All of this relates to fund development and our donors.
1. “Thank you for inviting us into your home. Stop by ours soon.” On the Chico’s catalogue that I just received in the mail. Wow. What a marvelous sentiment. It doesn’t say “trademarked.” Could we copy it? Could we at least behave like this with our donors and clients and neighbors?
2. “It isn’t brainstorming…It’s heart storming.” This from Daryl Eaton, board member of the Norfolk Land Trust, Norfolk, CT. Daryl and her fellow board members and I were talking about engaging people in conversation. And I said, “have a brainstorming session with your board about why saving the land matters.” And Daryl responded, “Since emotions are what this is all about, we should have a heart storm session, not a brainstorm session.” Oh Daryl, you are soooooo right. And that goes in my book.
3. The oddest thing about a successful case for support? It’s not about how wonderful your organization is. It’s about how good the donor will feel, if she joins the fight. (Thanks Tom Ahern.)
4. Everyone keeps saying it. But who demands that bosses and boards pay attention? To compete in our message-mad, over-communicated, straight-to-trash world, you simply cannot guess. You must come armed with skills, research, and psychological insights. (Thanks Tom.)
5. Is your fight clear so I can join up if I want to? Because if your fight isn’t big enough (and important enough to me), I won’t join. (That’s Tom again.
6. What’s your donor-centric quotient? See the Donor-Centric Pledge. Test yourself. Donor-centricity cannot be some fashionable phrase you spout. It must be your way of life.
