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THE IMPORTANCE OF BRINGING YOUR "DEFINED PUBLIC" CLOSER TO YOUR ORGANISATION Please Note: This section applies generally to Category 'A' organisations. An organisation with a defined public has a ready made cohesive pool of people from which to obtain donors. In addition, "defined publics" are already committed to the organisation by choice, for a long period of time. There is plenty of time to cultivate them, and bring them closer to the organisation. Remember: The student of today, is the parent of tomorrow. The parent of today, is the donor of today, and influences the next generation of parents, some of whom will be your organisation's donors in the future. AN ONGOING THEME OF CATEGORY 'A' ORGANISATIONS SHOULD BE A WELL DEFINED POLICY ON "WAYS OF BRINGING DEFINED PUBLICS" CLOSER TO THE ORGANISATION. This is a LONG TERM STRATEGY, which will help ensure donor support for years to come. Thought should be given to: A well defined policy on the organisation's attitude to 'defined public' involvement in the organisation's overall operation. Areas of the organisation's operation that would benefit from involvement from the "Defined Public" who become active donor, either financial, time giving or both. Think about which activities of your organisation would benefit most (such as your group's community work, or membership drive, or meeting / event organising, newsletter production, etc), and concentrate on involving the public in those. There is no greater turn off for a potential donor than offering services, money or voluntary time to an organisation, and nothing is done about accepting the offer. People regard offering of their discretionary time, discretionary income, services and goods as a gift to an organisation - make sure that this gift, and the person, is acknowledged quickly (receipt and letter if donation is money). MAKE SURE THAT YOUR ORGANISATION HAS A POLICY ON INTEGRATING PEOPLE WHO WISH TO BE INVOLVED IMMEDIATELY. AN ORGANISATION WHICH HAS A REPUTATION OF MAKING PEOPLE FEEL WELCOME AND USEFUL WILL BE DOING MUCH TO HELP THEMSELVES WITH REGARD TO POTENTIAL DONORS. Previous Page: Know and Understand the Media Next Page: HOW TO ACQUIRE, ENTHUSE AND MOTIVATE COMMITTEES AND VOLUNTEERS |
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