| When your school decides to pursue a fundraiser for | | | | comfortable in asking, not for themselves, but for a |
| a particular need, it is very easy to focus on that | | | | cause they truly believe in. They will get used to |
| goal with laser-like intensity. The time and effort | | | | hearing "no", but not giving up. They will experience |
| required to pull off a successful fundraising event | | | | the rush that comes from someone giving a |
| requires this kind of commitment from everyone | | | | meaningful donation, just because they had the |
| involved. | | | | courage to ask. |
| However, I contend that there are also numerous | | | | How to Present to Adults |
| opportunities for children to learn some very | | | | During this process of asking for money, whether it |
| important life-lessons along the way. I believe that it | | | | be for a product sale, a pledge, or for raffle tickets, |
| is our responsibility as adult leaders to ensure these | | | | children will learn how to present themselves to |
| lessons are not glossed over in the rush to raise | | | | adults. They will quickly realize that improper attire, a |
| dollars. We should be coaching parents on how to | | | | weak handshake, mumbling, lack of eye contact, and |
| discuss what goes into a fundraiser and why it is | | | | un-preparedness will result in a flurry of "no's". It |
| important for the students to be involved in a | | | | won't take long before they begin to adopt those |
| positive manner. | | | | habits which garner proven results. This kind of |
| How to Set Goals | | | | behavior modification will only bring the students |
| The first lesson children can learn from a school | | | | more success as they enter the world of college |
| fundraiser is the concept of setting and then working | | | | admission interviews or eventually, job interviews. |
| toward a goal. Since the goal often has a direct | | | | How to Articulate Passion |
| impact on the students' school, it may be easier to | | | | As the children gain experience making fundraising |
| help them to see why it is meaningful. Early on in the | | | | presentations, they will be able to start articulating |
| process, parents can explain to their children that if | | | | their own pitch. They will learn the language required |
| they want to "get" whatever the goal is, they will | | | | for successful "asks". They will develop the ability to |
| have to do the following things in order to achieve it. | | | | paint an effective word-picture for their potential |
| It's a very simple "If...then..." scenario. | | | | donors. They will learn when to speak and when to |
| How to Practice Self-Sacrifice | | | | listen. They'll figure out how not to say too much. |
| Once children have grasped the notion of goal setting | | | | They will gain the ability to share their passion with |
| and committing themselves to the work required for | | | | strangers and get results doing so. These skills will be |
| success, they may be ready for perhaps most | | | | useful to them in any profession they choose. |
| important lesson to be taught from a fundraiser, | | | | Parents need to recognize these teachable moments |
| which is that of self-sacrifice for a larger purpose. | | | | and make sure their children are seizing the many |
| Children from elementary to high school are often | | | | learning opportunities in front of them. |
| more focused on their own needs and desires than | | | | Conclusion |
| those of others. If we can get them to realize that | | | | In order to become successful in the field of |
| they should give of their own time, effort, and | | | | fundraising, a person needs to understand other |
| money for their school, it will be an important | | | | people. He needs to be comfortable in himself and in |
| moment in their journey toward adulthood. Once the | | | | his cause. An excellent fundraiser needs to know |
| fundraiser is over, parents can talk to their children | | | | how to create and share a vision. He needs to know |
| about the good feeling that comes from helping | | | | how to listen to and genuinely care about their |
| others. Hopefully, this will develop into a life-long habit | | | | people he is soliciting for donations. These attributes |
| for them. | | | | don't just "happen" overnight. They must be carefully |
| How to Ask for Money for a Cause | | | | cultivated over years of trial and error, and success |
| Another lesson that can be taught to children is how | | | | and failure. |
| to properly ask people for money. This is a very | | | | As you plan out the strategy for your next |
| difficult task. In fact, many adults are scared to do | | | | fundraising event, I urge you not to forget that you |
| this. During a school fundraiser and under the | | | | have the chance and the responsibility to make sure |
| guidance of parents, teachers, and other concerned | | | | these vital lessons are passed on to the next |
| adults, children can learn how to share the story of | | | | generation. |
| their school's need with others. They can become | | | | |