The key to the success of any project is the communication among those involved. Make sure there are clear, open lines of communication from the campaign organizer to group leaders, teachers, parent helpers, etc. and, most importantly, to the participants who will be your “sales” people. Communication keeps everyone interested, informed and enthused.
Organization:
As in most endeavors, the degree of organization can make the difference between success and failure. Setting up a sequence of events for your fund-raising project - what happens and who is responsible - will make your campaign run smoothly and without confusion, since everyone will know exactly what is expected of him/her.
Recruiting Help:
Recruiting the assistance of parents and/or other adults has been noted as particularly beneficial for fund raising activities involving children. Such volunteers typically provide help with organizing, coordinating, calculating total orders, and distributing maple syrup products to participants.
Motivation:
One of the biggest motivators for fund raising activities is making the participants aware of the purpose of your campaign. When they know why you are raising funds and how they can play an important part in your campaign, they are far more motivated to go out and get positive results. When younger children are involved, sending an informative note or newsletter home to the parents is also very effective. Doing so may result in the parents providing assistance by reinforcing the importance of each and every participant and encouraging them in their sales efforts. Children are very proud when they are able to say they did their part in achieving the group’s fund raising goal.
Product Knowledge:
We believe that it is important for the participants to be able to tell their customers a little bit about the product they are selling. They should therefore be informed that the maple syrup products that they are selling is of the highest quality and that maple syrup is a wholesome and nutritional food product that is consumed in most homes and is a good source of calcium. It has a low glycimic index, natural and pure, and contains over 40 antioxidants. Letting the customers know that they can serve over fruit or cereal, based pork, poultry or fish while supporting your project, leading to a positive response.
Pre-sell:
We recommend that your participants pre-sell the product. This means that orders are taken by each participant and totaled by the fund raising organizer, prior to placing your order. Participants should inform their customers of the expected delivery date of their individual orders.
Younger participants should be told to have each customer complete the information on the order form for his/her order (name, telephone number, number of pieces, and amount). Parents or older siblings can assist in calculating totals.
Using the
Telephone:
The telephone can be an excellent sales tool for your participants, particularly younger ones who are not expected to make their sales in person. Inform the participants of how they can call friends and relatives to ask for their support. Parents can be helpful in preparing an appropriate list of names and telephone numbers.
Set Individual Targets for Participants:
Let each participant know how many items he/she should try to sell in order to meet the group’s total goal. Tell the participants what the total goal is and how, if each one of them meets his/her personal goal, the group will be successful. Each participant is then able to see the link between his/her contribution and the success of the campaign.
Rewards and Recognition:
Establish a system of rewards and/or recognition for achievement. For example, awarding prizes, special privileges, etc. or mentioning successful achievers at school assemblies or in group meetings establishes a sense of accomplishment and pride, and fosters friendly competition between participants. Also, recognizing the assistance given by parents, business people, teachers, organizers, etc., makes a positive impression that will foster willingness to assist again in the future.
Suggestions and Comments:
We are always pleased to receive comments and suggestions regarding fund raising experiences. We like to pass along helpful hints that we receive to future fund raising groups.
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