The Fundraising Factory - Archive for the ‘volunteer’ Category

Prospecting for a Pin Lady

Friday, November 12th, 2010

The loss of a key person in a Non Profit can have a huge impact if the organization is not prepared.  Too many times non profits unexpectedly lose their Pin Lady.  Invariably, the next person to take over knows nothing about the job and doesn’t have the same enthusiasm for the pins as the previous Pin Lady, thus resulting in loss for the Non Profit as fundraising pin sales decline.

Cross training people in an organization lessens the impact of loss until a permanent replacement can be found.

Prospecting for who the next Pin Lady will ensure continued success for your non profit.  Believe it or not, finding that person is easier than you might think because Pin Ladies share some similar characteristics.  First, the Pin Lady LOVES Lucinda pins.  She may very well be your best customer or even that Lucinda Pin Collector.  She probably owns more than 10 Lucinda Pins.  There is a good chance she’s the person who wants to be the first to see the box of new Lucinda Pin arrivals.  Secondly, the potential Pin Lady candidate is a person who enjoys talking to people and socializing.  The future Pin Lady is not afraid to ask others to help if it’s for a good cause.   Most importantly she is committed to your mission. 

Now that you know the attributes of a Pin Lady someone may come to mind right away.  Go with your instincts and approach her with the idea of helping you with the pins.  Something as simple as pinning the pins to the promo cards or attending an event with you where the pins are for sale is a good first introduction.  Invite her into other pin opportunities so she can become familiar with how it all works.  As she is more comfortable ask for her input on ordering pin styles.   I promise, when the time comes that you or your current pin lady transitions, you’ll have a back up person who will be WILLING AND ABLE to help you in a pinch or even better, step in permanently.

Minimize your risk.  Start looking now.  The future of your Pin Revenue depends on it!

Happy Fundraising,
Lucinda

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Mining for Volunteers

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

I talk to non profits everyday.  The two most common complaints I hear from them is that too many board members are not actively involved with fundraisng and they need more volunteers.

Since it is National Volunteer week, I decided to do some quick research.  Don’t you just love Google?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics report,  issued 1/26/10 indicates that there were 63.4 million volunteers or 26.8% of the population between 9/08 and 9/09.

Here are some must know characteristics of volunteers that caught my eye.  

1.  The people who were more likely to volunteer have kids under 18 and work fulltime.  This surprised me.  With the current economy the way it is,  I assumed the unemployed would be contributing more time in communities.  This goes back to the old adage.  If you want something done ask someone who’s busy.

2.  Men volunteer more hours per year than women, although less men volunteer than women.  Volunteer placement by gender seems odd, but consideration as to the number of hours required for specific positions might minimize volunteer burnout and maximize volunteer happiness.

3.  Of people who volunteered, 44% did so because they were asked.  This business 101.  “You have to ask for the sale” .

Given this data, would it make sense to qualify board members and volunteers based on the above findings?

This target group is more willing to join and put in the time to get the job done.  Best of all; the only thing you have to do is ask!

Recruiting volunteers and board members that have kids, jobs and are gender specific may yield better results. 
Here’s my question.  What ways can the target audience described be mined?  Would love to hear your ideas.

Lucinda

PS.  If you are one of the 56% of the people who don’t need to be asked to volunteer and want to do so,  the Volunteers of America can help you locate a non profit in your area needing help.  

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The Heart of the Volunteer

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

 

The Tri for a CURE was this past Sunday.  It’s a triathalon, swim, bike, run race to raise money for the Maine Cancer Foundation.  In the dead of winter on a February night registration opened at exactly midnight.  600 woman registered to race, each for her own reason.  It sold out in less than 30 minutes.  I didn’t get in.  Not necessarily a bad thing since I don’t swim well or even like to run.  So I volunteered instead to help at the first leg of the race, the swim.  I was asked to count the women coming out of the water.  A job I could handle… or so I thought.  I was even given a counter to make it easier.  It was a no brainer assignment and I was left at the shoreline to click my counter as each woman finished the swim and headed for her bike.  The goal was to be sure the same number of women who went in the water came out of the water.  Waves of women went into the Atlantic 30 to 40 a time until all 436 were swimming in the 60 degree ocean.   As they finished the swim and arrived safely back to shore, I cheered enthusiastically and loudly for each and every one of them…. and I clicked away.  That part of the race was done and the women had survived the swim. I checked my counter.  It read 587!  How is that possible?  436 went in right?  Perhaps it was my thumb clicking skills.  In all my emotional excitement had a clicked unknowingly?  Had I clicked for every woman who got out of the water and then clicked again as I realized that her breasts were gone!  Or double clicked  for those wearing pink caps designating a cancer survivor!  2 clicks for the survivors of cancer and the survivors of the Maine cold waters?  There were so many.  Did I count them twice because they deserved it?   I was a witness to woman of unbelievable stamina, commitment, dedication and most of all courage.  Whoever assigned me my first time volunteering job was brilliant.  Because they put me in a position where I could have an emotional connection to the cause the experience compelled me to want to help again next year. 

I know my numbers may not have been spot on but my heart sure was.  I know I shouldn’t give you the take away but I can’t help myself.  If you have a first time volunteer put them close to the heart of the cause and they’ll be a volunteer forever.

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