During this season, there are many fundraisers, organizations taking up donations, and people asking for your money left and right. Nothing wrong with that, and I certainly believe in GIVING, especially CHEERFULLY, but, I want to throw this out there: *If you are offering prizes for the ones who bring the most money in, you are proving that you dont really need the money. Be a good steward of the money or goods, show the results, and people will be more willing to give. *If you are obligating people to give, even slightly attempting to, well, shame on you. Giving should be from the heart and cheerful. Dont make it that difficult. Let them say, No, when they need or want to...without shame or excuses. *If you have a set goal, make that clear from the beginning, and inform any givers once that is reached so that they can decide how they want to proceed. *If you are asking for donations, please remember the cause...perhaps its something YOU alone are passionate about. Dont make it out to be that people are being too tight, maybe theyre giving to things THEY care about instead. Let them! *When asking for sacrificial offerings, remember that some have already given ALL. You cant squeeze blood from a rock. If they give more in one category, they probably cant in another. Dont be greedy...accept what has already been given. Dont chew them out for not giving more. *Your cause might be good, for example, you might be wanting to feed hungry people, but if youre asking for donations from someone who will give up their grocery money freely to you, you might need to use that money to feed or clothe them instead. Theyll be blessed for giving, yes, but try not to emotionally obligate those who need what youre giving to. *If you are doing fundraisers, count the cost involved and be willing to WORK for it. It is rude to ask for baked goods and then not sell them for what the baker put into it. It is equally as rude to ask local businesses for donations. Remember, they are simply creating their own jobs and arent necessarily wealthier than you just because they own a business...and you probably arent the first person who has asked them this season for...yet...another...donation (and making them feel their store reputation is on the line if they dont). It IS perfectly fine to pay for your own product or ingredients to sell, even if it takes away from your hoped-for overall income. *Just because it is a fundraiser for a good cause does not mean your product is worth more than average. For many, they would rather just give you $10 and feel good about giving than to pay $5 too much for a plate of nachos and feel ripped off. If you are trying to earn money for something, keep focused on the earning it part. *If you are representing the company, organization, or cause, in other words, if you are the one taking up the money, THANK the people for giving! A simple thank you - with a smile - goes a long ways! *Take care of your help. If youve asked for volunteers during lunch hour, or at a time they wont be able to prepare their lunch, either make it clear up front that they are responsible for their own meal, or provide something to eat. Especially if working with food...which tends to make the stomach growl. Perhaps an appropriate discount could be offered for the help. (And as a worker, remember that the point is to increase funds, not to eat it all up.) *On the flip side, if you give, give freely (and wisely when necessary), and move on. Dont stand around waiting to see where the money is going, making sure its being spent the way you see best. Youll be blessed for it regardless of how they use it. *If you dont have the money, services, time, or products to give, or have chosen to give elsewhere, just say, No, in a proper sentence. No excuses necessary. If you have to give on credit, that is not yours yet to give. If you have to borrow from Peter to pay Paul, that is not yours to give. Just say, Silver and gold have I none..., ...and dont feel guilty for it! If you are overwhelmed already and asked to help out at yet another event, you probably wont be that much help anyways. And if you DO have something to give, dont lie about it...fork it over! :) *If you never have anything to give, you might want to check your habits. If you cant give in one form, consider helping out another way. If youre asking others to give, make sure you are giving as well. Giving, whether in a religious or secular setting, is ALWAYS blessed!
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 16:22:38 +0000
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