 |
|||||||
|
|
|
|
ALSO
IN THIS ISSUE Hat Trick Choreographing a Romance Evolution of a Biology Professor Sweet Rewards Academic Stepping Stone Chancellor's Column Development News Factoids Newsmakers Accomplishments by faculty and staff… |
DEVELOPMENT NEWS Will Power Where
there’s a will, there’s an easy way to donate to causes you
support. Everyone should have a will. It allows you to direct exactly
how your property will be distributed after death. Otherwise, the state
decides who gets what. And a will can be an instrument of personal expression.
Nominate guardians for your minor children. Pass along that bunch of glass
grapes to someone who’ll cherish it; likewise that painting on black
velvet. A
will is also a way to donate to the San Diego Community College District.
You can specify a percentage of your estate go to the district, or a specific
amount, or an amount or percentage of the “residue” (the amount
that is left after paying all inheritances, debts and costs). Even with
possible changes in the tax laws, donations to nonprofit organizations
remain a compassionate way to reduce the size of your estate. Bequests
to the district via your will can be designated to a college, to a specific
scholarship fund, or to use without restrictions. Most
people don’t need a lawyer to make a valid will. You just need to
follow some basic rules. There is plentiful legal information for the
layman from Nolo Press. The website
has a link to purchase Nolo’s Will Book and the Willmaker computer
program. A
will is not the only way to donate posthumously. Almost any financial
arrangement that allows you to designate a death beneficiary can be adapted
to donate to a nonprofit. You can name the district as beneficiary of
life insurance, of financial accounts, of retirement savings. All
of these gifts can also be accomplished by a revocable living trust, if
that’s a part of your estate planning. Both wills and revocable trusts
can be changed if your circumstances or sentiments change. For more information about deferred gifts, click here. (Charitable
gifts to the district are received by the SDCC Auxiliary Organization,
tax I.D. Number 33-042897.2.) Let's Do Lunch It’s
a chance to catch up with old friends, a chance to hear what is going
on at the colleges they once served and a chance simply to remember when. The
Retired Administrators’ Luncheon was held for the second consecutive
year in February, sponsored by the office of District Advancement. The
luncheon is designed to keep lines of communication open between retired
but still-vital individuals who helped shape the district and those still
making decisions. “It’s
a very nice event, a way to keep up with old colleagues,” said Fred
Colby, a former district trustee who advocated the creation of a district
fund-raising department, and still stays active in district affairs and
charitable fund-raising. “It’s a good idea, getting people back
together and talking again. A variety of events like this would be nice,
each with a different purpose, and the chance to get even more people
involved.” For
Florence Downs, a nurse who was a vocational education coordinator in
the district’s health fields, and who remains active in the health
department, the luncheon offered the opportunity to see the dean of her
college, who had retired not long after her arrival. “I
was teaching at City College starting in the late ’60s and early
’70s,” Downs said. “It’s very nice to see people again,
especially after you went through so much with them. There are so many
opportunities for lifelong friendships.” Downs
says she likes catching up on changes. “Change is a way of life,
and the changes I’ve seen in the district have been very positive,”
she said. “A luncheon like this lets us catch up on things, and maybe
offer a few ideas of our own.” This
year’s luncheon featured a presentation on finances and retirement
by certified financial planner and radio host Aubrey Morrow. |
Sample
Wording Percentage Specific
Amount or Asset Residual |