Nine or ten years ago, the development director of another school spent two days at Proctor. He was intrigued by the novel methodologies of our Development Office, and he wanted to determine if those systems and practices were replicable at other schools. 



His interest was piqued because our Development Office had gained national attention by using electronic media to customize communication with people who made monetary gifts to the school. We were (and are) writing the book on stewarding relationships with donors with spontaneous, highly-personalized web communications, and Proctor had just completed a capital campaign that had exceeded a consultant's predictions by 100%. Beyond these accomplishments, the office ran (and runs) on a team concept without much hierarchy. Expectations are high, but we enjoy much independence.



After two days of interviews, observation and analysis, Rob determined that much of what he had observed was not--in fact--replicable by other schools. The reason was this: the creativity exhibited by the Development Office turned out to be an organic extension of the whole school. Proctor was--and is--different at an authentic level, and everything we do comes from a common source of expectations, assumptions and values. 



If it had been otherwise, and programs or approaches (to fund raising, for example) were relatively superficial, you could replicate them elsewhere. But no, at Proctor things run bone deep. 







But here's the kicker: Whatever it is that makes this school different (and not replicable) is self-replicating here all the time. A former student of mine (from the Class of 1981) visited yesterday with his daughter, who will be applying for admission. The Proctor he saw is bigger than the one he attended. In terms of program and systems, it is more complicated. The facilities are newer and finer. The arts have grown. Yet his first response was, "Proctor is thriving!" It felt like the same school he knew long ago.




He was referring to the intangible ethos or tone that has distinguished the community for forty-something years. In a follow-up email, he spoke of the flood of emotion triggered by his campus tour. So much has changed, yet nothing has changed. His daughter, who arrived ambivalent about the whole idea, was "blown away" by the experience. 




He concludes, "I know Proctor is the place for her." He ought to know!