Message that AFP weighing merger with Partnership for Philanthropic Planning, formerly called NCPG

I received an e-mail today that AFP was looking at merging with PPP, which was formerly the National Committee on Planned Giving.  In Canada we have AFP and also CAGP, the Canadian Association of Gift Planners.  I wonder whether AFP in Canada and CAGP will also merge? 

Here is the e-mail from AFP:

Announcement of AFP-PPP Affiliation Discussions
Dear AFP member:
We are emailing to let you know that AFP is in talks with the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning (PPP, formerly the National Committee on Planned Giving) about the possibility of developing an affiliation agreement and forming a united organization dedicated to advancing ethical fundraising.
PPP represents 8,000 individual and council members working in the area of philanthropic gift planning. AFP has worked collaboratively with PPP for many years on a variety of projects and initiatives, including government relations and public education issues such as the philanthropy stamp. Over the past couple of years, our discussions have turned to how the two organizations could work closer together and even possibly affiliate to better serve the entire fundraising profession.
An affiliation between the two organizations would help unify the fundraising profession and strengthen the holistic approach to serving donors and the charitable missions that they support. An affiliation also would provide greater educational opportunities; increased distribution and use of best standards and ethical practices; and a stronger voice on issues related to public policy, fundraising practice and donor service.
Currently, a task force consisting of board members and staff of the two organizations is discussing all of the issues that would or might be involved in such an affiliation.
At this time there are no specific details to share because we’re still gathering data and identifying potential key issues. It’s a complicated process, and there’s much to consider. We will keep you updated on our progress and what the future might hold.
We also want to assure you that, regardless of the outcomes of our deliberation, AFP’s commitment to our current members is paramount. Our service and the level of our programming will, at a minimum, remain the same. An affiliation with PPP would, we believe, increase the range of opportunities available to current members.
We’d like to hear from you if you have any thoughts. Please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and let us know your comments, concerns and feedback. We may not be able to respond to every one, but we promise that we will read all of the comments and take into account the feedback as we make our decisions.
Thank you for your membership in AFP and all you do for the fundraising profession.
Sincerely,
Robbe Healey, MBA, NHA, ACFRE
Chair
Paulette V. Maehara, CFRE, CAE
President and CEO