Jim Datson

Fundraiser since 1982
FINZ member since 1982

When a back injury ended Jim’s voluntary career with St John he became interested in how they operated behind the scenes.  Initially he found fundraising extremely challenging, until he had the opportunity to attend a fundraising course in 1982.  It was on this course that Jim began to understand the principles of fundraising and start serious fundraising activity based on tried and true principles.

Jim has held a number of positions within FINZ.  From 1983 to 1988 he was Secretary of TAIF Chapter Six (NZ).  He has also been on the Northern Executive and Chair of the Northern Region.  He was a member of the National Council from 1992 to 1997.

Jim accredits his professional development as being largely shaped by FINZ. In an industry where people often work in isolation FINZ has provided Jim with professional peers with whom he can discuss the complexities of the fundraising industry.
Jim believes that being a member of the FINZ National Council provided him with an opportunity to develop his people management skills while also heightening his understanding of governance at a practical level.

For Jim the highlight of being a fundraiser is seeing what organisations are capable of achieving when they have the resources to do so and the immeasurable pleasure of providing people with the means of making a difference.