Dear colleagues, ‘The last few weeks have been quite tumultuous, and while things may seem to be returning to Thera kely that we'll need to continue to discuss the events of April 16 for seme thee We'll need fo gauge where our donors are in relation :0 these events, and offer thewr fe cee far eurance. We'll need to address the nevessary changes to the campaign and our Suen fundraising efforts. We'll need to be both reflective and optimistic, With thee anne in rind, Im offering up some talking points to give you some guidance as you begin working through the days ahead. If we can all be patient during this time, we can get through this together and help our donors, as Well. If you need help writing any pieces over the next few months, especially for college/university program publications, let me and iy staff know. Ifyou have any publications Pending, please let us know right away. University Relations messaging You may be feeling a little anxious about how to mak» the transition between discussing the, events of April 16" and the campaign and other, happ er, topics. Since this event has affected Ted, aspect of the university, we will rely on central zommunications from out Colleagues in University Relations to take the lead in making that transition Its critical ther development communications be synchronized with messages that aire being formulated and distributed by our colleagues in University Relations. ‘The next issue of the Virginia Tech Magazine, originally scheduled tobe all about the campaign, is being rewritten to mark the events of April 16. This issue will be our frst opportunity to talk in broad terms about the need for us to both mourn, and secognize when itis tine ‘0 press ahead. other central communications, most often in the form of letters to many of our magn Constituencies from senior leadership, will carry the s:me overall message, Current plans call for a letter from President Steger to be sent to donors within the next two weeks, That letter will not only carry the message above but will also explain what these events AAS you talk to your donors, Keep in mind the followin, university messages: We are strong. We will NOT be defined by these events, This is something that happened to us, and while it was clearly catastrophic, it does not change what we are all about. We are still inventing the future. We will continue to teach, lear, and serve our community, just as we hive always done, We will continue to invent the future. Iisa future that now must accommodate our loss, but one that is no less promising.We share a spirit of community. ‘We will celebrate and embrace the Hokie Spirit, the special bond that we share and that has sustained us and will continue to do so. Tre whole world has now seen what we already knew: thatthe Hokie Spirtis strong throughout our community-—including students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and fri2nds. University Development messaging Here are a few key messages you can share with your donor constituent groups: * The response to the April events on our camprs has been both gratifying and overwhelming. Support is coming in from new friends and old, individuals and corporations, and we are carefully processing vach gift, * We are not actively soliciting or raising funds for any of these initiatives, Rather, we are focused on ensuring that offers for support are appropriately and expeditiously handled. * Those who wish to make a gift through the university have 34 ways in which they can do so: the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund, the Hokie Spirit Scholarship Fund, and memorial funds in the names of each of those we have lost. Specific fund messages ‘The Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund ‘The Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund was established immediately following the events of April 16in order to provide the university with a means to offer assistance to the families of those affected by these events, That assistance includes, but is not limited to: * Grief counseling * Memorials ‘* Communication expenses * Comfort expenses Some of this money has already been disbursed! for these purposes. Such disbursement is being made in keeping with the timetables of the families and in conjunction with number of other agencies—federal and state vi:tim assistance programs, as well as local charities, are all rushing in to aid these families and we want to be sure that our efforts are coordinated so they can have maximum imact, ‘We cannot predict how great these needs will te; nor can we predict how much money Will be raised. We're getting reports of larger, more organized efforts that are being planned and scheduled throughout the coming months. As from the outset, our first Priority will continue to be meeting the needs and honoring the wishes of the families. Plans beyond that have yet to be formulated, The Hokie Spirit Scholarship Fund ‘The Hokie Spirit Scholarship Fund is a single University-wide scholarship that will be awarded to a student based on criteria yet to be established.Named Memorial Funds We have established 32 memorial funds in the names of each of the victims, Final determination of how those funds will be used (memorial awards, scholarships, Professorships, faculty suppor ete.) will be mide in cooperation with the farce, Some of these funds have already been designated, Other questions University Development is happy to accept donations from groups who have conducted their oun fundraising efforts. However, we cannot enter inio any partnerships with these independent jundraising efforts. We cannot allow extemal groups 10 use out logo or etherwice give the impression that the university is endorsing them. Whi'e it is not our place to steer donors away from private fundraising efforts, itis our place to explain to them how they can best support the ‘victims’ families and the university community: by gi vin ig to the 34 funds described above, Stay tuned for further updates to these messages as netded (particularly as regards campaign Planning.) If you have any questions or require further clarification, please conlagl ne one of ny staff. We are eager to help everyone get through this hard time and move into a brighter future.