Completed Event: Softball at Southern Miss on April 3, 2026 , Loss , 4, to, 5
SB
Final
James Madison
4
at Southern Miss
5
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Duke Club Week - Believing in the Mission
10/5/2016 10:57:00 AM | Duke Club
Today's Duke Club piece is written by Kyle Yeager, Director of Major Gifts. His nine years in JMU Athletics provides great insight into just how meaningful each individual is to our organization.
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Retention of donors should be considered the lifeblood of every fundraising organization. I have been associated with the Duke Club for over five years, and I can tell you that retaining donors is vital to our success in reaching our fundraising goals. The donor retention rate within the Duke Club has been tremendous over the years, surpassing the national average. This rate is important, since it shows the current vitality and health of the Duke Club. Donors who continuously return to an organization provide the fundamental foundation, and when new members join their cause, growth occurs.
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I have seen staff members and coaches come and go and with each new employee, a relationship is formed with a donor in some way. I have seen the changes within the Duke Club, but the one thing that remains stable is our donor base's passion. Every Duke Club member has a passion for current student-athletes, JMU Athletics and for JMU. They believe in our mission. As a proud graduate of JMU, I too believe in the mission of the Duke Club and have even signed up my 2-year-old daughter and 7-week-old son as members. It is important for them to understand the purpose of the Duke Club at an early age, not to focus on wins and losses but more importantly to support the student-athletes who represent JMU. I also want them to understand the value of giving to an organization they truly believe in to better themselves and the area they support.
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Each year, I look forward to recognizing our donors. One such event is our pin ceremony, when we acknowledge donors who have given to the Duke Club over consecutive years. Some of these donors have been with us from the beginning and have believed in the mission of the Duke Club for so many years. They are the best example to our new donors of the power of continued engagement. Not too long ago, the Duke Club was hoping to break the $1 million goal, and now we have eclipsed the $2 million mark. A lot of the credit goes to retaining members and keeping them engaged in our mission. It is always beneficial to add members, but if you do not retain the relationships that are formed, what does the Duke Club gain?
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I never thought I would be at JMU as long as I have been, nine years to be exact. I have you all to thank for the relationships we have formed, while also supporting our student-athletes on and off the field of play. Thank you for being a part of this exciting time in JMU Athletics and thank you for volunteering, recruiting and fostering relationships on behalf of the Duke Club. We would not be where we are today without the support of our loyal donors!Â
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Retention of donors should be considered the lifeblood of every fundraising organization. I have been associated with the Duke Club for over five years, and I can tell you that retaining donors is vital to our success in reaching our fundraising goals. The donor retention rate within the Duke Club has been tremendous over the years, surpassing the national average. This rate is important, since it shows the current vitality and health of the Duke Club. Donors who continuously return to an organization provide the fundamental foundation, and when new members join their cause, growth occurs.
Â
I have seen staff members and coaches come and go and with each new employee, a relationship is formed with a donor in some way. I have seen the changes within the Duke Club, but the one thing that remains stable is our donor base's passion. Every Duke Club member has a passion for current student-athletes, JMU Athletics and for JMU. They believe in our mission. As a proud graduate of JMU, I too believe in the mission of the Duke Club and have even signed up my 2-year-old daughter and 7-week-old son as members. It is important for them to understand the purpose of the Duke Club at an early age, not to focus on wins and losses but more importantly to support the student-athletes who represent JMU. I also want them to understand the value of giving to an organization they truly believe in to better themselves and the area they support.
Â
Each year, I look forward to recognizing our donors. One such event is our pin ceremony, when we acknowledge donors who have given to the Duke Club over consecutive years. Some of these donors have been with us from the beginning and have believed in the mission of the Duke Club for so many years. They are the best example to our new donors of the power of continued engagement. Not too long ago, the Duke Club was hoping to break the $1 million goal, and now we have eclipsed the $2 million mark. A lot of the credit goes to retaining members and keeping them engaged in our mission. It is always beneficial to add members, but if you do not retain the relationships that are formed, what does the Duke Club gain?
Â
I never thought I would be at JMU as long as I have been, nine years to be exact. I have you all to thank for the relationships we have formed, while also supporting our student-athletes on and off the field of play. Thank you for being a part of this exciting time in JMU Athletics and thank you for volunteering, recruiting and fostering relationships on behalf of the Duke Club. We would not be where we are today without the support of our loyal donors!Â
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