Like all public affairs, fundraising events require careful and thorough planning. From deciding on specific fundraisers to finding volunteers, from collecting and distributing the products to managing excessive stock, a wide range of issues should be considered. Each and every one of them needs to be discussed and approved by the majority, if not all, of committee members, before relevant actions can be successfully taken.
Simply put, planning ahead enables us to complete our tasks quickly and effectively. Here are some suggestions on how to conduct good planning:
- Start early. Plan ahead by gathering resources and categorizing them according to your needs, identifying channels through which you can find volunteers, and helping your team members know each other.
- No idea is bad idea. It is always useful for everyone to sit down and brainstorm. Because each of your team members has his or her unique views, experiences and contacts, together you can do great wonders.
- Always have the end in mind. Establish achievable goals and concrete plans to achieve them. Keep everyone informed of all steps completed and yet to be taken. The more specific you are about your goals, the more focused you tend to be.
- Know your limits. Stay calm and positive even when problems occur. Understand that no matter how capable each of your team members is, he or she is not Superman or Wonder Woman. People do and often make mistakes.
- Put fun back into fundraising. Include a kick-off gathering at the beginning of your plan and a celebration party in the end. Make sure that everybody is invited and all efforts are rewarded.
Remember, planning ahead does not mean that you should have everything done beforehand. It simply means that you need to prepare your team for whatever is coming.
