FundRaiser Blog
Communication doesn't have to be a ticklish subject
In a recent blog here by Kim Klein, follow-up was stressed as an important element in asking people to volunteer their help. It's as true in fundraising as in any other aspect of volunteerism (or life itself, for that matter) that communication is critical in fostering a strong, respectful, and meaningful relationship. So use what FundRaiser provides to keep abreast of what's happening with your individual requests of volunteers, and be prepared to communicate often and openly. Here are a couple of features that I've talked about in the past, that can be very helpful in accomplishing your goals:
1. Tickles. Use them. They are nothing but date-sensitive reminders that attach directly to a name record. If you've ever ordered something from an online company or, perhaps less likely, a print catalog, you've probably had some way to follow up on that order: email, shipment tracking, etc. Tickles can help you keep track of your outstanding requests of people, with "DO" dates set to remind you of when you need to follow up on those requests. It only takes a minute to enter a Tickle, and it can save you a lot of grief due to miscommunications in the long run.
2. Write a Letter. Tool bar icon. It's just an easy way to begin a letter, since it's just a letterhead, really, with today's date, the inside address, and a simple salutation. It's just waiting for you to fill in whatever note or message you need to send. If you have FundRaiser set up to use your email address, you can still use the letter template for that email, too. When you send the message, take the time to copy and paste it to the body of a Tickle, set the DO date on the Tickle for follow up, and then forget it until FundRaiser reminds you.
Let the program be your memory. There is no need to try to remember a bunch of requests to a mass of people, and it's not fair to you OR to the people you've asked for help. You can, through the consistent application of a few minor steps, insure that your time is spent not in trying to REMEMBER to do things, but in actually DOING things. Tickles and the Write a Letter Icon. Check them out.
