Winter 2021 GPC Newsletter

Manager's Minute

Gratitude for our Gift Planning Council Members

By David Bonner

We are grateful for our Gift Planning Council (GPC) members who traveled to Salt Lake City or who joined us virtually for our recent 2021 conference. It is your continued support and encouragement which make the conference possible. It was especially gratifying that this was one of the best attended conferences we’ve held.

Building upon the conference theme, An Intersection of Faith and Philanthropy, presenters expertly addressed cutting edge technical issues while weaving into their presentation’s applicable real-life guidance on how to assist individuals and families address vital non-technical concerns. Participants received counsel on how to help their clients share their most important values and assist their children and grandchildren in acquiring essential life skills.

Representatives of the Church shared presentations on their important work. What a treat to hear from Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles! Bishop Gerald Causse was the highlight of Thursday’s dinner. Elder Clark S. Gilbert of the Quorum of the Seventy and Church Commissioner of Education shared with us the mission of the Church Educational System. President John S.K. Kauwe gave us a timely update on BYU-Hawaii. We are also grateful to Tanise Chung-Hoon, managing director of Philanthropies and our other speakers who inspired us to be better. The conference helped us to understand the “why” we participate in this effort, as well as the “how” we create and implement the technical instruments that bring good intentions to fruition.

As we receive permission, we will place presentation recordings and materials on our website. We invite you to visit our GPC Conference 2021 page.

Also, while it is fresh on your mind, may I please encourage you to save the date for our next conference, two years from now, scheduled for November 9-10, 2023. We hope you can join us!

I express my profound gratitude to Todd Hallock for the leadership he rendered as chair of the GPC. Todd’s leadership greatly blessed and strengthened our council. We are better because of Todd’s excellent work and the kind and thoughtful way he led. Thank you, Todd, for your service and professionalism.

We now warmly welcome Stan Leavitt as he begins his term of service as chair of the GPC! Stan has ably served the council as vice-chair. Stan’s enthusiasm and innovation will build on the foundation laid by Todd and the other past chairs. We are most fortunate to have Stan at the helm.

At this Christmas season, the team at Gift Planning Services expresses our appreciation for the service you render your clients and for all you do to help promote charitable giving to the many worthy causes which surround us. Thank you for your good work in blessing others.

Merry Christmas and best wishes as you prepare for the new year.

Kindest regards,

David Bonner,
Senior Manager, Gift Planning Services, Philanthropies

Brigham Young University-Hawaii Spotlight

IWORK assists international students who need financial support to attend BYU-Hawaii. The mission of the IWORK program is the same as the mission of the school: to prepare learners, leaders, and builders who will bless families, communities, and the Church around the world.

Currently the student body of BYU-Hawaii is approximately 2,700 students, and the university’s master plan calls for that number to increase to 3,200 in the next few years. About one-quarter of the current student body benefits from IWORK, and many of these students would not be in a position to attend BYU-Hawaii if it were not for the program. The need for support will increase as the number of students on campus increases.

IWORK: BYU-Hawaii’s Unique Student-Aid Program

The five letters in the acronym IWORK stand for:

International
Work
Opportunity
Returnability
Kuleana.

Returnability describes the process of students preparing to return successfully to their home countries, and kuleana is Hawaiian for responsibility.

This program provides participating students with funds for tuition, room, and board. Since its inception in 2008, IWORK has benefited nearly 40 percent of BYU-Hawaii’s international students each semester.

IWORK is a work-study program; participating students are required to earn good grades, keep the Honor Code, and work on campus or at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

To learn more about BYU-Hawaii and the IWORK student aid program and how donors can further this great work, visit the BYU-Hawaii portion of this website.

David Grant Spotlight

1. Please share a bit of your background and about your practice.

I am a partner at the law firm of Grant Morris Dodds, where we specialize in trust and estate planning strategies to help our clients transfer wealth to loved ones and charitable organizations through informed, intentional, and hopefully inspired means. Our firm has offices in Las Vegas (NV), Cedar City (UT), and Gilbert (AZ), where we primarily work with retirees, business owners, and agricultural families. While it is very satisfying to advise people in saving taxes, protecting assets and organizing interesting and productive legal structures, my professional passion is found in assisting individuals and families to be better stewards, and to improve and cherish relationships with others and the communities in which they live.

2. Why you are involved with the Gift Planning Council?

The Gift Planning Council provides important context to my work life by exposing me to quality planning ideas, inspiring friends and role models, and opportunities to feel the Holy Spirit within the framework of my profession. The feelings and concepts I bring home from the conferences and leadership council meetings uplift my professional work and inject enthusiasm into the daily grind of a busy legal practice. Personally, the Gift Planning Council helps me appreciate my job and the opportunity I have to help others in my career.

3. Can you please share with us one of your favorite experiences from serving on the Gift Planning Leadership Council or attending the Conference?

Among the many impactful experiences I’ve had participating in the Gift Planning Leadership Council and Conferences, one stands out in a big way: it was listening to then Elder M. Russell Ballard speak during the 2015 Conference. His wise advice and inspired invitations showed me a better way to help families in my practice. (Read more)

2021 Gift Planning Council Conference Report

We are so grateful for all of our wonderful presenters and attendees at the conference this year. Please be sure to check out the GPC Conference 2021 webpage to see videos, transcripts, etc, from the event.

Join the Gift Planning Council LinkedIn group at this link.

Join the LinkedIn Group