groups. With or without a CEO, all this work of training, networking and support for fundraisers will continue. Amanda's loss is clearly a blow, but today the Institute is a resilient body of people and it will survive her departure.