Using Shutterfly to Fundraise

Shutterfly can be a great way to get the word out about your activities or even send a follow-up once your child reaches his or her goal.

I love words of encouragement, and children thrive on them.

Here is a card I recently made my niece to help her remember just how loved she is.

The more our children feel loved and encouraged, the greater their self-efficacy (belief in their ability to do something) is likely to be.

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

A Missionary's Heart

I'm back from India and happy to report that fundraising played a huge part in my trip and impacted the lives of those around me. Below is a brief breakdown of how I used techniques that I have discussed in previous articles. I hope they help you gain ideas for your own trip or endeavors:

1. I simply told others about my trip. Just like with any kind of fundraising, the more people we tell about our endeavors, the more likely we are to get interested people who want to help. If we are passionate about our "mission," others will reflect that passion as well. Without intent to gain anything from my visit, I told a woman at a consigner shop about my plans to travel to India. She donated two of her churidars to me because she wanted to see part of her store in another country, and she knew they would help me on my adventure. Donations outside of monetary funds that can help us in our mission can be just as beneficial!

2. I advertised to organizations around town and to the campus community. Although several organizations were not able to provide funds, they offered services such as advertising. I then had one student organization on campus accept my invitation to create an event night in order to raise funds that would provide books to a school in India. There were two main factors here that drew them in: * This would be an opportunity for them to host an event and connect with a larger cause, and * This particular endeavor related to their organization's mission since they are an English organization (providing books to promote literacy, then, was part of their mission as well). This goes back to our discussion about knowing our target population and thinking about how we can help them (the customer) in the process.

3. I made gift baskets for my family in exchange for funds. Since I had made a pervious travel to India, I had unique gift items that I could put into baskets. Rather than making a big announcement to my family, I wrote up the purpose of my trip, created the baskets, and set them out at a big family gathering. At the end of the night, only a few baskets were left. After a couple weeks, the checks started coming in the mail. Many times we are hesitant to ask family members if they want to support yet another fundraising opportunity. But likely, they do! 

Those are just a few ways I was blessed on my journey and was able to help others in return. Good luck on your fundraising adventure, and keep me updated on how you are doing!

School Fundraising: Charity Undefined

Since journeying to India at the end of March, I have discovered ten-fold just how important our fundraising efforts can be. Walking into schools and hospitals as white women designated my mother and I "fundraising diplomats" for Kerala, India. It didn't matter if we were higher-ups or doctors, what we had in America were resources--and charity.

I spoke with my friend Diana yesterday about the differences between our cultures. She is from Bangalore, South India. She told me that one of her favorite things about our culture here is that people are so willing to give of what they have. "In my country, the rich have to be the richest; they cannot afford to give any of it up because it is a contest," she said.

I experienced only the highest charity when I was in India. I never asked for money, but I was given 100% love, so her statement surprised me. My concentration wasn't on India, though--it was on America. People really are willing to give. Fundraising of all types is how so many large ventures are accomplished here. If people weren't willing to give of their resources, we would not see many advancements that we are fortunate enough to witness.

School fundraising truly focuses on the heart of the fundraiser and the heart of the consumer. Your child may have the opportunity to fundraise for the first time this year. Being aware of the charity behind the gift and recognizing the customer for that charity can be a great way to show appreciation. One day you our your child may be a fundraising diplomat for a school organization, a nonprofit job, or even another country. It is easy to expect generosity in the monetary form; it is wise to expect generosity in the charitable form.

School Fundraising: Creating A Positive Attitude

We often think of having a positive attitude but creating a positive environment. Many times the reality of the situation is that we can actually shape our own attitude. This is not to say that the grouchy co-worker or unhappy customer doesn’t get us down once in a while—it is only human to feed off of the energy around us. However, being aware of this energy can be greatly beneficial.

Many have heard the idea that we cannot control the situation but how we react to the situation. This is often true. If someone yells at us, no one makes us yell back. Practicing ways to maintain a positive attitude might help you react differently in these tough situations. Helping your child practice them as part of the fundraising technique might also help produce more sales.

Happy people like to buy. Happy people can also be more willing to sit and chat about the purpose of your child’s fundraiser. See the connection here? Attitude is almost everything when it comes time for the presentation.

So, parent, here are some techniques you and your child can implement together to produce a healthier, happier YOU.

Smile
Have you ever tried to think bad thoughts while smiling? It’s tough. Each time something negative is bought up during a fundraising presentation, remember to smile. This may help relieve built up stress and should help boost your confidence.

Say “Thank you.”
Despite what is said by the customer, your child should be thankful for the contribution. It may sometimes sound funny saying thank you for negative input or refusal to buy, but this is necessary to maintain a positive attitude. Your child may say thank you for any given time allotted during the presentation or simply “thank you.” Choosing to not resort to conflicting words is ultimately rewarding.

Use positive sentences
When selling we sometimes vocalize what we wouldn’t do or items we cannot provide. It can help the buyers’ confidence as well as your child’s to keep sentences focused on what is possible. Changing sentences to the positive also can help offer solutions rather than sounding like a complaint. Rather than saying, “We don’t take donations,” your child might say, “We consider every purchase a donation…and we definitely appreciate them.”

Finally, your child may choose to journal about the fundraising experience. This can help each day be new. Any worries or complications from one day can be left aside after getting emotions down on paper. This is often a very calming technique.

Please visit MommiesLine.com today! This essential line of "for Mommies" books provides a central resource addressing the many issues inherent in the lives of women at all life stages. The line also helps support charities assisting American women and children. I am the proud author of "School Fundraising for Mommies."
http://mommiesline.com/

School Fundraising: Applying Body Language

Nonverbal cues can sometimes speak our emotions more accurately than the words themselves. You may be able to think of a time you were extremely bogged down at work and someone asked a favor of you. As your mouth was saying, “Yes, of course,” your head was shaking in the “no” direction. Your partner may have taken advantage of the preferred words, but that doesn’t mean your head nod went unnoticed.

It is just as important for your child to be aware of body language, the same way you must be as a grown adult. Your child will most likely be interacting with many adults and could send the wrong message. On the positive side, actively being aware of our nonverbal cues can help the sale go much smoother.

It is a good idea to be aware of the nonverbal cues to avoid. If you see your child using these motions repetitively, you may want to address it and practice new habits.

Nonverbal gestures and language to avoid:

• Crossing arms while in conversation – this is typically a closed off stance that can show disinterest.
• Moving eyes away from speaker- wandering eyes can be distracting while rolling eyes can be offensive.
• Sitting with legs pointed away from speaker – this may be a sign of discomfort
• Resting hands on the face – closes off the face and could be interpreted as low confidence.
• Placing hands on hips – this can be an aggressive pose.

New habits to start:

• Keeping arms by side and using hand motions – this shows the customer you and engaged and interested.
• Maintaining eye contact – this shows you are focused and listening.
• Sit toward the speaker – this shows you are comfortable in the surroundings.
• Keep hands folded in lap or as tools to emphasize speech – still hands shows you are concentrating on the speaker’s words. Engaged hands show you are expressive and friendly.

If your child does have a habit of placing hands on the hips, help find a pose that is more natural and age appropriate. If standing, one option is holding hands behind the body. This shows your child is not afraid of the situation. Even that pose, though, can be a little more informal than most elders are used to. A good practice is when not using the hands to emphasize or express, keep them folded in the lap or to the side when standing.

We are now well under way to becoming better presenters, better fundraisers, and better communicators.

"School Fundraising for Mommies" is under development through MommiesLine.com. The book covers how mommies can help their children master the art of sales through their school fundraising experiences by developing planning, selling, and networking skills.

Also, to celebrate women philanthropists and learn more about “School Fundraising for Mommies” tune into the Mommiesline.com radio program on March 17, 2008. The program will be available online.

School Fundraising: Commitment to Practice

I substitute taught a group of 7th graders yesterday and asked them to mention one unique thing about themselves. A good majority of the class said they were good at one sport or another. One little girl said she has either basketball or softball practice every day of the week, including the weekends. Our children already know how to be committed to venues that society values. They practice day after day to become better at their trade.

The same aspects of commitment can be applied while practicing the school fundraising presentation. Just as your child may have an instructor for dance or a coach for basketball, you are your child’s coach for fundraising. You can encourage your child to begin a practice regimen that can be carried out while balancing other activities. This can be a special time, morning or night, that your child rehearses the presentation in front of a live audience to enhance delivery skills.

As a parent, you can encourage your child to be committed to the practice schedule, and you can also coach the elements of the presentation. Your child may encounter a variety of people during the fundraising event. Adapting to the different personalities can be much easier with several days of previous practice.

Your child should be practicing daily. Being committed to the fundraising activity is imperative for it to succeed. Your child’s commitment to the project should not waiver if the determination and persistence are strong. Below are three elements to help your child stay committed to the activity.

Work on one element at a time:

Trying to focus on every aspect of the presentation each time will likely burn your child out and not be as effective than honing in on specific skills.

Write down the practice schedule:

Committing yourself in the written form has shown great success. You can help your child make a checklist so it is fun to mark each practice and what skills were practiced on that day.

Stay on track with your schedule:

Make sure you give your child a little slack. If one day of practice is missed, excuse it and get right back on track. The important thing to remember is that your child doesn’t get frustrated and quit.

School Fundraising: Creating an Outline

If you and your child have been avidly following my blogs and implementing the different techniques, you are probably ready to dive in and begin presenting. Just like any quality presentation, it is very important to work from an outline. The goal is not for your child to sound scripted. Instead, having a rubric enables your child to concentrate on the customer’s needs and personality.

We have discussed how important it is to meet the needs of the customer first and foremost. Placing others ahead of ourselves requires patience, but is often rewarding in many ways. The rubric is very flexible. It will be an opportunity for your child to understand the layout of an outline (if this hasn’t already been taught in school) and the uses for it. If we use the outline correctly, we should sound very natural during the presentation, inserting dialogue with any opportunity.

Below is an example of a presentation outline. The most important thing to remember is to know your customer. If your customer begins a story, encourage more details or share a similar story of your own.

I. Introduction (“The Pan”)-The Pan is the basis for your presentation.
A. You – “Hello, I’m Jennifer…”
B. Your Cause – “I’m a part of X organization…”
C. Greeting – “How are you today”

It’s very important here to greet the customer rather than beginning to speak about the product. Remember, it’s not about the product; it’s about the customer. You haven’t even gotten to know the customer yet, so you cannot be certain how or if it will meet their needs.

II. Body (“The Cake”)- The cake is the savory part you give and receive details.
A. The Product
B. Why You Chose This Customer
C. Possible Needs/Goals The Product Can Fulfill

Help your child to overcome the fear of talking about the customer. If your child explains that the reason for choosing this customer is to get the neighborhood involved or because “rumor has it” that this customer likes chocolate (for example), your child will be creating a bigger purpose than the product itself.

III. Call to Action (“The Frosting”)- The frosting is the reward and tie-off.
A. How Many?
B. Who Else?
C. Follow-Up

This final stage is the glaze on the sale. Your child should be comfortable asking for referrals because the customer will most likely refer those interested in fundraising activities or the particular product available. This is a great opportunity for your child. Then, scheduling a follow-up or delivery is vital to end the sale on relationship rather than money.