| Want your next fundraiser to run more smoothly? | | | | event. If your stakeholders are bored with a project, |
| Here are ten tips to help you create a successful | | | | chances are, so is the audience you serve. |
| marketing plan. | | | | Define Roles - Match the needs of your organization |
| Put your project plan in writing - Run your fundraiser | | | | with the volunteer's skills and availability by including it in |
| like a business. A written project plan that spells out all | | | | those written volunteer position's description. |
| roles and responsibilities is your blueprint for success. | | | | Move people around - Unless you have a good |
| Create a timeline - Make sure that your start date and | | | | reason not to switch roles, put new people (with a |
| end date are both firm. Make sure your project does | | | | good track record) in those organizational roles that will |
| not conflict with other major events where your | | | | move your fundraiser forward. Do this ahead of time. |
| constituency is likely to participate. | | | | Provide proper training. |
| Recruit, recruit, recruit (volunteers that is) - Let the | | | | The early bird gets the "volunteer" - Let the community |
| community you serve know that you need more | | | | know early and often about what volunteers you |
| caring individuals to help with your goals. People who | | | | need. Recruit more volunteers than you think you will |
| volunteer do so because they are asked. So ask! Use | | | | need. This way, no one feels overworked. And of |
| your newsletter, website and word of mouth to help in | | | | course, those volunteers will be able to pick up the |
| your recruitment efforts. | | | | slack in the event others don't follow through as |
| Incorporate your website - Don't have one? There is | | | | expected. Have volunteer sign-up forms at every |
| no better time than the present to create one. Your | | | | event and meeting your organization hosts. |
| website should be used to communicate goals, thank | | | | Recruit a volunteer to be the volunteer coordinator - A |
| your sponsors, recognize successes, honor individual | | | | strong communicator that will help assign and place |
| contributors, tell about upcoming events, etc. Be sure | | | | volunteers would be the best choice. Some people are |
| you promote your web site on all your marketing | | | | a natural for this key role. |
| materials. | | | | Set realistic goals - Break those goals down into |
| Look at the past to plan the future - See what's been | | | | what's needed from each sub-group. Tell them the |
| successful before. Review your records. Find areas | | | | consequences of their participation as well as what |
| that need improvement. What did you do best? Do it | | | | could happen if they don't follow through. Let the |
| again! Is there something you have always done that is | | | | volunteers know the importance of their roles and |
| on the decline. Examine the reasons for the decline. | | | | what's in it for them. Reward volunteers based upon |
| Perhaps it is time to change course or find a new | | | | their individual and group success. |