[Cash-and-caring] IABS IDOL

Thu Dec 22 01:00:11 UTC 2016

Ramona,

Can you share details how Idaho is accomplishing this? Provide specifics of the bike-a-thon and how it's handled from the fundraising to the PR? Nebraska has done a walk-a-thon for decades. Even when it was more successful, it only raised about $3000, and no one but members participated. This is and continues to be the largest fundraiser in our state. We now have even fewer members who participate, and our fundraising is way down. No one can seem to come up with solutions on how to vamp it up and make it more successful. Curious how Idaho is making it work. Perhaps there is something Nebraska can try to make our walk more successful.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Cash-and-Caring [mailto:cash-and-caring-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of walhoframona--- via Cash-and-Caring
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2016 3:17 PM
To: Janice Toothman via Cash-and-Caring <cash-and-caring at nfbnet.org>
Cc: walhoframona at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [Cash-and-caring] IABS IDOL

Don't let it get you down! I understand what you are saying.

A man once asked me how many would be the fewest people necessary to make a successful walk-a-thon. I first cautioned him to take what I would say seriously. It takes one person to pledge to walk. Others can join or not. Pledges and suppofft are nice and probably will come. He did it and raised several hundred dollars. Now that state, Idaho, raises more than fifteen thousand dollars with a bike-a-thon each year, and we are trying to increase it.

I want big fundraisers. We must start wherever we are. Sometimes we will be surprised at what happens. 
Ramona

On Dec 21, 2016 8:59 AM, Janice Toothman via Cash-and-Caring <cash-and-caring at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
>
> Bridget,
>
> I want to say that I share your frustration.  It is often hard when a few in the Chapter/Affiliate do most of the work and the majority remain apathetic or unmotivated.  
>
> It is difficult enough coming up with ideas that will be successful and that our members will feel excited about enough to be involved with getting the project done.  I think we have to keep trying because the work of the Federation is vital.  It is also a way to empower individuals that may not have felt that had a say in their own future.  If they can recognize that participating in fundraising,helps them build skills and confidence that will make them a more independent and effective blind person.
>
> Janice
>
> On 12/21/2016 10:15 AM, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Cash-and-Caring wrote:
>>
>> Agree with all points. And I don’t share most these thoughts and feelings with my general membership. As a leader, I understand it’s my responsibility to keep encouragement flowing, morale high and remain positive. But with other leaders, sometimes a good vent is necessary, smile. But I agree that lists like this are helpful and generate a lot of great ideas. I’m frequently encouraged and excited by ideas I see on list like this. Thanks to everyone who shares and provides suggestions.
>>
>>  
>>
>> Bridgit
>>
>>  
>>
>> From: Cash-and-Caring [mailto:cash-and-caring-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Eric Guillory via Cash-and-Caring
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2016 8:55 AM
>> To: Fund-raising assistance for Chapters and Affiliates <cash-and-caring at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Eric Guillory <eguillory at louisianacenter.org>
>> Subject: Re: [Cash-and-caring] IABS IDOL
>>
>>  
>>
>> It can be discouraging. In talking with churches and other nonprofit entities, there is seemingly a general feeling that the spirit of volunteerism is down—particularly with regard to fundraising (both giving and organizing). That is why lists such as this one and the encouragement and ideas we are given by the list moderators is invaluable. Ideas and trends will come and go. Nevertheless, it is incumbent on us as individuals in positions of leadership to cultivate as much enthusiasm and excitement as possible in our membership. This can be a thankless and difficult task, but the rewards (membership and monetary) are well worth any frustration. Thanks for all the good ideas and dialog. I will be putting some of them before our affiliate and its chapters for future consideration.
>>
>>  
>>
>> Eric Guillory, Director of Youth Services
>>
>> Louisiana Center for the Blind
>>
>> 101 South Trenton Street
>>
>> Ruston, LA 71270
>>
>> Voice: 800-234-4166
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>> Fax: 318-251-0109
>>
>> Twitter: ericguillory
>>
>> Skype: brllovingdad
>>
>> www.louisianacenter.org
>>
>>  
>>
>> “Together, we are changing what it means to be blind.”
>>
>>  
>>
>> From: Cash-and-Caring [mailto:cash-and-caring-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Cash-and-Caring
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2016 8:47 AM
>> To: 'Fund-raising assistance for Chapters and Affiliates'
>> Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
>> Subject: Re: [Cash-and-caring] IABS IDOL
>>
>>  
>>
>> Our student division used to do the exact same fundraiser, the one exception being the chapter battle. It used to be a highlight of state convention. Lots of people attended, staying late, having fun, with lots of contestant participation, and raising a good amount for the division. For a few years now, fewer and fewer people attended, including students, and it got to the point where it was not worth the effort, unfortunately. The last 4 or 5 years, only a handful of people signed up to compete, and only slightly more attended, most drifting off, away from the room where the event was. This year, no one on the student division board wanted to do it, and there did not seem to be interest from anyone else. I don’t see it coming back anytime soon.
>>
>>  
>>
>> I know I often sound like a naysayer on this list, full of negativity, and I apologize for this. I’m actually a much more positive person, willing to boost morale. It’s just that I’ve seen this decline in interest in my chapter and affiliate for a while, from both members and non-members. What used to be successful and work, no longer does. What used to excite people and make them invest, no longer does. New ideas have been considered and tried, but we continue to see this lack of interest. So it becomes frustrating for those of us still dedicated and invested and wanting to see growth and motivation. Not so sure what the answers are any more.
>>
>>  
>>
>> Bridgit
>>
>>  
>>
>> From: Cash-and-Caring [mailto:cash-and-caring-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chang, Patti via Cash-and-Caring
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2016 6:54 AM
>> To: Fund-raising assistance for Chapters and Affiliates <cash-and-caring at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Chang, Patti <PChang at nfb.org>
>> Subject: [Cash-and-caring] IABS IDOL
>>
>>  
>>
>> Our student chapter on Friday night of convention has a fun fundraiser patterned onIdol. It is a talent or lack of talent contest. Each person pays a $5 entry fee that gives them their first ticket to perform. Each performance costs $5 after that first one. People can choose their music. Karaoke with or without the vocals are usual but some people bring their own instruments.  We have three judges, NABS rep,  National rep, and a guest. The performances keep coming. There is a battle of the chapters when each chapter sings something from a theme. This year it was sports. In fact the chapter that wins that battle gets to pick the theme for the battle next year. The judges comment after each performance which can be quite fun and funny. There is also an individual winner who gets a gift card. Our students have done quite well with this.  The beauty is that this fund raiser takes only three or so people to run it well.
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>>  
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>>  
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